Newcomers to Canada are invited to our Cultural Celebration Day, happening Friday, February 28 from 6-8pm at the Annex (3690 Vanness Avenue)!
This event celebrates newcomers and encourages building connections with each other. There will be free dinner and performances for the Cultural Celebration Day.
Please note that this event is for newcomers with Permanent Resident status within five years. If you’re a newcomer with another status and wish to join, please contact Ryan at rng@cnh.bc.ca.
This event is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Green Thumb Theatre, in partnership with Collingwood Neighbourhood House, is thrilled to present a free performance of the play 500 Words on Saturday, February 15, by veteran Canadian artist and playwright Jamie Norris. Happening at 10am (doors at 9:30am) at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, the play offers an opportunity for families and communities to come together and enjoy this funny and heartwarming play
About the play:
500 Words follows the story of an unlikely pair, Lance (Ethan DeHoog) and Sylvia (Sewit Eden Haile). Lance is the smartest kid in grade six, and never misses an opportunity to show off his vocabulary. Sylvia is a daydreamer in grade three, always coming up with fantastical worlds, but doesn’t always have the words to bring her stories to life. When Lance’s teacher assigns Sylvia as his reading buddy, he would rather spend the time focusing on writing a prize-winning entry for the school’s story competition. But when Lance can’t think of a story on his own, it’s Sylvia’s vibrant imagination that creates a whole world of magic for him to draw inspiration from.
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.”
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.
“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 604-435-0323for 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.
Join us on Saturday, Dec. 7, 4-6 pm, at the CNH Annex for a festive afternoon of holiday crafts, music, and treats! All ages and traditions are welcome, including newcomers. Enjoy card-making, a sing-along, and delicious cookies and hot chocolate by donation. Bring friends and family for a cozy community celebration!
Bring friends, family, and your holiday spirit for a cozy afternoon of:
🎄 Holiday Card Making – Craft heartfelt cards to share with loved ones. 🎶 Sing-Along Area – Join in on classic holiday tunes that’ll warm your heart. 🍪 Cookies & Hot Chocolate – Enjoy sweet treats and warm drinks by donation (cash only).
Come for the crafts, stay for the carols, and leave with beautiful memories. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Registration
This event is free. Register online or call 604-435-0323.
The Rooftop Garden is hosting the Mullein Salve Workshop. This 2-session program will guide participants through the steps of making their own healing salve from steeping infused oils to melting the oil with the beeswax. Participants will also be given the opportunity to plant, harvest, and tend to the rooftop garden.
The workshop sessions are on July 25 and August 22. Participants are encouraged to attend all 2 sessions. The program is free and registration is needed. For registration or more information, please contact Joshua at collingwoodurbanag@cnh.bc.ca
The Rooftop Garden is hosting the Herbal Candle Program. This 3-session program will guide participants through the steps of making their own candle from harvesting aromatic herbs to steeping infused oils to melting the oil with the candle wax. Participants will also be given the opportunity to plant, harvest, and tend to the rooftop garden.
The workshop sessions are on July 18, August 1, and August 15. Participants are encouraged to attend all 3 sessions. The program is free and registration is required. For registration or more information, please contact Joshua at collingwoodurbanag@cnh.bc.ca
Join us at the MOSAIC Knitting Club for a fun introduction to knitting with Pauline and our team of friendly instructors! Whether you want to make a stylish hairband, a cozy scarf, or a cute bear, we have a variety of projects for you to choose from. This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill and meet fellow knitting enthusiasts.
Join us to discover the incredible health benefits of Tai Chi! This event will feature exercises like Ba Duan Jin, Taijiquan 24 Forms, and 42 Forms. Designed especially for seniors, these stretching and strength-building exercises help improve muscle strength and endurance.
Listen to Senior volunteers as they share their stories about our neighbourhood, discover unseen aspects of our community, and use walking as a way to connect with neighbours!
Come have a blast with Instructor Roslyn as she lights up the dance floor with smooth choreography, fun music, and firecracker like energy! See you all on the dance floor!!
Drop in for one class, or come to all of them.
Spaces are limited, so register to ensure your spot.
Donations to help cover the costs of this event gratefully accepted here.