Lower Columbia All First
Nations Service Area

Annual Report 2005/2006

Coordinator: Ed Pongracz
Phone: (250) 304-2246
Fax: (250) 304-2248
lcrafnc@netidea.com
1402 Columbia Avenue.
Castlegar, BC V1N 3K3

Download PDF: Annual Report 2005/06

During this reporting year our client list continued to increase at appoximately 12 % and now lists 288 clients. The Employment and Training office in partner with OTDC were able to secure training programs for 43 clients. Out of the 43 clients 23 of them were sponsored directly by OTDC. Some of most successful employment training programs that OTDC funded include: Professional driver, Level 1 & 3 First Aid, H2S Alive, Flagging, Foodsafe, Serving it Right. There are also many OTDC Clients who have successfully completed their Career Training and gained meaningful and rewarding employment. Some of these Degree/Diploma/Apprenticeships include Nursing, Human services, Child and Youth Care, Esthetics, Business Administration, Applied Business Technology, Electrician, Ironworker and Boilermaker. LCAFN is especially proud of our clients as of the 23 funded, 1 withdrew, 2 moved after completion, 7 are still attending school, and 13 are working.

List of names and training activities in the past year sponsored by OTDC:

EAS Activity Report for April 2005 – March 31, 2006

• Professional Driving – Sharon G., Wes M., Mike P.
• Electrician Apprenticeship – Nikki S.,Julie-Clair H.
• Process Operator Program – Deb E.
• PC Support Specialist – Phil W.Esthetics - Vicki P.
• Human Service Diploma - Kyle H.
• Iron Worker Apprenticeship Level 2 - Darren B.
• H2S AliveTraining - Shane B., Darrell B., Jorell C.
• Level 3 First Aid, - Ventris T., Donna C.,Melody K.
• Golf Course Management - Lucas B.
• Life Guard - Chelsi B.
• Applied Business Tech. - Dorthy-Ann L.,Tara B.,Jeremy L.
• Occupational First Aid Level 1– F, Ballard
• Firefighters Training (S-100, S-230, S235, S212)

LCAFN also secured funding for 20 clients through CBT. Some of the courses include: S-100, Hazardous Goods in Workplace, Foodsafe, Traffic Control, Level 1 & 3 First Aid.

Expanded Office and Access services

LCAFN would like to thank OTDC for giving us the opportunity to move to a larger office and can now offer clients Computer access for job search and Career research as well as resume writing and online applications.

Success Stories and Testimonials

“ ….I am writing to you to thank you very much for all of the support and encouragement you have given me over the past 4 years. On May 20, 2005 I finished my 4th year of school for my electrician apprenticeship. I finished with 94% for the year. I also wrote my inter-provincial exam and was very happy with finishing all of my apprenticeship with a 92% on inter-provincial. There is no way that I could have gone through my schooling without your financial support and I thank you once again. I will keep in touch. For now I am working full time Nelson and loving it.” - Julie Claire Hamilton - Electrician

“ I wish to present a letter of appreciation to Lower Columbia All First Nations Council, with special thanks to Ed Pongracz, for the financial and spiritual support I have received over the past four years in my pursuit of a Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree. I am a successful graduate of the first class completing the University of Victoria BSN program at Selkirk Collage in Castlegar. The nursing program offered at Selkirk Collage is a wonderful opportunity for positive life changes. The BSN program at Selkirk Collage has provided incredible practicum experiences in many different settings, which have encouraged my development as a health care professional. The opportunity to further my education has been a blessing, and I have developed a greater appreciation of education and training. This has all been made possible because of the support and guidance I have received over the past four years from Ed Pongracz and Lower Columbia All First Nations Council. Thank you.” - Bianka Leihua Lankford – Registered Nurse

When I look back at all my accomplishments in the two years, much of would not have been possible without the support of the Lower Columbia River All First Nations staff and programs. I was recently accepted into in the Bachelor of Social Work Program at the university of Victoria and am completing courses that are related to first nations issues. The funding has also allowed me to gain better employment opportunities, which began soon after completing my diploma and included working casually for the Interior Health Authority and the School district in casual positions. As all things are related, this work has lead me into full time positions currently at the Fraser Health Authority. I currently work full time in Langley Memorial Hospital's in-patient psychiatric unit as a mental health worker, as well as working casually for Fraser Health's Early Psychosis Intervention Program that helps young people who first show psychotic symptoms. I wish to sincerely thank Lower Columbia First Nations for supporting me both financially and personally in my quest to be a better person and I know my ancestors would be very proud of me. - All my relations.  Kyle Halsey