Category: Community Stories

Bosa Foundation: Three decades of building community

The relationship between the Robert Bosa Foundation and Collingwood Neighbourhood House goes back nearly three decades, beginning when Bosa Construction built CNH’s main neighbourhood house 27 years ago. Since 2012, the Robert Bosa Foundation has focused on supporting families, children and youth, in communities where Bosa Properties builds. This year, that support included funding for CNH’s food security initiatives and family outings, as well as sponsorship of its 40th anniversary gala — providing a significant contribution towards CNH’s fundraising goal.

“This neighbourhood has always held a special place in our hearts,” says Sylvia Bosa, Director of the Robert Bosa Foundation. “From the very beginning, our father has always believed strongly in giving back. Building relationships, sharing opportunities and contributing to local communities have always gone hand in hand with our values as a company — it’s simply a core part of who we are.”

For the Robert Bosa Foundation, supporting organizations like Collingwood Neighbourhood House is about building trusted relationships and providing meaningful, sustained support that responds to the needs of the community.

Sylvia credits CNH Family Development and Homelessness Manager Ana Mateescu with helping the Foundation understand where its support can be most helpful. Since 2019, this has included food security initiatives and holiday hampers, as well as programs that bring families together and create opportunities for new experiences.

“Ana really understands the families CNH serves and where support can make a difference,” Sylvia says. “Over the years, we’ve supported food security initiatives and holiday hampers, and more recently the Families Branching Out Program, which gives families opportunities to spend time together, explore their community and enjoy new experiences.”

Working with trusted community organizations like CNH also means support can reach families in a way that respects their dignity and privacy. The Foundation sees its role not simply as a funder, but as a partner to organizations that know their communities and have strong relationships with the people they serve.

“For us, it’s about more than simply providing funding,” Sylvia says. “It’s about building relationships with organizations like CNH, listening to what they are seeing in the community and understanding where we can be most helpful. That’s what being a partner in community means to us.”

Ultimately, the value of organizations like CNH can be seen in the connections, experiences and opportunities they create for families.

“Every family that comes through Collingwood Neighbourhood House has hopes and dreams for themselves and their children,” Sylvia says. “Having a place where families feel supported and connected to their community can make such a difference – and help create opportunities for what comes next.”

September 23, 2026
Darick Construction: Making a difference in the neighbourhood

When folks walk into Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s main site on 5288 Joyce Street, they may notice the freshly renovated areas done by Darick Construction. Beyond their work, they’re also committed to giving back to the community and helping those in need: aside from subsidizing the Medical Assistance Fund in 2024, they were also the presenting sponsor at this year’s 40th anniversary gala, and a major donor towards our fundraising goal.

“Ever since I opened [Darick Construction], I always thought about how I’d be a part of the community to help improve it, and to do what we can,” their founder shares.

The company’s mission to give back stems from the founder’s childhood experiences when his entire family banded together to care for his mother, who was battling cancer at that time.

“It was tough at that time… [and then] I thought nothing would be better than to devote my time, my expertise, and all the knowledge I have to contribute to society.

Hopefully, we can pass our legacy to the next generation, to provide a better life for people in our society who somehow didn’t have a chance,” he shares.

In addition to the company’s ethos, the Darick Construction team were also inspired by the work that’s being done at CNH on behalf of the Renfrew-Collingwood community.

“I saw how people genuinely gather together to help [each other]. I saw their devotion to their work… nothing could be better than just helping each other and connecting the community,” he says.

After contributing to and attending the CNH’s 40th anniversary fundraising gala, Darick Construction’s founder looks forward to more opportunities to support the Renfrew-Collingwood community. He cites The Browniez’ performance as being a particularly touching moment during the evening.

“The singer mentioned that he moved here a couple of years ago. Right away, it reminded me of my story and how he followed and chased his dreams, and how he got there step by step,” he says.

As the founder reflects on Darick Construction’s role in the community, he emphasizes the importance of devotion and ambition to help improve societal conditions.

“This is our legacy… we think about how we could help people to build a better life. Devote yourself as best as you can, and the rest will come respectively,” he concludes.

September 23, 2026
Gaining independence through Seniors’ programs

Despite her health issues, Renfrew-Collingwood resident Barbara Federici was able to maintain her independence through her active participation in programs at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) like the shuttle trips, food hub, grocery delivery, community lunch, frozen meals, and the seniors’ club. With so many of the programs currently on pause, Barbara feels frustrated about what the lack of support services can do for that independence.

Giving the frozen meals program as an example, she notes: “It was really frustrating and challenging. It’s really hard for me to cook–I get exhausted with the prep work, the cooking, and then the cleanup.”

In addition to having access to many seniors’ wellness programs, an added benefit to her participation was the opportunity to socialize. Thanks to the seniors’ wellness programs, Barbara was able to connect with other community members, making friends and meeting with them outside of CNH.

Barbara’s daughter Sabrina Bantog, who is the manager of childcare human resources at CNH, also highlights how helpful these programs have been for seniors and other community members.

“She’s very limited in where she can go on her own because of her medical nights. By coming to CNH, she’s able to make connections with other seniors that she wouldn’t necessarily be able to do so,” Sabrina says.

Barbara observes that a common motivator for seniors’ participation in the wellness programs are loneliness and the desire to connect. By regularly attending programs, she has been able to make friends with other seniors, often meeting them outside of the neighbourhood house for coffee.

“It’s important to have friendly faces to look at, to vent. A lot of seniors don’t have a family close to them and they rely on the neighborhood house as being part of their family. It just reaches so many different people, so many different lives,” she says.

In addition to befriending other seniors, Barbara has also made connections with the seniors’ services staff and praises their compassion and dedication to ensure that their needs are met.

“They’re absolutely fabulous with us. They’re all dedicated and devoted to helping. Their hearts are all in the right place. If you’re going through a rough time, you get a hug,” she adds.

With the reduction in many of its services, Sabrina encourages people to donate so that CNH can continue providing essential services not just to seniors but other vulnerable populations in Renfrew-Collingwood.

“Collingwood Neighbourhood House really helped her to gain independence and to have a social network. She doesn’t have to go all over town to seek the different supports she needs… [CNH] has been able to support her health and mental well-being,” Sabrina shares.

To learn more about Seniors’ programs at CNH, visit cnh.bc.ca/seniors or call 604-435-0323.

September 22, 2026
“[It] felt like an extension of home”—Francis Arevalo on his artist-in-residence tenure

Last summer, poet, musician, and Renfrew-Collingwood resident Francis Arevalo made the conscious choice to stay in Vancouver rather than moving out of the province altogether.

“I’m born and raised in Vancouver. All my community is here and family is here. A lot of my creative connections are here, so I figured I would stay. I’ve just had this general desire to deepen my connection to where I am–not just the city, not just the province, not just the land, but specifically, my local neighbourhood,” he says.

When he applied to be Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s first artist-in-residence program, everything just seemed to click into place. During his tenure from October to November 2025, he worked on his album Home, Grown, which explores personal growth in the context of community. This album has been a long time in the making, having started writing Home, Grown eight years ago.

“It’s very cool to me that CNH is playing a role in it. I didn’t know that I wanted that until it became an option; I basically spend my time mostly between Renfrew-Collingwood and Mount Pleasant. So I’m like, how else can the neighbourhood be a part of my journey the way that I want to be part of it? It just lined up and I’m really grateful for it,” Francis shares.

Through the artist-in-residence program, not only was Francis able to enjoy having access to free rehearsal space; he was able to transform his CNH studio into a third space where people could gather in.

“That’s very meaningful thing to me, especially since the lockdowns a few years ago, I feel like I got lost. It took me this to get the inspiration and the energy to gather with people in a third space again. I’m grateful that CNH and the Annex is one of those places,” he says. He also appreciated meeting other like-minded folks and connecting with other members of the community.

He adds that with how comfortable he felt working in public as the artist-in-residence, he felt like his experience at the Annex felt like an extension of home.

“I was able to stay focused and feel pretty at home while I was in the space,” Francis says.

As a self-described “pretty regular dude” who enjoys spending time with his loved ones, hiking, and basketball, Francis has one piece of what he calls “un-advice” for aspiring artists who may be interested in going into music and/or poetry.

“Create a lot, but live more. Personally, the kind of art that I most resonate with isn’t the stuff that’s just well-made. It’s about expressing something meaningful to that person or for a group,” he says.

To learn more about arts programs at CNH, visit cnh.bc.ca/arts-culture or call 604-435-0323.

September 15, 2026
Ignite Volunteerism: Celebrating volunteers at CNH

This month, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) celebrates our volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week (April 19 to 25, 2026)! This year’s theme highlights how people across the country have ignited volunteerism in their communities.

At CNH, volunteers play a key part in making our programs successful. Below are just a few examples of how volunteers have supported our programs and even go the extra mile to bring heart to our participants.

Family Place

An interactive program for parents, grandparents and caregivers, and their children (newborn to 5 years old), Family Place provides a space for participants to learn and play together.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and heart our volunteers bring to our Family Place program. Their willingness to share their time and talents—whether it’s welcoming new families with a warm smile, leading a craft, or simply providing a listening ear—is what makes this community flourish.

Our volunteers aren’t just filling a role, they are helping us create a safe and supportive environment where families can truly thrive. Their selflessness is an inspiration to us all, and we are so fortunate to have all of our volunteers as part of our team.

Food Hub

Our food hub programs allow participants to access food through our weekly food drop, community fridge and pantry, and more!

This year, the food hub team recognizes Tammy for her support in helping these programs thrive, stating:

“Tammy is a dedicated Food Hub volunteer who has been with us for the past two years. We truly appreciate her willingness to always offer support to fellow volunteers and staff. Her big smile and warm energy consistently bring joy to our community, and we feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside her as part of our team.”

Thank you, Tammy!

RISE Community Health Centre

In addition to our regular programs at CNH, volunteers also support RISE Community Health Centre (CHC), which has offered a range of direct medical services and health promotion to the Renfrew-Collingwood area.

Since 2023, Hamid has been a key part of RISE CHC’s advisory committee. Whether he’s helping out during Collingwood Days or contributing to the recent Strengthening Primary Care in BC Report, Hamid is always finding ways to support the community and healthcare.

Hamid brings so much firsthand experience from his work as Portfolio Liaison with Doctors of BC, and his dedication to improving the healthcare system really shows—especially as he remained involved while finishing his graduate studies.

Thank you, Hamid!

Seniors Wellness

As part of our seniors’ wellness programs at CNH, seniors and older adults have been able to access haircuts by donation, thanks to volunteers like Judy Lee Chun.

A not-quite-retired senior, Judy has been a professional hair stylist for more than 40 years. She raised her family while doing what she loves and making lifelong friendships. “It’s been very humbling and rewarding,” says Judy.

Since May 2025, Judy has been offering haircuts by donations for seniors at CNH, and in that time, she “has connected to some of the regulars on a very personal level.” “That is my end goal…being able to connect on a human level and to understand that we are all the same and need the contact and validation of our life here on earth,” she says.

We deeply appreciate Judy sharing her talent with our seniors and fostering meaningful connections.

*Please note, this program ended on April 1, 2026.

Social Prescribing

Our social prescribing program bridges health and social services by supporting adults aged 55+ in Renfrew-Collingwood to local, non-clinical services to holistically address their needs. CNH staff work closely with each participant to develop and implement a wellness plan, based on their needs and goals, and by connecting them to local supports.

One of our long-time volunteers for this program is Mya Stanton. Mya visits older adults and seniors in their homes, which relieves social isolation and improves health outcomes. Mya’s dedication to the social prescribing program is evident through their concern for and commitment to the older adults and seniors they visit.

Thank you, Mya!

Interested in getting involved with CNH? Learn more about volunteering with us at: cnh.bc.ca/volunteer.

April 20, 2026
Creating relief through the Medical Assistance Fund

Thanks to a generous donation from Darick Construction, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) was able to support 16 people through the Medical Assistance Fund earlier this year.

Announced in March 2025, the fund was established to provide financial support to individuals facing financial hardship in the neighbourhood. Funds were meant to cover medical treatments, medications, tests, scans and other necessary services.

“Darick Construction made a donation to CNH and specifically asked that a portion be directed to community members with medical needs,” explained Amir Sabbaghan, Annex and Recreation Manager at CNH. “This aligns with their company mission of building better lives through practical support. Based on that gift, we set up the Medical Assistance Fund to issue small, rapid grants to residents facing urgent health-related costs.”

As a result, he noticed many of the applicants for the fund were underinsured or between coverage. This included newcomers, students and those waiting for MSP reactivation. Several of them, he said, were on waitlists for surgery and/or specialist appointments, and needed stopgap supports to manage in the meantime.

For Melissa, one of the fund recipients, accessing the Medical Assistance Fund was a relief as someone who faces multiple barriers to accessing healthcare.

“[G]overnment disability benefits are incredibly low given the cost of living in BC,” they said. “Paying for medical expenses has been a massive burden financially, and has led to a lot of stress and having to make hard decisions like choosing between paying for food or paying for medical expenses.”

A regular participant of CNH’s free food program, Melissa said it has been difficult to find healthcare practitioners with affordable services in the neighbourhood. In addition to having difficulty travelling to appointments far from home, Melissa said they are unable to work due to their medical conditions and are reliant on government disability benefits.

“The medical assistance fund led to massive relief that a significant chunk of my yearly medical expenses was covered by this fund,” said Melissa. “I’m incredibly grateful to be a recipient.”

Amir said that the gratitude from community members like Melissa has been overwhelming with people sharing how a relatively small grant relieved a major burden.

“This initiative has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many, and we are incredibly grateful for the community partnerships that allows us to carry out this kind of work,” he said. “We believe this fund has had a real impact.”

Thank you to Darick Construction for making this fund possible. To make your own impact on the CNH community, visit cnh.bc.ca/donate.

September 30, 2025
More than just dance, hula is a form of communication and connection at CNH

The mention of the word “hula” may call into mind grass skirts, ukuleles, and leis, but according to Poh Tan and Rani Wangsawidjaya, who teach hula at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH), this Indigenous Hawaiʻian dance is not just that, it’s a way to communicate history, stories and a way to connect with each other to the earth.

“Hula is basically the embodied way of communicating aloha and connection to the land. There’s a really, really deep meaning about what aloha means. It’s not just about love and hello and goodbye, but it is a sense of being in place and a sense of understanding our relationship with our family, our hula sisters, and earth, all combined with dance,” said Poh.

Participants of the hula class at Collingwood Neighbourhood House perform at a volunteer appreciation event in 2023.

In addition to learning about the past and connecting it with the present, hula also gives us guidance for the future, Rani said.

“We are not just there to learn about dance movements or learn how to dance together as a group or, you know, learn how to express things, but it’s also learning about ourselves, learning about the environment and how we can embody or maybe personify the environment because they really are living beings just like us. And hula is one way that we can communicate that to our group,” she said.

Rani and Poh teach hula and storytelling at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Poh and Rani’s hula journeys can be traced back to one person: Josie DeBaat, who started the Wahine South Sea Dancers in the basement of her home in 1971, and taught Polynesian dance for decades until her death in 2022.

Meanwhile, Josie had also been Hula Along instructor Ingrid Guo’s introduction to hula. She was encouraged by her late husband to take Josie’s class after they watched her seniors’ class perform at Renfrew Community Centre.

“I learned not only dance but also her positive way towards life. She experienced a lot of tough events during her life… but she always kept a big smile in the class. She taught us to dance from our hearts,” Ingrid said.

Although Poh and her co-instructor Rani had been dancing with their kumu (teacher) for two and three decades respectively, Josie’s passing became the cusp of them connecting with each other and working to keep the community together. What started out as Zoom gatherings eventually led to a pilot project with Emily Rees, former director of community development at CNH.

“When she passed, there was a sense of not just a significant loss, like the lei broke,” Poh said.

Participants of the hula program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House gather inside the community kitchen to dye fabrics.

“I always thought that mine and Poh’s thing is just this little seed, this new thing that we’re doing, which is branching off a little bit… but now I really see it as like we have reconnected our lei. With our genealogy, with our lei that Josie braided for us, we’re continuing the same braid. It’s not a new braid. It’s new for us, but it’s the same all these other generations,” added Rani.

Grief was also something that pushed Ingrid to teach hula. After her husband’s passing in 2023, she kept herself busy with teaching and other volunteer work. Through this, she was able to find and foster community within her classes.

“People in the class are very nice and close… by the end of the last class in the season, people will exchange gifts, flowers from their garden, [and more],” she said.

Through their hula classes, not only have Rani and Poh been able to keep their hula community together, they have also been able to deepen their connections through other performance-related activities such as making their own skirts.

A group photo of some of the hula instructors and participants.

“That community feel from wearing something that you made in a dance you just learned just adds to the feels that this is not just another dance class,” Poh said.

Teaching hula at CNH has given all three instructors a sense of belonging, especially for Rani, who also works at the RISE Community Health Centre as a dietitian.

“It’s the way my life has become one where my hula was separate from my career before coming to CNH… and now, people really know who I am fully because they know I’m there on Thursday nights, and they know I’m also at the clinic… you know me because you know the other side of me too,” Rani said.

Additionally, Ingrid feels a lot of fulfillment as a volunteer instructor.

“I am not sure how many [more] years I am able to teach. But every morning when I wake up, I know my life is meaningful; I am helping others and receive joy from others. I am happier now,” she said.

To learn more about hula with Rani and Poh, visit hulahalau.ca. For information on upcoming hula programs at CNH, call 604-435-0323.

September 25, 2025
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.

December 12, 2024
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.

December 4, 2024
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.

November 28, 2024