Take Action!
We know you’re busy. You shouldn’t have to do this. We already advocate for our children. It shouldn’t have to take this form.
We are writing letters and raising awareness because it’s the best thing to do for our children right now. But it is taking away from the time we spend with them doing things like in-home therapy.
MCFD has listened before. But only because families and organizations were loud and relentless. So that is what it takes. So that is what we have to do again.
We have a window of opportunity right now to use our voice. We don’t know how long we have. Any action today is worth more than a bigger action tomorrow.
We know you’re busy. But please do what you can.
Join the rally!
When
Saturday, February 4th
10:30-11:30am
Where
Starbright!
1546 Bernard Avenue
Bus Routes
https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Bernard_at_Elm-Kelowna_BC-stop_37782239-2942
Parking
See map below. Please consider carpooling!
More information
https://www.facebook.com/events/497818232531003/
Stay informed!
Find good sources. Ask questions. Be careful with rumours and promises. Follow our news page, but please send us any additions or corrections.
Write your story
The sooner, the better! It doesn't have to be perfect. You can adjust it later. You might share it a lot and can tweak it each time.
There are some templates floating around to help people get started. We will post them soon.
Think about your first meeting with Starbright. Think about how you felt and what you needed then. Think about the people at Starbright who helped your family. Think about how they must feel now.
Think about having to start over. Think about a gap in services. Think about a reduction of services. Think about how this will affect your child. Think about progress stalled and momentum lost. Think about how many weeks and months your child can spare.
Think about what this behaviour from MCFD means they might do in the future. Imagine less engagement. Imagine less support.
If MCFD doesn’t care to ask, then we have to speak first. This is why your story is important. How else will you be heard?
Tell your MLA!
-
Shadow Minister for Children and Family Development
norm.letnick.MLA@leg.bc.ca -
renee.merrifield.MLA@leg.bc.ca
-
ben.stewart.MLA@leg.bc.ca
-
dan.ashton.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Who else?
Premier David Eby
premier@gov.bc.ca
(250) 387-1715
MLA Mitzi Dean
Minister of Children and Family Development
MCF.Minister@gov.bc.ca
https://news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/children-and-family-development/biography
Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth
Representative for Children and Youth
jennifer.charlesworth@rcybc.ca
https://rcybc.ca/get-help-now/contact-us/
Next steps?
Hold people to their promises
We’re hearing a lot of promises about how FCCs will work, what ARC will offer, and how the transition will go. Many of those promises seem empty. Some are contradictory. Some are already negated by what we know. We hope to host a “Promise Tracker” here to hold MCFD and others accountable.
Collect documents and assemble facts
Many of us have received emails and documents that other families need to see. This includes stories and questions you may have sent to your MLA and others. We hope to host a repository of verified information and official communications for the public.
Flag rumours and correct misinformation
Rumours are always unhelpful. Negative rumours are discouraging. Positive rumours give false hope, which turns to discouragement when dashed. There continues to be a rumour that Starbright has received a funding extension, which might be true but is NOT official. This rumour (and other misinformation) has even appeared in print. If you’re sure of your facts, take the time to submit corrections to the news articles you read.
Got more ideas?
Just send us an email at StarbrightFamilies@yahoo.com
Send love to Starbright!
They’re devastated. They’re swamped. They need support.
Send encouragement. Say thank you.
Ask what you can do. They want your stories, please share them.