When Safa Abdulmalk arrived in Canada at the age of 11, she carried with her the weight of a difficult and disrupted childhood. Born inside a taxi on a warm, sunny day in Syria, her mother often remarked that Safa couldn’t wait to be born, eager to see the world from her very first breath.
Anyone who gets to spend time at Sasamat Outdoor Centre knows that it is a magical, connected and tranquil place – filled with lively campers, leaders and volunteers in the spring and summer months. Sasamat Lake is on the ancestral and stolen territory of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and Stó:lō (Stolo) Nations, colonially known as Belcarra.
National Indigenous History Month Journey of Listening, Learning, and Sharing At ANHBC neighbourhood houses, we are committed to listening, learning, and sharing our insights as we actively work towards decolonization. We believe in fostering a deep understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions. Our transformation work is guided by the values and teachings…
Stefani started at Alex House as a childcare coordinator and never imagined she could become a leader. Through mentorship, hands-on experience, and dedication, she grew into Director of Childcare, guiding a team of 50+ educators and shaping a place where children and families feel seen and valued. Her journey shows how working at a neighbourhood house can transform not just the community, but you too.
Skylar began at Marpole Neighbourhood House through a school placement and quickly found his passion working with children aged 3–5. With support and mentorship, he grew into the lead for that program, guiding young learners while continuing to develop professionally. He loves being part of a place where he can share his culture, learn every day, and help build a strong, connected community.
The Transformative Forest Ecosystem: A Bowen Island StoryBy Liz Lougheed Green We marveled at the interconnectedness of the forest. In the early days of the Core Transformation teamwork, a small group found ourselves on Bowen Island for a day.The day was filled with thoughtful discussions, planning and stories. At one point, we decided to take…
Discover how Alexandra Neighbourhood House transforms surplus produce into nourishing meals for youth and empowers them through hands-on cooking sessions that build skills, confidence, and community. At Alex House, our Food Rescue program, generously supported by Nature’s Fare, plays a key role in supporting both our community and our drop-in youth program. Each week, we…
Discover how the South Vancouver Food Hub is transforming lives through these four unique stories — from easing medical stress for seniors to supporting students through tough times Sherry & Hassan Sherry & Hassan are both retired. They are getting by but have medical bills. With no insurance, dental procedures and medications can be…
At Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House we are grateful to continue our longstanding partnership with Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS). Through this partnership, we are lucky to work with their Family Support Worker – Indigenous Early Years to provide individual support and cultural programs and activities to Indigenous community members and families in the Mount Pleasant…
At the heart of every community lies the fundamental need for access to nutritious and sufficient food. Yet, for many families, this basic necessity remains out of reach due to financial hardships, job insecurity, or other personal challenges. Food insecurity is a pervasive issue that affects many individuals in Kitsilano, and as a community-driven organization,…
