Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI)

10/07/2026

Courage to Care Community Experience - Oct 19 & 20

Every day, people throughout Metro Vancouver and beyond are caring for family, friends, neighbours and strangers. Much of this caring goes unseen, but it's a key part of what holds our communities together.

To mark our 70th Anniversary — and Community Inclusion Month — BACI is hosting a free drop-in interactive experience celebrating caring in our community and the launch of Courage to Care, a powerful collection of writings and images curated by Al Etmanski.

When: October 19, from 11 AM – 7 PM and
October 20, from 11 AM - 6 PM

Where: Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas St, Burnaby

Join us for:
- Interactive Installations: Walk through and add your voice to a growing community-built Tree Sculpture, rest in our Caring Canopy, and share your thoughts on our Open Reflection Wall.

- Book Launch & Live Readings: Hear contributors share fiercely personal poems, reflections and stories from Courage to Care.

- Grounded Community Dialogue: Join conversations on natural caring, community inclusion, and BACI’s next 70 years. And of course, pick up a copy of Courage to Care!

Admission is free and open to all! Come lend your voice to our story. We hope to see you there!

10/06/2026

Have you bought tickets yet to BACI's 70th Anniversary Pub Night Fundraiser? Or invited friends, family, and others who may want to join us for a night of fun?

Enjoy good food and drinks, great Silent Auction prizes, a 50/50 Cash Raffle Draw, and fun-raising games like the toonie toss, squares and more!

Where: The Admiral Pub, 4125 Hastings St, Burnaby
When: Next Wednesday, October 14, from 6 - 9 pm

Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/4hmbqff

We hope you'll join us on October 14th to raise our glasses and raise funds for a great cause!

You can start your fun-raising now by getting tickets to BACI's 50/50 Cash Raffle: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/baci/

Ticket Prices: 1 for $5; 4 for $10; 20 for $25; 100 for $50

Together, we can make a difference!

Special thanks to our Pub Night Fundraiser Sponsor: Richards Buell Sutton LLP

BACI just turned 70, and we're celebrating in style with a fun-filled 70th Anniversary Pub Night Fundraiser!

09/24/2026

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - Sept 30

Warning -- the content of this message may be distressing. Information regarding mental and emotional support services are provided below:

Where can I go for immediate support?
Your well-being is important to us. If you require immediate mental and emotional support, the following are resources that you can access:

The BC crisis line run by the KUU-US Crisis Line Society can be reached at 1-800-588-8717, and a 24-hour national crisis line for former students and those affected can be reached at 1-866-925-4419.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society for crisis support 24/7 1-800-721-0066.

BACI's employee and family services provider, Telus Health, offers counselling and wellness resources at one.telushealth.com or at 844-671-3327.

For immediate mental health support or referral, call the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (no area code) 24 hours a day.
_________

As you know, the Provincial and Federal Governments have declared September 30 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All BACI programs and services that typically close for a statutory holiday will be closed on Wednesday, September 30.

BACI appreciates this step taken to commemorate Truth and Reconciliation and will respect this opportunity for our employees to "...honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process." (TRC Call to Action #80)

In light of the listening, learning, work and commitment needed to move toward Truth and Reconciliation, we have included some suggestions for activities to participate in here: https://bit.ly/3TKNYiW

Again, these are only suggestions. We encourage you to find ways to honour this day of remembrance and reflection that are meaningful to you.

BACI agrees with the words of Murray Sinclair, the former Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who said that “reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem, it is a Canadian problem. It involves all of us.”

09/24/2026

BACI's 70th Anniversary Annual Report Video is here!

It offers insights and highlights from the past milestone year -- and a deep appreciation of the families who gathered around a kitchen table 70 years ago to create a more inclusive future for their children. Because they dared to dream of something better, thousands of lives have been changed.

We hope you enjoy our video: https://bit.ly/4yjYKMi

09/23/2026

Join BACI’s 50/50 Cash Raffle Fundraiser — a chance to win big and make a meaningful impact this Fall!

Every ticket will help support:
• Life-changing physiotherapy for infants and toddlers
• Activities and opportunities for youth with disabilities
• Services and supports for families who have a loved one with a disability.

Buy your tickets now: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/baci/

Ticket Prices: 1 for $5; 4 for $10; 20 for $25; 100 for $50

Spread the word and help us reach our fundraising goal. Please encourage family, friends and others in the broader community to participate. Together, we can make a difference.

The prize draw will be on October 14th at BACI's Pub Night Fundraiser! The winner will be contacted shortly after to claim their prize — half of the jackpot!

Find tickets for the Pub Night Fundraiser here: https://bit.ly/4qIBowU

BACI's 70th Anniversary

09/17/2026

Join us at BACI's Singles' Board Game Night on A NEW DATE -- October 7th at 6:00 pm! Enjoy good food and good company, then the games start at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Where: Pizzeria Ludica, 601 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster
Cost: $15 (pizza included)

Please email [email protected] or call 778-554-5573 if you plan to attend.

09/16/2026

Join us in remembering Gerry Juzenas on October 3, 2026.

A Funeral Service will be held at Deer Lake United Church, 5135 Sperling Ave in Burnaby, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.

A Celebration of Gerry's Life with food, music and dancing will follow from 3:30 - 6:30 pm at Christine Sinclair Cente, 3713 Kensington Ave in Burnaby. Please RSVP to [email protected] or 604.299.7851 if you plan to attend.

09/08/2026

In Memoriam - Gerry Juzenas

On Saturday, September 5th, BACI lost an icon and a dear friend. From his early days as a pioneer with Special Olympics, to his tireless advocacy around poverty and access to recreational activities in Burnaby, to his time as a BACI employee, to receiving the Lieutenant Governor Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions across BC, Gerry Juzenas dedicated his life to making our community stronger, more inclusive and more compassionate.

Gerry touched so many lives with his kindness and his unwavering commitment to a more inclusive community for all. He inspired so many of us to join him on his journey to create a truly caring and inclusive Canada. He worked relentlessly every day to make that a reality.

He will be missed by so many, but Gerry's legacy will continue to live on at BACI. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of meeting and knowing Gerry.

Details on Gerry's Celebration of Life will be shared at a later date.

09/04/2026

Do you love games, pizza and making new friends?

Join us at BACI's Singles' Board Game Night on September 30th at 6:00 pm! Enjoy good food and good company, then the games start at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Where: Pizzeria Ludica, 601 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster
Cost: $15 (pizza included)

Please email [email protected] or call 778-554-5573 if you plan to attend.

08/31/2026

BACI just turned 70, and we're celebrating in style with a fun-filled 70th Anniversary Pub Night Fundraiser!

Join us for an evening to remember — good food and drinks, great company and fun — while raising funds for BACI. Find great Silent Auction prizes, a 50/50 Cash Raffle Draw, and fun-raising games like the toonie toss, squares and more!

Where: The Admiral Pub, 4125 Hastings St, Burnaby
When: October 14, from 6 - 9 pm
Tickets: $35/per person - 1 b**r & burger (chicken, beef or veggie)

Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/4qIBowU

We hope you'll join us in raising our glasses and raising funds for a great cause! Together, we can make a difference.

Special thanks to our Event Sponsor: Richards Buell Sutton LLP