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Author: Kayla Isomura

  • Working at RISE is ‘the full scope of primary care practice,’ says nurse practitioner

    Working at RISE is ‘the full scope of primary care practice,’ says nurse practitioner

    Since June 2020, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) has offered health care to residents of Renfrew-Collingwood through RISE Community Health Centre. Using a team-based approach that recognizes the social determinants of health, RISE operates a primary care clinic and not-for-profit pharmacy. Additional services include harm reduction, community development and health promotion.

    We share some highlights from staff about their experiences working with RISE and what makes it different from traditional healthcare providers.

    Meet Vanessa, RISE nurse practitioner

    Before Vanessa McMahon started her role as a nurse practitioner at RISE, she spent 18 years working as a registered nurse. When she returned to school to study in her new field, working at RISE was part of her student placement three years ago. For Vanessa, it was “such a positive and supportive experience” that she decided to stay.

    Tell us about your experience at RISE.

    “In my previous work at BC Children’s Hospital, I was part of team-based care. When I came here, it was very similar. It felt like home for me in the sense that I love working in a group setting with multi-disciplinary input, especially when you’re dealing with complex cases and individuals, to not feel like you’re by yourself and you can lean on the expertise of your colleagues. I also find the camaraderie, the open-mindedness of the staff and the accepting nature of the work environment here to be wonderful.”

    Has anything surprised you about working here? 

    “I don’t know if there are necessarily surprises. I think it’s been interesting. We’ve had a few other students come through since I graduated. What I say to all of those students is that they are going to have a wide breadth of experience here, which is so fascinating. Every day is very different. You get exposed to the full scope of primary care practice, so it’s a wonderful place to get that generalized experience.”

    And that’s what makes RISE unique for a healthcare setting. 

    “Yeah.”

    RISE is currently hiring. Who do you think should apply to work here?

    “I think somebody who comes from a social justice lens, somebody who takes the social determinants of health seriously, somebody who likes to work in that team-based environment and someone who is curious, willing to learn.”

    What are some highlights of working with clients at RISE, especially with such a big range of clients? 

    “Because we do outreach visits to supportive housing units, trying to reduce those barriers to accessing care. And, over the last few years, through relationship building, I feel like I’ve had great satisfaction when there have been clients who haven’t engaged in their own health for decades, who are now feeling safe enough to do so. There are those occasions where you realize, they’re coming for their appointments. We’ve developed that trust and that relationship with somebody who may have had terrible experiences in the past.”

    Is there anything else you would want other healthcare professionals to know about working at RISE? 

    “It’s a very supported environment. Because we can deal with more challenging and complex social and health issues, it truly is a very supportive environment. You’re not going to be on your own, you’re not going to be figuring out these complexities in isolation. I’d say that the big take-home message is just teamwork.”

    Learn more about career opportunities at RISE Community Health Centre at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

    This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

  • Breaking barriers for residents of Renfrew-Collingwood through community health care

    Breaking barriers for residents of Renfrew-Collingwood through community health care

    Since June 2020, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) has offered health care to residents of Renfrew-Collingwood through RISE Community Health Centre. Using a team-based approach that recognizes the social determinants of health, RISE operates a primary care clinic and not-for-profit pharmacy. Additional services include harm reduction, community development and health promotion.

    We share some highlights from staff about their experiences working with RISE and what makes it different from traditional healthcare providers.

    Meet Tharuna, RISE family physician

    Over the last four years, Tharuna Abbu has worked as a family physician at RISE. Learning about RISE through friends familiar with the community health centre, Tharuna said they were drawn to the team-based approach and general model.

    Tharuna Abbu, family physician at RISE Community Health Centre.

    “I understood [RISE] to be quite embedded in community and responsive to really local needs,” said Tharuna. “I really liked that as a contrast to a more top-down approach.”

    Four years later, they have continued working as a physician at RISE.

    In your four years of working at RISE, what has your experience been like?

    “I think it says a lot that I am still here in this role and still very happy in this role. I would say that this is probably the best team of human beings who work here [and] the best team that I have ever worked with. Not only do we work well professionally as a team but we all genuinely like each other, seem to get along and can have fun together, which I think goes a long way in making a sustainable workplace.

    “It’s also amazing to be in a workplace where there are so many other BIPOC people and other queer people. That’s pretty special. I haven’t come across that in a lot of other work placements.”

    What are some highlights of working with the clients that you serve?

    “I love the community here. I used to live in the neighbourhood, so it’s really familiar for me but it’s really lovely to go for a walk on my lunch break and see our clients out and about living their lives. [I] get to connect with them in a more organic way and glimpse [into] other bits of their life that I maybe otherwise would not get to do in a regular clinic setting.

    “I feel like the neighbourhood itself [is] so engaged. The people who live here and who come to the clinic are keen to be involved with the neighbourhood house and also with the clinic. They’ve really helped us co-create programming and services that they want to see and that’s been really, really cool. There are some special, unique things that RISE has been able to create, specific to the needs of the people who live here.”

    What has surprised you about working here? 

    “It’s not surprising but I feel like you see hard-working, lovely people struggling so hard in every system and they’re also getting hit from all sides. They’re struggling with housing, immigration, childcare [and] affording basic healthcare services like vision care or dental services.

    “That’s not everybody in this community but this community embodies all of the ways that our systems aren’t serving people and are letting so many people, especially the working poor, fall through the cracks completely. So that is surprising to see the breadth of how many people and how many families are affected. “

    And that goes back to the community healthcare model.

    “Totally. And I think something special about working at RISE is even though we’re not necessarily able to change the broader system, we’re able to do some small part that maybe helps one person or one family succeed through those barriers and get to that next place. That’s been great. We collectively all celebrate every deportation that was stopped, we collectively celebrate every person who found new housing that we were so worried [about]. We’re all rooting for everybody’s success and that’s just nice to work in an environment like that.

    “I don’t want to make it sound like we’re in a clinic that will magically solve everybody’s problems. We don’t have the capacity for that but I think within the capacity that we do have, we’re a team that wants to try to make that difference, and push and try and advocate for people. I wish that we could clone this clinic.”

    RISE is currently hiring. Who do you think should apply to work here?

    “I think this is an excellent workplace for community-minded people, especially folks who have an orientation to what justice means in a broad and fairly political way. I would say that many of our staff are actively reflective in terms of the political landscape and all of the barriers that people face.

    “The staff here are pretty similar in terms of our core values and our approach to things. I think we’re a clinic that welcomes people who want to jump in, who have ideas and who have relationships with this community, especially [those who] can run with ideas in this clinic. There’s a lot of staff who meet our clientele and they get an idea. They’re like, ‘I want to make this program happen’ and then we often are able to find a way to do that.”

    Is there anything else you would want other healthcare professionals to know about working at RISE? 

    “As a physician, it’s an interesting model. I am salaried, which is uncommon for doctors. At the same time, I have not batted an eye at that. There are lots of benefits to having a known, steady stream of income and not having to worry about how many patients I see in a day or if patients are a no-show. I feel like it alleviates a lot of that pressure.

    “So, that’s something specific to physicians that I think people should keep in mind and chat with clinic managers about but otherwise, it’s a pretty excellent place to work. I’ve totally enjoyed my time here at RISE. I’m going on parental leave but I fully intend on coming back.”

    Learn more about career opportunities at RISE Community Health Centre at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

    This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

  • Beatriz and Juliana: Empowered immigrant women at CNH

    Beatriz and Juliana: Empowered immigrant women at CNH

    Meet Beatriz and Juliana, two resilient immigrant women who have found empowerment and support through the Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) with LINC & Settlement Services at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).

    Juliana recently completed her accounting and payroll certificate program, marking a significant milestone in her journey. With her upgraded skills and confidence, Juliana is now preparing to re-enter the workplace. Despite her achievements, Juliana continues to attend and actively participate in the Women’s Leadership Program. For her, it’s not just about professional development but also about staying connected with a community of strong women, gaining self-confidence and fostering meaningful friendships.

    On the other hand, Beatriz has successfully finished her LINC 7 program, greatly enhancing her English proficiency. Now, she’s exploring opportunities to utilize her education and skills in her new home. Alongside her pursuits, Beatriz remains committed to giving back to the community. She continues to volunteer at CNH and manages a spa in Vancouver where she not only applies her expertise, but also finds fulfillment in helping others.

    The story of Beatriz and Juliana exemplifies the resilience of determination of immigrant women, who despite facing challenges, have thrived in their new environment. Beatriz and Jualiana’s continued participation in the WLP underscores commitment and personal growth, empowerment, and building supportive connections.

    Join us in celebrating the journey of Beatriz and Juliana as they inspire others to embrace opportunities and overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams in their new home.

    Learn more about programs and services for newcomers at CNH by visiting cnh.bc.ca/settlement or call 604-435-0323.

  • Family bonding through food at CNH

    Family bonding through food at CNH

    Over a year ago, Aurelia M. was researching afterschool programs for her children, Marcus and Lucas, when she came across Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH). One look at all that CNH has to offer and she soon found her family immersed in food programs instead.

    Each month, the family of three attends Community Kitchen, a free program for newcomers to explore collective cooking, learn from neighbours and share food traditions.

    We started off with Community Kitchen because it was for newcomers and I love the cultural aspect of learning different cuisines and learning from people who are inside of the culture . . . My kids love food, so it’s a great activity [where] we can all bond.”
    – Aurelia M.

    Over the last year, Aurelia’s family has been able to experience the program together. From learning new skills to connecting with other participants and sharing meals, Community Kitchen has created opportunities where they can all benefit. For 10-year-old Marcus and 8-year-old Lucas, this includes kid-friendly tasks led by a volunteer. In November, for example, the siblings helped make ginger cookies for dessert while their mom prepared the main course with other program participants.

    “My kids like me to come because there’s more of a diverse assortment of food than I might actually shop for,” said Aurelia, who noted that Marcus and Lucas originally encouraged her to sign them up for the program.

    Marcus and Lucas look into a large bowl of cookie dough during Community Kitchen as a volunteer shows them how to roll into a ball.
    Lucas peers over the counter as he watches Aurelia, his mom, roll dough. Marcus, Lucas’ older brother, takes a photo.

    When the family moved from Hong Kong to Vancouver two years ago, Aurelia said it was an opportunity for her children to experience more space outdoors. Marcus, for example, is also “very curious about gardening.”

    As a result, the family soon became involved in other food programs at CNH after connecting with Community Kitchen.

    This includes learning about edible berries and tree sap at the Norquay Food Forest, making friends through the food drop program, receiving a Neighbourhood Small Grant to host a tea party for single mothers, and making life-long connections through the newcomer mentorship program.

    “It’s a good educational experience for all of us because we grew up in a very cosmopolitan, concrete environment and barely knew anything about shrubs and trees,” she said.

    Marcus, 10, holds a bowl of cookie dough ready to be chilled during Community Kitchen.

    While it’s difficult for Aurelia to recall every event her family has attended at CNH (staff described Aurelia as “very supportive” of the food programs), she fondly remembers a mooncake workshop. Her youngest, Lucas, “brought home the recipe and stuffed it in my face,” she said.

    “He said, ‘Mommy, when are we going to make this?’ I said, I don’t think we have the ingredients to make a three-layer mooncake so we improvised,” Aurelia said. “With the Community Kitchen recipes, I can apply the skills for them or make the recipes at home.”

    Lucas, 8, helps place a balled piece of cookie dough onto a baking sheet during Community Kitchen.

    Beyond food programs at CNH, Aurelia said she appreciates the diverse programs at CNH that are available to all ages. Although Marcus and Lucas didn’t end up in CNH’s childcare programs, Aurelia said she has friends who have had good experiences in those programs.

    While at the food drop, she often talks to seniors who participate in the program.

    “They talk about the coffee meetup right before or I see online other educational workshops for seniors,” said Aurelia. “And then in terms of working people, we can come to the kitchen afterwards and we also share our lives by asking [about our] day jobs.”

    Aurelia (right) smiles as she talks to a volunteer during Community Kitchen.

    For Aurelia, CNH has become a place for connection and much more.

    “It’s a great resource hub, not only for workshops, but at least I know who to contact for help,” she said. “When I joined the mentorship program, Ryan was able to arrange me with this lady who we still remain friends [with] to this day. She’s actually like a god grandmother to my kids so she became kind of like part of our family.”

    “That was a very memorable aspect of the mentorship program that flourished into a long-lasting relationship.”

    Learn more about food programs at cnh.bc.ca/food-justice or call 604-435-0323 for more information.

    This story was originally written for CNH’s annual giving campaign. Consider making a donation to CNH and help sustain low-cost and accessible programming like the ones available to Aurelia and her family. Your contribution can positively impact the lives of everyone in the community.

  • Najia Elacel celebrates 15 years at CNH

    Najia Elacel celebrates 15 years at CNH

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    This year, we recognize and celebrate Najia Elacel for over 15 years of service!

    Najia is a treasured member of our community. She currently works in the Families Branching Out Program and spent many years as a cook in the senior’s lunch program. Her passion for her work is evident in everything she does. Najia loves her role and the community she serves, and her greatest joy comes from bringing happiness to those around her.

    Thanks to Najia’s incredible talent, hundreds of people have savoured her delicious meals over the past 10 years. Each dish she creates is infused with love and passion, making every bite a reminder of the warmth and joy she brings to us all.

    Her dedication creates a ripple effect, touching the lives of many and reminding us all of the power of kindness and connection.

    Congratulations, Najia, on this milestone and we look forward to celebrating many more to come with you!

    Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

  • Empowering seniors through digital literacy

    Empowering seniors through digital literacy

    Suman and his wife, Nenita, immigrated to Canada from India decades ago. They built a life together filled with love, laughter, and resilience. But as technology continued to advance at a rapid pace, they found themselves feeling somewhat overwhelmed and left behind.

    Determined to embrace the digital age, Suman and Nenita decided to enroll in the Collingwood Tech Support Program. From the moment they walked through the doors, they were met with warmth and kindness from the volunteers and the UBC student who dedicated their time to helping seniors like them.

    With each one-on-one session, Suman and Nenita eagerly soaked up new knowledge like sponges. Whether it was learning how to navigate Facebook to stay connected with family and friends back in India, or mastering the intricacies of typing in Hindi on their keyboard, the volunteers tailored each lesson to their specific needs and pace.

    But what truly stood out to Suman and Nenita was the patience and understanding shown by their mentors. Despite their initial struggles and hesitations, the volunteers never once made them feel inadequate or out of place. Instead, they encouraged them to ask questions, experiment with new skills, and celebrate their progress along the way.

    Over the course of just a few months, Suman and Nenita’s confidence in using technology soared to new heights. They marvelled at their ability to adjust text sizes on their phones for easier reading and edit photos with just a few taps of their fingertips. Each session left them feeling empowered and excited for the next opportunity to learn and grow.

    With newfound skills and confidence, Suman and Anita eagerly looked forward to embracing all that the digital world had to offer. And as they continued on their journey of lifelong learning, they knew that they would always have a dedicated community of mentors cheering them on every step of the way.

    One-on-one tech support is available for seniors and older adults who need help with their devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers. Learn more at cnh.bc.ca/seniors or call 604-435-0323.

  • Andrea Holden celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    This year, we recognize and celebrate Andrea Holden for over 20 years of service!

    Andrea has been a childcare worker at the Infant Toddler program since 2004. I have worked with her as a coworker and as a supervisor. There was one occasion when she worked at Terry Tayler after her maternity leave.

    Her colleagues describe her as very talkative and friendly with families. She is very generous and always willing to help families to get involved and be part of Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

    As a Program Coordinator I can always count on Andrea when putting furniture or any item together. She is very skilled and clever when it comes to doing this kind of job.

    When asked why Andrea stayed with CNH she said that she really loves the sense of community and the support of CNH in both her work and personal life.

    When asked what was her favourite work-related memory, she said that there are so many wonderful memories of working with families who have multiple children through our programs creating long standing relationships.

    Andrea also mentions that as a single parent of a child with special needs, she has had so much support for herself and her child. Her child has attended so many amazing programs from her birth to now as she attends the youth programs!

    For Andrea CNH is an amazing place to work.

    I would like to congratulate Andrea on her 20th Anniversary at CNH.

    Happy Anniversary Andrea!.

    Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

  • Cindy Chisolm celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

    Cindy Chisolm celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    This year, we recognize and celebrate Cindy Chisolm for over 20 years of service!

    Cindy Chisolm

    In 2004, Cindy started as a childcare worker in CNH’s toddler program. Five years later, she transitioned to a role as school-age coordinator in our Graham Bruce and CNS programs.

    Today, she is a coordinator with the Renfrew School-Age Child Care program. Cindy is described as someone who “puts everything into her work.” This includes ensuring a quality program and the utmost creativity with annual art shows Cindy hosts with her team and program participants.

    Cindy says she has stayed at CNH for so long because it doesn’t feel like a traditional workplace At CNH, Cindy says it feels like a community and a family where people genuinely care about each other.

    While Cindy holds many favourite memories at CNH, one experience she will never forget is a trip to Reggio Emilia.

    “It was such a fantastic learning experience,” she says. “I know for myself and many others who went on this trip, it showed that CNH values the work that we do as [Early Childhood Educators] by providing us this opportunity.”

    As a result of starting in the toddler program, Cindy has had the honour of working with some children from their toddler years through Grade 7. They are now in university and still come to visit. “I love the connections made over the years,” Cindy says.

    A more recent memory would be watching a child with low self-esteem, who thought she wasn’t good at anything, beam with pride during the art show as she led the school principal around. And later with such joy as she showed her mother what she had done.

    Congratulations, Cindy!

    Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

  • Im Mei Kwok celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

    Im Mei Kwok celebrates 20 years in child care at CNH

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    This year, we recognize and celebrate Im Mei Kwok for over 20 years of service!

    Im Mei Kwok

    Im Mei has worked with CNH for over 20 years. Currently with the Duke Street Early Learning and Care Centre team, she first started as a childcare worker on Nov. 3, 2003.

    Im Mei has a passion for teaching children many different concepts and skills; she introduces different activities and stories to them with excitement and joy. Described by her colleagues as scholarly, resourceful, thoughtful and positive, she is also described as “a gentle, loving teacher to the children.”

    Im Mei said that she has stayed with CNH because she has been part of a good team over the years. To the team, they say Im Mei is like family to them.

    Congratulations, Im Mei!

    Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.

  • Karl Chan: 25 years in badminton and tech at CNH

    Karl Chan: 25 years in badminton and tech at CNH

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    This year, we recognize and celebrate Karl Chan for over 25 years of service!

    Karl Chan

    Throughout the years at CNH, Karl has worn many hats. From teaching youth badminton to becoming our go-to IT consultant, Karl has been the silent force behind our systems. In the beginning, he helped us with all things techie, but soon found his true calling: revolutionizing our point of sales system.

    When CNH first started, the reception team relied on slips of paper and checkmarks to register and receive drop-ins for programs. Booking a room meant battling with a paper calendar and slathering liquid paper on our corrections—what the newbies now call correction tape. It was the Stone Age of administration! But then, our techie superhero Karl introduced us to our first electronic system. It was a dream come true but a nightmare in the learning process.

    Once we were settled, in true Karl fashion, only appeared when the system needed his magic touch. And when our first system began to show signs of age, we found ourselves in a race against time to transition to a new one. Now with our second system calm and settled, Karl has once again retreated into his bat cave. Through endless calls, he guided us through every tech hiccup and crisis.

    Karl’s dedication, patience, and expertise have been invaluable to CNH. An IT superhero, badminton guru and calming presence in times of reception tech turmoil, we congratulate Karl on his 25th anniversary at CNH!

    Learn more about career opportunities at CNH at cnh.bc.ca/careers.