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** June 2025 News & Notes
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** Here's what's going on at CAI
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* Gathering Our Voices: Northern Indigenous Communities Convening Grant
* Capacity Building Grant for First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous led Bed-based Treatment and Recovery Operators
* Human Rights, Stigma and Community Safety
* Empowering Recovery Through Leadership, Knowledge, and Community
* Blog: Building Trauma Capacity
* Welcoming Adejoke
* External Community Opportunities & Resources
* Articles & Media

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** Gathering Our Voices: Northern Indigenous Communities Convening Grant
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We are accepting applications for the Gathering Our Voices: Northern Indigenous Communities Convening Grant!

Delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Health, this funding opportunity is designed to support First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous-led organizations in Northern Indigenous communities to host dialogue-based gatherings focused on mental health and substance use within their communities. The goal is to create safe, culturally grounded spaces for sharing knowledge, experiences, and solutions, while fostering collaboration and collective healing.

The maximum amount per grant is $10,000, and we anticipate funding five (5) grants (this amount may increase if additional funding partners participate). One application will be accepted per organization.

Deadline to apply is June 30, 2025
To learn more and apply, click here ([link removed]) .
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** Capacity Building Grant for First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous led Bed-based Treatment and Recovery Operators
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A new capacity building grant is available in partnership between CAI and the Ministry of Health (MoH)! CAI is currently accepting applications for the Capacity Building Grant, a one-time award up to $25,000 for First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous led bed-based treatment and recovery operators in B.C.

This grant is for projects that aim to increase the capacity of organizations and to align services with the objectives of the Provincial Standards for Registered Assisted Supportive Recovery Services. Examples include programming to support wellness and culture, development of policies and processes, staff training and supports, and more.

Applications close on July 4, 2025.
Visit the CAI website for full details and to apply now ([link removed]) .
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** Human Rights, Stigma and Community Safety
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A recording is now available of the "Human Rights, Stigma and Community Safety" session. On May 29th, CAI, Health Justice and CMHA BC Division hosted this panel discussion designed for the BC Community Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) sector.

In this session, Kendra Milne, Executive Director of Health Justice and Jonny Morris, CEO of CMHA BC discussed the complexity of advocating for a human rights approach within a larger community that is feeling a lot of fear, anger and sadness.

You can watch the session here. ([link removed])
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** Empowering Recovery Through Leadership, Knowledge, and Community
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Join us for breakfast! June 24th is BC Addiction Recovery Association (BCARA) and Community Action Initiative's inaugural knowledge exchange and networking event. Aimed at staff working in the recovery sector in BC, this free event will bring the recovery sector community together to foster connections, share ideas, and build relationships that enhance our collaborative efforts.

Be part of this meaningful launch from the very beginning. Don’t wait—sign up now for your chance to join in. Space will fill up fast!

Date: June 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Pacific Time)
Venue: Shadbolt Centre For The Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC

Click here to register. ([link removed])
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** Blog: Building Trauma Capacity
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"Trauma shapes your sense of safety, self-worth, and ability to regulate your emotions. Dig deep enough, and you’ll often find trauma at the core of problematic substance use and mental health issues. Without treatment, these wounds can lead to ongoing distress, unhealthy coping mechanisms, addiction, and cycles of harm."

In CAI's most recent blog post, Adrienne Yeung, Project Manager of the Community Counselling Fund (CCF), explores the complexities of trauma and the way trauma therapy can be transformative. Through the CCF, CAI has been helping build capacity for more BC nonprofits to offer this specialized therapy to their clients. Exploring the importance of trauma therapy, Adrienne provides examples of what grantees have gained from receiving advanced training in trauma therapy.

Read the blog post here. ([link removed])
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** Welcoming Adejoke
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We are happy to introduce Adejoke Adeyemi, who joins CAI as the new Executive Assistant!

Adejoke Adeyemi (she/her) is a seasoned administrative professional with over a decade of experience spanning both the corporate sector and nonprofit organizations. She has a strong background in executive support, office management, and program coordination, having worked in diverse roles including Executive Assistant at the Midwives Association of British Columbia (MABC) and Program Administrative Assistant at Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS).

Originally from Nigeria, Adejoke relocated to Canada as an international student. She holds an MBA in Business Administration from University Canada West, Vancouver, along with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Lagos and Igbinedion University Okada. Before her move to Canada, Adejoke gained valuable experience in the financial sector, working in various departments at First Registrars & Investors Services Limited, where she contributed to a range of operational and administrative functions.

In her personal time, Adejoke is passionate about cooking and discovering new culinary techniques. She also values spending quality time with her family, particularly in nature.
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** External Community Opportunities & Resources
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Event: Sunshine Coast CAT Celebration

The Sunshine Coast Community Action Team (CAT) is celebrating their return, and will be hosting an open house at the Seaside Park in Sechelt on June 24th from 12PM to 3PM. This free event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another and share in the excitement about making meaningful community impact.

There will be a variety of activities, including games like sack races and a scavenger hunt for the kids, as well as lawn games for the adults. Food stands will serve an array of local favorites. There will also be live music and a few special guests who will share inspiring stories and insights.

Date: June 24th from 12PM to 3PM
Address: 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC
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Event: Independent Rights Advice Service - Family & Community Supports Info Session
CMHA BC Division and Health Justice are hosting a virtual information session on the new Independent Rights Advice Service ([link removed]) .

This information session is designed to help family members and loved ones of people who have been detained under the Mental Health Act will explore:
* Context for establishing Rights Advice
* Independent Rights Advice Service overview and benefits
* Rights Advisor scope
* Scope of family involvement
* Role clarity: Independent Rights Advice and clinical care
* Implementation of the service

Date: June 24, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Click here to learn more and to register. ([link removed])
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Resource: A framework for the review of BC’s Mental Health Act
The BC government recently announced that there will be a review of the Mental Health Act. What is needed for an effective review?

Health Justice (HJ) has a new resource available that explores this question and suggests how the act can be updated to centre the dignity and humanity of the people in need of support. Engaging with a Lived Experience Experts Group, Indigenous Leadership Group, as well as external partners, HJ developed a framework that covers the foundation, structure and scope of an effective and meaningful review BC’s Mental Health Act.

Click here to access the full framework. ([link removed])
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** Articles & Media
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CAI Social Media Round-Up ([link removed])
Follow along with CAI's day-to-day through our social-media roundup. You can also follow us on LinkedIn! ([link removed])

Video: Canada has a hotline for people who hide their drug use ([link removed])
An anonymous hotline has fielded over 20,000 calls from people across Canada who want support when using drugs alone, and as CBC’s Jennifer La Grassa uncovers, the callers who rely on the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) are not who you might think they are.

Podcast: Indigenous cultural humility in substance use care ([link removed])
In this episode of Addiction Practice Pod, journalist David P. Ball and outreach primary care physician Dr. Terri Aldred discuss the importance of culturally safe and trauma informed substance use care for Indigenous communities.

Blog: Poll shows 53% of Canadians support harm reduction ([link removed])
A new Canadian public opinion poll commissioned by CATIE shows public support for harm reduction programs outweighs opposition by more than two to one, and half of Canadians want to see more of these services.

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Community Action Initiative | 1183 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2X5
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
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We recognize that we conduct our work on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations
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