Our News and Stories
Building Joyful Spaces with Our MPNH Childcare Team (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
Our MPNH Preschool Children’s Our Dream Neighbourhood Exhibit was happily attended by families, friends, and community members all over Vancouver last Thursday, June 13th, 2024 at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.
This year, the process of becoming is filled with new beginnings, tensions, and beauty, and this has been true in preparing for the new MPNH Childcare Site at Eric Hamber Secondary School. Every step has been guided by our commitment to creating joyful learning spaces and to improve accessibility to more families with young children in the area.
Feeling of Belongingness with Sussie (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
The Family Resource Programs (FRP) at MPNH foster a multicultural learning environment, offering vital support to children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Susanna Mora, who goes by Sussie, is one of many participants who has greatly benefited from the variety of programs, particularly those offered through FRP. In the five years she had been a part of MPNH, Sussie grew significantly as a mother. The valuable resources and guidance she received helped her raise her son to be independent, creative, intelligent, social, empathetic, and, most importantly, healthy.
An Incredible Year of Shared Achievement (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
From April 2024 to March 2025, our Preteen and Youth Programs at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House experienced an incredible year of connection, transformation, and shared achievement. Working with newcomers, our participants often arrive as strangers, to each other and to these lands, but through our programs at the House and in different schools in the neighbourhood, including: Youth Space, Preteen Program, Youth Action Committee, the REAL project, Neighbourhood Crew and Cook Up Your Future, our youth are able to forge bonds which help secure them in their new home, and their continued journeys through life.
Resilience and Renewal: A Year of Transition (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
In 2024–2025, the Newcomers Team experienced significant changes. We saw shifts within our management team, welcomed new colleagues, and said farewell to others. Toward the end of the year, the newcomer sector faced additional difficulties, including funding cuts that forced us to make tough decisions about how to move forward.
Despite these challenges, our commitment to the community has never wavered. Our goal remains to provide a welcoming environment where newcomers feel supported, connected and empowered throughout their settlement journey.
Food, Friendship, and Nature (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
Healthy meals, meaningful connections and the physical environment are vital to our well-being. This fiscal year, nutritious food, nature-focused group activities and at-home services underpinned our programming for older adults and seniors.
For many older adults, our neighbourhood house is a second home. Whether gathering for a shared meal, hands-on building project or creative expression through song and dance, older adults enliven our space. We celebrate all their contributions to building a healthier, vibrant community.
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
MPNH is dedicated to creating inclusive, multigenerational programs that bring people together across ages and backgrounds. Joyful celebrations, from colorful PRIDE parades and bbq to monthly Community Lunches, provide opportunities for children, youth, adults, and elders to connect through food, music, and shared traditions. These gatherings highlight diversity while fostering belonging, learning, and mutual respect. By embracing cultural celebrations and community spirit, MPNH continues to strengthen bonds between generations, nurturing a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.
Strengthening Through Change (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
This past year was a season of transformation for our Family & Friend Caregivers Connect program. With the arrival of a new coordinator midway through the fiscal year, we experienced more than a leadership change, we felt a renewal of vision and purpose. Fresh ideas and energy inspired new ways of supporting caregivers, building stronger connections and introducing opportunities for learning and sharing. This turning point strengthened our foundation of care while opening pathways for growth. Transformation takes root in leadership, shared experiences, and the quiet yet powerful ways we honour caregivers and nurture well-being.
Empowering All Ages Through Literacy (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
The Family Literacy Outreach (FLO) Program at MPNH supports families with refurbished computers, social connection, and flexible English learning from home. Rahima, originally from Afghanistan, is one of many who gained confidence and independence through FLO.
This year, Tech Café expanded to two days weekly, with volunteers supporting participants in six languages, helping families use technology safely while building bonds that foster learning, confidence, and stronger community connections.
The Magic of Food and Community (Impact Story 2024 - 2025)
This year brought significant change to the food programs team at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. Our long-time chef took on a new opportunity within MPNH, and while their departure was bittersweet within the food programs department, it opened the door for two incredible chefs to join our team, Suzie and Macey, their passion and creativity helped strengthen and expand our food programming. Together, they have introduced new menus that celebrate diverse cultures and seasonal ingredients. Their collaborative spirit has also deepened community connections, making every meal an opportunity to bring people together.