Dreaming for Collective Transformative Journey
Transforming Together
The ANHBC Collective has been on a journey of collective Strategic Transformation across all neighbourhood houses, camp, and central office, beginning in the spring and summer months of 2021. Centred in decolonizing, this work is truly taking shape and is informing our values, practices, programs, and communities. The transformation has allowed us to collectively dream a future for the Neighbourhood House Movement.
When we began looking at a new strategic plan for our organization, we knew we needed to do things differently and take the time that was needed. In October 2021, we envisioned creating a group of ANHBC family members from across the entire organization, comprised of a variety of voices and experiences. This group of thirteen, beginning their work together in January 2022, is now known as the Core Transformation Team.
The Core Team met in conversation regularly throughout 2022/23, and their voices have shaped and informed the Strategic Transformation process. They have provided insight and feedback when developing materials, organizing large engagement conversations, and designing Land Back discussions —plus much more. Their contribution to ANHBC’s Strategic Transformation is inspiring and has rippled out into their work and personal lives.
To share a bit about the impact the Core Team has had on two of its members, here is an interview with Thanh Lam (Mount Pleasant) and Ksenia Stepkina (Kits House):
What motivated you to raise your hand and join the Core Transformation Team?
Thanh: I was nominated and invited to be a part of the group by Tulia Castellanos, MPNH’s previous Executive Director, and I met with Liz (ANHBC CEO) when she explained the process. The process—at that time, there was no process—but there was an intention. [The Core Team was to be] values-driven, and to explore deep/challenging social justice work that a lot of us grapple with at the back of our mind.
We have to engage with this in our work daily, sometimes alone, and this was a chance to explore this together with other folks from across our neighbourhood houses. Values-driven social justice work can be very isolating—[this way of working together] was bold and exciting, and happening in an organic way.
What has the work meant to you personally?
Ksenia: The core transformation work has meant a lot for me! Personally, it changed my approach to any work or any engagement. In the past, it was a productivity and hustle culture. [I’ve learnt that] active liberation and decolonizing [must happen] from within. Our current way of living and working impacts us all. So, how can we disrupt these processes? Our Core Transformation Circle helped dismantle this for me. We are a supportive group of people, and the way we approach the work is we lived by the values we want to embody. We bridged personal and professional, and saw everyone as full and whole human beings. Working like this gave me the permission to relax, knowing this is the best we can do.
What has it meant in your role at your neighbourhood house?
Thanh: Letting go of the pursuit of perfection. As a non-Indigenous person, it can be scary to ask questions; sometimes I may be afraid to bring my whole authentic self to a conversation, and fear can override genuine connection. At MPNH, the work of decolonization is rippling out and bringing people into this conversation. We’re exploring power dynamics, structural challenges, how we perceive frontline work and managerial work. And asking ourselves: does everyone have the tools, time, and opportunity to do this decolonizing work? We want to ensure that our team does feel comfortable, safe, and supported, and we explore these topics during paid work time, as much as we can.
How has the core transformation woven into your work, and rippled out into your organization?
Ksenia: For us, it was huge! Kits House was a baby coming into this work of decolonization. Structurally, our neighbourhood is different, and we haven’t been doing this work for a long time—we are at the beginning stages of authentically building relationships. The Core Transformation process helped us see what other neighbourhod houses are doing, and that each is on their own path, and each journey is different. The work of Core Team impacted Kits House directly, as we’re looking at what our Truth & Reconciliation and decolonization journey looks like internally, with our staff and volunteers. We are beginning to embed the values across the entire neighbourhood house, prioritizing an internal focus, which we will then ripple out into our community work. I am inspired and grateful for the core transformation work and look forward to what our journey will be.
Thanh: In 2023, MPNH had the opportunity to be part of the Father's Day Pow Wow Community Planning Committee led by Vancouver Native Health Society alongside Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House and other agencies. Together, with Cedar Cottage, ANHBC staff, volunteers, and community members prepared a community feast for nearly 2,000 folks who participated in the event. It was a deeply personal and transformative experience for me. I was and am forever humbled by the teachings Indigenous knowledge keepers provided. I will forever be moved by the love and guidance I received from the Elders and commit to carry that love forward in everything I am a part of.
Thank you, Thanh and Ksenia, for your commitment and leadership on the Core Transformation Team. The ANHBC Strategic Transformation Framework will be shared in September 2024.
Visit here to learn more about Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House and Kits Neighbourhood House Programs.
To learn more and get involved, follow along at: Facebook MPNH , Facebook Kits NH , Instagram Kits NH and Instagram MPNH
Visit anhbc.org/donate to help our neighbourhood houses continue to Dream Together.
