Vela Microboard

Who is Vela?

Vela is a non-profit society originally formed to offer subsidized housing to people with developmental challenges in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia. In 1989 the board members of Vela Housing Society recognized that living in community housing, even if affordable, did not ensure membership in that community. As a result, the Vela board developed a pilot project to facilitate three Microboards in Vancouver. Since that time, Vela's network of Microboards has expanded to include over 450 Microboards throughout B.C.

The Vela Microboard Association Board of Directors consists of members from all over British Columbia. 50% plus one of Vela's Board of Directors must be members of an active Vela Microboard. Vela's board members have first hand knowledge of what a Microboard is and they work with their staff to support Vela Microboards around the province.

There are currently five staff working to support Vela Microboards. There is a full time executive director, three facilitators, and a part time Volunteer Coordinator.

Philosophy

Vela Microboard Association dedicates itself to honouring the rights of, and eliminating the barriers for, people with disabilities. This includes the right to freedom, equality, control over their own lives, and to be fully included as valued citizens in the relationships and the opportunities of community life.

Mission Statement

The mission of Vela Microboard Association of B.C. is to promote and secure innovative and individualized community options and supports for people with disabilities or chronic illness.

This is accomplished by:

enhancing a person’s ability to fully participate in the life of her/his community;
enabling a person to have control over all areas of her/his life; and
providing assistance and support for the establishment and ongoing functioning of Vela Microboards by:
1. educating interested parties in the process and development of Vela Microboards according to the Guiding Principles and Functions as described by Vela Microboard Association;
2. ensuring the Guiding Principles and Functions are thoroughly understood
  
  by all who choose to be involved in the creation of a Vela Microboard;
3. providing opportunities for Vela Microboards to network and share
  
  information and expertise in order to strengthen unique individual
  
  and collective support and advocacy skills;
4. providing information and assistance, and facilitating problem-solving
  
  for existing Vela Microboards, upon request;
5. anticipating and responding to issues and needs of Vela Microboards as
  
  they arise, and giving voice to the issues as advocates for Microboards
  
  with the appropriate government ministries;
6. establishing partnerships and collaborations with organizations whose
  
  constituents would benefit by the development of a Vela Microboard.

Vela Microboard Association upholds values of integrity, respect, dignity and compassion for all persons and strives to honour each person’s unique needs. Vela is dedicated to ensuring that each individual and family receives the highest quality of service.

Purpose Statement

Vela Microboard Association of British Columbia is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to exploring, facilitating, and supporting innovative community living options for people with disabilities.

Many people with disabilities live in the community, but are not integrated within their neighbourhoods. Placing people with disabilities in typical homes or apartments does not ensure they will become included and accepted within their communities.

Vela Microboard Association strives to develop and support living options that facilitate true interdependence, integration, and membership in the community.

Vela Microboard Association of B.C. in involved in two main functions within its current mandate. The first is to facilitate the development of Microboards and provision of on going support to Microboards for people with disabilities throughout British Columbia. The second function is to provide affordable housing for people with disabilities.