Tag: RISE CHC

Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2024: “Every Moment Matters”

April 14-20, 2024 is National Volunteer Week! This year’s theme, “Every Moment Matters,” highlights the importance of volunteers and each contribution they make at a moment when we need support more than ever. Volunteers make a lasting impact in our community’s inclusivity, strength and wellbeing as they continue to generously share their time, talent, and energy.

We share some stories from our staff that celebrate these volunteers’ collective impact through their kindness, generosity, and commitment.

Morning Star Program

“Our Morning Star volunteer team is extremely dedicated and CNH is very lucky to have such wonderful volunteers. The team comes in every Saturday morning at 6 am to serve a hot breakfast to an unhoused and/or low-income community. The team is friendly and very welcoming to all of our participants and makes sure they all feel comfortable. This volunteer team is very special and we appreciate all that they do for our Morning Star program!” –Sue Woodland, Morning Star Program Manager

Seniors Programs

“Arleen Cruz is capable, ready and willing to do whatever is needed. She began volunteering at CNH when she was in middle school but joined the Seniors’ team last year. Whether she is volunteering with the walking club, teaching the ukulele, leading a singalong or showing movies, her love for seniors shows.” –Susanna Chu, Housekeeping and Wellness Program Manager

RISE Community Health Centre

“Local resident and volunteer Patricio Ibarra is one of the founding members of the RISE Community Health Centre (CHC) Advisory, which was formed in 2019. His accomplishments with the committee include helping to select the name RISE, helping to hire our first staff member Sonja Rietkerk, helping with the RISE CHC grand opening and helping to approve the proposal for the RISE CHC Pharmacy. Patricio brings a wealth of knowledge to the committee from his lived experience as an immigrant from Chile, active member of the Renfew-Collingwood neighbourhood and as former president of the CNH Board of Directors. In fact, Patricio has been volunteering at CNH for the last 20 years! Patricio is stepping down from the RISE CHC Advisory Committee this year, and we want to thank him for his longstanding commitment to CNH. Thank you, Patricio!” –Sandra Bodenhamer, Director, RISE Community Health Centre

Food Hub Programs

“Miguel has been an incredibly dedicated volunteer for our Food Hub food drop program for almost two years. What makes his commitment even more remarkable is that his mother, Esperanza, and his son, Anthony, are also actively involved in supporting the program. Miguel’s positive energy and warm demeanour have significantly contributed to the program’s success, creating an environment where participants feel valued and supported. He goes above and beyond to assist those in need and serves as a crucial link between participants and our staff. Miguel consistently shares valuable feedback and insights with our team, helping us continuously improve the program. His contributions are invaluable, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our volunteer team.” –Ross Oh, Food Hub Manager

These are just a few examples of CNH volunteers in our community. To learn about volunteering at CNH, visit cnh.bc.ca/volunteer.

April 14, 2024
Celebrating a CNH volunteer’s drive to create and share art to the community

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 “Volunteering 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 Sandra Bodenhamer, Director of RISE Community Health Centre:
Tess I has been a dedicated and passionate volunteer on the Advisory Committee since the very beginnings of RISE Community Health Centre. Last year, she created an opportunity for local artists to paint murals throughout RISE. As an artist herself, she donated a beautiful art piece called ROOTS which creates a soothing environment for clients.

May 2, 2023
Supporting the improvement of health services through volunteering

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 “Volunteering 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 Sandra Bodenhamer, Director of RISE Community Health Centre:
“The RISE Community Health Centre Advisory Committee is a devoted team of volunteers that meet monthly. They report on community trends, and provide advice on how to improve health services. This summer, they helped run the RISE CHC grand opening event. They helped by providing Naloxone training, giving tours in different languages and sharing information about CNH.”

May 2, 2023
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.

November 19, 2020