Newsletter May/June 2010

Building Welcoming
Communities Newsletter

* 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.
Program Highlight:
Sasamat Family Camp
What’s a fantastic way to spend time with
the family?
The Sasamat Family Camp Weekend (from
June 11 –13) helps families to connect in a
fun environment.
The picturesque wilderness surroundings at
Belcarra Regional Park and scenic Indian
Arm Provincial Park provide families with
easy access to hiking trails and various
recreational opportunities.
Talk about a camping getaway. The
weekend includes healthy meals on
Saturday and Sunday (breakfast, lunch, and
dinner), heated accommodations, and a
wide range of outdoor activities. It’s a fun-
filled weekend of archery, campfires, low
ropes courses, kayaking, swimming and
more. This is a great way for families to
spend some quality time together. You can help us send a family to camp
next year.
“It’s fabulous there. I absolutely love it!” says
Brigette Bouchard, who has attended the A donation of $170.00 can send a single
camp weekends for the past five years. “It’s parent and their young child on this
good for kids of all ages.” adventure-filled weekend.

In This Issue
1. Program Highlight:
Sasamat Family Camp
2. Volunteer Spotlight:
Michael Chan
The camp weekend is always popular and
this year’s camp sold out quickly. If you are
a family who wants to experience the fun of
Sasamat Family Camp Weekend, we invite
you to attend next year.
“It provides a sense of community,” says
Brigette. “People leave with a really positive
experience.”
In recognition for your contribution, we’ll
display your company’s logo on our website
and Family Camp promotional materials.
Tax receipts are available upon request.
To make a donation, or for more
information on the Sasamat Family Camp
Weekend, please contact Sandra at 604-
736-3588 or sandra@kitshouse.org.

3. What's New at Kits What's New at Kits House

House
Kitsilano Community Preschool
th
Jericho Military Family Resource Centre at 4 and Highbury at Alma
4. Community Postings Spaces available for September 2010
Let your child explore, discover and learn with us! Our preschool program runs on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with a morning program (9:30am – 12:00pm) for
three and four year olds and an afternoon program (1:30pm – 4:00pm) for four and five
year olds. Our well-rounded Kindergarten Readiness and Child Centre Preschool
programs offer a wide variety of activities like early literacy, music, theatre, art, science,
math, games, and lots of fun.
Contact: Lisa Paul, Coordinator of Childcare Services, at 604-736-3588 ext. 35 or
lisa@kitshouse.org or check out our website at www.kitshouse.org

th
2305 – 2325 West 7 Avenue, Vancouver BC V6K 1Y4 | T. 604.736.3588 F. 604.736.3640 | www.kitshouse.org
Building Welcoming Communities Newsletter
Community News
Computer Tutors
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
Computer tutors are available to
help you learn how to email,
browse the web, and create
documents and spreadsheets.
Cost: Free
Contact: Allison at 604-736-3588.
UBC Botanical Gardens and
Conservation Lecture
Monday May 17, 12pm – 1pm
6804 SW Marine Dr
Instructor Daniel Mosquin leads the
education theme for May,
biodiversity & botanical gardens.
Botanical gardens from around the
world play a critical role in the
conservation of biodiversity. Learn
what botanical gardens are doing to
preserve life through success
stories and new initiatives. Please
Note: bring a bag lunch. Coffee and
tea supplied. Visit
UBCBotanicalGarden.org.
Cost: $5
Contact: Call 604-822-4208 to
book a seat.
Greek Day
Sunday Jun 27, 11am – 9:30pm
On Broadway, between
Macdonald & Blenheim
Greek Day is a family-oriented
summer street festival in Kitsilano,
held along 5 blocks of Broadway,
featuring live entertainment (music
and dance) on two stages. Come
and enjoy Greek cuisine, check out
the various displays in 50 kiosks,
and have the kids visit the
children's activity and entertainment
area, including the face painting
booth. Enjoy the art display,
magicians, stiltwalkers, clowns, and
jugglers. Greek Day is one of
Vancouver's most popular ethnic
festivals and attracts crowds from
all over the Lower Mainland. It is a
free event! Visit GreekDay.com.
Contact: Peter Capadouca of the
Hellenic Canadian Congress of
B.C. at 604-433-7072 or
pjdeas@telus.net
th
2305 – 2325 West 7 Avenue, Vancouver BC V6K 1Y4 | T. 604.736.3588 F. 604.736.3640 | www.kitshouse.org
What's New at Kits House
Seniors’ Links
Spring Cleaning and Gardening
The Seniors’ Links program connects
seniors needing assistance with post-
secondary students needing extra
income. Students are available to help
with tasks such as light housework,
shopping, laundry, gardening, yard work,
pet care, computer help, and reading
aloud. Post-secondary students
interested in the program can apply
online at KitsHouse.org or pick up an
th
application form at 2325 West 7 Ave.
Cost: Seniors pay students a
minimum of $10.00 per hour for a
minimum of two hours work.
Contact: Sandra Petrozzi at 604-736-
3588 ext. 25 or sandra@kitshouse.org
Volunteer Spotlight:
Michael Chan
Michael Chan speaks with a precision
honed during his thirty year career in the
pharmaceutical industry.
As a maintenance and repair volunteer at
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, he now
applies his precision to projects throughout
the House.
Michael started volunteering at Kitsilano
Neighbourhood House in December of
2009. “I have always wanted to be a
handyman,” says Michael, “when I retired, I
decided that it was time to give back to the
community.”
His contributions to Kits House have not
gone unnoticed. “We do not have a paid
position for a maintenance person,” says
Julia de Winter, Operations Manager at Kits
House. “In the absence of a volunteer we
rely on the staff to do what we can, which is
really not much. Michael has made a huge
impact.”
For Michael, his volunteer work at Kits
House allows him to develop skills in an
area he enjoys, and to have tangible
evidence of a job well done. It is also nice to
be appreciated.
“My first project was to install a handrail.
One of our long-time volunteers had poor
vision and she had been waiting a long time
to have the handrail fixed. She was so
Newsletter May/June 2010
Genealogy Seminar
Monday May 17, 1pm
Steeves Manor
(billiards and games room)
1985 Wallace St
Learn about conducting family history
research as Richard Carruthers discusses
various methods for tracing your family
tree. Time will be provided for audience
questions.
Cost: Free
th
Deadline: May 17
Contact: To register, sign up at the
Steeves Manor Resource Office, call
Barbara (Resource Coordinator) at 604-
224-4302, or email
steevesmanor@telus.net
happy to have it done.”
He also likes that the work allows him the
flexibility to find his own creative solutions to
problems. “I am given a list of things to do
and then it is up to me to get them done.
There is no real pressure.”
When he is not volunteering at Kits House,
Michael’s interests run from sustainability
management to travel to backyard projects.
“My friend and I are co-parenting some
chickens,” says Michael, “I need to build a
coop.”
To learn more about different volunteer
roles or how you can get involved visit
Kitshouse.org.