Self Advocates for a Brighter Future (SABF) was started June 6, 2007, by BeConnected Support Services and Kardel; although the group is open to everyone. Our goal is to help people learn how to advocate and discover what they wish to advocate for. We meet at 11:30 and bring our lunches, talk and listen to music, provided by self advocate Michael Langridge. Our meeting starts at noon and for an hou
r we have discussions about topics of interest to those attending, and learn more about how to advocate. About 50 self advocates and some staff attend the meetings. Anyone is welcome to attend. Our speakers have included UVic researchers, self advocate leaders from around the province, and other community leaders. Prior to each provincial election, we have invited local candidates to an SABF meeting. SABF has undertaken a number of projects. SABF had a lead part in the making (funding, writing, producing, editing and participating in) of the video “Values and Principles of Community Living”, which many BC agencies use for training purposes with their staff and contractors. In the last few years we have organized two community conferences for self advocates (2010 and 2013), presented a book launch for self-advocate Barb Goode (2011) and a book/cd launch for self advocates Peter Bourne and Sheenagh Morrison (2014). With SABF self-advocates and participants such as Karen Van Rheenen, Peter Bourne, Kristen Kay, and Fred Ford, we created a game, SANGO, for self advocates and other audiences. It has proven very popular. Two of SABF’s self-advocates played SANGO with CLBC’s Board of Directors and we have played it with a number of groups. Each year we organize, set up and run the refreshment stand at ONE DAY in September. ONE DAY is the Victoria launch of Community Living Month and is held in Topaz Park. For the past two years we have also co-hosted a UN’s International Day for People with Disabilities celebration on December 3rd. This past December 3rd, we hosted about 40 people and a community conversation about disaster preparedness for people with diversabilities, in partnership with Saanich Police and the Saanich Emergency Program. Self advocates are taking more and more leadership roles in SABF as we progress, and are active participants in anything that is undertaken. In February, 2015, members of SABF traveled to the Cowichan Valley to mentor the coming-together of self advocacy group in that region. If YOU have an idea or event you would like us to take part in, please contact us!
