Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (KNH) and the South Granville Seniors Centre (SGSC) will host “pocket markets” from the end of June through mid-September this year. These small, temporary markets will help to bring fresh produce closer to where people live, and in particular seniors who may have trouble accessing nutritious food. The fruits and vegetables will be purchased from local, but the markets themselves will be run by Kits House staff and volunteer members of the Westside Food Security Collaborative. Pocket markets support local farmers, increase access to healthy food and strengthen the community food system. Vouchers will be available to low income seniors through west side social service agencies. The pocket markets are being offered with the support of the Westside Food Security Collaborative; funding is provided by United Way.

Visit the West Side Pocket Market page for the complete schedule.

Contact Kits House for more information. 604-736-3855.

Next Potluck Market is Tuesday September 14th, 1-3pm in front of the hall- 2305 W. 7th Ave.

Send resume to: Deanna at deanna@kitshouse.org

Send resume to Emily, Volunteer & Literacy Coordinator at emily@kitshoue.org

Qualifications:

- Friendly attitude and reliability

Time Commitment:

10am- 3pm Saturday September 11th &/or September 12th. Half-day volunteer positions available (10am-12.30 or 12.30pm-3pm). We need 3 volunteers each day/shift.

Description of Position:

- putting out goods & set-up

- re-arranging items

- giving customers a price and directing them to the “cashiers”.

- help people bag items or find a box for them to take items home in

- tear down

Please contact Emily, Volunteer Coordinator if you are interested in helping out. 604-736-3588 ext. 27, emily@kitshouse.org

Patricia Paz

What is it like to move from a familiar place you call home, to the strangeness of a new environment that is to become your new home?  I can only imagine how it must feel to start all over again…  All the scents and textures of favourite patches of grass being replaced by unfamiliar lawns trampled on by other dogs and cats or even entirely different species of animals that look alien to us.  The everyday chatter takes on different tones and accents and even changes in weather can affect our moods.  I think overall it would be pretty exciting and stimulating but also a bit scary.  Patricia Paz, our stellar volunteer turned staff member at Kits House knows!  She knows that people are what makes us feel like we belong and I believe her too because I love it when I get hugs and pats from my owner and all the people who come by to visit.

Patricia is a relative newcomer to Canada who moved here from Peru 3 years ago with her young family.  As a stranger in a strange land she quickly looked to make connections and new friends for herself and her children.  She began dropping in to the UBC Strengthening Connections sessions and found a great starting place to begin building a network of friends.  It was such an important and rewarding first step that Patricia wanted to give back by volunteering at Kits Neighbourhood House and UBC by welcoming others who are new to the area and are feeling isolated.  “In welcoming others, I feel welcomed,” she noted.

Patricia is passionate about working with the community and has evolved from participant to volunteer and most recently to staff person.  She works with Jenn Beavington and Sandra Petrozzi in her role as the UBC Strengthening Connections Program Assistant and Welcoming Neighbours Facilitator, as the program has grown and UBC and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House have partnered together in these initiatives.

Patricia takes a leading role in planning social events and celebrations such as community potlucks, multicultural holidays, the upcoming Grandparents Day, as well as group outings to places like the Vancouver Aquarium, Jericho Beach, public libraries, etc.  These are fun and inclusive events that really get people involved and out of their homes.  What is especially nice is that parents and children can attend together and meet other families.

The most important component that keeps Patricia involved is her ability to connect with others.  She loves talking with people and sharing her own experiences, and believes that the connections she has made have benefited her whole family.  She states, “I enjoy encouraging people to take the first step to not feel alone and to have an overall more productive life.”

Hmmm, that got me thinking…I wonder if Patricia would like to organize a trip to the doggy park?  I know that dogs love to connect with people too and we always get big smiles when we lick people right on their faces!

Newcomer priorities on the Westside have been identified as:

•          Language practice & learning

•          Support and inclusion opportunities

•          Increased community literacy for newcomers

•          Access to activities, information, resources & referral

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House and the Westside Literacy Task force are working to collaborate with settlement agencies and service providers to develop newcomer supports on Vancouver’s Westside, in accordance with findings from the Westside Community Literacy Plan and Newcomer Asset-Mapping Dialogues.

We would love to talk to you about these community needs & opportunities!

Contact: Jennifer, Community Organizer at 604-736-3588 ext. 26, jenn@kitshouse.org or Emily, Volunteer & Literacy Coordinator at 604-736-3588 ext. 27, emily@kitshouse.org

“Imagine a place where music is the common language, where community means joining voices with each other and working together in harmony!”

Join an improvised chorus of rhythms, grooves, harmonies and chants created in the moment with local vocal artist Laurel Murphy www.laurelmurphy.com. Sessions will include refreshments, warm-ups & wordless vocal patterns for participants to sing. Fluency in English or written music NOT required.

Wednesdays 7:00-9:00pm & Saturdays 1:00-3:00pm

Dates: September 8,18, 22, October 9,13,27, November 6, 10, 20, 24, December 4, 8,18

Location: Kits House Hall- 2305 W. 7th Ave.

Cost: Pay what you can, Pre-registration encouraged, Drop-in Welcome! Contact: Jenn, Community Organizer at 604-736-3588 jenn@kitshouse.org