Bethesda Faith. Service. Inclusion

🌟 Big smiles and bigger adventures! 🌟
Ben loves car rides through the Okanagan and being out and doing stuff. So after almost a year of getting to know him, staff at Penticton Home decided it was time to take him on a longer road trip. So off he went to Harrison Hot Springs with support workers Marilyn and Claire for a 3-day adventure… and WOW, did he have a good tune! 💙
✨ Relaxing soaks in the hot springs
🌊 Peaceful walks along the lake
🚶‍♂️ A fun day trip to White Rock—pier stroll included, of course!
Ben had an absolute blast, and everything went so smoothly that now… he’s ready for even more!
Now he’s ready for his next adventure—maybe even longer and with a housemate this time. Way to go, Ben! 🧳💙

Last year, Coast CapitalSavings (Clearbrook Branch) was recognized with the Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring Award for consistently demonstrating a strong, long term commitment to hiring people with disabilities.
Help us continue to celebrate employers who are making inclusion a priority.
🗓️ Nomination deadline: June 30
👉 Submit a nomination: inclusiveawards.ca/nomination
*All nominees are required to be connected to and/or conduct business in either Abbotsford or Mission.

Save the Date: Langley Day Service is hosting a Christmas in July Bake Sale & Hot Dog Fundraiser 🌭🍪
Be sure to stop by our bake sale and hot dog fundraiser, where we’ll be supporting two meaningful causes in Langley:
• Collecting non-perishable food items for the Langley Food Bank
• Raising funds to create Christmas hampers for families supported by Best Babies

🗓️ Tuesday, July 14 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 Langley Canadian Reformed Church, 21804 52 Ave, Langley
💵 Cash only
🙏 Bring a non-perishable food item
🪑 Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy games, food, and friendship!

For the people who attend Langley Day Services, this annual fundraiser is a chance to give back to their community and support a cause they care about. They look forward to this event every year and love seeing friends, family, and neighbours come together to make a difference.
Join us, grab a hot dog, take home some homemade treats, and help support the Langley Food Bank and Best Babies.

Bethesda is seeking an administrative assistant to support our provincial office team.
This role includes reception coverage and administrative support across HR, finance, and coordination functions. Ideal candidates bring strong interpersonal skills and a minimum of two years’ experience.
💰 $24.25/hour + $1/hour in lieu of benefits
📅 Application deadline: June 19
Apply online: bethesdabc.com/careers

⏳ Three days left — will you help build a community where everyone belongs?
Every gift to Lend a Hand helps create spaces of welcome, relationship, and participation for people of all abilities and their families. Through your support, communities become more inclusive, friendships grow, and people are shown that they are valued and loved.
This year’s theme reminds us that recognizing every person as fully belonging in God’s Kingdom changes how we live together. When you give, you become part of that transformation — helping create communities shaped by Christ-inspired love, equality, and belonging.
If you’ve already donated, thank you for helping make this possible. If you haven’t yet — or if you’re able to give again — there’s still time to be part of it.
🤝 Donate here: bethesdabc.com/lend-a-hand/

What started in 2023 as a simple idea—creating a relaxed, social space outside of our more structured services—has grown into a monthly highlight. WOW Nights, held in the Tapestry space, now bring together 10–15 participants who come to connect, have fun, and build real friendships.
Each gathering is shaped by the people who attend. They decide ahead of time what they’ll be doing: from games and karaoke, cooking classes to bowling and movie nights. For this evening’s event, participants chose to stay in and enjoy an evening in—proving that comfort and connection matter most. As Shawn, LIFE Services coach, shared: “People wanted to just watch a movie here… this environment was more comfortable than going to a cinema.”
After brainstorming ideas for future events, the group enjoyed build-your-own tacos before settling in to watch Encanto together. It was a fun, relaxed evening where everyone felt free to be themselves and simply hang out with each other.

We were grateful to take part in the Lazarus Centre’s recent Banquet of Belonging: Disability, Discipleship, and Shared Tables — a meaningful gathering that brought together people from four communities across Canada to explore what true belonging in the church can look like.
Through keynote presentations and shared conversations, participants reflected on disability, theology, ministry, and the importance of communities where everyone is welcomed, valued, and able to contribute.
Bethesda’s Director of Community Development and Family Support, Rodney Wiebe, also led a breakout session exploring what inclusion looks like in light of the Christian belief that all people are image-bearers of God. His talk highlighted common barriers to reaching that vision and offered practical ways faith communities can become more welcoming, accessible, and reflective of the Kingdom of God.
Thank you to the organizers — including Bethesda board vice-president Michael Morelli — and to everyone who helped create such a thoughtful and welcoming event (and for the delicious brunch banquet enjoyed around our shared tables!).

In 2025, HelloFresh Canada received the Emergent Inclusive Employer Award for working with local agencies to develop an inclusive hiring and support strategy and implementing inclusive hiring practices within the last year.

Do you know another business showing this same dedication to inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace?

Nominate them for a 2026 Inclusive Employer Excellence Award!

🗓️ Nomination deadline: June 30
👉 Submit a nomination: inclusiveawards.ca/nomination

*All nominees are required to be connected to and/or conduct business in either Abbotsford or Mission.

🌿 Lend a Hand Update: $87,222 raised so far — thank you!

Every gift is helping Bethesda offer services that are sustained by generosity—creating spaces where people of all abilities can experience relationship, togetherness, and meaningful community.

This year, we’re holding onto a Kingdom truth that changes everything: All people belong fully in God’s Kingdom. When we truly believe that, it reshapes how we see others—and how we see ourselves. It moves us toward Christ inspired love and equality, where every person is welcomed and valued.

To those who have already given: thank you. Your support is enabling life giving community through programs like family support, respite, supported independent living, and intentional community.

If you haven’t had a chance yet (or if you’re able to give again), we would be grateful for your help in this final month. Let’s finish strong—together.
Campaign runs through May 31
🤝 Donate today: bethesdabc.com/lend-a-hand/

When we arrived at Richmond Home, the day was already in motion—staff working the garden beds, Ted nearby with his seed packets, and Gina, the home’s manager, at the BBQ with chicken skewers and fresh veggies grilling. 🌿🍢
We gathered inside for a shared meal. After saying grace, we tucked into a delicious and hearty Filipino lunch of pancit, BBQ, beet salad and grilled vegetables—and conversation. Alexis had her books close, dipping in and out of reading before and after lunch, the way you do when you’re truly at home. 📚
What stands out most is the care in the details: a backyard gazebo for summer shade, music gently filling the space, and each person’s passions on display—Ted’s puzzles, Alexis’ artwork, Paul’s guitars, and Michael’s fan favorite sports teams.
This is what a welcoming home can look like: people known, cared for, and supported to be themselves—every day. 💜
Thank you to the team (and families who stay so involved) for creating a place where people can truly belong. 💜