Phone: 604-435-0323 | Email: info@cnh.bc.ca

Tag: Youth

  • Settlement: Music & Guitar for Newcomers (Ages 10-14)

    Settlement: Music & Guitar for Newcomers (Ages 10-14)

    Build relationships and capacities through this six-week summer program!

    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 the guitar! Sessions take place Tuesdays from July 4 to August 8 at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).

    Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

    Registration

    Spots are limited. Registration is required.

  • Youth finds community in volunteering

    Youth finds community in 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 Maxx, a volunteer for the Youth Services Peer 2 Peer’s All Genders Program:
    “I was looking for a place that would be filled with queer people. I found CNH and I’ve been going to All Genders for over a year now. We’re like a little family, always there for each other.”

  • All Genders Youth Group Installs Inclusive Pride Flag and Safe Space Stickers at CNH

    All Genders Youth Group Installs Inclusive Pride Flag and Safe Space Stickers at CNH

    The All Genders Youth Group within the CNH Youth Services are excited to share the display of an inclusive pride flag and a safe space sticker to the front windows of the CNH Main building on 5288 Joyce Street.

    What is the All Genders Youth Group?
    The All Genders Youth Group initiative is designed to provide 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their allies with a safe, social, and supportive environment where they can deepen their understanding on relevant topics through conversations, workshops, and activities while making a tangible impact in their community through group-led community justice projects.

    Why is this important to youth in the community?
    To date, there are people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are still being bullied and/or not accepted for showing who they truly are (e.g., parents of trans youth not supporting their children and their need for transition, youth not being able to share their feelings or their thoughts with friends/family who won’t understand, school not being a space where youth learn about the queer/nonbinary experience). In recognition of these challenges, the All Genders Youth Group came up with a unique design for a new safe space sticker and a window decal with the most current inclusive pride flag. This project is intended to be a visible and tangible show of solidarity to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in the Renfrew-Collingwood area and will serve as a springboard towards further change and inclusivity within our organization and surrounding community.

    A Very Brief History of Rainbow Flags
    Similar to how crosses indicate a church building, rainbow flags have been used to signal a gathering place for 2SLGBTQ+ peoples, and are now regarded as a symbol for the community. There are many versions of the flag that have come to fruition (the first being by Gilbert Baker in 1978) and like the many letters that will continue to be added to the acronym, the flag will likely be revised in the future. The flag on the window is called the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag, which was brought forward by Valentino Vecchietti in 2021. This flag is springboarded off the Inclusive Pride Flag designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar (a non-binary artist) to include the intersex pride flag, which was created back in 2013 by Morgan Carpenter. This design was chosen by the All Genders Youth Group as it covers not only sexual orientation, gender identities, and BIPOC folks, but also recognizes more progress is needed.

    A Breakdown of the Flag’s Colour and Meaning:
    The Rainbow
    • Red – life and passion
    • Orange -healing
    • Yellow – sunlight
    • Green – nature
    • Indigo – serenity
    • Violet – spirit

    The Triangle
    Quasar spoke publicly about how work is still needed in terms of BIPOC and trans rights, and as such, the placement of the new colours in an arrow shape is meant to convey the progress still needed.
    • Yellow background with the Purple Circle – the newest addition by Valentino Vecchietti. Added to the white part of the triangle, it now includes the symbol of the intersex flag, acknowledging intersex peoples within the community.
    • White, Light Blue and Light Pink- the colours that are a part of the trans flag, encompassing anyone who identifies differently than the sex they were assigned at birth. Traditionally, the colours pink and baby blue were used to represent whether a baby is a boy or a girl. Here, the colors denote those genders and the use of white is to acknowledge folks who may be in the process of transitioning, do not identify with any specific gender, or those who have a neutral gender.
    • Black and Brown – represents BIPOC peoples and taken from the Philadelphia Pride Flag designed in 2017. BIPOC people have often been left out of the queer narrative despite being the driving force behind the movement–like Marsha P. Johnson, for example.

    A Note on Safe(r) Space Stickers:
    This specific sticker was designed by one of the All Genders youth, which all participants supported in finalizing and creating a digital copy and getting it in sticker form.

    Safe space stickers indicate a building or organization is accepting and inclusive to 2SLGBTQ+ folks. It should be recognized that these stickers indicate a space is safer, as there can never be a guarantee that someone else accessing a space is a safe person or has harmful views towards 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. This sticker does however indicate staff at CNH are expected to support the victim should those situations come up.

    Final Note:
    There is still more progress to be made. Though laws change and the larger public tend to lean more towards acceptance, there is still a long way to go, much more to learn and safer spaces needed, especially for youth who do not have a supportive household or friend group. Providing a safer space makes a world of difference.
    On behalf of the All Genders youth, we thank you for your solidarity and support.

  • 20 years of ‘Addressing the needs and gaps for youth in the community’: Tanya Findlater celebrates a milestone at CNH

    20 years of ‘Addressing the needs and gaps for youth in the community’: Tanya Findlater celebrates a milestone at CNH

    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

    This year, we recognize and celebrate Tanya Findlater for 20 years of service. Here’s what Sanjeev Karwal, Director of Youth Services, had to say about Tanya:

    “Tanya moved to Vancouver from St. Catherine’s Ontario in 2002. She started her work at CNH as the summer program leader for the Youth with A Purpose program. From there, Tanya started working at the Youth Centre on Friday and Saturday evenings, where she still spends the majority of her time.

    “Over the last 20 years, Tanya has had many roles at CNH, such as running the buddy program for newcomer youth at the local schools, leading adult recreation drop-ins, and working with the kids at the Families Branching Out program.

    “Two of Tanya’s greatest assets are, one, how well she connects to and supports the youth, and two, her unlimited supply of energy.

    “Over her span of work at CNH, Tanya has appreciated working, learning and unlearning from a diverse group of youth and staff, the upwards mobility in her positions and the opportunity to address the needs and gaps for youth in the community. Some of Tanya’s favorite memories include: Handing out hot chocolate and candies in front of CNH on Halloweens, the boys and girls sleep over events, competitive floor hockey games, and when former participants come back to visit as adults.

    Thank you, Tanya!”

    For information about careers at CNH, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/about/careers.

    ***

    Top image: Tanya Findlater.

  • ‘My second home:’ Gian Villanueva on participating in CNH youth programs as a newcomer

    ‘My second home:’ Gian Villanueva on participating in CNH youth programs as a newcomer

    During his six years of visiting Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH), Gian Villanueva said participating in youth programs has built his confidence.

    The 17-year-old said he wasn’t always one to approach new people but CNH changed how he interacts with others.

    “I’ve learned a lot about being more sociable here,” he said. “Going to Collingwood and meeting new people that are [also] new to Canada changed me into that person, being able to talk to them more comfortably and treat them as a friend right away.”

    The Grade 12 student said he moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2016. In the same year, he recalls a visit to his elementary school from CNH staff. Eventually, he made his first visit to the neighbourhood house with friends. Gian said he enjoyed it so much that he knew he would be returning “all the time.”

    True to his word, Gian continued to return each week to participate in settlement programs and other drop-in activities for youth.

    “It was really fun and you actually got to play sports, open-gym and do cool things,” he said. “That was also one of the ways I could spend my time since I didn’t really have electronics and since I just came to Canada.”

    Today, Gian said not much has changed. He continues to play a variety of sports in the gym and experiment with new dishes in the kitchen, though he has recently started to volunteer at CNH and said he would like to eventually find a part-time job at CNH, too.

    “I guess my entire life in Canada would be so different if I wasn’t introduced to Collingwood,” Gian said.

    Described by CNH staff as “always super helpful” in supporting wellness activities and cooking in the kitchen, as well as “instrumental” in the seniors’ snow shovelling project this year, finding ways to volunteer or participate at CNH has simply become routine for Gian. It’s also family, he said.

    Throughout his time at the neighbourhood house, Gian said he feels that everyone is treated like family, regardless of their background. He said that the Youth Services team, staff, participants and volunteers are considered equals.

    “I can call Collingwood my second home now, which is nice,” he said, adding: “If I didn’t learn about CNH when I came here, I’d probably be doing nothing right now. I’d probably just be working but I’m so glad that I found out about CNH . . . and that [staff] encouraged me to go here.”

    For more information about our youth programs, email Sanjeev Karwal at skarwal@cnh.bc.ca or call 604-435-0323.

  • Registration for Spring Break Camps Now Open

    Registration for Spring Break Camps Now Open

    Children ages 7-12 can look forward to two weeks of gymnastics, soccer, and basketball in our Spring Break Camps, coming this March 2022! These camps provide a fun and safe learning environment where they can play and beef up their skills and techniques in those sports, while also meeting new friends. To sign up, please call 604-435-0323.

    Gymnastics Spring Camp
    Instructor: Lucinda Donaldson
    Ages 7 to 12
    Monday – Friday, 9-4pm
    Week 1: March 14-18
    Week 2: March 21-25
    Full day (9am-4pm): $150.00/week
    Half-day (9am-12pm): $75.00/week
    Maximum number of participants: 24

    This camp, run by Gym Sense Gymnastics Education, will create an atmosphere of fun and excitement that encourages participants to safely learn new gymnastics skills and techniques. This program will educate, challenge, and entertain young children. Weather permitting, we will go outside to do fun and exciting field trips.

    Please note: If your child is participating in full-day gymnastics camps, they must bring their own lunch/snacks. A supervisor will be present during lunch hour.

    Click here to access the Gymnastics Spring Camp’s health and safety guidelines.

    Spring Sports Camp
    Instructor: TBA
    Ages 8 to 12
    Monday – Friday, 1-3pm
    Week 1: March 14-18
    Week 2: March 21-25
    $65.00/week
    Maximum number of participants: 15

    A fun class for anyone who loves to play soccer and basketball. Learn to play the most beautiful game one week and learn how to improve your shooting and handles the next. This class will emphasize basic fundamentals and drills.

    Click here to access the Spring Sports Camp’s health and safety guidelines.

  • Youth helping youth

    Originally published in Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s 2018-2019 annual report.

    After volunteering at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) in Grade 11 for her high school graduation, Odette Videla never left.

    The 19-year-old continues to volunteer with youth programs and, more recently, began working with child care services offered through CNH, too. 

    “They have the youth program so [during high school] I would come here every Friday and Saturday to help in the kitchen or in the gym or to help set up when we had events,” she said. “But now I just come here for fun and to help out if they need it, especially in the kitchen.”

    Odette has spent more than 15 years living in the neighbourhood, but she only recalls visiting the neighbourhood house in her earlier years, when her younger sister attended daycare.

    On Friday evenings, Odette can be found leading baking sessions for Kids’ Kitchen. She often makes cookies with the participants, who range from 10 to 18 years old, but sometimes she switches it up, opting for a recipe new to the youth.

    Odette says she enjoys working with children and youth. On her days off, she visits CNH “to relax” and spend time with other children and youth.

    She credits staff from youth services for encouraging her to volunteer with different programs and to participate in new opportunities at CNH, as well as for assisting her with seeking job opportunities.

    “I’ve learned that it’s better to keep being open minded,” Odette said.

    As for her advice to other young people in the community?

    “Try to help out as much as you want and can, and don’t be afraid to talk to others or see if they’re okay,” she said. “And just invite everyone in when you see someone new.”

    For more information about CNH youth programs, visit www.cnh.bc.ca/youth.