MAY
COMMUNITY NEWS
2022
RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com
Il Museo exhibit sheds light on Mary Magdalene in mosaics of Venetian glass by John Mendoza It is a relaxed scene at the Italian Cultural Centre on Grandview Highway when I drop in one weekday in April. On this impromptu visit, I am greeted with the melodic sound of Italian spoken in the lobby and an unexpected sight: a colourful wooden cart from Sicily next to the main entrance. The vaccination clinic has closed, and so the parking lot and outdoor areas are largely inanimate, erasing an irresistible people-watching scene here in East Vancouver. However, take this opportunity to partake in a wonderful community amenity. Il Museo at the Italian Cultural Centre offers the chance to see some engaging art right here in the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. Currently on exhibit at Il Museo is Mary Magdalene Resurrected by artist Lilian Broca and the exhibition makes an immediate impact. As you enter, there are a series of impressive mosaic panels, each six to seven feet tall, reframing the subject of Mary Magdalene. For those familiar with the Bible, Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus Christ who witnessed Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection and is often seen as a morally “fallen woman.” Mary Magdalene Resurrected by artist Lilian Broca is currently running at Il Museo at the Italian Cultural Centre until August 15, 2022. Photo by John Mendoza
Still Moon call for artists Page 2
My Ukrainian roots
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Textile art exhibit
However, the artist uses largely overlooked Continued on page 3
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Art, cooking and gardening programs Page 7
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Still Moon seeks artists for the 20th Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival this September Call for musicians, dancers, stilt walkers, clowns, puppeteers and artist by Keegan McEvoy
Harvest Fair entertainers, 2016. Photo by Julie Cheng Still Moon Arts Society is recruiting performers of all kinds for the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival’s Harvest Fair and artists for its Streamside Lantern Installation.
balloon artist, puppeteer or any other kind of performer that is excited to show your talents and celebrate the harvest bounty with us? We’d love to hear from you!
Since its inception, the festival has become a significant anchor of community creativity and collective neighbourhood identity. In addition, it has raised awareness of the history of the Still Creek watershed, resulting in ongoing community stewardship (and the return of salmon to the creek).
The Streamside Lantern Installation (Saturday, September 17) is the magical heart of the Moon Festival. This evening spectacle welcomes guests to walk through the beautifully transformed Renfrew Community Park, filled with giant lanterns and illuminated art—accompanied by enchanting live music and set against a magnificent backdrop of towering trees.
The festival is rooted in Asian MidAutumn Festivals traditions; this year, we celebrate the harvest moon, autumn equinox and Renfrew-Collingwood’s diverse community and natural environment through interdisciplinary arts over two weekends. The Harvest Fair (Saturday, September 10) marks the beginning of the Moon Festival. It is a family-friendly event at Slocan Park where you can make crafts, play games and enjoy performances by local musicians and performers. It also features the popular Harvest Fair vegetable competition, celebrating the neighbourhood’s best homegrown produce. We hope to see the fair animated with an array of performers! Are you a musician, dance group, stilt walker, clown,
For this year’s festival, we are reflecting and celebrating 20 years of bringing together art, the community and the environment with the theme of “resurfacing.” We hope to see otherworldly illuminated art installations— lantern art, electronic art, eco-art, land art or any other kind of art that shines. If you are a creator, we would love to hear your vision! Go to Still Moon’s website stillmoonarts.ca for more information and to apply. The application deadline is May 31, 2022. Keegan McEvoy is the communications and administration manager with Still Moon Arts Society.
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Il Museo exhibit - continued from page 1 with the shine and glow of Venetian glass. Museum visitors will be rewarded with a rich viewing experience if they take the time to read the exhibition information on the website (italianculturalcentre.ca/events/exhibits/lilian-brocamary-magdalene-resurrected/) before their visit and on the interpretive panels within the space. While Il Museo offers a convenient viewing experience for art here in Renfrew-Collingwood, do not miss the other opportunities for engagement with Italian culture. Reception sells frozen meat and vegetarian lasagnas with proceeds going to help this East Vancouver institution. As for the colourful wooden Sicilian cart from the 1950s, it was a gift from the Italian government
when it was on display during the 1986 World’s Fair (Expo 86) here in Vancouver. Look around and you’ll find another relic from our city’s World’s Fair – an authentic Venetian gondola. Mary Magdalene Resurrected is running at Il Museo at the Italian Cultural Centre now until August 15, 2022. The museum is open Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm. John Mendoza lives in Renfrew-Collingwood. He has been writing for the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News since 2011, including “RenfrewCollingwood’s humble historic landmark” about Vancouver Public Library’s Collingwood branch at Kingsway and Rupert. Find more of his articles at renfrewcollingwoodcommunitynews. com/?s=john+Mendoza.
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Thank You Dr. Ducceschi! With mixed emotions the staff and residents of the Three Links Care Centre want to thank Dr. Sylvia Ducceschi for her service to seniors over the past three decades. Earlier this year, Dr. Ducceschi announced plans to scale back her practice and spend more time with her family. During a special event at the Care Centre to mark her last in person shift on March 28, staff presented Dr. Ducceschi with a personal thank you card prepared by residents and other gifts from the staff. Three Links Director of Care Faria Ali spoke about the significant impact Dr. Ducceschi has made in the lives of thousands of seniors during her 16 years of service to Three Links. Other team members thanked her for being such a positive role model that inspires other physicians to consider serving seniors in long term care. Earlier in March, during Three Links’ annual meeting with the Care Centre’s physician team, Medical Director Larry Barzelai recognized Sylvia’s passion for gerontology and delivering personcentred care. He referred to Dr. Ducceschi as a “diamond”. On behalf of the entire Three Links family, we could not agree more.
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My Ukrainian roots and stuff by Paul Reid COMMUNITY NEWS The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication. Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator
Contributors: Bryden Fergusson, Chelsea Leslie, January Wolodarsky, Jenny Zhang, John Mendoza, Julie Cheng, Keegan McEvoy, Paul Reid, Ryan Ng, Sophia Han
Dear readers. These really have been a couple of trying years: first with COVID and now the latest devastating reality – the ruthless attack on Ukraine by you-knowwho. On this subject, it is maybe hard to find any positives except to be grateful we are not those poor people under attack ourselves.
Excerpt from A Biography of the Gromsky family “Stephan Gromsky and Dora Hutzel were married in Horodenka, Ukraine – the city where they were born: Stephan on Jan. 2, 1884 and Dora on Oct. 12 1891. They were married in the year 1907.
It has also been amazing to witness the bravery and strength of We want to hear from you! the Ukrainian people to stand their ground and fight against such miliYes, You! Send comments, community events, tary might. I would like to share press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. with you this excerpt from my Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome. grandmother’s (Ann Gromsky’s) biography that I believe will shed We welcome appropriate, unsolicited some light on where this strength editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone comes from. number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes.
Ukraine means Borderline – the crossroads between the Baltic and the Black Sea. It is mostly 100% Ukrainian: borscht, painted eggs, and Cossack song and dance traditions originating in the Ukraine, not Russia. Settled since ancient times, Ukraine has a long tradition of cultural identity and statehood stemming back to Kievan Rus, which at The first page of the biography be- its peak in the 10th century was gins with the marriage between my once of the most powerful and great-grandmother Dora and my established kingdoms in all of great-grandfather Stephan. Europe. But, between the 14th
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There is some dispute as to who is here or when this was taken. We believe it is my great-great-grandmother, Mary, seated; my great-grandmother Dora on the left or the right, and the other girl is either Dora’s niece, or my great-aunt Mary. Photo taken in Ukraine; labelled 1932; All photos courtesy of Ann Gromsky and 19th centuries, its boundaries fluctuated during countless wars which caused much suffering inflicted from outside. The majority of its population subjected to serfdom and Ukrainian culture was forcibly suppressed. Stalin starved over 6 million of its people to death. Yet through the centuries of hardship, the Ukrainians have endured and preserved their various identities and nurtured their cultures. The country’s national anthem is Ukraine has not yet died. Because of the famine and poor living conditions in the Ukraine, Stephan embarked for Canada in 1908 to find better working conditions. After working for the Canadian Pacific Railway (C.P.R.) for three years, he went back to Horodenka to make arrangements to live in Canada. During that year, William was born on October 10th, 1912. When he was six months old, Steve arrived in Cranbrook, B.C. with his newborn son, his wife and mother-in-law. This was after traveling in the lower deck of an old ship with crowded conditions, poor food, rancid water, and the burden of trying to wash and iron clothes. It was a hardship, especially with a baby. When they finally arrived in Halifax, they were given food and drinks, also fruit including bananas. Dora and her mother began to eat their bananas but didn’t realize you had to peel them first. They had many such experiences with food and strange customs.
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The hardship for the two women in Cranbrook wasn’t much better due to Steve’s violent temper and poor wages. Mother Hutzel couldn’t stand the problems so returned to the Ukraine. On July 15th, 1914, a daughter named Mary was born and on March 31st, 1916 another named Annie. Also from the Gromsky Biography: The One and Only Verse My Mother Taught Me Na horee shnee belankee Das poyeechoe mi melankee Das poyeechoe yah nye znayou Sarche Zhalyou Zamoriyou
My great-grandparents Stephan and Dora with my grandmother Annie at Stanley Park.
The family in Kamloops in 1922. My grandmother Annie is in the centre.
Translation: On the mountain snow is white Somewhere went my little one Somewhere he went but I do not know where My heart is so sad I am dying
There we have it folks – Ukraine has not yet died. And given their history, I don’t suspect they will back down soon, if ever. What can we do? Besides praying for a resolution, perhaps donate to organizations like the Red Cross or World Central Kitchen. Also, see Adrian’s column on page 8: Support for Ukrainians Through BC211. Take care Ukraine; we are with you!
This is the one picture I have with me and my great-grandmother, Dora, together. From left, that is me, Paul; my brother Scott; my mother Doreen; Dora in her chair, and my dear auntie To all you mothers, grandmothers, great- Gloria. Photo taken at my grandmother’s house in Misgrandmothers and great-great grandmoth- sion, B.C., 1974. ers out there, Happy Mother’s Day!
Finally, a Happy Mother’s Day to my oh so wonderful mother shown here in her grade five photo. Her other half turned out to be Swedish, but that’s another story.
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Lilian Broca: (Detail) Mary Magdalene, The Sacred Union
Textile art exhibit by local artists Deer Lake Gallery, May 6 to June 11
LIL IAN BROCA
Mary Magdalene Resurrected March 31–August 15, 2022 Monday to Saturday 10AM –5PM italianculturalcentre.ca | T: 604.430.3337
Don Davies MP Vancouver Kingsway
Standing up for Seniors
The Colour Me Local Dyers’ Guild will exhibit their artwork at the Deer Lake Gallery this spring. The guild is made up of East Vancouver eco-artists interested in gardening, local plants, textile art, site Wounded Knitting II is dedicated to local artist January installations and commu- Wolodarsky’s grandmother. Photo by January Wolodarsky nity building dyeing, herbal medicine, agriculthrough art and nature, according ture and cooking, traditionally to Bea Miller, guild member and the work domain of women. For exhibit curator. instance, indigo’s anti-inflammatory properties were used to The guild creates textile artworks prevent infection in wounds. St with natural dyes. In September John’s wort is an herbal rem2021, they hosted their first showcase in the Colour Me Local Dye Gar- edy used for depression, madden at Renfrew Ravine Park, featur- der treats blood disorders, and ing works created on silk, cotton and walnut prevents cardiovascular disease, improve fertility and linen with plants from the garden strengthens hair and nails. such as coreopsis and indigo. The Colour Me Local show runs at the Deer Lake Gallery (6584 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby) from Friday, May 6 to Saturday, June 11. Artists include Bea Miller, Carmen Rosen, Julia Zinovjeva, Sarah Irving, Varsha Gill and January Wolodarsky, who shares her artwork here with the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News. Wounded Knitting II Seven Seeds and Grandmother Tree (in search of magic and an inner Baba J.) by January Wolodarsky This work is dedicated to my seamstress grandmother Elizabeth (Orlik) Wolodarsky who was forced, through war and circumstance, to be separated from her mother, grandmother and family at age 27. From her, I inherited her love for fabric, mushrooms, animals and nature. She taught me how to sew by hand and be kind.
Community Office 2951 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J4 604-775-6263 | Don.Davies@parl.gc.ca
The wool in Wounded Knitting was hand dyed largely with plants from the Colour Me Local Dye Garden and the neighbourhood: indigo, walnut, dyers polypore (fungi), St John’s wort, madder, tea, iron bits.
DonDavies.ca
There is a close connection between the ancient art/science/magic of
Wounded Knitting is made from felted wool, a material that implies domesticity, domestication and coexistences between animals and people. Developed in Central Asia and Siberia, the oldest textile – felt – existed before spinning and weaving. Strong, warm, durable and absorbent, felt has been used by women as diapers, menstrual pads and insulation from cold in bedding, clothing and footwear. Grandmother Tree channels energy between the cosmos and earth wearing the colours of ice, sky, field and forest. She cultivates life, resiliency, alliance and memory through her mosses. Each seed in Wounded Knitting is a unique droplet perched on a smooth river rock with a pebble felted inside it, anchoring it on its little sphere in the life circle. Like mosses, the Seven Seeds and Grandmother Tree cultivate an interdependent community, a tribute to the endurance, resiliency, energy and power of nature; cultivating life, nurturing growth and honouring the role of death and decay in the continuity of life.
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Get involved in art, cooking and gardening this spring
by Ryan Ng
Make Your Mark – Sketching and Visual Art Date: Every Thursday Time: 3:30 to 5:30 pm; Venue: Annex Art Studio Want to have a relaxing time? Want to learn some art skills? Want to make something special for your friends or loved ones? Come join this free art workshop. You can draw or make handicrafts. A facilitator will guide you so don’t worry about your skills! It is free. Drop-ins welcome. Please email Yoko for more details: ytomita@cnh.bc.ca.
Ukraine flags line the boulevards at East 29th Avenue and Slocan. Photo by Bryden Fergusson
Community Kitchen Date: Every last Wednesday of the month Time: 5 to 8 pm; Venue: CNH Kitchen For newcomers in the neighbourhood Are you a newcomer to the neighbourhood? Want to learn some food skills, cooking skills? Want to enjoy great food with your neighbours? Then come join the Community Kitchen, where a different cultural food will be cooked each month. For more information, call or text Ryan at 778-650-5828, email rng@cnh. bc.ca or scan the QR code. Community Garden Spring is here! It is time for gardening! Collingwood Neighbourhood House supports three gardens in Renfrew-Collingwood: Collingwood Community Garden, Cheyenne Community Garden and Still Creek Community Garden. They act as community gathering spaces to foster community food security. Some plots are available to rent out for neighbours. Try gardening and enjoy the vegetables from your planting. Call or text Ryan at 778650-5828 or email rng@cnh.bc.ca. Ryan Ng is the community food liaison at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.
Noticed in Renfrew-Collingwood
Save the Date July 15 -23, 2022 The Collingwood Days Steering Committee is excited to be bringing back the full community experience. Events will be throughout the community ending with the festival at Gaston Park on July 23rd
Call out to: • • • • • •
Volunteers food trucks, community groups vendors sponsors performers
For more information go to www.collingwooddays.com or call the Collingwood BIA 604.639.4403 by Karen Vanon
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
What’s happening at Collingwood Branch
Offering in-library programs for children, youth, and families by Jenny Zhang
STORYTIMES (Drop-in) Babytime (0-18 months) Weekly on Thursdays until May 19 10:30 – 11:00 am Family Storytime (all ages) Weekly on Fridays 10:30 – 11:00 am
“You are never alone when lost in the magic of a book.” - Marie Lu SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS (Drop-in) Lego Block Party (Drop-in) Fridays, April 20, May 18, June 15 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Come to the library for some LEGO® building fun at this block party! Connect with other kids and break out the bricks for a building bonanza at the library. For Grades K-7. Bad Guys Party (Register by contacting the branch) Wednesday, May 11 @ 3:30 – 4:30 pm Don’t you wish that you could party with your favourite book characters? We have crafts and fames all inspired by the characters from this series! Have fun and celebrate the characters you know and love. For grades 1-3. For complete listings visit www.vpl.ca/events.
COLLINGWOOD MAD LIBS by Chelsea Leslie Fill in the blank spaces, then add your answers into the story! TYPE OF WEATHER: ______________________________ NAME: ________________________________________ TYPE OF FOOD: __________________________________ ADJECTIVE: ____________________________________ TOPIC: ________________________________________ VERB: _________________________________________ ANIMAL: _______________________________________ HOBBY: ________________________________________ VERB ending in “ing”: ______________________________ A noun is a person, place or thing. Example: cat, mouse, house. An adjective describes a noun. Example: hungry, fast, blue. A verb is an action word. Example: sing, walk, sleep. COLLINGWOOD MAD LIBS Today I looked out my window and saw that it was _____________ (type of weather) weather outside, so I decided to go with my friend ___________ (name) to explore my neighbourhood, JoyceCollingwood. First we walked to Kingsway to grab some _____________ (food) to eat, since we were very ____________ (adjective). Then we stopped at the Collingwood branch library to check out a book about ______________ (topic). At Gaston Park we stopped to _____________ (verb) with a _____________ (animal), then made it to Collingwood Neighbourhood House just in time for ____________(hobby) class. When I looked up and saw all the crows __________ing (verb) overhead, I knew it was time to go home for dinner!
Visit Collingwood Branch Library for more fun, games and activities!
This is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/ Dear Neighbours, As the weather warms up with brighter, longer days, signaling the arrival of spring in our VancouverKingsway neighbourhood, I hope you’ve found time to head outdoors and enjoy the annual blooms of cherry blossoms. I would like to thank all the volunteers who came out on a lovely Saturday afternoon to help make our community shine a little bit brighter as part of the Joyce Street Clean Up Party. Thank you to St. Mary’s School for hosting and to the Collingwood Business Improvement Association, the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, and Collingwood Community Policing Centre for organizing the cleanup and BBQ. Support for Ukrainian’s Through BC211 Do you know someone seeking assistance or are you looking to help out in any way that you can supporting displaced Ukrainians in B.C.? Then please contact bc211. Available 24 hours a day, bc211 is a multilingual service that connects people to more than 15,500 free social supports, services, and community programs throughout the province. This confidential service is offered in more than 150 languages, including Ukrainian and Russian. While displaced Ukrainians arriving to B.C. can continue to contact Service BC at 1 800 663-7867, visit one of Service BC’s 65 service-delivery centres in person, or go to gov.bc.ca/ WelcomingUkraine, they can now also be connected with a bc211 resource navigator at any time, day, or night. Highlight a Nurses in Your Community The National Nursing Week annual celebrations take place from Monday May 9th to Sunday May 15th of the same week as Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. The theme this year is #WeAnswerTheCall and was developed by Canadian Nurses Association to highlight the many roles that nurses play in a patient’s health-care journey. The pandemic brought to light the courage and commitment that nurses work under every day and showed the vital role that nurses play in the community. Please take a moment during this week to highlight a nurse in your neighbourhood using #IKnowANurse to share stories of exceptional nurses, because everyone knows a nurse who has left a lasting impression. Lastly, if you have a community event that you wish to promote, my community office would be delighted to help spread the word. Please ask us for details on the types of events we can promote. My community office is open to provide services for constituents either in person, by phone or email, Monday to Thursday 9 am to 4 pm. Please give us a call at 604-660-0314 or email us at adrian.dix.mla@ leg.bc.ca, and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can. 聯絡辦事處，請電郵 adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca 或致電 604-660-0314. 如欲親臨敬請預約 Sincerely, Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Read On!
A news section for RenfrewCollingwood learners
The scent of springtime in Renfrew-Collingwood by Sophia Han
Making sense of scents
Read On!
Have you ever wondered why English-speakers use scent to describe the smell of flowers but aroma to describe the smell of food?
has a web page. You can: Read the articles
Both words can be used to talk about types of smells, but scents are usually pleasing smells found in nature. Aroma is often used to talk about things you can smell and taste. Grass has a fresh scent but rosemary (an herb used in cooking) has a pleasant scent and a rich aroma.
http://renfrewcollingwood communitynews.com/category/ read-on/
Now that spring is here, all kinds of floral scents can be enjoyed along with the fresh air.
Reading levels on this page
Enjoy our community gardens
UPPER INTERMEDIATE
In the springtime, the air can be thick with the fragrance of magnolia and cherry trees, rhododendrons and hyacinths, but many eye-catching and useful plants are also grown in parks and gardens to teach the public about traditional crafts and Indigenous medicines. The Colour Me Local Garden at Renfrew Ravine park grows plants for dyeing natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. This community garden is maintained by the Still Moon Arts Society and a group of dedicated volunteers. The Norquay Community Food Forest is a garden where edible and medicinal plants are grown.
LOWER INTERMEDIATE BEGINNER
Now’s the time to enjoy beautiful, fragrant flowers in our parks and gardens. Photo by Sophia Han
While both gardens are open to the public; classes and events are now taking place. If you would like to try out your green thumb, why not join a Gardeners’ Gathering Work Party? You can also share and learn more about seeds with the Renfrew Collingwood Food Justice team. Colour Me Local Garden 3958 Renfrew Street info@stillmoonarts.ca
Norquay Community Food Forest 2732 Horley Street foodsecurity@cnh.bc.ca
VOCABULARY
have you ever – use have you ever to talk about things you have done in the past rich – a rich smell is strong and pleasant floral – made up of flowers, similar to a flower along with – together with fresh – when something smells clean and new thick – to be full of something Indigenous – the people and things originally found in a country eye-catching – attractive natural fabrics – fabrics made from materials found in nature maintain – take care of dedicated – use dedicated to describe people who spend a lot of time doing one activity edible – safe to eat medicinal – used to treat illness taking place – to happen open to the public – not restricted, open to anyone try out – to test something green thumb – someone who has a green thumb is good at gardening
https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/3546062/the-scent-of-spring/
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)
H IGHLIG H TS
Joyce Location: 5288 Joyce St. ; Tel: 604-435-0323 / Annex Location: 3690 Vanness Ave. ; Tel: 604-428-9142 / Visit: www.cnh.bc.ca
CNH Volunteers bring heart to Joyce-Collingwood Community From April 24-30, CNH celebrated its hundreds of volunteers for National Volunteer Week through a virtual Volunteer Appreciation Event to thank them for their dedication and generosity to the community. With this year’s theme being “Volunteering is Empathy in Action,” Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s volunteers have shown this in droves by supporting our programs and services. As CNH continued to deal with the impact of the pandemic, the organization relied on the assistance of up to 900 volunteers. Here are some stories from our staff—and the volunteers themselves—on how they took the extra mile to bring heart to the community. From Masa Kateb, volunteer for the Choose to Move program: Volunteering for the Choose to Move program during the global health crisis has been inspirational. I witnessed the lives of many older adults transform, especially Lee! Her commitment to movement, health and social connections was impressive! She even used her kitchen counter as a home-gym for stability and support. From Ava Jung, Grocery Shopping Program Manager: Crispin has been a volunteer with CNH since the start of the pandemic. First signing on as an order taker for our Frozen Meals program, he also became an order taker and delivery driver for our Grocery Shopping program, and has provided integral help to get seniors the food they need each week! Even without a car, Crispin was determined to provide food support and started using the car share app MODO for his grocery deliveries, showing that nothing could get in the way of his “drive” to help others. Crispin’s favourite part about volunteering is that he ‘can make a difference for the people in the community who are more vulnerable’ than he is. Thank you, Crispin, for your service! From Jenny Shen, Seniors Wellness Program Coordinator: Alice Crestejo is the host of the seniors Sing for
Fun program. She jumped into the volunteer position with the CNH Seniors Team to start a brand new online/virtual singing program after in-person singalong became impossible two years ago, and then committed to the bi-weekly Zoom program enthusiastically and never stopped. As a senior herself, Alice took a lot of effort to overcome barriers like the lack of computer skills, with support from the CNH Seniors Team. She shared her singing talents with seniors and brought tremendous fun and happiness to those who were homebound and isolated during the pandemic. When word spread, not only seniors from local communities came to join the online program, but also seniors from the lower mainland, and even from other cities like Toronto. Those long-time-no-see friends, neighbours, and family members never felt so close to each other to sing, laugh, and celebrate together with Alice. From Dovana Singh, Better at Home, Navigation & Peer Support Coordinator: Sometimes, things come up and volunteers can’t deliver on a given week. John never fails to answer my call and if he can, he’ll take on more deliveries
This page is sponsored by Collingwood Neighbourhood House
that week to help out. John is an exemplary volunteer and our program simply wouldn’t exist in its current iteration without his feedback and suggestions. Our seniors absolutely adore him and so do we. He deserves a huge shout out for his ongoing dedication and care for our community. When asked why he volunteers, John says, “[It’s] some small thing I can do to help make the world a better place.” Thank you, John! Lastly, we would also like to thank the CNH Board of Directors, who are local volunteers who
bring their experience, expertise and passion to CNH. They dedicate time to Board and committee meetings and advise CNH on every aspect of its work. Throughout the pandemic, the Board Directors have gone above and beyond to dedicate their time and expertise to address challenges CNH has faced. Their contributions allow many people in our community to thrive. Thank you to our volunteer Board of Directors, and thank you to our volunteer community members, for supporting the work of CNH!
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May 2022
MAY 2022 2022 February Collingwood BIA Expansion Meeting
Happy Lunar New Year – 2022 Year of the How would you like to see the Collingwood BIA expand to the Tiger commercial properties along Joyce Street from Euclid to
Chinese Lunar New Yearare – February Wellington Street? If you a property12 owner or business operator along we invite come out Collingwood willJoyce haveStreet the return of theyou liontodancers visitto an information evening to learn more about the Collingwood th businesses on February 19 between 11:30 am. – 1:30p.m. Business Improvement Association and what being a part of the We invite you toRefreshments join in the parade and celebrating theavailable. Year of the BIA will entail. and light snacks will be Tiger. To register email: angela@shopcollingwood.ca or call To register your business contact Angela at 604.639.4403. anglea@shopcollingwood.ca
Covid – Updates: Covid – Updates: As of April 8th, Covid mandates have all been lifted. Please be All businesses must reinstate COVID-19 Safety Plans.isB.C. willwe once patient during this transition time. Covid stillemployers here and need again be required to perform an assessment and address protective controls for to manage it the best we can. Thank you for doing your part over their workplaces in their Plans, and can include: the last two years.
ComingComing Events Events May 5 February 1 Chinese Cinco deLunar MayoNew Year February 2 May 8 Ground Mother’sHog DayDay February May 12 12 Chinese New Year Lion Dance BIA Expansion Meeting 11a.m. – 1p.m. @ Collingwood 6:00 – 8:00p.m. Neighbourhood House February 14
May 23 Valentine’s Day Victoria Day February 21 Family Day
• permitting workers to work remotely or from home, if possible,
Covid protocols and Provincial Health Orders are are continuing • facilitating workers to stay at home when they feeling ill, to change, and we encourage you to follow the news and to the • placement of physical barriers between workers, whengo possible, website frequently • return towww.2.gov.bc.ca zone-based access to worksites, Joyce
• reducing crowding and mixing among workers in the workplace, • cleaning and hand washing procedures • requiring in all common areas. Street Cleanface Up masks Partywhen – April 23rd 10am-12pm
WorkSafe BC like has updated its everyone Safety Plan Planning Tool. out and participating We would to thank for coming in the first ever, Joyce Street Clean Up Party. Covid protocols and Provincial Health Orders are continuing to
change, and you to follow the news and go to the Thank you forwe ourencourage community partners: website frequently www.2.gov.bc.ca St. Mary’s School
Collingwood Community Policing Centre, Love your City – Vancouver Collingwood Neighbourhood House, The City of Vancouver has 22 BIAs representing diverse MLA Adrian areas. Dix’s Constituency Office commercial For the month of February, the Vancouver BIA Partnership Collingwood BIAwill be showcasing the treasures in our beautiful city. Check out on social media: #loveyourcity for information on Collingwood Jr. BIA contests and giveaways throughout the city. Visit the Clock The Clive Tower at the Mel Tobias Plaza (Joyce and Kingsway) for a photo op with the many hearts. Tell us what you love most about the Tree Organic Coffee City. Collingwood Micro Improvement Grants –
2022
How to Reach Us: How to Reach Us:
@shopcollingwoodvancouver @shopcollingwoodvancouver @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood
Deadline March 4, 2022 The Covid Micro Grants helped over 20 businesses earlier this year and the CBIA is extending the program. Grants up to $1,000 are available to businesses to make improvements to their exterior and interior. For more information email info@shopcollingwood.ca or clink on link to the application: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds: US:d0ebd86d-ec97-4de1-9a77-31554f422a63 Shop Collingwood! It’s good for Business!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms in Collingwood!
Office: Office: #300 – 3665 Kingsway, #300 – 3665 BC Kingsway, Vancouver, V5R 5W2
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2 T: 604.639.4403 T: E: 604.639.4403 info@shopcollingwood.ca E: info@shopcollingwood.ca W: shopcollingwood.ca W: shopcollingwood.ca
12
May 2022
Joyce Street
Clean Up Party THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING
special thanks to
Nexst Properties Starbucks - Boundary Plaza Trees Organic Coffee
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS