Lawyers provided free legal advice in New Westminster on Tuesday in order to raise awareness and funds for B.C.'s pro bono program.
The advice-a-thon takes place in Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria and New Westminster over four days - one day in each city. This year is the first time New Westminster has been a site for the advice clinic.
A press release states the open-air legal advice clinics will rely on the volunteer efforts of more than 100 lawyers who were encouraged to get pledges from family, friends and coworkers to support pro bono programs operated by Access Pro Bono. The organization raised more than $50,000 for pro bono programming in B.C. last year and hopes to raise $60,000 this year.
The advice-a-thon made its way to Hyack Square in New Westminster on Sept. 11. For more information, visit www.advice-a-thon.ca.
NO LANDLUBBERS HERE
Summer has been a time of learning and fun for local sea cadets.
Thirty Fraser sea cadets are returning home after successfully completing courses at cadet summer training centres across Canada. The majority of cadets from Fraser joined 500 other cadets from across the country at Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Quadra, which is located in Comox, B.C.
Courses begin at two weeks in length for the junior cadets and can be as long as six weeks for senior courses and eight weeks for those hired as staff cadets.
"For our 12-and 13-year-olds, this is often their first experience away from home," said Lieut. Bryan Watson, executive officer of Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Fraser.
"I love to see the looks on the faces of the cadets as they see the Pacific Ocean and experience the changes in tides for the first time."
A press release notes that many cadets are flown in from the interior of B.C. or the prairies, where they spend their time practising nautical skills exclusively on lakes and rivers. Cadets attending summer training receive a weekly bonus of $60 to buy necessities, and staff cadets can earn between $80 and $90 per day depending on rank and level of responsibility.
Watson stated that it's rare to find a youth program anywhere in the world where you earn money to attend courses that potentially lead to fantastic summer jobs for 16 to 18 year olds.
Cadets have the chance to apply for several types of training including music, seamanship, sports and fitness instructor, marksmanship, and sailing.
Cadets at HMCS Quadra had a chance to participate in challenging and fun team-building exercises such as completing an obstacle course and performing and abandon-ship drill, as well as a jump off the end of the jetty into the ocean to simulate abandoning a ship in distress.
Cadets are timed and judged on enthusiasm and teamwork, and at the end of the summer, one group is awarded the title Jock of the Walk as the summer's best athletes.
Sea cadets is a national program for youth aged 12 to 18 and there's no cost to join or participate. For more information, visit www.joinseacadets.ca or call 604-525-2298.
STUDENTS MEET ON THE RIVER
Two groups of students interested in sustainability issues recently found common ground in New Westminster.
High school students involved with Metro Vancouver's Sustainability Toolbox met up with university students involved in the B.C. Rivershed Society on Aug. 24. The two groups met at Fraser River Discovery Centre to share ideas about sustainability.
While the Rivershed Society crew was ending a month-long canoe journey that began in Prince George, the Metro Vancouver group was just setting off on a canoe trip of its own.
The Metro Vancouver's Sustainability Toolbox allows students to earn a Grade 11 credit for developing and carrying out a sustainability project in their school or community. In previous years, youth involved in the Sustainability Toolbox students worked on a way to use bacteria from the Fraser River to break down plastic, while another group started Youth 4 Tap, to get more water-refill stations in schools.
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS' SESSION
Youth who are interested in volunteer opportunities are invited to attend a volunteer orientation session.
The information session is aimed at youth who are interested in volunteering with New Westminster parks, culture and recreation. It's being held on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 3: 30 to 5 p.m. at the New Westminster Youth Centre, 620 Eighth St.
Students will receive two hours volunteer credits for attending. Orientation is mandatory for youth who are interested in volunteer at the Youth Centre at Moody Park, Century House, the Queens borough Community Centre and other facilities and special events. The orientation session is free, but pre-registration is requested. To register, call 604-519-1066.
SINGLE MOMS INVITED
Family Services of Greater Vancouver is offering a number of parenting programs for newcomers and single moms in New Westminster this fall.
The groups are aimed at providing support, giving people a chance to make friends and learn more about parenting. Child minding, snacks and bus tickets are available for participants in the free programs.
The programs include: literacy and beginner ESL for moms and caregivers; ESL and health for grandparents (a new program); a single mothers' support group; parenting in Canada (in Spanish); parenting in Canada (in English) and parent connect (a new ESL program for moms with a high degree of beginner English). For details about the dates and times of the courses, and to register, call 604-525-9144 or email [email protected].
