Phone: 604-435-0323 | Email: info@cnh.bc.ca

Category: Community Stories

  • A ‘behind-the-scenes all-star’: Celebrating Charis Chu, CNH Volunterer

    A ‘behind-the-scenes all-star’: Celebrating Charis Chu, CNH Volunterer

    April 16-22 is National Volunteer Week! We recently celebrated CNH’s volunteers at our Volunteer Appreciation Event at CNH to thank and honour them for their continued generosity in contributing to and building an interconnected community.

    This year’s theme is “Volunteer Weaves us Together,” and this couldn’t ring more true to the hundreds of folks who poured in hours to volunteer for our programs and services. Our continued growth and expansion is thanks in huge part to our volunteers, who continue to generously share their time, talent, and energy to support one another and in turn, the community.

    This week, we are sharing some stories from our staff—and the volunteers themselves—that celebrate these volunteers’ collective impact through their kindness, generosity, and commitment.

    From Dovana Singh, Better At Home Manager:

    “Charis Chu is a Better At Home volunteer admin assistant extraordinaire. She has been volunteering with the Seniors’ Team for over 2 years now and is a behind-the-scenes all-star. She processes payments, tracks interactions, does all kinds of miscellaneous tasks, and is always timely. Thank you for all you do Charis!”

  • Giving Tuesday 2022

    Giving Tuesday 2022


    Nov. 29th is Giving Tuesday, a global movement for giving and volunteering, taking place after Black Friday.     This year, we’re asking for your support! Make a donation or learn more about your contribution at: www.cnh.bc.ca/donate.

    When Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) reopened its doors, the need for face-to-face connections became clear. It wasn’t simply about what programs we provide, but how.

    For Adora Escondo, returning to CNH was key in boosting her mental, physical and social health. Over the last 21 years, Adora has participated in dance and exercise classes at CNH. She even spent some time volunteering with our children’s programs.

    So, when the pandemic hit, Adora was left with little activity in her day-to-day life.

    “I didn’t know what to do,” she said. “I didn’t have Zumba, I didn’t have these classes.”

    For Adora, classes like Zumba are about more than just moving. Since Adora first came across CNH those many years ago, she said it’s become a place where she is free to express herself with little judgment while unwinding from work. It’s also a place that’s become her second home. In fact, her early days at CNH started shortly after her family moved to Canada from Iran and previously, the Philippines. Now, she’s here anytime she’s free. 

    “I even come here on Sunday,” Adora said.

    A local resident of the neighbourhood, Adora said our low fees allow her to continue coming back, noting “even ordinary people can afford it.”

    This year, we’re asking for your support to help us maintain these fees so people like Adora can access programs at CNH worry-free. We know that this has been a financially challenging time for many. If, however, you are in the position to help, please direct a donation, of any amount, to Collingwood Neighbourhood House to support our programming. Please help us enhance the lives of those around us by generously considering a tax-receiptable donation today.

  • Sharing a part of one’s self through volunteering

    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.

  • ‘My second home:’ Gian Villanueva on participating in CNH youth programs as a newcomer

    ‘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.

  • Volunteer sings for fun—and for community

    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.”

  • Feeling a sense of community through volunteering

    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.

  • 2021 Community Vision Award recipient shares impact of nomination

    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.

  • Thanking CNH’s Board of Directors

    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!

  • ‘This is where I belong’ : Celebrating CNH Volunteer Najia Elancel

    ‘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!

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

    “[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!