October Wellness Hub Newsletter

This monthly resource brings together practical tools, reflection prompts, and meaningful guidance to help staff invest in their health, finances, relationships, and personal growth. The October 2026 issue is online now.

Accreditation Quiz #1

Take the quiz and be entered to win a $10 gift card. Quizzes must be received by noon on Oct 5 to be eligible for the prize draw.

Happy National Seniors Day! October 1, 2026

Today October 1, 2026 is National Seniors Day!

It’s a day for Canadians to recognize the profound contributions and value our seniors bring to our families, communities, and workplaces. It’s a day to celebrate our seniors and let them know how much we respect them and care for them.

Here are some things you can do for National Seniors Day:

  • Call a senior in your life and have a chat either by phone or video call
  • Send a card or postcard in the mail and surprise them with a letter
  • Visit that important senior in your life and go for a walk outside, play a game of cards, or have lunch together
  • Do something kind for a senior in your life. Do chores, run errands, or cook them dinner
  • Sit down with and look at old photos together and remember some good times!
  • Learn more about your family history. Speak with your elders and learn about their lives. Learn where you come fromSmile and just say “hi”

THANK YOU, to our seniors for your wisdom and love and for the impact you have in all of our lives!

How have seniors positively impacted your life this year?

Cybersecurity Awareness Week 1: Recognize Threats

The theme for #CyberMonth2026 is Your best defence is you.

In a world powered by artificial intelligence (AI), cyber threats can look more real than ever. Phishing emails and AI-generated scams can make it harder to know what is real and what is not.

The good news is that staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated.

This Cyber Security Awareness Month, we are helping Canadians build simple cyber security habits that can make a big difference. Many cyber incidents can be prevented with everyday actions. These include checking suspicious messages, turning on multi-factor authentication and using strong passwords.

Week 1: Recognize Your Cyber Threats

Cyber criminals use tricks to make scams look real, and AI can make those scams harder to spot. This week, learn how to recognize phishing, fake messages and AI-powered scams. You will also learn why it helps to pause and check before you click, reply or share information. Learn more with these resources:

Purple Lights Nights 2026: Standing with Those Affected By Intimate Partner Violence

October is Domestic Partner Awareness month and once again Menno Place will be participating in the Purple Lights Nights campaign – lighting our campus purple to stand with those affected by Intimate Partner violence.

If you are a victim of intimate partner/domestic abuse, we encourage you to seek help. There are supports available to you through these channels:

  • Those in immediate danger should call 9-1-1
  • Those seeking help in the form of therapy, strategies, and safety, can call the Employee Family Assistance Program at 1-800-667-0993 or visit Mennoplacestaff.com/mentalhealth
  • Women seeking shelter can contact the Ann Davis Transition Society (Chilliwack) at 604-792-2760 or SARA for Women (Abbotsford) at 604-852-6008 (24-hour access)
  • Those who are seeking Mennonite support can call 604-850-6639 or toll free at 1-888-622-6337
  • Gentlemen who wish to improve their relationships and be part of a Men’s Support Group may wish to explore the MCC Home Improvement Program by emailing endabuse@mccbc.ca or call 604-850-6639

Please remember that you can also speak to one of our own Chaplains who can provide spiritual support.

There is no place for intimate partner/domestic abuse in our communities. Please be kind to those around you as you don’t know what others are experiencing. If someone confides you and tells you that they are being abused, please encourage them to get help, listen without judgment, and build their confidence.

Please come see the People & Culture department for additional information.

MEMO: Migration to New Surge Learning Platform

To: All Menno Place Staff
Date: September 25, 2026
From: Loveleen Sekhon
Re: Surge Learning – Platform Migration

Over the past several months, Surge has been developing an enhanced platform that includes advanced features, updated programs, and improved reporting capabilities designed to create a better user experience for LMS, QRM, and Professional Policies.

Based on the information available at this time, we anticipate migrating to the new Surge platform October 5th, 2026.

  • The migration will begin overnight on Oct. 04th, 2026 9:00 pm.
  • During the migration, the current system will be unavailable. Please complete any incident reports, near miss, hazard inspection forms via email to the department managers between the time period that Surge is not available.
  • The new platform will be available by 12pm PST October 5th. Please login after 12:00pm on October 5th, 2026

Accessing the New Platform

  • The new platform URL is: surgelearning.ca
  • Users attempting to access the previous URL will automatically be redirected to the new site.

User Login Information

  • Site Code: Same as in the current system (Corp.)
  • Username: Same username format as in the current system.
  • New Default Password : Corp2026! 

Staff with a registered email address will receive a welcome email once the migration is complete. This email will include:

  • A welcome video introducing the new platform
  • Instructions for logging in
  • Steps to create a new password

Staff without a registered email address will be prompted to answer three security questions during their first login. These questions will enable future self-service password resets.

PVPC October 5th: Cancelled

The Violence Prevention workshop scheduled for Monday, October 5th has been CANCELLED. 

The next opportunity to take this workshop is November 2nd. All participants must complete the prerequisites on Surge learning and register here: https://mennoplacestaff.com/vp-workshops/

Honouring Truth & Reconcilliation

Parking Changes re: Peace Lutheran Church Lot

Parking Changes re: Peace Lutheran Church Lot

Due to the recent sale of Peace Lutheran Church on the corner of Marshall and Ware, Menno Place staff will no longer be able to use the parking lot as of September 30, 2026.

Staff members who currently use the Peace Lutheran parking lot will need to use the paid parking lots at Menno Place starting on October 1, 2026.

 

Know Your Parking Options

There are four parking lots on campus with spots available to staff who have purchased monthly parking from Impark. Staff with a pass can park in any spot marked STAFF or FLEX. The four lots are:

  • between Pavilion and Menno Home
  • at the end of Brundige in front of Menno Home entrance A
  • the new gravel lot on Brundige near Menno Home entrance A
  • between Menno Home and Primrose Gardens

 

How to Purchase a Parking Pass

If you need to purchase a parking pass you can do that directly through Impark. You will need a code to be able to make your purchase. For new hires this information is in your hiring package. For all other staff please see People & Culture for the confidential code.

The Impark monthly pass is currently $25 per month.

Detailed instructions can be found here: https://mennoplacestaff.com/staff-parking-pass/