Changing Lives

Just a few of the many lives we touched this year

Anna
When Anna moved to Renfrew-Collingwood she decided to be part of the Peer Education Program, a CNH leadership program for high school students. It brings them to local elementary schools where they explore a social issue facing youth in the community.

Six years ago, when Anna first came to CNH to volunteer with the program, she was unaware of the kinds of issues children have to face daily. She was also unsure of what she wanted to do in the future, after graduating from Windermere Secondary School. However, with help and support from Sanjeev Karwal, CNH’s Peer Education Program Coordinator, Laura Contreras, CNH’s Youth Engagement Manager and Mariah Forsythe, Youth Mentorship Worker and from experiencing the program Anna not only discovered the exceptional leadership skills that she possesses but she also unearthed her passion for working with youth and being a great mentor.

Anna feels like her mind and heart have opened up to become more understanding and accepting towards others, which is why she loves to volunteer her time at CNH, her school and in the community, despite her busy high school schedule, extracurricular activities and her part- time job.

Anna’s advice to the youth: “Trying new things can be scary but taking small steps towards new challenges can help you grow and discover a lot about yourself.”

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Lina
Lina Vargas arrived in Canada in 2004 from the Philippines, leaving her family and the ones she loves, but with the goal of bringing them with her one day to have better lives and more opportunities in Vancouver.

After she worked for a few years as a Seniors Care Provider in the Lower Mainland, Lina was finally able to bring her family to Canada in 2010. In 2012, she decided to go back to school to take a Diploma in Hairdressing at Vancouver Hairdressing Academy and three years later, she finished a 10-week Business Development Program at the YMCA. That’s when Lina decided to open her own business called, “Care Cut Mobile Salon.” It’s a Mobile Beauty Salon specializing providing haircuts for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

After opening her business, Lina decided to start volunteering as a hairstylist for seniors at CNH. “Volunteering is the source of my joy in my heart and the fulfillment of life sharing what I have with others. For me, it is a great opportunity to reach out to our seniors in the community and to advocate and care for vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities,” Lina said.

The best part of her passion is to serve and nurture our most isolated seniors and bring back the beauty of connections in our diverse community, using the skills she’s honed as a hairstylist and caregiver.

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Michael and Don
After his wife was sent to a nursing home, Don, 86-years-old, felt his house and his life were empty. Everything started to change when he met Michael at the CNH Morning Star Program, the man who became not only a person to share the rent but also a friend to share his life.

Michael, 44, has started a new life getting away from alcohol abuse. He started a new job but, like many people in Vancouver, he was still struggling to find a place to live.

After Don’s wife moved into a nursing home, Don had to carry the financial responsibility of paying for both his own housing and for his wife’s new home. This was a huge financial burden for himself and for his family.

Knowing both of these stories Ana Mateescu, CNH’s Homelessness Coordinator, had the idea of pairing Michael and Don in housing.

Ana suggested Don rent a room in his home to Michael, so that Don was able to lower his costs and Michael was able to get a more affordable place to rent in the Metro Vancouver area.

One year later, Don and Michael are still living together; they attend CNH’s Morning Star Breakfast Program every Saturday and they go grocery shopping together but the most important part is that they have became roommates, great companions, and good friends.

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