Municipal councils across B.C. declare March as Community Social Services Awareness Month

Over 35 local governments across British Columbia have passed resolutions supporting Community Social Services Awareness Month and recognizing the importance of community-based social services.

"From Victoria to Golden, from Vancouver to the Northern Rockies, and everywhere in between, local communities in regions across the province have joined with us to declare March to be Community Social Services Awareness Month," says Darryl Walker, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union. "We're thrilled, and extremely grateful, that local governments are showing their support for the thousands of British Columbians who rely on community-based social services, and the many committed workers who deliver them."

Since mid-February, community social services workers have fanned out across the province to speak to municipal councils about the vital services they provide. "Their dedication to this campaign mirrors the heart and commitment they bring to their work every day," says Walker.

Workers have also been organizing events, hosting information tables, attending important membership meetings, and speaking to local media.

Community Social Services Awareness Month is an annual campaign and part of ongoing efforts to raise the profile of, and build greater public support for, the critical work performed by social services workers.

"The support of local governments and communities has given this campaign a great boost," says James Cavalluzzo, chair of BCGEU's community social services component. "We're hoping that the provincial government will join with all of us in this important initiative."

The following boards and councils have passed resolutions in support of Community Social Services Awareness Month:

Belcarra
Burnaby
Campbell River
Central Saanich
Comox Valley Regional District
Courtenay
Cranbrook
Fort St. John
Gibsons
Golden
Kelowna
Ladysmith
Langford
Mission
Nanaimo
Nelson
North Vancouver
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
Oak Bay
Parksville
Penticton
Port Coquitlam
Port Moody
Prince George
Prince Rupert
Princeton
Saanich
Squamish
Surrey
Terrace
Trail
Vancouver
Victoria
View Royal
White Rock
Williams Lake

Visit the Community Social Services Matter website regularly for updates to this list and news about B.C.'s community social services workers.