Our News and Stories
Alberto’s Story: Job search help pays off for newcomers
Alberto* came to see José at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House because he wanted to become an ESL teacher. He needed assistance with elaborating his resume and with job interviews. His resume needed to be better organized, and he needed to find the right wording to convey his skills and experience. He also required confidence in approaching potential employees and facing job interviews.
Living Longer and Better
Tracy Lynch, our Seniors Program and Hub Coordinator, met up with the SFU Department of Gerontology this spring to talk about her work at our House, since graduating from their program as a mature student.
Supporting families through affordable childcare
“At the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC, we will certainly opt in to the child-care fee reduction initiative,” said Deb Bryant, CEO of ANHBC. “We’re glad to be part of an initiative that provides some financial relief to the families we serve.”
Getting SMART with rock star habits
Wearing his favourite checkered socks and his best pair of blue jeans, Dustin Hogan, a professional speaker and trainer joined the Wednesday English Conversation Class on March 7 to inspire us to set SMART (specific, measureable, articulate, realistic, and timely) goals.
Social Inclusion: Barb’s Story
Barb was homeless for eight months and suffering from multiple barriers and mental health issues–including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Originally from Brunswick House First Nation outside of Chapleau, Ontario, Barb’s poor health kept her indoors after she moved to the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. From then on, she isolated herself from the outside world.
Social Inclusion: Kiko’s Story
With a lack of all-ages, safe, sober spaces to meet other LGBTQ2S youth and express one’s identity, it’s easy to feel like the only queer in your community.
This is exactly what Kiko was facing in high school upon moving to a completely new community, feeling isolated and struggling with mental illness at 16 years old. Just as Kiko was beginning to come to terms with their identity, it became harder for them to relate to both straight and cis friends…and harder to express themself.
Social Inclusion: John’s story
John came to the Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House (CCNH) as a quiet and timid eighth grader who struggled to connect with his peers and others within the community. Before joining CCNH, John’s world had felt quite small… simply going from school to home most days. But slowly and over time, this neighbourhood house grew to be like a second home to John and allowed him to flourish in his community.
Social Inclusion: Masi’s story
An avid cook, Masi also often shares her food with staff and residents. She participates in potluck lunches at Kits House, where she shares the Persian food that she has prepared alongside other participants. She and her husband also share their love of music with the local community by performing the violin and drums at various Kits House events. Despite the language barrier, Masi has been on several trips organized by Kits House over the past year, including visits to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Grouse Mountain, the H.R. MacMillan Space Center and UBC Botanical Garden.
Social Inclusion: J.L.’s story
J.L. is a participant in Gordon Neighbourhood House’s Seniors in Action program, which promotes physical activity, social inclusion and independence for seniors who live in Vancouver’s West End. Shortly after the death of her husband about a year ago, J.L.’s neighbour started to bring her to the community lunches at Gordon House to meet new people and socialize with other seniors.