Organizational Info

Mission Statement

The Mission of Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society is to support individuals and families in our community by providing and advocating for accessible, responsive social services.

Values Statement

In providing our services we value:

Diversity
Belonging
Individuality
Respect
Human Dignity
Relationships
Connection to Community
Individuals & Families

Vision Statement

By 2022, Community Connections will continue to be recognized by our community, the region and the province as a leader for the provision of quality, responsive and socially just social services

Strategic Plan

Executive Director

Sheena Bell, MSW, RSW

Board of Directors

Robert Lamont – Chairperson: Business Owner

Carol Palladino – Secretary/Treasurer: President, Revelstoke Arts Council

Michelle Gabriele – Vice Chair/Board Member: Owner, Revelstoke Powder Rentals

Aimee Schalles – Board Member: Lawyer, Mackenzie Peak Law Group

Donnelle Lang – Board Member: Chartered Professional Accountant, DL and Co.

Community Connections receives funding and community support from various individuals, businesses and agencies, including but not limited to, the following:

BC Association of Farmer’s Markets

BC Gaming Grants

BC Housing

Canadian Pacific Railway

City of Revelstoke

Columbia Basin Trust

Community Living British Columbia

Food Banks BC

Food Banks Canada

Interior Health

Ministry for Children and Family Development

Public Safety & Solicitor General

Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation

Revelstoke Community Foundation

Revelstoke Credit Union

Revelstoke Early Childhood Development Committee

Revelstoke Hospital Auxiliary Society

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Royal Canadian Legion Branch #46

School District #19 (Revelstoke)

United Way

Whitevalley Community Resource Centre

Downie Timber and Selkirk Cedar

Take to Heart Sawmill

Revelstoke Baptist Church

Real Estate Foundation of BC

Community Food Centres Canada

Numerous community and corporate grants, and private donations from community members

Community Connections staff also sit as members on various steering and community planning committees

Original 3 Year Accreditation – September 2007
Resurvey – 3 Year Accreditation – March 2011
Resurvey – 3 Year Accreditation – November 2014
Resurvey – 3 Year Accreditation – November 2017

Excerpt from a letter from Brian J. Boon, Ph.D. – President/CEO CARF:

“…It is my pleasure to inform you that Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society has been accredited by CARF for a period of three years for the following services and programs:

Community Services: Child and Youth Services

Community Services: Community Housing

Community Services: Community Integration

Community Services: Community Integration (Children and Adolescents)

Outpatient Treatment: Family Services (Adults)

Outpatient Treatment: Family Services (Children and Adolescents)

This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served. Services, personnel and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence.

Your organization should take pride in achieving this high level of accreditation. CARF will recognize this accomplishment in its listing of organizations with accreditation, and we encourage you to make this accomplishment known throughout your community…”

Community Connections and the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)

The Province of British Columbia’s Ministry for Children and Family Development mandated that all non-profit organizations receiving funding from their Ministry for $500,000.00 or more achieve an accreditation from a recognized body in order to maintain their contractual relationship with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The accreditation bodies were identified as COA and CARF. Community Connections chose to employ the CARF accreditation process.

Founded in 1966, CARF is an international non-profit organization that promotes high standards of quality in rehabilitation services. CARF uses specific standards to determine how well an organization is serving its clients.

The mission of CARF is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

Through responsiveness to a dynamic and diverse environment, CARF serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of the persons served by CARF-accredited organizations and the programs and services they provide.

CARF believes in the following core values:

All people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect
All people should have access to needed services that achieve optimal outcomes
All people should be empowered to exercise informed choice

In addition, CARF is committed to:

The continuous improvement of both organizational management and service delivery
Diversity and cultural competence in all CARF activities and associations
Enhancing the involvement of persons served in all of CARF’s activities
Having persons served be active participants in the development and application of standards for accreditation
Enhancing the meaning, value, and relevance of accreditation to the persons served

The CARF standards have evolved and been refined over 40 years with the active support and involvement of providers, consumers, and purchasers of services. The standards are maintained as “international consensus standards” rather than being derived from a research base. CARF recognizes and accepts its responsibility to assess and review the continuing applicability and relevance of its standards. CARF convenes its International Advisory Council; advisory committees; and regional, national, and international focus groups to systematically review and revise CARF’s standards and develop standards for new accreditation opportunities.

Community Connections are committed to continuing their accreditation with CARF and received another 3 years in November 2017 which will extend through to November 2020.