On November 21, the Community Social Planning Society of Cranbrook and Area and the Safe Communities Cranbrook committees amalgamated for their first ‘meeting of the minds.’ The two committees have been meeting separately for many years and have recently decided to join forces to help make Cranbrook a healthier community for all its citizens. The value of combining the groups was identified as improving efficiency in the community, but beyond that immediate benefit, by creating a unifying vision, and to provide a venue for community input to share and educate one another in efforts to better meet the needs of all citizens.

The Community Social Planning Society (SPS) of Cranbrook and Area has been in existence since May 7, 2008 with a MISSION to improve the living circumstances of all citizens through social planning initiatives, collaborative engagement, and strategic action, and a VISION of a caring, inclusive community that works in collaboration, staying connected and informed, resulting in a stronger community.

The Safe Communities Cranbrook (SCC) committee members began meeting in 1996; through research and collaboration with community partners, and the greater community, they identified three Local Injury Priority Categories during the 2009 federal designation process, under what is now called ‘Parachute’ Canada. The set priorities from 2009 that continue to this day are Transportation, Falls, and Suicide.

Representatives who sit on the two committees come from various sectors and include; City Council, IH Public Health, RCMP, Fire Department, School District #5, United Way East Kootenay, Cranbrook Society for Community Living, Child Care Resource & Referral, ANKORS, College Of The Rockies, Community Connections Society, Canadian Mental Health Association Kootenays, BC/Cranbrook Community Response Networks, Cranbrook/Kimberley Hospice Society, Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, Cranbrook Public Library, Boys and Girls Club, Summit Community Services Society, Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters, REALM, Street Angels, BC Responsible & Gambling Problem Program, Cranbrook Early Years Centre, Seniors In Partnership, Canadian Association of Retired Persons, along with various social services programs and volunteers in our community.

Various initiatives have happened over the years which include: providing education, partnering with organizations in the community at local events, ‘Cranbrook Thrives Luncheon Series’ – focused on the needs of not-for-profit organizations in the E.K., developing of a ‘Community Suicide Protocol’, Falls Prevention Week/Month, and the online resource site of Cranbrook Clicks www.cranbrookclicks.com – assists you in searching for local resources.

The Society continues to grow and develop strategies for on-going collaborations, residents are invited to attend meetings or to become involved in activities.

Follow our Facebook pages:

www.facebook.com/CranbrookSocialPlanning/ and https://www.facebook.com/SafeCommunitiesCranbrook/

The next meeting of the Society is set for Tuesday, January 16 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce, 2279 Cranbrook Street North (north end of strip across from Lordco).

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