The Community Resiliency BBQ, hosted by The Equality Project Society, at 1260 Stage Rd. in Cache Creek on Sept. 22 was a huge success.
Organizers say there was a good turnout of about 150 people and while the weather was cool, it didn’t rain.
There was a community bus pick up and return for Clinton, Bonaparte Reserve, Ashcroft and the Ashcroft Reserve resident and that pleased people who took advantage of it.
Joan Henderson, who is The Equality Project Society (TEPS) public relations person, says she thinks everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“People were happy with the great meal. People played games in the parking lot and there were a lot of giveaway door prizes.”
Joan notes most the prizes were bought through funding from United Way, and local businesses Rolgear and Kal Tire also supplied door prizes.
While they did pick up a few new members, she says it was a mainly a “community day”.
“We were also trying to bring awareness to the community to let them know what we’re all about and what we do here. Most of them were really surprised at what we offer.”
Joan explains that when people become aware of what TEPS, it will translate into support.
“Bringing awareness to the community that this is a need and that there are people who have many needs in our community and that often people who have a way of making a living don’t realize the issues.”
One of the reasons for beginning TEQS was finding people who have excess to share with people who don’t have enough, Joan says.
She adds United Way wanted the community day to focus on mental health and wellness.
“So we had three different speakers on mental health and wellness, which, for even us, brought a new awareness of how much people needed the topic to be open and discussed.
“To the point of needing a support group, so people realize they’re not alone that they have this kind of an illness.
“It went over really well and people came up for the open mic session and commented that they have the problem and they liked the fact they can be open about it.”
There were two speakers about Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and one spoke about Bipolar Disease.
Equality Project
TQPS is a non-profit venture that offers a free lunch to members every Monday and Tuesday, helps people learn new skills, delivers prepared meals to members, and allows members to access for free clothing, furniture, household goods, etc.
Executive director Shelley Milward-Magwood says members have to pay a monthly fee of $5.
“We don’t charge for anything [other than the monthly membership fee]. It’s for people who are in need financially, socially and spiritually.”
The society started in 2014.
“We started out of our homes. And a couple saw what we were doing and bought this building in 2016, and we’ve been working out of it since.”
The community got behind us and bought the appliances, she says, adding Ashcroft Bakery and Horstings Farm deliver bread, and at the end of the season, Desert Hills gives them at least a pickup full of vegetables.
Because they get so much used clothing, Shelley says some of it is stained, so they cut them up and taught some women how to make braided rugs, and then sell them.
They have greeting card making as a project and wood-working so some of the men and women can fix broken furniture.
“We also have a firewood project and the community can drop off branches three inches in diameter and bigger and untreated lumber. We cut it up and give it to people who can only heat their homes with wood in the winter.”
For spiritual needs, Shelley says Pastor Scott Chadwick from the Pentecostal Church is there on Mondays, and Pastor Paul Ford from Sage Hills Evangelical Free Church attends on Tuesdays.
“Mondays and Tuesday are the only days we are open right now because they are looking for more volunteers so we can be open more days.”
New Ride Service
As of Sept. 4, TEQS is offering a ride to those in need.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, they can help people in Ashcroft who want to access TEPS services in Cache Creek, or Cache Creek residents who need to get to Ashcroft for medical or dental appointments, hospital lab services, grocery shopping, and mail pickup.
On the first and third Wednesdays of each month, they offer rides to the Food Bank at the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society office in Ashcroft. This service has been going for about two years, Shelley says, adding it’s very busy.
Those wanting to use the service must be members in good standing of TEPS; have no other means of transportation; and make a donation each time they use the service to help cover the cost of gas, time, and vehicle maintenance.
Other conditions apply.
Shelley says they started the new service because they have heard a lot of stories about people not being able to get to their doctors, therapy or prescriptions.
“It broke our hearts. We had to do something.”
She adds they have three volunteer drivers now.
Contact The Equality Project at 250-457-6485 or e-mail info@theequalityproject.com for details.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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