Hello Everyone!

Summer is upon us and so far it's been fabulous! I don't remember a more wonderful June than the one we've just experienced. I hope you have plans to enjoy time with your family and friends over the summer months and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

For those of you who were involved in the Family Activity Day on June 7th, I would like to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to the many volunteers who worked hard to make this day a great success. In particular I would like to thank the members of the Vancouver Branch, Shelagh, Penny, Rita and Lyn, who found this wonderful venue for us and who went to extraordinary efforts to produce an afternoon of fun events, low key activities, and wonderful food. Thank you for your amazing energy and commitment! I had a wonderful time visiting everyone and I think those attending really enjoyed spending the afternoon together.

On a personal note, for those of you who had the opportunity to work with and receive support from Jessica Smits, this is to let you know that Jessica will not be returning to her position as the Vancouver/Richmond Coordinator. Jessica now lives in the Okanagan with her family. I look forward to continuing in this position as Coordinator and would like to thank everyone for the support, personal stories and expertise they've shared with me over this past year. In particular I am very grateful for the support I receive from family members and people living with a mental illness, who accompany me on our partnership presentations to the community. By sharing their stories they have a profound and positive impact on the audiences we address.

BCSS Vancouver Support Group has been cancelled for the months of July and August and will be starting up again on September 28th (Monday) at Raven Song, at 6:30 p.m. Please call me if you need support or would like to meet for coffee sometime in July.

I will be taking my holidays in mid-August.

Strengthening Families Together- in Vancouver- this ten week educational and support series starts up again on Wednesday, September 16th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This is open to family members or friends of loved ones who have a mental health diagnosis and is designed to increase our understanding of mental illness, the mental health system, medication and treatment, advocacy, concurrent disorders and taking care of ourselves. If you or anyone you know may be interested in attending, please call or email me, and I will put your name on a list and contact you in late August, early September.

Enough! Be good to yourself, and find some time to have fun!

Linda

Coordinator

604-247-1884

lproudfoot@bcss.org