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Category: Community Stories

  • ‘[She] brought tremendous fun and happiness to those who were homebound and isolated during the pandemic:’ Celebrating Alice Crestejo, CNH Volunteer

    ‘[She] brought tremendous fun and happiness to those who were homebound and isolated during the pandemic:’ Celebrating Alice Crestejo, CNH Volunteer

    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 Jenny Shen, Seniors Wellness Program Coordinator: 

    Alice Crestejo is the host of the seniors Sing for Fun program. She jumped into the volunteer position with the CNH Seniors Team to start a brand new online/virtual singing program after in-person singalong became impossible two years ago, and then committed to the bi-weekly Zoom program enthusiastically and never stopped. As a senior herself, Alice took a lot of effort to overcome barriers like the lack of computer skills, with support from the CNH Seniors Team. She shared her singing talents with seniors and brought tremendous fun and happiness to those who were homebound and isolated during the pandemic.  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.

  • Celebrating a CNH volunteer’s ‘drive’ to help others

    Celebrating a CNH volunteer’s ‘drive’ to help others

    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 Ava Jung, Grocery Shopping Program Manager:

    Crispin has been a volunteer with CNH since the start of the pandemic. First signing on as an order taker for our Frozen Meals program, he also became an order taker and delivery driver for our Grocery Shopping program, and has provided integral help to get seniors the food they need each week! Even without a car, Crispin was determined to provide food support and started using the car share app MODO for his grocery deliveries, showing that nothing could get in the way of his “drive” to help others. Crispin’s favourite part about volunteering is that he can make a difference for the people in the community who are more vulnerable than he is. Thank you, Crispin, for your service!

  • ‘I witnessed the lives of many older adults transform’: Celebrating Masa Kateb, CNH Volunteer

    ‘I witnessed the lives of many older adults transform’: Celebrating Masa Kateb, CNH Volunteer

    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 Masa Kateb, volunteer for the Choose to Move program:

    Volunteering for the Choose to Move program during the global health crisis has been inspirational. I witnessed the lives of many older adults transform, especially Lee! Her commitment to movement, health, and social connections was impressive! She even used her kitchen counter as a home-gym for stability and support.

  • Outdoor library box unveiled at CNH

    Outdoor library box unveiled at CNH

    By Sylvia Barnett & Jim Chow, CNH community members

    The ‘Take a Book, Leave a Book’ book box is officially installed on the front lawn at CNH! The book box was designed and built with the idea of promoting learning and community connection through literacy. Community members can take a book and leave a book!

    The bookcase was built by Jim YC Chow, a CNH patron, who sourced 98% of the upcycled materials from construction sites around the lower mainland that were going to the garbage facility. Chow designed and built the bookcase with tools from the tool library, CNH, and his own, on the fly as materials became available over the months.

    The project was initiated in the spring of 2021 by Sylvia Barnett, a community member, who ran the idea by Chow and got approval from the CNH board and grant funding from Neighbourhood Small Grants, a program by Vancouver Foundation, for miscellaneous parts, materials, and other expenses, such as transporting materials and purchasing plexiglass and paint from Lowes, which is located in the neighbourhood. 

    After months of meetings with CNH patrons on the design, logistics, materials, and artwork done by CNH’s Families Branching Out program, the official book box was finished on December 19, 2021. 

  • Finding purpose through peer education

    Finding purpose through peer education

    Ben Torry was in Grade 7 when he first participated in Peer 2 Peer, a peer preventative education program organized by staff at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

    Six years later, he continues to volunteer with the program—even after recently graduating high school.

    “Back then, I was doing it because I was like, ‘Oh fun, I get to do stuff,’ said Ben. “Now I think as I’m maturing, I’m starting to understand the meaning of the work.”

    The meaning, he said, is helping others understand a range of social issues.

    “For lots of the kids, it’s like a culture shock,” explained Ben. “Their eyes are just being opened to this flaw in the system or this problem that we have in the world.”

    For Ben, he said he felt similarly when he was a participant in the program and eventually, a facilitator.

    Despite learning curves, he stuck with it and considers Peer 2 Peer to play an important role in his life. Ben even credits the program for helping him recognize one of his life goals: social work.

    “It’s just made me realize how important this kind of work is in people’s lives,” he said.

    To learn more about Peer 2 Peer, visit cnhpeered.wordpress.com.

  • Personalized care pivotal for RISE Community Health Centre client

    Personalized care pivotal for RISE Community Health Centre client

    Living alone, 60-year-old Evelyn has learned to take care of herself. Recently divorced and without family, she leans on a range of social services for support.

    For over a year, this has largely included RISE Community Health Centre. Operated by Collingwood Neighbourhood House, RISE provides primary care and health promotion services to residents of the Renfrew-Collingwood area.

    “Most of what I need is there so I don’t have to go from one place to another so it’s really awesome,” said Evelyn. “It’s excellent service for what they offer to the community.”

    For Evelyn, health is a top priority. The services she has accessed at RISE are essential but it’s the dedicated staff that keep her returning on a weekly basis.

    “If you ask help from RISE, they will not turn down on you,” she said, adding that staff are accommodating and always available to answer questions.

    “I won’t compare them to other places but I won’t stop going there,” said Evelyn. “They know me and I know them.” 

    “It’s good for the people in the community, in the neighbourhood.”

    To learn more about RISE, visit cnh.bc.ca/rise.

  • Forging friendships through food

    Forging friendships through food

    For long-time volunteers Susan and Tim Diewold, each week at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) is an opportunity to build relationships. 

    Twice a month, the retired couple prepares food for participants in the Morning Star program. During the pandemic, they began delivering meals and groceries to local seniors, too.

    “Volunteering is important and we’ve seen the positivity of it,” said Susan, 65.

    Working with other volunteers through Morning Star, the retired couple have been able to make friendships over the years. 

    Meanwhile, supporting CNH’s Seniors team through regular food deliveries has allowed them to foster relationships with program participants as well.

    “When we deliver food Thursday, we phone clients and ask what they want,” Susan explained. “They give a list and we incorporate that into our day.”

    “That’s been fun because we generally go to the same clientele.”

    For Susan and Tim, this means learning more about participants beyond their food needs. With one senior, this meant bonding over sports. With others, it’s listening to stories they choose to share.

    “It’s something we really enjoy during the week,” said Susan. “Thursday is ‘Collingwood Day’ so we try to do what we can.”

    For information about volunteering with CNH, please visit our volunteer information page.

  • ‘She makes my day brighter’: Creating connections in times of isolation

    Dec. 1st 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 COVID-19 hit, Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) responded. Within days we had pivoted to online programming for youth, families, seniors and adults. Within weeks, we had new programming in place; food hampers, grocery shopping, laundry service and frozen food delivery.

    One of the new services we are offering is friendly phone calls, between a volunteer and a senior. It’s a hit!

    The relationship between Teresa and Esther is a good example of the joy this effort sparks. When COVID-19 hit, Teresa’s workplace shut down, which at first left her feeling “giddy with sudden freedom.” But she realized the pandemic made life difficult for many people so she volunteered with CNH to phone three isolated seniors. “I can honestly say that I have been enjoying my phone chats with them more than any other volunteer work I’ve done in years.”

    Esther was at the other end of those calls. Being isolated, she said the calls perk her up and she calls Teresa “a very beautiful person.” Yet the two have never met in person, only through calls. “It’s just the tone of her voice,” Esther said of Teresa. “She is a listener, just fantastic. I wasn’t expecting phone calls like that,” she said. “She makes my day brighter.” Teresa calls her relationship with Esther unique, “one built on trust and goodwill and a simple desire to connect with another human being in the midst of a trying time. I am grateful to have the opportunity to do this work.”

    Now you too have the opportunity to help. 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 CNH to support our programming. Please help us enhance the lives of those around us by generously considering a tax-receiptable donation today.

  • RISE: A life-changing impact

    RISE: A life-changing impact

    Mervyn Reddy remembers when he once relied on pushcarts, a wheelchair, and even crutches to walk.

    “I couldn’t get out of bed, my legs would swell up, and I had a lot of water retention,” he said. “When I was diagnosed with heart failure, I was also in … the hospital, nothing was working.”

    Today, the 61-year-old is on his feet again and aside from walking, Mervyn even feels the occasional urge to jog.

    “All of a sudden I’m okay, I’m walking, I’ve got energy, I can walk for miles,” he said. “My breathing, before I had to stop. I would stop, and huff and puff, it was pretty bad. I haven’t had any swelling of the feet, of my arms, my throat. It’s really a big difference.”

    The improvement in Mervyn’s health is due to the staff at RISE Community Health Centre, he explained, who he sees as positive and caring. Operated by Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH), RISE provides primary care and health promotion services to residents of Renfrew-Collingwood.

    “They’re very, very kind and they give you the time,” said Mervyn who previously had difficulties accessing a health care provider.

    As a resident of Kingsway Continental, Mervyn now receives weekly health support. At the low-rent housing facility, RISE provides weekly drop-in services onsite. Receiving care from RISE was a chance Mervyn took upon the recommendation of his building manager and it’s a chance he’s already recommended to friends.

    “Everybody here at the building … they’re just gung ho when [RISE staff] come in,” he said. “When they come in, everyone’s up for it, which is a really good feeling.”

    RISE also provides services to residents of Sarah Ross and Naomi Place Modular Housing, in addition to the CNH Morning Star Program, Youth Drop-In, and other programs and services in Renfrew-Collingwood. For more information, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/rise or call 604-558-8090.

  • Navigating COVID-19 as a newcomer

    Navigating COVID-19 as a newcomer

    When Rafael and Yudy Kainan moved to Canada from Colombia, they hoped to settle successfully. The couple intended to apply for work permits but within two months, COVID-19 hit. All applications made through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) were suddenly delayed, leaving Rafael and Yudy with many questions.

    Working with Settlement Services at CNH, they were able to get help from settlement worker Guadalupe (Lupita) Garcia. “Almost all the process was online,” explains Rafael. “Using WhatsApp or Zoom.”

    The couple had been struggling with navigating different documents and rules but working with Lupita changed that.

    Rafael was unable to work in Canada so Lupita helped him apply for a first-time open work permit. She helped Yudy extend her study permit, allowing her to work. As neither of them was eligible for government benefits, Lupita helped them to apply for a medical services plan as well and referred them to support programs at CNH.

    “In that moment, Lupita helped us with different services,” says Rafael. “Lupita was a wonderful help.”

    “I found an answer to all my asks.”

    If you or someone you know needs support with newcomer services, contact our settlement team. We have cultural connectors working in the following languages: English, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Mandarin.