British Columbia Newcomers' Guide to Resources and Services

Finding More Help

In this chapter:

• Crisis centres
• Help for families
• Help for young people
• Alcohol and drug problems
• Abuse and assault
• People with disabilities
• Gays and lesbians
• Seniors' programs and benefits

How to find help

Private organizations and government offices in British Columbia can help in many ways. What if you want help, but don’t know which group or office to ask?

• Call an information or referral service agency in your community to find a private, non-profit, or government organization which can help you. Look in the White Pages of your telephone book in the "Community Services" section in the front of the book.
  
  
• Call Enquiry B.C. for information about provincial government offices. In the Lower Mainland, the number is 604 660-2421. In Greater Victoria, the number is 387-6121. Elsewhere in B.C. the number is 1-800-663-7867.
  
  
• If you have a Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired (TTY), phone 604 775-0303 in Vancouver, or 1-800-661-8773 outside of Vancouver. Enquiry B.C. can transfer you toll-free to offices outside of your local dialing area.
  
  
• Ask at your local Government Agents office. There is a Government Agents office in most cities and towns outside Vancouver and Victoria. Look in the Blue Pages of the phone book. Find the Government of B.C. section. Look under "Government Agents." Website: http://www.governmentagents.gov.bc.ca
  
  
• Call Reference Canada for information about federal government offices. The number is 1-800-622-6232. If you have a Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired (TTY), phone 1-800-465-7735. Website: http://www.canada.gc.ca/

Crisis Centres

Sometimes people get extremely sad or upset. Some people may think about harming themselves or others. Most B.C. communities have crisis centres to help people experiencing severe depression, suicidal thoughts, physical or mental abuse, or family or marital distress. The crisis centre number is on the inside front cover of the White Pages of the telephone book.

Help for victims of torture

Some people were tortured before coming to Canada. There is a group in Vancouver which gives support and counselling to these people and their families. Contact the Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST) at 604 299-3539.

Help for families

In Canada, parents are legally responsible for their children up to the age of 19. The government has social workers to help families with problems. Look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book, in the Government of British Columbia section, under "Children and Family Development – Ministry of." Website: http://www.gov.bc.ca/mcf/

Help for young people

Many communities have agencies with special counsellors to help young people. Counsellors can answer questions and give advice about pregnancy, drugs, sexual diseases, and other problems. Contact the nearest public health unit. See the Blue Pages of the telephone book, after the Government of British Columbia section, in the "Health Authorities" listing.

There are community agencies to help children and young people. Big Sisters and Big Brothers match an adult and a child so that they can do things together. Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs help young people in other ways.

Alcohol and drug problems

To find an agency in your community that helps with these problems, call the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Line. In Vancouver, the number is 604 660-9382. Outside of the Lower Mainland, the number is 1-800-663-1441. You can phone these numbers 24 hours a day. You can also look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book, in the Government of British Columbia section, under "Addiction Services."

There are also prevention programs to help people before drugs and alcohol become a problem. Schools have special programs and counsellors. Many community agencies such as Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs have support groups. To find an agency in your community, call the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Line.

Child abuse and neglect

Sometimes parents don’t take proper care of their children. They may hit them or leave young children at home alone. There are laws to protect children in these situations.

If you think a child needs help, call the Helpline for Children. Dial 0 zero). Ask for "Zenith 1234." You can phone this number 24 hours a day.

The government may send a social worker to check on a child. If the social worker thinks the child is in danger, they can take the child out of the home to a safe place. If this happens, the parents should get legal help immediately. (See the chapter on "the Legal System").

Wife or husband abuse

Wife or husband abuse is against the law in Canada. There are many ways someone can abuse their spouse (wife or husband). For example, slapping or hitting the person, not letting the person go out of the house, or saying that they will take away the children are abuse.

The police can arrest someone who abuses their wife or husband. That person could get a fine or go to jail.

If a person is a permanent resident of Canada, that person will not be deported if they leave an abusive wife or husband.

What can you do if you need help?

• Call a crisis centre. See the inside front cover of your telephone book.
• Call the Victims’ Information Line at 1-800-563-0808. They can give you information and referrals to agencies and services to help you.
• Go to a transition house. A transition house gives safe, free, emergency care to abused women and their children. You can get food, shelter, and medical help. You can also get counselling and help in finding an interpreter. Look in the White Pages of the telephone book under "Transition Houses."
• In the Lower Mainland, call Multicultural Family Support Services at 604 436-1025. This agency has counsellors for women and children in situations of family violence.
• Call the police.

Assault

It is against the law for someone to assault you. What is assault? If someone hits or hurts you, that is assault. If someone says he or she will hit you or hurt you, and you believe that person will do it, that is assault. Call the police if this happens to you.

Rape

What if you have been raped? Call a sexual assault centre. People at these centres give information and advice. The number is on the inside front cover of the telephone book. You may also want to call the police.

People with disabilities

People with disabilities may need information about housing or jobs. They also may want to know what special programs are available in their communities. For information and advice, call the Ministry of Health Services Information Line at 1-800-465-4911 or the B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities at 604 875-0188. Website: http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/

Gays and lesbians

Homosexual immigrants may want information or advice. You can contact a community health unit in your area, or a local gay and lesbian organization.

In Vancouver, call the Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, and Bisexual Community Centre at 604 684-5307 or the Helpline at 604 684-6869. Outside of Vancouver, call 1-800- 566-1170.

Seniors' programs and benefits

Most communities in B.C. have seniors’ groups. These groups usually have programs and activities for seniors. Some have special services such as counselling, medical clinics, entertainment, and legal advice.

For information on seniors’ programs, contact the Office of the Special Advisor for Women’s and Seniors’ Health at 250 952-2256, or call Enquiry B.C. Ask for their free booklet Information for Seniors— Your Guide to Programs and Benefits in British Columbia. Website: http://www.healthplanning.gov.bc.ca/seniors/

For information on local seniors groups and activities in your area, contact your local community centre.

Seniors may get into many places for free or for less money if they show their Gold CareCard. These places may include provincial parks, art galleries, museums, movies, theatres, hotels, and restaurants. Seniors may also get special low rates on buses, ferries, trains, and airplanes.

Financial help for seniors

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – When you work, a small amount of money is deducted from your pay cheque each month. The money goes to the federal government so that when you retire, you get a government pension every month.

Old Age Security Pensions – The federal and provincial governments also give pensions to all seniors. It doesn’t matter if you worked or not. You must apply for this pension when you are 65 years old. You must have lived in Canada for 10 years before you can apply. (The minimum residence can be less than 10 years, if you lived or worked in a country that has a social security agreement on pensions with Canada).

Guaranteed Income Supplement – People who get Old Age Security but have little or no other income may also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The amount is determined by the income of you and your spouse. For more information, call the Canada Pension and Old Age Security Enquiry line at 1-800-277-9914.

Seniors Supplement – People who get Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement may also qualify for the provincial government’s Seniors Supplement. You will receive the Seniors Supplement automatically if you are eligible. The amount depends on your income. For more information, call 604 682-0391 from the Lower Mainland, 387-4331 in Victoria, or 1-800-665-2656 from elsewhere in B.C.

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