Join us every Wednesday from 4-9pm for our All Genders Group! Taking a spin on the idea of a traditional “Girl’s Group” and/or “Boys Group”, All Genders is a weekly youth group for gender diverse youth and their allies to come and learn about various topics in a safe and inclusive space. Each Wednesday, participants will meet up and engage in activities and discussions on a wide range of topics, via a 2SLGBTQ+ lens.
For more information, contact: Maja Kovac, Youth Programs Manager, at 604-435-0323 ext. 277 or mkovac@cnh.bc.ca.
Join us every Tuesday from 5-7pm for Peer 2 Peer, a youth-guided program aimed at improving the health and wellness of youth in Renfrew-Collingwood. Through a peer education and mentorship model, participants explore a wide range of health and wellness topics through a social justice lens, and develop the skills needed to share what they have learned with their peers and larger community. We hope to equip youth with the information, resources, support, and tools needed to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
For more information, contact: Maja Kovac, Youth Programs Manager, at 604-435-0323 ext. 277 or mkovac@cnh.bc.ca.
Join us this summer with the CNH Youth team! Youth aged 10 to 18 can drop in up to three times a week to play volleyball, basketball, soccer, and more.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
4-7 pm: 10-12 year olds
4-8 pm: 13-18 year olds
Fridays
3:30-5:30 pm: 10-12 year olds
5:30-9 pm: 13-18 year olds
Cost: Youth Centre Membership ($10/year)
For more information, contact: Maja Kovac, Youth Programs Manager, at 604-435-0323 ext. 277 or mkovac@cnh.bc.ca.
More Drop-Ins
Our Youth Services team is pleased to offer a number of drop-in programs at CNH this summer, including:
Join our Youth Settlement team this summer for a series of programs aimed at newcomers. Our summer art series takes place on Tuesdays (starting July 8) from 4-5:30 pm.
For more information or to register, contact Robert Moya at rmoya@cnh.bc.ca or 778-986-9142.
Are you a newcomer youth (grades 10-12) interested in technology and coding? Join us every Saturday this spring break from March 8-29 for an engaging and hands-on Intro to Coding workshop, designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of programming in a fun and interactive way! This workshop series takes place at the Annex (3690 Vanness Avenue).
In this session, you will: >Learn the basics of coding and problem-solving >Explore simple programming concepts using beginner-friendly tools >Work on interactive activities to develop your logical thinking skills >Gain insights into how coding can be a valuable skill for your future
No prior coding experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm! This workshop is offered as part of the Youth Settlement Program in collaboration with the Leadership Development Team to support newcomer youth in building digital skills for education and career opportunities. For more information, e-mail Robert Moya at rmoya@cnh.bc.ca, Mylene Mendaros at mmendaros@cnh.bc.ca, and Karen Caguioa at kcaguioa@cnh.bc.ca.
This program is funded by Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada.
Garima Tiwari may be shy in the classroom but when it comes to volunteering at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH), she couldn’t be more opposite.
Since moving with her family from India to Canada in May 2023, Garima, who recently graduated from Windermere Secondary School, says she’s faced language barriers, cultural adjustments and difficulties making friendships.
In part, Garima says she fears judgement from her peers but overall, she says she identifies as an introvert. “It’s hard for me to talk to new people but when I came here, I just started talking to people around me.”
Since Garima Tiwari first connected to Collingwood Neighbourhood House in October 2023, she eventually began volunteering for multiple programs, which includes the weekly setup of the program room at the Main Site for youth settlement activities.
While she acknowledges it wasn’t always easy for her to speak up at CNH, it has become easier over time. “Today, I am just talking,” says Garima. “Like, I talk well here and a lot, rather than in my school.”
After a visit from CNH staff at Windermere last fall, Garima says she chose to volunteer with the Women’s Leadership Development program, which has proved to be a transformative experience. In addition to shifting her perspective on life, Garima has a newfound ability to connect with others.
“I learn a lot with those women,” explains Garima. “Everyone has their own story and everyone has their own struggles.”
Organized by CNH’s settlement team, the Women’s Leadership Development program highlights the importance of cultural understanding, diversity and inclusivity in the context of leadership development for immigrant women.
Karen Caguioa, program manager, says Garima’s “natural leadership” quickly surfaced within the program where staff have witnessed Garima instill “energy and insight” into the group.
“Saturdays became her platform for learning workshop preparation and public speaking, [and] on International Women’s Day in March, Garima delivered a stirring speech, championing inclusion and social justice,” says Caguioa. “Her dedication earned her recognition as a role model for women of all ages.”
Using her experience volunteering with the program, Garima says she’s learned that every woman faces “a lot” in their life. And although most participants are older than her, she connects to their stories through her mother.
For herself, Garima recognizes that she is also a young woman with her own experiences as a newcomer. “I travelled from India to here so it’s a hard part for me, too,” she notes. “I left my culture, my friends over there, my language.”
In addition to volunteering with the Women’s Leadership Development program at CNH, Garima dedicates herself to setting up the program rooms every Thursday after school for settlement youth programs, welcoming and engaging with participants her age.
With aspirations of becoming a permanent resident, attending post-secondary and eventually studying to become a lawyer, Garima attributes her growth to CNH.
“I feel so blessed to return here,” she says. “When I come here, I talk a lot with different people of my age and with my elders, too, so I know I’m just improving myself over here and [CNH has] really helped me a lot.”
This story was originally written for our 2024 Annual Report, which highlights the experiences of program participants, volunteers and community members at CNH. Learn more about our programs for newcomers and immigrants at www.cnh.bc.ca/settlement.
Join us this summer with the CNH Youth team! Youth aged 10 to 19 can drop in up to three times a week to play volleyball, basketball, dodgeball and more.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
4-7 pm: 10-12 year olds
4-8 pm: 13-19 year olds
Fridays
4-5:30 pm: 10-12 year olds
5:30-8:45 pm: 13-19 year olds
Cost: Youth Centre Membership ($10/year)
For more information, contact: Maja Kovac, Youth Programs Manager, at 604-435-0323 ext. 277 or mkovac@cnh.bc.ca.
More Drop-Ins
Our Youth Services team is pleased to offer a number of drop-in programs at CNH this summer, including:
Nov. 28th 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 Nathaniel Frank-Piche was 14, he was looking to make some positive changes in his life. That’s when a family member invited him to CNH’s C.R.E.W. Program. “The informal atmosphere allows me to be myself without judgment, starkly contrasting the formality of work and school,” Nathaniel said.
C.R.E.W. (Culture, Recreation, Education and Work), is a program for Indigenous youth offering multiple opportunities for youth to learn about Indigenous culture and pick up new skills in a safe, supportive, and warm environment. One C.R.E.W. activity that stands out for Nathaniel is the annual, 10-day canoe journey, Pulling Together, which brings together Indigenous youth, police, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Today, Nathaniel is 20 and attending a post-secondary institution with the goal of eventually becoming an electrician.
“C.R.E.W. has evolved into a vital space for me to connect with my culture, providing opportunities that positively impact my life and those of my family members. Returning to C.R.E.W. after the pandemic-induced isolation had a significant positive impact on my overall health, taking me out of isolation and immersing me in a positive environment surrounded by supportive individuals,” Nathaniel said.
Six years after venturing into CNH for the C.R.E.W. Program, Nathaniel is now a key mentor and role model to younger youth in the group. That sense of not being alone is transformative, Nathaniel said; it can even save lives.
While CNH receives funding for C.R.E.W. from the federal government, it’s not enough to meet the demands of this growing program. And that’s where you can 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 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.
Teens aged 13 to 18 years old (or Grades 8 to 12) are invoiced to join Chef Mickey on a culinary adventure where they will:
Embrace teamwork: Cook together, communicate and create delicious dishes as a team
Explore diversity: Discover flavours from around the world, celebrating diverse food cultures
Boost confidence: Master cooking techniques, achieve greatness and become more confident chefs
Eat healthily on a budget: Cook nutritious meals without sacrificing taste, all within a budget
Food Sense is brought to you by RISE Community Health Centre and Youth Settlement Services made possible through the BC Centre of Disease Controlprogram Food Skills for Families
Exploring experiences of inclusion and belonging through visual arts
Pre-teens aged 10 to 14 who identify as newcomers, permanent residents or refugees are invited to join this free 6-week program to learn digital art and design! Sessions take place Wednesdays from July 5 to August 9 at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).
Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
