* Content warning * This post contains information about residential schools. For helplines and support, scroll to the end. When Phyllis Webstad was six years old, her grandmother gave her a shiny, new orange shirt. She wore it proudly on her first day of mission school. When she arrived, the staff took away her…
* Content warning * This post contains information about residential schools. Honouring Orange Shirt Day: A Journey of Unlearning and Reflection Monday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation). Throughout September neighbourhood houses and communities come together to honour residential school survivors and the children who were never able to…
* Content warning* This post contains information about residential schools. For helplines and support, scroll to the end. This Saturday is Orange Shirt Day, a day to mourn the suffering inflicted on Indigenous children in Residential Schools. In May 2021, 215 unmarked graves of children were recovered at the site of the former Kamloops…
Meet Oliver Cowan, a participant and volunteer at Marpole Neighbourhood House, who discovered an extraordinary sense of connection through the Gathering Gardeners. From harvesting crops to sharing meals, Oliver has built friendships, learned new skills, and found a supportive community that embraces them fully.
For Tito Perez, volunteering at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House became a lifeline after moving to Canada as a refugee. Through the Food Hub program, he practiced English, gained skills, made friends, and built confidence—experience that helped him find meaningful work and a sense of belonging.
Amy Majam’s ANHBC journey began sixteen years ago, shortly after she immigrated to Canada from the Philippines. At the time, she had enrolled in a settlement employment program at the Immigrant Services Society of BC, which she credits immensely for helping her adjust to life in Canada. Aside from assisting with her job search, Amy’s…
Our next feature in the #GiveToGrow #SummerStorySeries is from Alicia Smith, Strategic Development Coordinator from Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, and organizer of their first Drag Storytime. Last week was Vancouver Pride, and across ANHBC neighbourhood houses and in our communities, we celebrated! In honour of Pride Week we are happy to share an interview with Alicia….
Gordon Neighbourhood House (GNH) is tucked away in the community now known as the West End of Vancouver, up from the shores of Yulkshun (Squamish place name for English Bay) and walking distance from X̱wáy̓x̱way (Squamish Village in Stanley Park). Surrounded by a dense and vibrant intergenerational community, the Neighbourhood House is a gathering place…
Our next feature in the #GiveToGrow #SummerStorySeries is from Vinita Sud, a yoga teacher, passionate community member, and neighbourhood house Board of Directors volunteer who found meaning and connection at Alex Neighbourhood House. We hope you enjoy Vini’s story, told in her own words. Alex Neighbourhood House has played a pivotal role in my journey…
For Natasha, working at a neighbourhood house has been truly transformative. From the moment she stepped into her role at Frog Hollow, she felt supported, inspired, and part of a community that genuinely cares. The community-minded nature of the Neighbourhood House has allowed her to reconnect with her Ojibwe ancestry, grow in confidence, and share her knowledge with the youth in the programs. Every day, she sees the impact of the work, and it fills her with pride to be part of an organization that uplifts people, fosters connection, and makes a real difference in the community.
