Newsletter 15 October 2009
Building Welcoming
* Our Mission
For 36 years, Kitsilano
Neighbourhood House has
been the hub of the Westside.
It’s a place where all ages
from toddlers to seniors come
together to enjoy programs
and services that makes this a
good place to live and do
business.
Vision:
The Westside of Vancouver is
a healthy, safe and vibrant
community where everyone
thrives.
Mission:
We are dedicated to
strengthening our community
through leadership,
collaboration and opportunity.
In This Issue
1. Program Highlight:
Westside Community
Literacy Program
2. Volunteer Spotlight:
It Takes a Village
3. What's New at Kits
House
4. Community Postings
2305 – 2325 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver BC V6K 1Y4 | T. 604.736.3588 F. 604.736.3640 | www.kitshouse.org
OPEN HOUSE- Saturday November 14 10am-noon at 2305 w. 7 Ave.
Communities Newsletter
Program Highlight:
Westside Community
Literacy Plan
Words to Live By
Sophie’s finger moves slowly across the
page as she carefully sounds out each letter
of each word. Her head is bent over the
slender book and her hair obscures her
crinkled brow. She is six years old and just
learning to read.
As adults, many of us take for granted our
ability to function in a world where literacy is
necessary to participate fully in family, work
and community life. Yet, for many people,
difficulties with reading, writing and other
critical communication skills prevent them
from fully participating in all aspects of life.
To help address this problem, Kitsilano
Neighbourhood House is helping to develop
a community literacy plan for the Westside
of Vancouver. This community-wide
initiative will promote literacy and learning in
our community by identifying areas where
additional support for literacy is needed and
by determining appropriate action.
Westside residents and service providers
can easily participate in the development of
our community literacy plan by completing
What's New at Kits House
Autumn Fair!
Saturday, October 24
10am – 3pm
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7 & Vine
Join us for the 3rd annual Autumn Fair!
Pancake breakfast, pie eating contest,
pumpkin patch, music and much more!
There are no strangers – only friends
you haven’t met! Enter the raffle to win
dinner and a game with Canucks owner.
Contact: 604-736-3588
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our on-line survey at Kitshouse.org. Tell us
about your experience of literacy in our
community and help us build the best plan
possible.
We invite residents to further discuss the
literacy plan at our monthly community
potluck on Wednesday, November 4th from
6:00 to 8:00 pm. Bring a vegetarian dish to
share and contribute to the promotion of
literacy in our community.
As Sophie finishes reading the last colourful
page, she flips the book closed and reaches
for another from the crooked pile next to
her. Little does she know that with each
book she is building a path of words and
sounds that will lead her to a life of greater
understanding and knowledge. For her,
they are simply great stories.
Free Scarecrow Workshop
Sunday, October 18
2:30-3:30pm
2305 w. 7th Ave
What do you imagine- A can-can dancer? A
stern teacher? A scary troll? Bring some old
clothes and your imagination to Kits Hall for
an afternoon of creativity. Supplies are
provided.
Don't forget to enter your creation at the
Autumn Fair Scarecrow Contest October
24th!
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Building Welcoming Communities Newsletter
Community News
Recent Canadian Fiction Book
Club
Vancouver Public Library
Saturday, October 31 &
Saturday, November 28
Join PRL on Saturday mornings
this fall for challenging
discussions on recent titles such
as: The Book of Negros, Late
Nights on Air, The Flying
Troutmans, and Exit Lines.
Once a month at 10:30am to
12:30 pm
September through November
Central Library Board Room –
7th Level, 350 West Georgia St.
Registration Fee: $15.00
Contact: Vancouver Public
Library @ 604-331-3603
Hallowe’en Spookfest
Kitsilano Community Center
Saturday, October 31
Head towards the Kitsilano
Community Centre for some
creepy fun! This year’s Hallowe’en
party will be filled with ghastly
games, ghoulish crafts, haunted
house and much more!
For ages 1 to 12. Parent’s
participation and pre-registration
is required. This event sells out
fast.
Registration Fee: $5 per person
Contact: Kitsilano Community
Centre @ 604-257-6976
Craft & Treasures Sale
Steeves Manor- 1985 Wallace St
(the building beside Jericho
Beach Park)
Saturday, November 7 & 14
@ 10am - 3pm
Items for sale include cards,
jewellery, fridge towels, quilts,
scarves, tuques, clothes, and
Christmas ornaments.
Contact: Resource Centre
@ 604-224-4302
2305 – 2325 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver BC V6K 1Y4 | T. 604.736.3588 F. 604.736.3640 | www.kitshouse.org
OPEN HOUSE- Saturday November 14 10am-noon at 2305 w. 7 Ave.
What's New at Kits House
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House –
Licensed Child Minding
1 or 2 days/week available
Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays
& Fridays
9:30am- 12:30pm
Spaces available at the Jericho Garrison
Base at 4th and Highbury. For children
18 months to 4 years old. Staffed by
experienced & qualified Early Child
Educators with stimulating activities for
children.
Free time for parents and it’s safe, fun
and educational for children!
Contact: Kira at 604-225-2520 ext 2709
kira@kitshouse.org
Volunteer Spotlight:
It Takes a Village
To highlight just one volunteer would be a
crime. Like many community-based
programs, the Strengthening Connections
program would not be the same without its
team of dedicated volunteers.
"On an average day," says Veronica Cortes,
the Community Assistant, "there is
anywhere between 35-45 kids."
Volunteers do a number of things including
setting up activity stations, singing songs,
and reading stories.
"My favourite activity is the arts and crafts,"
says Nicolas Narvaez.
Nicolas has been volunteering with the
Strengthening Connections Program for
approximately 5 months. He started
volunteering not only because he was
interested in working with children but
because he wanted to improve his English.
"I moved here from Nicaragua 7 months
ago," explains Nicolas. Since then, not only
has his English improved, but he has also
made a number of new friends.
Like Nicolas, Roya Barvishry also started
volunteering with the Strengthening
Connections Program to meet new people.
Roya is the program's librarian. She was
approached by Sandra to head the service
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Newsletter 15 October 2009
Newcomers Mapping
Dialogue Sessions
UBC Campus, Acadia Commons
Block 2707 Tennis Crescent
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10 am – 12 pm - Mandarin Session
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10 am – 12 pm - Spanish Session
Tuesday November 3, 2009
10 am – 12 pm - English Session
Join us in a discussion to create a
welcoming community for newcomers.
Share your perspective and learn about
your community. Contribute to the
‘Newcomers Guide to the Westside’.
Contact: Jennifer Longson at
604-736-3588
jenn@kitshouse.org
because of her expertise. Roya was more
than happy to oblige.
"I use to be a librarian in Iran," explains
Roya. "I love doing this." Roya started
volunteering with the Strengthening
Connections Program 2 years ago. She
looks forward to becoming more involved
through the program's various volunteer
training sessions.
To learn more about the different volunteer
roles or how you can get involved visit
Kitshouse.org.
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