Author: Karla Comanda

All Genders Youth Group Installs Inclusive Pride Flag and Safe Space Stickers at CNH

The All Genders Youth Group within the CNH Youth Services are excited to share the display of an inclusive pride flag and a safe space sticker to the front windows of the CNH Main building on 5288 Joyce Street.

What is the All Genders Youth Group?
The All Genders Youth Group initiative is designed to provide 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their allies with a safe, social, and supportive environment where they can deepen their understanding on relevant topics through conversations, workshops, and activities while making a tangible impact in their community through group-led community justice projects.

Why is this important to youth in the community?
To date, there are people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are still being bullied and/or not accepted for showing who they truly are (e.g., parents of trans youth not supporting their children and their need for transition, youth not being able to share their feelings or their thoughts with friends/family who won’t understand, school not being a space where youth learn about the queer/nonbinary experience). In recognition of these challenges, the All Genders Youth Group came up with a unique design for a new safe space sticker and a window decal with the most current inclusive pride flag. This project is intended to be a visible and tangible show of solidarity to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in the Renfrew-Collingwood area and will serve as a springboard towards further change and inclusivity within our organization and surrounding community.

A Very Brief History of Rainbow Flags
Similar to how crosses indicate a church building, rainbow flags have been used to signal a gathering place for 2SLGBTQ+ peoples, and are now regarded as a symbol for the community. There are many versions of the flag that have come to fruition (the first being by Gilbert Baker in 1978) and like the many letters that will continue to be added to the acronym, the flag will likely be revised in the future. The flag on the window is called the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag, which was brought forward by Valentino Vecchietti in 2021. This flag is springboarded off the Inclusive Pride Flag designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar (a non-binary artist) to include the intersex pride flag, which was created back in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter. This design was chosen by the All Genders Youth Group as it covers not only sexual orientation, gender identities, and BIPOC folks, but also recognizes more progress is needed.

A Breakdown of the Flag’s Colour and Meaning:
The Rainbow
• Red – life and passion
• Orange -healing
• Yellow – sunlight
• Green – nature
• Indigo – serenity
• Violet – spirit

The Triangle
Quasar spoke publicly about how work is still needed in terms of BIPOC and trans rights, and as such, the placement of the new colours in an arrow shape is meant to convey the progress still needed.
• Yellow background with the Purple Circle – the newest addition by Valentino Vecchietti. Added to the white part of the triangle, it now includes the symbol of the intersex flag, acknowledging intersex peoples within the community.
• White, Light Blue and Light Pink- the colours that are a part of the trans flag, encompassing anyone who identifies differently than the sex they were assigned at birth. Traditionally, the colours pink and baby blue were used to represent whether a baby is a boy or a girl. Here, the colors denote those genders and the use of white is to acknowledge folks who may be in the process of transitioning, do not identify with any specific gender, or those who have a neutral gender.
• Black and Brown – represents BIPOC peoples and taken from the Philadelphia Pride Flag designed in 2017. BIPOC people have often been left out of the queer narrative despite being the driving force behind the movement–like Marsha P. Johnson, for example.

A Note on Safe(r) Space Stickers:
This specific sticker was designed by one of the All Genders youth, which all participants supported in finalizing and creating a digital copy and getting it in sticker form.

Safe space stickers indicate a building or organization is accepting and inclusive to 2SLGBTQ+ folks. It should be recognized that these stickers indicate a space is safer, as there can never be a guarantee that someone else accessing a space is a safe person or has harmful views towards 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. This sticker does however indicate staff at CNH are expected to support the victim should those situations come up.

Final Note:
There is still more progress to be made. Though laws change and the larger public tend to lean more towards acceptance, there is still a long way to go, much more to learn and safer spaces needed, especially for youth who do not have a supportive household or friend group. Providing a safer space makes a world of difference.
On behalf of the All Genders youth, we thank you for your solidarity and support.

January 13, 2023
Candice Li celebrates 15 years at CNH

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

Last year, we recognize and celebrate Candice Li for 15 years of service to Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Here’s what Candice’s supervisor, Jenny Eng-Chan, had to say about her:

“Candice is one of our vibrant and boldest members of the Reception team. You can hear and feel her presence even before seeing her! I mean this in a positive way. She is confident and has that one-of-a-kind personality. This was first evident upon interviewing her. I recall that entire day was strange—the other interviewer had to cancel at the last minute and the room that I had booked to do the interview went into overtime. I was scrambling to find a place to conduct the job interview. There were limited choices: it was either the women’s changing room or the main kitchen! Obviously, I picked the kitchen. Candice was adaptable to the situation and continued to be unfazed at the noise and the interruptions. And this quality made her a perfect addition to the Reception Team.”

“Along the way, I have learned that Candice had an aptitude for configuring programs and she loves to use her analytical CSI skills. When it was time for us to transition from our old-fashioned way of receiving and preparing payments received at the front desk to a more modern Point of Sales system, Candice was right there tackling the job. She was one of the key players involved in implementing our very first Point of Sales system, and if that wasn’t enough, she took part in building the second one, which we are using today. Candice constantly thanks me for her white hairs but I had promised Candice that there will not be a third time for at least another 10 years and by then, either we would have all retired or our hair would have naturally turned white, so I can’t be blamed for this.”

“Besides her work, Candice has this talent of being able to transform almost any fruit into her “special juices,” also known as wine. She loves to test out the potency of her creations on her reception teammates and this is a part of the reason of why the Front Desk staff is always so pleasant. On that note, my wish for Candice is for her to continue perfecting her juice-making skills and testing them out on us. Cheers to many more years.”

For information about careers at CNH, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/about/careers.

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Top image: Candice Li looking straight at the camera.

January 9, 2023
Sharing a part of one’s self through volunteering

Volunteer Ludin Godinez struggled when she first arrived in Canada in January 2020: in addition to the COVID-19 shutdown in March, she had difficulty navigating a new country, a new language, and a new community.

But that all changed when she started volunteering for the community; first with the Food Bank, and then with Collingwood Neighbourhood House, where she fondly looks back on helping cook the holiday dinner at Family Place.

“I really enjoyed it. The chefs really knew what they were doing,” she said.

This later turned into her volunteering for the monthly Community Kitchen, where she once facilitated a session on Costa Rican food and made dishes for 17 people. Aside from the cooking, she loved the opportunity to talk about her home country.

“I really enjoyed sharing that part of me, and [having] the opportunity to cook my [cuisine]. It’s not just about you, but your culture,” she said. As of this writing, Ludin will be hosting another Community Kitchen session in late September.

Beyond being a wife and a mother, Ludin is also a student: she is currently enrolled in LINC to develop her English-language skills and is taking classes to become an Early Childhood Education Assistant, with the dream of opening her own home daycare someday. Ludin credits CNH staff member Hannah Balba in supporting her with her goals.

“She helped me with my cover letter, my resume, my driving test, and even printing stuff… the little things, even though they’re not her responsibility. I don’t see Hannah as an employee; I see her more as a friend,” Ludin said.

Ludin appreciates the opportunity to volunteer and be part of the community; she encourages others to get involved as well.

“Just do it. You can give back to the community and be part of that; you also receive more than you think you give. If you’re thinking you want to be a volunteer and you want to help—no, they help you.”

For more information about volunteering with CNH, please visit cnh.bc.ca/volunteer.

September 22, 2022
‘My second home:’ Gian Villanueva on participating in CNH youth programs as a newcomer

During his six years of visiting Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH), Gian Villanueva said participating in youth programs has built his confidence.

The 17-year-old said he wasn’t always one to approach new people but CNH changed how he interacts with others.

“I’ve learned a lot about being more sociable here,” he said. “Going to Collingwood and meeting new people that are [also] new to Canada changed me into that person, being able to talk to them more comfortably and treat them as a friend right away.”

The Grade 12 student said he moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2016. In the same year, he recalls a visit to his elementary school from CNH staff. Eventually, he made his first visit to the neighbourhood house with friends. Gian said he enjoyed it so much that he knew he would be returning “all the time.”

True to his word, Gian continued to return each week to participate in settlement programs and other drop-in activities for youth.

“It was really fun and you actually got to play sports, open-gym and do cool things,” he said. “That was also one of the ways I could spend my time since I didn’t really have electronics and since I just came to Canada.”

Today, Gian said not much has changed. He continues to play a variety of sports in the gym and experiment with new dishes in the kitchen, though he has recently started to volunteer at CNH and said he would like to eventually find a part-time job at CNH, too.

“I guess my entire life in Canada would be so different if I wasn’t introduced to Collingwood,” Gian said.

Described by CNH staff as “always super helpful” in supporting wellness activities and cooking in the kitchen, as well as “instrumental” in the seniors’ snow shovelling project this year, finding ways to volunteer or participate at CNH has simply become routine for Gian. It’s also family, he said.

Throughout his time at the neighbourhood house, Gian said he feels that everyone is treated like family, regardless of their background. He said that the Youth Services team, staff, participants and volunteers are considered equals.

“I can call Collingwood my second home now, which is nice,” he said, adding: “If I didn’t learn about CNH when I came here, I’d probably be doing nothing right now. I’d probably just be working but I’m so glad that I found out about CNH . . . and that [staff] encouraged me to go here.”

For more information about our youth programs, email Sanjeev Karwal at skarwal@cnh.bc.ca or call 604-435-0323.

September 22, 2022
Volunteer sings for fun—and for community

At the start of the pandemic, life was lonely for Alice Crestejo. Like for many others, Alice found stay-at-home orders and physical distancing challenging. So when staff at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) established a virtual singing program for seniors, it didn’t take long for Alice to jump at the opportunity to host it.

As an award-winning singer and performer with a repertoire of songs from the 1950s and 1960s, Broadway musicals, classical music and Italian opera, it was a perfect match. Organizing this program, however, did not come without its obstacles.

Prior to the pandemic, seniors would meet regularly at CNH for karaoke. Once the pandemic started, In the virtual version of this program, called Sing for Fun, seniors were invited to participate in a singalong, or even sing solo.

“To start the Sing for Fun program was not easy,” Alice said. “After finding music that people are familiar with and editing the lyrics of each song to match the music, I had problems transmitting the music and my voice over Zoom in a clear manner.”

“I tried different ways and [staff] even offered to buy a microphone for me, which I declined.”

CNH staff were “so kind,” said Alice but eventually, she had the system figured out. It took a few tries and a few classes learning to use Zoom but the result was worth it, she said.

Jenny Shen, Seniors Wellness Coordinator, agreed.

“[Alice] shared her singing talents with seniors and brought tremendous fun and happiness to those who were homebound and isolated during the pandemic,” Jenny explained. “When word spread, not only seniors from local communities came to join the online program, but also seniors from the lower mainland, and even from other cities like Toronto.”

“Those long-time-no-see friends, neighbours, and family members never felt so close to each other to sing, laugh, and celebrate together with Alice.”

No longer in isolation, Alice said she has enjoyed volunteering as Sing for Fun host.

“The past two years have gone by very quickly,” Alice said.

“I really enjoy doing the program as much as the participants,” Alice said. “It made me forget about the loneliness we were in during this pandemic.”

“CNH has been my sanctuary for two years. I am the one who should thank CNH for that opportunity.”

September 22, 2022
Feeling a sense of community through volunteering

For volunteer Rahel Getaneh, helping out at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) not only gives her an opportunity to do something; it’s also a way to contribute to the community.

Over the past year, Rahel has been volunteering at the office, stamping envelopes, shredding documents, and supporting the Office staff with their tasks. But her journey as a volunteer actually began 15 years ago, where she also helped out with office-related tasks such as photocopying, typing, faxing, and more.

“I came back to Collingwood [because] I really like the environment, the people, the culture,” Rahel says.

And speaking of people, she appreciates feeling a sense of community every time she comes in to volunteer.

“The people,” she says, “are really nice, really supportive. And they provide a lot of support to the community, so I just wanted to contribute to that.”

Rahel encourages folks to get involved at CNH, even if just for a small time commitment.

“A lot of new people don’t know where to go and what to do. It’s such a good idea to start with Collingwood or any neighbourhood house…whether it’s to start volunteering or participating in a lot of different activities and experiences,” she says. “It’s such a good support system.”

For more information about volunteering with CNH, please visit cnh.bc.ca/volunteer.

September 22, 2022
2021 Community Vision Award recipient shares impact of nomination

A year after receiving Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s Community Vision Award, Jillian Tale continues to pursue her passion for early childhood education.

The Community Vision Award, which includes a $750 scholarship, is given to a Grade 12 student from Windermere Secondary School. It aims to support a student with a connection to CNH and/or who has volunteered in the neighbourhood, and is entering a diploma program for early childhood education, community services or community development.

Jillian, who started her Early Childhood Education studies at Douglas College last fall, recently obtained her license to be an Early Childhood Education Assistant. She currently works with infants and toddlers at Port Moody’s The Kids Academy.

“[The award] helped me move forward and pay for the class I needed to get my license,” she said.
Now finishing her first year at Douglas College, Jillian hopes to build transfer credits to Capilano University to do a Bachelor’s, and then a Master’s in Early Childhood Education.

Jillian, who also lives in the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood, credits her time volunteering for the community in helping her figure out what she wanted to do and what her passions were. She started volunteering in the neighbourhood, as well as for Collingwood Neighbourhood House, during high school.

“I found out through volunteering that I actually loved working with children,” she said. “I would do activities like cooking, arts and crafts, lego, and reading with the kids.”

She encourages young people to volunteer for the community as a way to figure out what they want to do in life.

“Get out there as much as you can, as soon as you possibly could. Ask friends if you want to do volunteering together… it was less scary volunteering with my friends. We all figured out what we wanted to do and what our passions were as well. It helps a lot, going out and getting into the community,” Jillian said.

The Community Vision Award is announced annually at CNH’s Annual General Meeting, held in late September.

August 7, 2022
Thanking CNH’s Board of Directors

April 24-30 is National Volunteer Week! We recently celebrated CNH’s volunteers through a virtual Volunteer Appreciation Event to thank them for their dedication and generosity to the community.

With this year’s theme being “Volunteering is Empathy in Action,” Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s volunteers have shown this in droves by supporting our programs and services. As CNH continued to deal with the impact of the pandemic, the organization relied on the assistance of up to 900 volunteers.

We would also like to thank the CNH Board of Directors, who are local volunteers who bring their experience, expertise and passion to CNH. They dedicate time to Board and committee meetings and advise CNH on every aspect of its work. Throughout the pandemic, the Board Directors have gone above and beyond to dedicate their time and expertise to address challenges CNH has faced. Their contributions allow many people in our community to thrive. Thank you to our volunteer Board of Directors, and thank you to our volunteer community members, for supporting the work of CNH!

April 29, 2022
‘This is where I belong’ : Celebrating CNH Volunteer Najia Elancel

April 24-30 is National Volunteer Week! We recently celebrated CNH’s volunteers through a virtual Volunteer Appreciation Event to thank them for their dedication and generosity to the community.

With this year’s theme being “Volunteering is Empathy in Action,” Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s volunteers have shown this in droves by supporting our programs and services. As CNH continued to deal with the impact of the pandemic, the organization relied on the assistance of up to 900 volunteers.

In 2020, The Bhayana Foundation and the United Way partnered to select three people across Canada either volunteering or working in the non-profit sector. They wanted to highlight the important and deeply meaningful work being done by individuals in a sector that really doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Najia Elancel was one of the three selected and was the only one chosen from Western Canada! Check out this video from Charity Village, which they filmed in 2020, which is a wonderful display of Najia’s journey as a volunteer at CNH.

From Najia herself:

“I think once I walked in the door with my two little children, I think these people gave life back to me. […] I looked at them and I looked at their eyes, and I looked at myself and I went, ‘omigod, this is where I belong.”

“It’s not like we choose to do what we do because we want to get awarded for it. We do what we do because we love to do it–and especially for me, I do it from my heart.”

Congratulations on this award, Najia, and thank you for your service to the community!

April 29, 2022
“[It’s] some small thing I can do to help make the world a better place.” – Celebrating CNH Volunteer John Rothery

April 24-30 is National Volunteer Week! We recently celebrated CNH’s volunteers through a virtual Volunteer Appreciation Event to thank them for their dedication and generosity to the community.

With this year’s theme being “Volunteering is Empathy in Action,” Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s volunteers have shown this in droves by supporting our programs and services. As CNH continued to deal with the impact of the pandemic, the organization relied on the assistance of up to 900 volunteers.

Here are some stories from our staff—and the volunteers themselves—on how they took the extra mile to bring heart to the community.

From Dovana Singh, Better at Home, Navigation & Peer Support Coordinator:

Sometimes, things come up and volunteers can’t deliver on a given week. John never fails to answer my call and if he can, he’ll take on more deliveries that week to help out. John is an exemplary volunteer and our program simply wouldn’t exist in its current iteration without his feedback and suggestions. Our seniors absolutely adore him and so do we. He deserves a huge shout-out for his ongoing dedication and care for our community.

When asked why he volunteers, John says, “[It’s] some small thing I can do to help make the world a better place.” Thank you, John!

April 28, 2022