Pandemics can play havoc with all the factors that contribute to well-being, such as frequent social interaction with friends and family, outings and mental stimulation. For seniors at risk for COVID-19, it can be a challenge to keep spirits up when one's only social window is a telephone, TV or radio. Enter the Tech Peers Program for Seniors.

The CEED Centre Neighbourhood House is launching the Tech Peers Program to help seniors get online, access people and programs, and stay safe. It has partnered with the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Seniors Network, which funds the program through the New Horizons for Seniors Program of the Canadian government. 

We will pair seniors with tech savvy youths to train them as peers so they can work closely with seniors at risk of isolation. The primary goal is to get seniors comfortable with online communications technology so that they can

• have a rich interaction with family and friends,
• attend online meetings for information and to give input,
• participate in online recreational programming, 
• access government services and departments,
• and avoid online fraud 
• ​use email and basic computer and communications equipment and software.

What Tech Peers Do

• commit to a few hours of teaching each week
• agree to a free criminal record check for vulnerable sectors (seniors and youth)
• attend some one-on-one workshops to learn how to train learners
• partner with a youth who will be their tech mentor
• train learners at the computer booth at the CEED Centre (COVID safe) or provide remote telephone support
• when it's safe to do so, network with other tech peers and youth and attend some fun activities

Required Tech Knowledge (moderate)

• understand how to use keyboards, mice, trackpads, and other input devices for computers
• be able to use email programs and web email
• understand how to log onto wifi and connect a computer to the Internet (basics only)
• be able to use Internet browser application software (Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Explorer, Firefox, etc.)
• be able to learn Zoom and FaceTime in a couple of sessions

Why It's Fun 

• if you get satisfaction from contributing to your community, you will like this program. Learners will tell you how your efforts have opened a bright window where it was dark
• in view of the pandemic, it's hard to meet new people--we take safety precautions to reduce risk 

To discuss becoming a tech peer, contact Christian at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House. 

 A decade ago, the Golden Ears Transition Initiative announced its existence with the first GETI Fest, an all-day celebration. In the transition town movement, this was called a Great Unleashing. The CEED Centre Society was instrumental in launching GETI, designing it to eventually become bigger than itself and representative of the entire community, from grassroots organizations and individuals to businesses and government to some degree. The purpose of GETI is to build greater resilience into our communities to withstand the expected changes of climate change, changing energy regimes and new economic dynamics. 
A decade later, GETI Fest is adapting to our COVID-19 reality by recreating itself online. On September 19, the festival will go live online. On the 25th, the performances will go live at Memorial Peace Park for a small audience and will then be streamed online for the next year. The free tickets are available by calling 604-467-7422.

Despite the arrival of COVID-19, the fiscal year ended June 2020 was a busy year for the CEED Centre. Read more about it in our annual activities report.  

In 2015, a young couple from the UK, Zoe and Chris, learned about the transition town movement and set out to understand how the massive change required to fix the many problems confronting the world could be tackled. They toured transition town initiatives in the UK, Canada and the US, making a film in the process. 

They visited a few transition towns movements in BC, including our own Golden Ears Transition Initiative (GETI), which emerged from the Climate Change Solutions Forum held by the CEED Centre Society in 2009. Their film, The Secret of Change, includes footage of a Wednesday Community Discussion at the CEED Centre Neighbourhood House and interviews of Gerry Pinel, Christian Cowley, Jack Emberly, and Teesha Sharma. In Episode 2 Pt, the footage starts at minute 10:26. 

The film series, hosted on Vimeo, shares many insights on how community can come together to make a difference without burning out the individuals that step up in leadership roles. Enjoy the film series.

 The Secret of Change
​

In response to the current COVID-19 crisis and the regulations and advice provided by government agencies, we have suspended normal operations for all of our programs until further notice. We are still providing access to the community gardens as these have been acknowledged as an essential service. Guidelines for the safe use of the community gardens are posted at the entrances. 

We appreciate your understanding of the situation and thank you for your patience. Please take care and help those around you as you are able. We look forward to better days. Never has there been a better time to focus on how we can share information on how to follow sustainable living practices within our communities so that all living beings can thrive.

Walk-Talk-Connect Your Way to Good Mental Health
Being active out in the fresh air is one of the main prescriptions for good mental health at all stages of life. The CEED Centre Walking Group hosted by Lavonne makes it easier. Each month, she picks an easy but scenic area at which the group can meet, go for a gentle stroll and have a conversation. This month's excursion is Sunday, December 15, 1:00-2:00 pm, at Merkley Park in Maple Ridge.  

Carol Waters is new to us as a Director, but a longtime member of the CEED Centre community. She has brought lots of new energy to our Board and organization. Pancakes and Jammin', first started in Vancouver as a "thing," is her brainchild. She sees it as a way to bring people together, allow them to participate directly in creating an atmosphere of collaboration over art, music and food, and plain have fun. So here it is: the first event in a series we hope to host just about every two months. We want new volunteers to step forward to put it on so that they too can have the satisfaction of being part of a community event. Of course, the food will be good and the music and poetry even better. Don't forget that a new artist will be featured on the walls at each event. So come and join us.  

Christian
​2019/11/8