If you notice something of a glow to Chinatown these days, it’s the result of a lot of volunteer effort during the annual Scrub-Up in the area.
Former long-serving Victoria council member Charlayne Thornton-Joe leads the annual effort, which generally precedes the larger downtown Scrub-Up and is held during the first part of May, designated as Asian Heritage Month in Canada.
The Scrub-Up concept was hatched more than 20 years ago by the late Helen Hughes, also a veteran of Victoria council.
Thornton-Joe has become a champion of the event and has brought a focus to the Chinatown area.
“Helen was the start of it all,” she said. “I used to go to it with her and she was just a force to be reckoned with.”
The main 2024 downtown Scrub-Up hit the streets Tuesday, after Thornton-Joe’s crew had gussied up Chinatown last weekend by removing graffiti, sweeping sidewalks and doing whatever else was needed.
A long list of volunteer scrubbers were in Chinatown, including Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, Victoria Coun. Chris Coleman, Victoria Police Deputy Chief Jason Laidman and other officers, supporters of the Chinese Canadian Museum in Fan Tan Alley and members of the Victoria Downtown Residents Association.
Thornton-Joe said the work done by volunteers in Chinatown not only marked Asian Heritage Month, it was also “showing pride in our Chinese community.”
The Scrub-Up then shifted to the centre of downtown a few days later, with representatives from the City of Victoria and the Downtown Victoria Business Association hosting staff from businesses, office workers and others to give the streets some spit and polish from 8-10 a.m.
City crews and the association’s own Clean Team also took part in the cleaning activity.
The city’s participation was part of its OUR DWTN revitalization program, which is putting almost $950,000 this year into beautification, enhanced safety and public programming in the downtown core.
Cleaners were spread out from Wharf to Blanshard streets to the west and east, and from Belleville to Discovery streets to the south and north.
Stations were set up around downtown for people to get free Scrub-Up kits, which each included a bucket, environmentally friendly cleaning spray, rubber gloves, terry-cloth rags and a wire brush.
>>> Do the Douglas Mile before Victoria Day Parade
The Douglas Mile returns to kick off the annual Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade on May 20, with this year’s charity of choice for the popular event once again designated as Parkinson Wellness Projects — an organization that provides free services for people affected by Parkinson’s disease.
The running/walking event precedes the parade with an 8:45 a.m. start, following a route along Douglas Street from Summit Avenue to Victoria City Hall.
Those taking part must be able to complete the mile distance within 25 minutes.
They can donate to Parkinson Wellness Projects during online registration or by collecting pledges.
The top three male and female finishers will receive medals from the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club.
“Last year, we raised almost $21,000,” said the Parkinson Wellness Projects executive director Bailey Martin. “These funds go directly toward our exercise programs, counselling services, support groups and education.”
She said that funding for the group comes from donations, grants and contributions from businesses and foundations.
“We would not be able to offer these services to our participants free of charge without the community’s continued support.”
Almost 3,000 people on Vancouver Island are currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — a progressive neurological condition that can cause shaking, stiffness and poor balance.
• Douglas Mile registration is available at /raceroster.com/events/2024/84331/victoria-day-douglas-mile.
>>> Police chorus sings out for its 40th anniversary
The Greater Victoria Police Chorus is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a spring concert at North Douglas Church.
The concert is set for 2 p.m. on May 25 at the 675 Jolly Pl. church, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin planning to be in attendance.
The chorus is Vancouver Island’s longest-serving group of male singers, and was created to promote fellowship among the region’s police officers while offering public presentations of choral music.
Janet Rendell is the music director.
“The Greater Victoria Police Chorus presents an entertaining and uplifting experience,” said chorus president John McVie. “When you leave a performance, a tune will resonate with you for days. Music is so good for the heart and soul.”
The two-hour concert has a playlist that includes golden oldies, Broadway tunes, folk songs and sea shanties, and follows more than a dozen shows in Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville and Port Alberni during the group’s current season, which began in September.
Venues for performances can include retirement homes, legions and all manner of community functions, and the chorus has also performed around the province and in the United States and Europe.
Over the years, membership has been widened to include retired officers from across Canada and overseas, as well as civilian members, and now includes a quartet and several soloists.
Stephanie Greaves is the featured guest soloist for the anniversary concert.
“The tradition continues today with the chorus singing for social agencies, churches and other groups to help with fundraising, while acting as a community-relations vehicle for the police forces of Greater Victoria,” the group said in a statement.
• Tickets are $25 and are available at https://www.greatervictoriapolicechorus.com/events or at the door.
>>> Rec program updates for low-income people
The District of Saanich has made some updates to its LIFE (Leisure Involvement For Everyone) program, which helps low-income individuals and families in the municipality get access to recreation services.
Changes are in place to broaden program eligibility, increase benefits for participants and streamline the application process.
Here are the new elements:
• Applications can now be completed privately and securely via https://www.saanich.ca/LIFE.
• Participants receive unlimited free drop-ins at Saanich recreation centres, as well as 52 free drop-ins at participating centres around the region.
• The program access is now available to post-secondary students and preschool-aged children.
• Passes are now valid for two years from the date an application is approved.
• Added discounts at Saanich sites are available to participants.
The availability of the program is based on financial circumstances, and applicants can be approved based on proof of income shown by their most recent notice of assessment or by other forms of program eligibility.
>>> Innovative programs earn awards from Island Health
Two south Island groups helping people struggling with mental health and addiction received community service awards presented by Island Health on Tuesday.
The Community-Led Crisis Response Team and the Imagine Studio Café were presented with the 2024 Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards at the Umbrella Society offices in Victoria.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said front-line organizations — staff and volunteers — provide lifesaving outreach and services to people struggling with mental-health and addiction challenges.
The crisis team, a provincially funded Peer Assisted Care Team and the Imagine Studio Café exemplify innovative community-based approaches “that are making a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most,” she said in a statement.
The mobile crisis team, whose members include those with experience with addiction as well as mental-health professionals, works to de-escalate crises and develop community care plans for people age 13 and older.
Imagine Studio Café is an independent business that provides a learning space for those who are living in poverty, are unhoused, or are experiencing trauma, violence, mental health issues or addiction.
Imagine’s intercultural team focuses on helping clients develop their life and social skills, the health authority said.
The Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards are a way to thank people and organizations in the south Island dedicated to supporting people with mental health and substance use challenges, says the health authority.
The awards are held in conjunction with Mental Health Week May 6-12.
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