All Abilities Open Mic Coffee House
2025-11-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-12-06 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-12-20 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | All Abilities Coffee House, 923 Topaz Ave, Victoria, BC, Canada
All abilities open mic coffee house
– Including Open Mic, guest performers, karaoke and singalong. Music, spoken word, comedy…all welcome!

Our featured guest performer on Oct. 18th is SEAN McCOOL from the band “Soul Shakers”.

DECLUTTER YOUR LIFE Group Coaching
2025-11-16 13:00 - 2025-11-30 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Event
The decluttering coaching group meets weekly for 2.5 hours of learning but mostly doing the work under the supervision of an experienced Professional Organizer and ADHD Coach.

Learn to declutter in an ADHD friendly way
Foster a growth mindset while having fun with a community that gets it.
Get your hands dirty decluttering while on the call.
Offered year-round.
Join anytime!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Issues of Substance Conference
2025-11-17 - 2025-11-19 | Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 0E6, Canada
CCSA’s Issues of Substance is the flagship event of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), an organization that addresses issues related to substance use and addiction that affect the health and safety of Canadians.
The biennial event is Canada’s only national conference that brings together addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, knowledge brokers, and people with direct or indirect, lived or living experience with substance use or a substance use disorders from across the country.
CCSA’s Issues of Substance is unique because this three-day event provides an unparalleled opportunity to share new research and best practices, network with peers, and receive practical training related to substance use and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

How to Register
Register for our Issues of Substance 2025 conference through the CCSA registration portal, beginning Tuesday, April 8.
Registration Fees
All registrants (including students) are entitled to:

Attend all sessions, and
Three full breakfasts, three lunches and break refreshments.

Early-Bird Registration Fee
Pay only $1,150 if you register online by Friday, September 19 at 11:59 p.m. EDT!
Regular Registration Fee
Pay $1,295 between Saturday, September 20 and Thursday, November 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
You can also complete and pay for your registration in-person, at the regular rate, beginning Sunday, November 16 (if spaces are still available).
Student Registration Fee
Student registration fee: $595
To register at the student rate, provide proof of your full-time enrolment as an undergraduate, master’s or doctoral student at a Canadian higher education institution in a program related to substance use health, addiction or behavioural addictions. Please upload a photo of your student card displaying the current year at the time of registration.
Registration for Conference Presenters
Presenters must complete and pay for their registration by Wednesday, May 28, to secure their spot in the program.
Questions
If you have questions about registering for CCSA’s Issues of Substance, please contact CCSA Event Planner, Andrea Wagner at AWagner@ccsa.ca. Thank you!

RE/MEMBERING: Zine’ing Loss & Grief
2025-11-19 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Vancouver Hospice Society, 4615 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Vancouver Hospice Society is hosting a 6-week in-person support group for young adults aged 18-29 who are grieving the death of a person. The support group will explore zine-making as a creative outlet for processing grief and loss, based on guided reflection prompts within a space of shared connection. A zine (from “magazine”) is a mini self-created booklet made for a small circle of distribution.
Open to Vancouver residents Virtual Orientation: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 5:30–7:00 PM In-person Sessions: Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30 PMOct. 15, 22, 29 & Nov. 5, 12, 19
Registration is required. To register, please send an email to counselling@vancouverhospice.org

Mental Health First Aid Essentials Training
2025-11-20 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Harbour Room, 722 Cormorant Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1P8, Canada
Join us for a transformative full-day workshop designed to equip you with the essential skills and confidence to support mental health in yourself and others. The MHFA Essentials course offers practical knowledge to help you recognize, respond, and intervene in mental health challenges, from everyday signs of stress to crisis situations.
This course, delivered over 7 hours with breaks, is perfect for individuals wanting to learn how to support those experiencing mental health struggles, while also enhancing their own mental well-being. Whether you’re a workplace leader, community volunteer, or just someone passionate about mental health advocacy, this course will deepen your understanding of mental health, reduce stigma, and build a strong foundation in supportive communication.
Throughout the course, participants will learn how to:

Recognize mental health changes: Understand the differences between mental health, mental illness, and mental health conditions. Learn to spot signs of declining mental health across its continuum.
Respond to mental health crises: Master the ALGES framework to apply empathy, reassurance, and appropriate responses in real-world scenarios, including crisis situations like suicidal thoughts.
Support others with respect: Practice effective communication techniques that challenge mental health stigma and emphasize recovery-oriented support.
Self-care strategies: Discover essential self-care practices to maintain your own mental health while helping others.

By the end of the course, you’ll be empowered to provide mental health support to those in need and take proactive steps to care for your own mental health.
Important Note: A minimum of 8 participants is required for the training to proceed. If fewer than 8 participants are confirmed 48 hours prior to the session, the course will be rescheduled in accordance with MHCC’s group size policy.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be submitted via email (training@csshsa.ca) at least 5 business days before the scheduled course to receive a refund or reschedule.
Late cancellations or no-shows are not eligible for refunds or rescheduling.

Community ASIST Workshop individual registration
2025-11-24 09:00 - 2025-11-25 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Need2 Office, 2390 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 1V7, Canada
ASIST is a two-day workshop that provides suicide first aid training to participants. This training provides participants with the competencies needed to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.
You do not need to work in the health or mental health field to take ASIST. We need people in all roles in the community to be ASIST trained to create a suicide-safer community!
The cost of the workshop is $325. Student rate is available upon request.

The workshop will take place at the NEED2 office.
Lunch, coffee/tea and snacks will be provided

To register visit our website here
Questions; email communityeducation@need2.ca

Holiday Care Kits
2025-11-28 10:30 - 15:30 (America/Vancouver) | Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks Office, 360-555 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC, V3L 5H1, Canada
Request your Holiday Care Kit!
The winter holidays can be a difficult time. We want to remind you
that you’re supported and cared about this holiday season!
Holiday Care Kits are a package of goodies from us to you.
They are for youth in and from care
between the ages of 14-28, as well as Fed Alumni.
Apply for a FREE kit below:
Request a Kit
Want to Get involved in our Holiday Program?Help us Build over 500 Holiday Care Kits!
We need your help to spread some Fed magic this holiday season!
We are looking for youth and adult volunteers to help build our holiday care kits!
Date:
November 28, 2025
Time:
10:30AM-3:30PM
Where:
New Westminster, BC
Training:
Hands on training provided during build
Other:
Lunch and snacks provided
Contact Marcey at marcey.amaya@fbcyicn.ca or 604-355-2530 to learn more about this opportunity!

Santa Claus Parade
2025-11-29 13:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Belleville & Government to Douglas and Chatham and Bastian Square
Join us for the 43rd Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 29th, and experience the magic of the season in downtown Victoria!
Start your afternoon at the Bastion Square Christmas Festival presented by Peninsula Co-op between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM — sip on warm mulled cider, enjoy delicious holiday treats, and snap a festive photo with Santa (furry friends are welcome too!).
Then, grab your spot along the parade route for the Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade presented by CHEK Media at 5:30 PM, as dazzling floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer light up the streets!
And the magic doesn’t end there — after the parade, head over to Centennial Square for the spectacular Lights of Wonder opening night, where thousands of twinkling lights bring the heart of the city to life.

Holiday Party!
2025-11-29 14:00 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | Church of our Lord, 626 Blanshard Str., Victoria, BC, V8W 3G6, Canada
Join us for our annual Holiday Party hosted by the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society! Enjoy snacks, games and songs. After the party, gather with friends and family to watch the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Victoria. Mark your calendars for November 30th and don’t miss out on this heartwarming event!

We Are One
2025-11-30 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd., Victoria, BC, V8R 5G4, Canada
Our dynamic, upcoming show on November 30th is going to be amazing! Advanced tickets are available and recommended as this show often sells out in advance. Outstanding performers celebrate human solidarity day and the International Day of Persons With Disabilities. Click this link for full information about the show and tickets.

Outstanding performers commemorate Human Solidarity Day and the International Day of Persons With Disabilities

FEATURING:

MC – Gregor Craigie (CBC Radio Host)
Kalyna Ukrainian Choir
Hounds of Cuchulain (Celtic band)
Caleb Hart (Caribbean)
REACH! All Abilities Performing Co and Children’s Chorus
Canadian College of Performing Arts dancers
Garth Homer “One Voice, Many Stories”.

Wheelchair accessible. Advanced tickets recommended.

Ability To Rise
2025-12-03 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Halifax) | Cedar Event Centre, 111 Clayton Park Drive, Halifax, NS, B3M 1M3, Canada
Overview

Join us to honour champions of accessibility and inclusion through stories, awards, and performances that inspire change.

Welcome to Ability to Rise: Celebrating Leaders in Disability Inclusion
A celebration in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2025.

About
This inspiring event features motivational speakers, engaging presentations, live performances, awards ceremonies, great food, and meaningful networking opportunities. It’s a space where employers, community leaders, and advocates come together to recognize progress, share stories, and reaffirm their commitment to accessibility and inclusion in our workplaces and communities.
Ability to Rise is a province-wide collaboration between:

Government of Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Directorate
Halifax Regional Municipality’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ANSAIO)
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC)
Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities (NSLEO)
Nova Scotia Liquor Commission (NSLC)
Nova Scotia Works (NSW)
TEAM Work Cooperative & the MentorAbility program
The Disability Partnership

Together, we are building a platform that celebrates leadership, accessibility, and inclusion —showcasing the power and potential of persons with disabilities across Nova Scotia.

Transportation Information
Halifax Transit Routes & Schedules
Closest Bus Routes: 3, 4, and 135 (Lacewood Dr. & Dunbrack St.)
Secondary Routes: 2, 136, 137, 138 (Willett St. & Dunbrack St.)
Walking Distance: 8–10 minutes from bus stops to the venue.
If you have transportation barriers or concerns, email info@nsleo.com and we’ll assist wherever possible.

Accessibility Information
Below you’ll find details about accessibility supports and event logistics.
When registering, please note any accessibility needs or required services so we can reduce barriers as much as possible.
Services already being provided are:

ASL interpreters
CART (captioning)
Sighted guides

Venue Accessibility:

Accessible parking available (note: spaces and aisles are smaller than standard size)
Table clearance is 26.5” but if you need a higher clearance, please indicate this in your registration form

Event Accessibility:

Seating arranged to accommodate accessibility and dietary needs
Breakfast: plated service
Lunch: buffet service
Volunteers available to assist as needed

Accessible Transportation
We are planning on providing accessible transportation if there is interest. The current plan is to have a shuttle from Mumford Terminal area to the Cedar Event Centre. If you are interested, please note it in the accessibility needs question or email info@nsleo.com. Plans may change if there is not enough demand but we will do our best to provide local travel accommodations to the venue.

Registration Information
Ticket Options:

Free tickets are available if cost is a barrier to attending.
Alternate payment methods, such as invoicing, can also be arranged.

Group Registration:

Limit of one table (8 seats) per organization.
You can request additional seats and will be notified by Monday, November 24, 2025 if this is a possibility

Registration Deadline:
Monday, November 24, 2025, or until all seats are filled.
Additional Details:
Eventbrite is used for payment and basic contact details.
A follow-up email will include a link to collect dietary and accessibility information for each attendee.
You can register and pay first, then submit individual attendee details later (by the deadline).
For more information on any of the registration details, including ticket options, group registration, or payment, please email info@nsleo.com.

Refunds & Ticket Transfers
Refunds are available until Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Can’t attend? You’re encouraged to transfer your ticket to someone else. To do so, simply email info@nsleo.com with the updated attendee name(s).

These Four Walls - Film by PFC
2025-12-03 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. To celebrate this day, People First of Canada chapters are showing the documentary These Four Walls in their communities.
These Four Walls was released by PFC in 2025. The film takes the viewer through the lives of people with intellectual disabilities who were forced to live in the Manitoba Developmental Centre, or MDC, a large institution for people with disabilities in the prairie province. The film also follows a class action lawsuit lead by David Weremy against the Government of Manitoba.
“The goal of the film was to show the world how people were treated in institutions and to advocate for a future where institutions would be permanently closed,” said Donna Brown, President of PFC.
You can join People First members watching the film in your community, or you can request the film by emailing info@peoplefirstofcanada.ca
Visit the People First of Canada Facebook page for more details or links to showings.

Pebbles Workshop
2025-12-04 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Vancouver) | NWR FASD Office, 10502 103 St., High Level, AB, T0H 1Z0, Canada
The Workshop:

Provides a basic understanding of the role of the brain in the behaviours observed in individuals with FASD
This session helps the individual to explore the complexity of this disability and discuss the type of strategies needed to support individuals impacted with FASD within the home and community
There is opportunity to discuss specific behaviours within the home, community and classroom settings

When:
Dec. 4, 2025
Where:
NWR FASD Office
10502 103 St. High Level

A Research Agenda for Inclusive Education (Book Launch)
2025-12-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Hybrid (In Person and Virtual)
Book Launch – A Research Agenda for Inclusive Education
Check out the book launch of A Research Agenda for Inclusive Education, written by Inclusive Education Canada associates Jacqueline Specht, Steven Sider, and Kimberly Maich!

December 9, 12PM – 1PM EST
Hybrid and in-person at Western University

More information >
Register >

Joy of Music - by West Coast Reach Association
2025-12-11 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) | McTavish Academy of Art (Gymnasium), 1720 McTavish Rd, North Saanich, BC, V8L 5T9, Canada
A lively, monthly music program for those with diverse-abilities (and their caregivers). – On the second Thursday morning each month at McTavish Academy of Art in North Saanich. For more detailed information see below. Questions? – Call 250-882-4339 or send us a an email message addressed to: westcoastreach@gmail.com (or click on the following button.

Download Flyer Here

Community ASIST Workshop individual registration
2026-01-19 09:00 - 2026-01-20 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Need2 Office, 2390 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 1V7, Canada
ASIST is a two-day workshop that provides suicide first aid training to participants. This training provides participants with the competencies needed to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.
You do not need to work in the health or mental health field to take ASIST. We need people in all roles in the community to be ASIST trained to create a suicide-safer community!
The cost of the workshop is $325. Student rate is available upon request.

The workshop will take place at the NEED2 office (9 am to 5 pm)

To register visit our website here
Questions; email communityeducation@need2.ca

Mental Wellness - Y Mind Teen (13-18) & Youth (18-30)
2026-01-20 17:45 - 2026-03-10 19:45 (America/Vancouver) | BC
Mental health challenges shouldn’t get in the way of doing what you love. Our programs help overcome barriers and get you on the right track to where you’d like to be.
Our free mental wellness programs, Y Mind and Mind Medicine, help participants learn how to manage stress and mild-to-moderate anxiety (individuals experiencing severe anxiety and stress that significantly impacts their ability to perform daily activities likely require more support than what Y Mind is intended to provide). Our programs are evidence-based and teach Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness.
To participate, you may self-refer, you do not need a diagnosis of anxiety, and you do not need to be a Y member.
Y MIND TEEN – AGES 13-18
Y Mind Teen is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. This program supports teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing symptoms of stress and worry to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to cope with stress. Y Mind Teen is led by trained mental health professionals and educators and gives teens the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
Registration Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in-person in Spring 2026. Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
The registration process for Y Mind Teen includes attendance at an Information Session (either online or in person, depending on the site) and a brief intake meeting with one of our facilitators to determine if the group is a best fit for the teen.
REGISTER ONLINE
Y MIND YOUTH – AGES 18 – 30
The Y Mind Youth programs are delivered in person, in Victoria. Online groups are available with enough interest or through our partner sites on Vancouver Island as well as other Y’s across BC.
If stress is impacting your life and preventing you from doing what you want or need to do, this group is for you. Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. Y Mind Youth supports people ages 18-30 who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety/stress to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to increase coping. This group is led by trained mental health professionals and gives young adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
The Y Mind Groups are offered in-person in Winter 2026 (Location TBD).
We are also offering a virtual Youth group for anyone living in the Vancouver Island area.
All participants must register and attend one of our information sessions and a one-on-one intake to register for the program. The dates and times for our next Victoria information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown Y In Person Information Session:
Wednesday January 14, 2026, at 6 pm @ Location TBD
or
Wednesday January 21, 2026, at 6 pm @ Location TBD
Downtown Y In Person Program Sessions:
Wednesdays January 28 – March 11, 2026, 6pm – 8:30pm @ Location TBD

Virtual Information Session:
Tuesday January 20, 2026, at 6 pm on Zoom
or
Tuesday January 27, 2026, at 6 pm on Zoom
Virtual Program Sessions:
Tuesdays February 3 – March 17, 2026, 6pm – 8:30pm on Zoom
Y Mind Youth is being offered in the Westshore by Pacific Centre Family Services at 324 Goldstream Ave. If you are interested in that group, please contact Julia at jleggett@pcfsa.org
REGISTER ONLINE
