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Tag: Community

  • 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.

  • Early Childhood Education Scholarship Application

    The Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) Board of Directors is proud to provide a scholarship of $750.00 in honour of a long-term staff, Nina Vacca.

    Nina passed away in 2021. Nina arrived to Canada as a refugee and was a lifelong learner; she pursued her Early Childhood Education Certificate later in life.

    Nina worked at CNH as a manager of the LINC Childcare Program; she was also a childcare worker in the Families Branching Out Program and Family Place. She always showed a lot of love and care in the work she did with children.

    Her contributions and work did not stop with her caring for children at CNH: she volunteered in her community every year to organize events for the Chilean community.

    At CNH we want to celebrate Nina’s legacy by offering this scholarship to refugee and immigrant women.

    To apply, please complete the application online at https://bit.ly/nina-vacca-scholarship-2022 or get an application form from reception at CNH (5288 Joyce St) and email it to info@cnh.bc.ca. Deadline for applications is July 22, 2022 at 5 pm.

  • Collingwood Neighbourhood House Board Call for Nominations 

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House Board Call for Nominations 

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) is accepting nominations for its Board of Directors. This is an exciting time to join our Board as we move on from the pandemic to continue and develop as a vibrant organization.

    Applicants should live and/or work in Renfrew-Collingwood, have a broad understanding of the neighbourhood, feel committed to becoming engaged in improving all aspects of our neighbourhood, and be able to bring expertise and perspectives that increase our organization’s capacity to be equitable and inclusive. 

    We are interested in hearing from people from all backgrounds and ages but are especially interested in applicants who are between the ages of 21-29 or are 55-plus. We are also interested in hearing from individuals who live with a disability. This year we have a particular need for those who have experience in health care, religious/spiritual associations, and knowledge of government. We are also particularly interested in candidates with relevant lived experience or who are representative of a historically marginalized group. 

    The CNH Board of Directors is committed to an anti-oppressive, anti-racist approach to its work and welcomes those who thrive in a vibrant, welcoming environment.

    Our Strategic Plan has three strategic priorities:

    • – Connect with and be more accessible, equitable and inclusive for people in the community.
    • – Build community capacity to advocate for the future of the people in Renfrew-Collingwood.
    • – Invest in our organizational foundation to support our sustainability and growth.

    Applicants should be able to spend 8-10 hours per month on Board-related work and be able to commit to a three-year term, starting this October. The deadline for applications is July 8; members of the Board’s Nominations Committee will be contacting applicants July 9-23. If you are interested, please contact Board President Leila Trickey at president@cnh.bc.ca.

  • 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!

  • ‘[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!