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 was born at home in 1890 on Seymour at Drake. My dad’s mother lived at 249 Keefer Street in 1911. My parents first met at Templeton Junior High, and their wedding photos were taken at the Yucho Chow studio in 1951.
Over the years, I’ve volunteered at places in my neighbourhood that I believe are important to Vancouver’s heritage: Kitsilano Showboat, the Old Hastings Mill Store Museum, and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House.
Finding Kits House
My journey with Kits House began in 1995 when my husband and I moved to the Kitsilano neighbourhood as newlyweds. I think my first visit to Kits House was a time I forgot my keys and needed somewhere to sit and wait.
Community Potlucks and Early Experiences
The first regular activity we attended at Kits House was the community potlucks. The potlucks have gone through various iterations over the years. At one time, there was a speaker every month, which was interesting but didn’t leave much opportunity to chat with others. Sometimes our daughter was the only child at the potlucks, but I liked exposing her to different foods — to things I don’t cook at home.
The potlucks, on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM, now have 30-40 attendees each month, with a popular Buy Nothing exchange area and a table set aside for people who want to “Eat Fast and Play Board Games.”
Volunteering at Kits House
Twenty-five years ago, when we didn’t have a computer at home, I started volunteering at the Kits House reception desk because it gave me three hours of access to the internet every week. I would sometimes get seconded to help with the Seniors Lunch — a tradition that continues today, offering a nutritious meal for $7.
Family Camp and Child-Minding Programs
This isn’t the first time I’ve shared my story about Kits House. I recently came across a piece I wrote for the newsletter about 10 years ago:
“Kits House used to organize a Family Camp at Camp Sasamat, run by the Association of Neighbourhood Houses on Sasamat Lake. Family Camp became a highlight of our early summer. My husband and I had fond memories of attending camp as children and wanted to share that with our daughter. Anna was two-and-a-half the first time we went to Family Camp and still slept in the travel crib. She loved all the attention from the big girls (the 6–10-year-olds), and I loved a weekend without meal preparation!”
We had such a good time at camp that first time, we brought along 12 friends the next year. One year, I led a sing-a-long to introduce newcomer families to classic Canadian camp songs like 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall!
There is also a video online from 11 years ago where I share:
“We’ve spent lots of time in programs through Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, but the one that is dearest to my heart is the Licensed Child Minding. When my daughter was two, she started in the licensed child minding [one morning a week] because I wanted her, as an only child, to have a chance to spend time with other children away from me, but I wanted it to be in a supervised, trained, licensed setting. She had a wonderful time, and it was a great first experience for both of us.”
Personal and Community Reflections
I’ve been volunteering with Kits House for 25 years now, on and off as child and elder care responsibilities allowed. I love being able to volunteer half a block from my home. I currently serve on the Neighbourhood Small Grants Committee for Vancouver West Side, am a member of the Westside Literacy Hub, volunteer as an English Conversation Circle host, and help wash dishes after the Tuesday Seniors’ Lunch.
I usually find myself there two or three days a week. During one peak period last December, I ate two lunches and four dinners at Kits House in eight days.
A Place for Community and Connection
One of the things I love most about Kits House is the ongoing relationships it fosters. Volunteers return regularly, creating a space where people are truly known and valued. Some volunteers are there almost daily, helping with food security programs, children’s playtime, seniors’ art, and office administration.
Inspired to volunteer with Kits House? Learn more at kitshouse.org/volunteer.