50 Years of Kits House
In 2024, Kits House proudly celebrates its 50ish anniversary! We call it the 50ish because, while the exact founding year is a little fuzzy, 1974 is our best guess. To honour this milestone, we’re taking time to reflect on five decades of community building and connection. This page serves as a hub for all things 50ish, featuring stories of impact, key historical moments, and details about our anniversary celebrations.
Our 50ish Celebration
On September 14th, 2024, Kits House celebrated its 50ish Anniversary! To honour this milestone, we hosted a special community celebration at Kits House.
On the day of the celebration, we welcomed many members of the Kitsilano community to our neighbourhood house! From long term neighbours to new friends, previous employees and participants, funders and supporters, and MLA Brenda Bailey, we were honoured that so many came out to mark this important occasion with us.
Attendees enjoyed a lively afternoon connecting with their neighbours, exploring Kits House’s rich history, and engaging with staff and volunteers to learn more about the programs and services we offer. The event also included a free photo booth, a collaborative painting, and an arts and crafts room.
This special day wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, staff, and generous donors. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable and to all who attended!
Community Voices: Stories of impact
As we celebrate our 50ish year of Kits House, we are highlighting the stories of those who have found connection, support, and transformation through Kits House.
From volunteers to program participants, these narratives reflect the spirit of community that defines Kits House.
Check out these stories to learn about the community impact of Kits House, its programs, and its services.
Sheila’s Kits House Journey
Adapted from a presentation given by Kits House volunteer Sheila Kirkby for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s "Places That Matter" storytelling event on Feb 18, 2025. Deep Roots in the City My family’s roots in Vancouver go back more than a century. My mum's father...
Karen’s Kits House Story
For Karen, a retired early childhood educator and passionate community volunteer, Kits House has become more than just a place to contribute her time. It’s a place where her creativity, love for music, and passion for early childhood education have overlapped and...
Sean’s Kits House Story
Sean’s introduction to neighbourhood houses came through his work as a sociologist at UBC, when a colleague introduced him to the concept as part of a research project. “This was back in the early or mid to late 2000s. I didn't know about neighbourhood houses at that...
Wei Wei’s Kits House Story
Wei Wei’s Kits House story began during high school, when she first encountered neighbourhood houses. Her introduction started with the Youth Leadership Program at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, which would eventually lead her to Kits House. “I did day camp and...
Teddy’s Kits House Story
Teddy’s journey – from volunteer to Executive Director of Kits House – is a testament to the long-lasting impact of community involvement. His relationship with neighbourhood houses began when he was only in high school, seeking volunteer opportunities to fulfill...
Fred’s Kits House Story
During the 70s, Fred connected with Kitsilano Neighbourhood House amid the neighborhood's constant change. His enthusiastic involvement led him from volunteering with local youth to serving on the board, making an impact on the community. Fred describes the local...
Finding Community: How Kits House Empowers Newcomers
Arriving in a new country is both exciting and challenging. For many newcomers to Vancouver, Kits House has become an instant community — a place to find support, build friendships, and ease into their new lives. Through programs like the Multicultural Women’s...
Iris’s Kits House Story
While studying in the Netherlands, Iris was introduced to Kitsilano Neighbourhood House through a fellow student and former Kits House intern. This connection led them to pursue an internship with the neighbourhood house, where they gained valuable hands-on experience...
Highlights from 50ish Years of Kits House
Over the past 50ish years, Kits House has grown alongside our community thanks to the amazing people, groups, and spaces that have been part of the journey.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re highlighting some of the elements that have shaped Kits House into what it is today.
Take a moment to explore these stories and learn more about the rich history of Kits House.
Bill Duncan: Kits House’s First Executive Director
Bill Duncan, the first Executive Director of Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, brought his lifelong commitment to social justice and community building to the heart of Kitsilano. Bill's journey to Kits House was anything but ordinary, shaped by his experiences as a U.S....
Jeni LeGon’s Legacy at Kits House
Jeni LeGon, a celebrated dancer and performer of the 1930s and 1940s, left a lasting mark on the entertainment world with her talent and charisma. In the later years of her career, LeGon also became a fixture at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. Known for her dynamic...
The Sunny Seniors Program
The Sunny Seniors served as a constant source of support, inspiration, and purpose for the Kits House from its beginnings. Started in 1960, the group provided a bridge between the activities of the Alexandra House and the new Kits House. This group was the oldest...
Greenpeace & SPEC’s Kits House Origins
Greenpeace began in 1971, founded by Dorothy and Irving Stowe in response to nuclear testing in Alaska. Known initially as the "Don't Make a Wave Committee," the group quickly gained global recognition for its protests. After Irving Stowe's passing in 1974, Greenpeace...
History of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek community in Kitsilano has deep roots that stretch back to the post-World War II era. In the years following the war, Greek refugees from Europe and other parts of Canada settled in the area, creating a vibrant community. This influx of immigrants led to the...
The Kitsilano Theatre Company
The Kitsilano Theatre Company (KTC) played a vital role in shaping the cultural landscape of Kitsilano Neighbourhood House from 1979 to 1993. Founded by Kico Gonzalez Risso, KTC became known for its commitment to international theatre and community engagement. What...
Kits House: A Historical Timeline
In celebration of our 50ish birthday year, we’re reflecting on the pivotal milestones and moments that have shaped our story.
This timeline, spanning from 1884 to the present day, highlights the key events that have made Kits House what it is today.
Settlement Movement begins in England.
The hospital is converted to an orphanage, and the Alexandra Community Activities Society is officially incorporated as a charitable society, one of the first in BC.
The Sunny Seniors group launches. The program was one of the longest-running seniors groups at the neighbourhood house.
The area, including Hay House and St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, is rezoned for the neighbourhood house.
Formally begins operating as Kits House.
After starting in the nearby home of Dorothy and Irving Stowe in 1971, a relatively small group of passionate activists who came to be known as Greenpeace hold their meetings at Kits House. By January 1975, Greenpeace set up its first public office, sharing space with SPEC (Society for Promoting Environmental Conservation) on 4th Ave.
Kits House Folk Fest begins and remains a notable arts and culture activity at the house for close to 15 years.
Bill Duncan is named as the first Executive Director of Kits House.
Kits House recieves $68,000 in City of Vancouver Neighbourhood Improvement Project grants to redevelop the space between Hay House and the Hall, creating a “meeting area, where we are trying to encourage neighbours to come out, and mingle with each other, enjoy the community, and sit down and chat” and create a more cohesive flow between the two buildings of Kits House.
With Kico Gonzalez-Risso as Cultural Director, Kitsilano Theatre Company is formed.
Association of Neighbourhood Houses is formed.
Working with the Kitsilano Local Area Planning Committee, SPEC, and City Farmer, Kits House sponsors a community garden on the North side of 6th Ave at Maple Street.
With food security a key issue in the local neighbourhood, the Westside Food Collaborative is created.
Westside Seniors Hub is created to help build a more responsive and resilient community for seniors on Vancouver’s Westside through the power of collective action
Kits House reopens the newly remodelled house, refurbished with the addition of Red Oaks Seniors’ Housing and updated daycare facilities.
City of Vancouver announces the opening of a childcare centre at Lord Tennyson Elementary School operated by Kits House, providing 85 new childcare spaces.
Further Reading
Want to learn more about Kitsilano Neighbourhood House or neighbourhood houses in general? Take a moment to browse the following list of suggested reading: