Lifetime Networks
Best Buddies
The Best Buddies program matches people with disabilities with students from UVic who wish to volunteer. Our program gives people with disabilities the chance to have experiences that most people take for granted – going for coffee, out to a movie, or simply enjoying the company of a good friend.
Matches are made according to interests and Buddy Pairs meeting once or twice a month to do something fun together. We also organize several group events where everyone is welcome to join in the fun including hikes, watching sporting events like hockey or basketball, karaoke, and movie nights.
“Best Buddies is only continuing to grow and this year was no exception. The entire group consists of 146 people with 68 buddy matches. The program follows the university school year and includes monthly group events from October – April. Buddy pairs are encouraged to meet up a couple times each month, and communicate weekly either by phone or e-mail. All members of Best Buddies are invited to the events, including those who have not yet been matched with a Buddy as we like to encourage friendships across the whole Best Buddy group.”
This program runs through the school year, September – April.
For more information please call 250-477-4112 or BestBuddies@Lnv.ca
Outreach Support
Outreach Support is for people who are living on their own, or planning to live on their own, and need a little extra support to be successful.
Each individual’s Outreach Support is based entirely on their personal goals, needs and the disability related supports they may require.
Other times it’s more of a mentoring relationship to increase personal safety and good decision-making.
This program will be tailored to you. We’ll work together towards independent success.
Days and times are dependent on personal choice.
Outreach Support may include:
- Budgeting and financial literacy coaching
- Planning nutritional meals and shopping together
- Mentoring with meal preparation
- Support to organize self and home
- Facilitation to access the community in fulfilling ways
Fees are conditional upon circumstances.
Community Inclusion
The Community Inclusion program uniquely tailored to each person’s goals. It may be one-to-one support or engaging with peers in preferred activities.
This is an opportunity to receive intentional coaching and mentoring to meet your goals. Goals may be social, academic, work-related and recreational.
Days and times are dependent on personal choice.
People in Community Inclusion sometimes choose this opportunity to:
- Explore educational upgrading or post-secondary education options
- Increase personal fitness
- Work on skills to increase independence in the community
- Receive specific support to reach a personal goal
- Access community resources to increase social interactions
Fees are conditional upon circumstances.
Employment Support
The Employment Program is for individuals who are interested in exploring their potential for employment. Lifetime Networks offers various approaches to support people in reaching their goals.
Employment may include:
Employment Workshops
Small group workshops held on Tuesday afternoons covering all aspects of employment and job readiness skills. A full day pre-employment skills workshop is held every Friday to discover strengths and skills that are then used to identify the direction employment may take. It is a forum for people to find mentorship, share friendship and receive ongoing support.
Workshop topics include: skill development, interview preparation including mock interviews and peer assessment, personal planning and goal setting, effective communication strategies, Internet use, workplace safety, cooperation, team building, and life skills such as personal care, budgeting and time management.
Customized Employment Support
Our customized employment program operates under Employment Program BC (EPBC) guidelines in partnership with GT Hiring, our local Work BC Employment Services administrator. We offer Customized Employment Development Services (CEDS) that combine service options to effectively support the unique needs of a job seeker. CEDS involve creating a job or self-employment opportunity that is customized to the individual needs, skills, abilities and contributions of an individual.
One-to-One Employment Supports
Our Employment Facilitator will meet with you to assess your employment support needs and provide one-to-one individualized job search support. Individuals will complete a comprehensive, strengths-based discovery assessment. The assessment is a person-centred approach to understanding the individual, their strengths and abilities, as well as what supports may be necessary for their success in the workplace.
Based on the results of the discovery assessment, employment support provided to individuals may include: career cruising, unpaid work experience, customized employment development (working with employers to create a position based on the strengths and needs of the job seeker), job development (assisting individuals to pursue traditional employment opportunities and employment counseling).
Job coaching is provided for employment retention once a job placement has been secured.
Days and times for some employment supports are dependent on personal choice.
Fees are conditional upon circumstances.
The Being a Citizen Program
Being a Citizen is an inclusive, adult education program for participants with diverse abilities. There are two main areas of emphasis – academic skills and social communication skills. Participants continue to develop and build upon the academic skills acquired in high school. At the same time, participants learn to communicate more effectively while navigating the expectations of the adult world.
Being a Citizen provides an opportunity for learners to explore themselves, their strengths and challenges, develop interpersonal communication skills, employability skills and build relationships with others.
Being a Citizen is a strength-based program that focuses on the accomplishments and positive qualities of each participant. The development of effective social communication skills is at the core of Being a Citizen and is infused into all areas of the curriculum.
Fees are conditional upon circumstances.
Goals of Being a Citizen
Participants will:
- demonstrate increased literacy and numeracy skills
- become responsible, safe and reflective consumers of media
- develop effective social thinking and communication skills
- increase their level of personal independence
- increase their knowledge and awareness of technology
- examine the world around them through a Canadian context
The Being a Citizen program has many curriculum topics including:
- Health and wellness
- Independent living skills
- Film and media studies
- Environmental studies
- Cultural cooking
- Money management skills
- Relationship building
For those interested in fine arts we offer:
The Being a Citizen Theatre Troupe
Participants in this program create, write and perform their own show three times a year to often sold out crowds.
Participants can expect to increase their skills in:
- Song writing
- Comedy writing
- Prop creation
- Dancing
- Acting
- Singing
While continuing to develop skills in the traditional goals of the Being a Citizen Program.
Networks
“Why don’t I have any friends?”
“What will happen to my child when I pass away?”
“I want unpaid relationships for my adult child.”
“My child deserves a variety of relationships in his life!”
Connecting with people and making friends can be very difficult; in fact sometimes almost impossible! At Lifetime Networks we understand the importance of friendship as being one of the cornerstones to a fulfilling life. Through our Networks we help people with disabilities develop and maintain lasting friendships.
Each Network is created for a specific individual with focused goals and activities that meet the individual’s needs, interests, and lifestyle.
Once formed, a Network is a group of 3 or 4 friends who spend quality time one-on-one with the person at the centre of the Network. Network friends may go to movies, out for dinner, to a concert, hang out at home…it’s all about the friendship and support. The Networks can last a lifetime and ensure unpaid relationships and true friendships are a reality.
Each Network has a Facilitator to help make sure the friendships are going smoothly and to act as a mentor whenever necessary.
Days and times are dependent on personal choice.
Fees are conditional upon circumstances.
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Contact Us
102-4090 Shelbourne St.
Victoria BC V8N 4P6
Registered Charity # 87366 0625
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Social Groups
Please register now for our 2018 Spring programs. These programs fill up very quickly.
Completed registration forms may be emailed to info@Lnv.ca or contact Farrah at 250-477-4112.
Social Cooking (Mon) — 3:30pm to 5pm- Chop, mince and julienne your way to new friendships in this fu n class that explores foods from all around the world.
Photography — Monday 6:30-7:30pm- Spend the evening taking pictures with friends. Learn about the many styles and aspects of photography.
Music — Tuesday Evenings- 6:15-7:15pm or 7:30-8:30pm- Always wanted to sing or try an instrument? Meet new friends and make some music in this fun, casual atmosphere.
Art Studio — Thursday 6:30-8pm-Dabble in paint, create with collage, mold with clay and make some friends!
Friday Socials — 7pm -9pm- Talk about things that interest you and meet new, fun friends in a casual setting. Includes off-site activities and adventures.
Girls’ Social — Saturday 10:30am- 12:30pm–Hang out with your peers, develop healthy relationships, advocate for yourself and plan activities – both off and on-site – that interest you.
Saturday Socials — 6:15pm -8:15pm- Talk about things that interest you and meet new, fun friends in a casual setting. Includes off-site activities and adventures.
Come and have some fun and meet new friends! No experience necessary. Budding new artists, musicians, and friends always welcome!