What’s a Neighbourhood House? A welcoming place where everyone, all ages, nationalities and abilities can attend, participate, belong, lead and learn through programs, services and community building.
Ever since the first B.C. neighbourhood house opened in Vancouver in 1938 (Alexandra House, which started as an orphanage in 1894 and is now called Kitsilano Neighbourhood House) a wide diversity of people have found a home in neighbourhood houses.
Now there are 15 neighbourhood houses in the Lower Mainland, offering programs, services and initiatives to more than 100,000 children, youth and seniors every year. All this week, Metro Vancouver Neighbourhood Houses are celebrating community with the second annual Neighbourhood House Week.
Here are some events happening around town to celebrate the week:
Open House at Alexandra Neighbourhood House
What: Get to know Alex House and what they do. Drop in for coffee and treats and find out more about their programs and activities and take a brief tour.
When: Until May 9
Where: Alexandra Neighbourhood House – 2916 McBride Avenue, Crescent Beach
Neighbourhood BBQ
What: A BBQ!
When: May 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where:
Burnaby Neighbourhood House – 4463 Hastings Street
South House – 4460 Beresford, Burnaby
Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex Ground-Breaking Event
What: Gather for a parade to the new site followed by a First Nations Blessing, speeches and a ground-breaking where everyone is welcome to use a spade, showel, trowel or big spoon to help break the ground for the new annex. There will be a parade back to Collingwood Neighbourhood House and then free lunch for all.
When: Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m.
Where: Collingwood Neighbourhood House – 5288 Joyce Street
23rd Annual Community Carnival Fundraising Event
What: Join for games, ethnic lunch, bouncy castles, bingo, cake walk, silent auction, flowers/plant sales, cookie hut, garage sale and chic boutique.
When: Saturday, May 30
Where: Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House – 4065 Victoria Drive
To learn more about Neighbourhood Houses visit anhbc.org.
For a map of Neighbourhood Houses in the Lower Mainland, click here.