Annual Report August 25th, 2012

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting community needs, cultivating a sense of belonging and connection to community for residents of Vancouvers Westside.
Vancouvers Westside is a safe, healthy and vibrant community where everyone thrives. We are dedicated to strengthening our community through leadership, collaboration and opportunity. We are children, youth, adults and seniors of all races, all religions, all cultures, all abilities and all economic levels We speak many languages We are men and women of all sexual orientations We value diversity We endeavor to reflect the diversity of our neighbourhoods in our membership, our Boards of Management, our volunteers and our staff We respect all neighbours We expect that all who come to our House, all those who provide or receive services, will extend the same respect to all those they meet here.

Our Vision

Our Mission

Statement of Diversity

Message from the Board Chair, Andrew Lyons

It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve on the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (KNH) Community Board. Eagerness to embrace change and a willingness to continuously grow is at the heart of KNH. Rest assured that your Community Board is committed in its support of staff, volunteers and patrons in achieving both. Our focus over the past several years has been the redevelopment. It is a great accomplishment that we can finally state that we have entered into the construction phase. This would not have been possible without the determination and effort of our staff and many passionate volunteers. It is due to you, that we have achieved this success. We saw many firsts this year as we relocated several of our programs to accommodate the redevelopment project. Our home at 7th and Vine will now sit dark but we embrace this transformation as we anxiously await a return in 2014. A key milestone of the redevelopment is the recent opening of Linden Tree Place and the upcoming opening of our new seniors resource centre. Witness to the hive of activity over the last several months, this will truly be a cornerstone of KNHs future. Connection to all residents of the West Side and relationships with our corporate neighbours continued to grow through our involvement in Greek Days, Kits Fest, Kits Me Campaign, Khatsahlano and Kitsilanos Biggest Garage Sale. Events like these allow us to showcase Kits House while building on existing relationship and establishing new ties within our community. I would like to welcome our new board members and thank all fellow board members for their endless effort and commitment to the stewardship of Kits House. Working with dedicated staff and passionate volunteers is the reward of sitting on the board. Your efforts motivate us and we are proud to serve you. We look forward to continuing to work together as we all strive for the successful completion of the redevelopment project, ensuring our programs serve all in our neighbourhood and that the West Side remains a thriving, healthy, safe and vibrant community for everyone.

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Greetings from the Executive Director

Kits House remains committed to the belief that all communities have strengths. These strengths include community organizations/foundations/associations, local businesses, parks, unused spaces and its people. People of every description have skills, knowledge and passion to contribute to their community. These strengths, when brought together, build individual and community capacity which in turn builds healthy, vibrant and safe neighbourhoods. Our role in the community is to provide opportunities for these strengths to be found, connected and used. With the support, leadership and expertise of 28 full and part-time dedicated and passionate staff, over 200 volunteers who gave 6,313 hours of their time and over 100 collaborations with local business and other non profit organizations Kits House empowered the Westside Community to identify and use their strengths for the purpose of supporting a healthy and vibrant community with a focus on our most vulnerable populations. Some of the results of this work include: 30 new low income housing units for seniors and those with mobile disabilities was completed at 8th and Vine. A new resource space for Westside Seniors was completed and programming is in creation. The Kits House board developed a marketing and communication plan, revamped its orientation process, recruited a board member with fundraising expertise to move our fundraising plans forward and provided ongoing expertise and support for the redevelopment of 7th and Vine. 49 newcomers had the opportunity to participate in English language conversations circles. 224 people made use of our public access computers, some receiving training from our computer tutors. 97 low income seniors and families received help completing their income tax. 4493 community members contacted us for information and referral. Kits House staff provided leadership to the Neighbourhood Houses located in the lower mainland by conceiving, developing and implementing the first Neighbourhood House staff retreat. For the first time on the Westside, this year and last, 30 Neighbourhood Small Grant projects were implemented. 100s of community members attending our monthly Community Potluck , connected with their neighbours, sharing great food and learning new skills. Isolated and house bound seniors dealing with grief and loss issues received one to one counseling support. Over 200 seniors accessed post secondary students to help with household chores. 17 youth completed our Youth Leadership programs. 100s of community members visited the Community Food Market to access affordable, locally grown fruits and vegetables Over 250 families with children 0-6 gathered to connect, play and learn.

Through these programs and many more activities 1000s of people living on the Westside became active in their community. They learned new skills, made new connections and built strong networks of support. The value of this is a healthier, happier and more vibrant community that is better able to address issues as they arise. In the coming year we will have our plates full with a new building, a building under construction, a new collaboration to support Westside youth, a new seniors resource centre and sourcing new ways to support the most vulnerable seniors in our community. What we know is that we wont be doing it alone; we are connected, we have capacity and we work in a community with strengths.

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Good Neighbour Awards 2011

Youth Bursary
We are pleased to announce the award recipient of the Alexandra Foundation Bursary from Kits House: Tiffany Ongtenco. The bursary of $750.00 is awarded to a youth who has shown commitment and involvement in their neighbourhood house over the last year and is pursuing post-secondary education. Tiffany brought her leadership skill and keen intelligence to the Youth Advisory Committee. She illustrated her organizational and people skills in her role as stage manager for a Multicultural Youth Talent Show. Congratulations, Tiffany!

Learning, Volunteering and Sharing Wisdom

Communities thrive when its members have ample opportunities to come together in common spaces
for fun activities or to deal with serious issues. We also know that a community who knows its neighbours is perceived as a safer community. Kitsilano Neighbourhood House worked with the community to provide many opportunities for people to come together in 2011/2012 including:

Kits Me... Love the hood youre in!

Kits House is all about engaging the community and promoting a sense of community on Vancouvers Westside. So Kits House together with the West 4th Business Improvement Association (BIA), West Broadway BIA and Kits Chamber of Commerce co-created Kits me...Love the hood youre in. The purpose behind Kits me is three-fold: 1.To get people to talk about what makes Kits an awesome place to live and do business; 2.To build relationships with local merchants and to encourage people to shop locally; 3.To raise awareness and funds for Kits House. Kits me started with a STORY CONTEST. We asked people what they love about Kits and to share a meaningful story about their time in the neighbourhood. The stories we received varied, ranging from people who have lived in Kits their whole lives to newcomers who recently moved here with their families. A panel of judges from our organizations then chose the 89 best stories. These 89 different people (and their kids, dogs and props!) were then invited to get their pictures taken for their own personalized street banners. To find out more about Kits me...Love the hood youre in! and to see all 89 banners and stories visit www.kitshouse.org.

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Learning, Volunteering and Sharing Wisdom

Multicultural Family Resource Fair
For the past 4 years, Kits House has collaborated with UBC Housing, Vancouver Coast Health and other community partners to host an annual Multicultural Family Resource Fair. The Fair is a local, informative, fun, and inclusive community event that celebrates diversity and encourages sharing, learning and community connections. At the 4th Annual Multicultural Family Resource Fair on March 30th, over 20 service providers in the areas of health, safety, childcare, and newcomer supports provided interactive displays with a focus on essential resources and support for local and newcomer families. Over 100 families participated in the event, almost double from previous years, and approximately 74% of participants were newcomers to Canada. The Fair provides families increased access to culturally- sensitive resources and important connections to their community. I actually just moved here three weeks ago and I found this very helpful in finding a doctor,finding about the local libraries and just getting connected. The Multicultural Family Resource Fair builds community capacity and provides opportunities for individuals to contribute in meaningful ways. This year over 30 volunteers, many of whom are newcomers to Canada themselves, supported the fair by welcoming families in their first language, facilitating Story Time, Arts & Craft activities, and sharing their skills by helping us collect stories and capturing memorable images. I think that is wonderful, and specially the variety of cultures that can come. Even if you are from another country, the services that you learn about here are wonderful. By hosting this annual event on the Westside, Kits house provides an important resource to the community, where families, volunteers, service providers and staff can bond and work together to achieve the goal of building a healthy, safe and vibrant community.

This has been a great experience for me... I have gotten more confidence and empower to achieve my goals in the future. - Nathaly Mujica, a women from Venezuela

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Leadership, Collaboration and Opportunity

Maple Crest Seniors Outreach Project
Maple Crest Apartments is a subsidized residential building for seniors located at West 7th and Maple Street in Kitsilano. Owned and operated by Shalom Legion Branch #178, Maple Crest houses approximately 120 tenants between the ages of 57 and 94, who come from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Some characteristics shared by the tenant group include loneliness, emotional and social isolation, physical and/or mental disabilities, health issues and aging concerns. Funded by United Way, the Maple Crest Seniors Outreach Project was designed to connect seniors living at Maple Crest with opportunities for friendship and social interaction, educational and cultural activities, community programs and advocacy. Activities at Maple Crest include celebrations, out trips, ESL classes, computer tutorials, Osteofit, and the popular Share a Soup, Share a Story program: Everyone loved the split pea and ham soup, thanks for bringing the photocopied recipe today. We should call it the gourmet soup luncheon with all natural ingredients and accompaniments, guided by a health cook who practises at home. We have learned so far to make 3 or 4 uniquely healthy and delicious soups... So what do you think of a wholesome version of egglemon Greek soup for the next event? A.L. A key piece of our work has been providing support to Maple Crest tenants who are facing multiple health, financial and emotional issues that impact their independence and overall wellbeing. There is a high need for advocacy and support which Kits House staff provided through relationship building and helping tenant connect with services. Increasingly, many tenants express a fear losing their home if they ask for too much help and demonstrate reduced independence. For example, a few weeks ago, an older lady was feeling quite unwell and phoned us at Kits House for assistance. After meeting with her, staff helped her phone for an ambulance her wish, but found out she had no one to call for support. The KNH outreach worker stayed with her until she was calm enough to be left alone. Kits House involvement has brought the feeling of a home back at Maple Crest. People are getting to know each other. People are getting out of their apartments. Kits House has made an invaluable difference in our community! C.F.

The Seniors Advisory committee

The Seniors Advisory Committee was developed in January 2008 in an effort to engage older adults living on the Westside to share their time, skills and passion for community building. Overtime this has evolved to be a more participant driven program. The SAC functions as part of the on-going development for Seniors Programs at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, particularly the Seniors Drop-in. The main purpose of the SAC is to enable collaboration between Kits House and the seniors community on the Westside. In 2011, the committee was actively involve in the planning, operation and evaluation of the Seniors Area for the August 27th Celebration, where they fundraised to support Seniors Programs. The group enjoys organizing special events, such as the annual Christmas Luncheon. Through volunteer leadership they have played a key role in encouraging other seniors Drop-in participants to take on voluntary roles for these special events. In addition to coordinating special events, the SAC members have been actively involved in advocacy for local housing and transportation. Many local seniors attended City Council meetings in 2011 to voice their support for Kits House and the new affordable seniors housing complex on 8th and Vine Street, called Linden Tree Place. There are currently 9 active members on the SAC. To date the group has volunteered over 1200 hours in the last 4 years.

Leadership, Collaboration and Opportunity

6 Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Leadership, Collaboration and Opportunity

Neighbourhood Small Grants
Thanks to the Vancouver Foundation, Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) came to Kits House and Vancouvers Westside for the first time in April 2011. Kits House was ecstatic as we know first-hand how important it is for people to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. An alarming number of people in Vancouver express feeling an increased sense of social isolation (Vancouver Foundation Belonging Report). NSG is a great grass-roots solution to the above as it empowers our local community to take action and be the change they want to see in their neighborhood and city. In the words of a NSG applicant, These sparks of ingenuity and community care and planning help us build the stronger, healthier, greener, friendlier, more self-sufficient and sustainable city that we love. NSG helps to stimulate creativity, encourage local solutions, build connections between neighbors, and engage people from all backgrounds and circumstances in the life of their community (Vancouver Foundation). Community members of all ages and backgrounds can apply for grants up to $500.00 that benefit Vancouvers Westside socially, culturally and environmentally. A volunteer NSG Resident Committee then deliberates on the applications and decides which projects receive funding and how much. From April 2011 to March 2012, NSG brought just under 300 people together for NSG projects on Vancouvers Westside. A block party, an Origami Workshop, a Community Corner at the CNIS African Market, an ESL Cooking and Baking Group and a Seed Library- these are just some of the wonderful resident- driven ideas funded this year. We ended our first year of NSG with a big show and tell NSG Potluck Celebration which was attended by over 100 people. A big thank you to everyone who made our first year of NSG such a success! NSG ResidentCommittee We look forward to doing it all over again this year!

Kits House- Celebrating our Past & Creating our Future

On Saturday August 27th, 2011 hundreds of community members, staff, volunteers and board members came together to celebrate Kits House past as we move into our re-development and say a temporary goodbye to our main site at 7th and Vine. With our organization dating back to 1894 and being at 7th and Vine since 1972, the day provided many with opportunities to capture memories while also looking forward to the future. Celebrating the different eras of Kits House activities, the day started with a few words from Elmer Helm (first executive director who was hired in 1966) and ended with a colourful parasol parade that delighted young children in the crowd. Arts of all sorts were featured at the event including an eco-art project by the Vancouver Community Arts Council, a theatre performance by True North Theatre Productions, beat poetry by Weldon Hunter and Kiran Sunar, interactive art by members the Motivation, Power and Achievement Society and on-site painting by Jackie ConradiRobertson. It was a great celebration of our vibrant local art scene. At the celebration, Jackie set up in front of the house with a canvas and painted as the day progressed around her. Jackie and Artists in our Midst continue to work together with Kits House and we are grateful for all the creativity and opportunity this collaboration brings. This picture was donated to Kitsilano Neighbourhood House by the artist Jackie Conradi-Robertson and can be viewed at 3683 West 4th. Ave.

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Partners 2011 - 2012

Funding
BC Housing City of Vancouver Government of Canada Human Resources Development Canada Ministry of Children and Family Development Ministry of Housing & Social Development Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Community Network Vancouver School Board Decoda Literacy solutions Welcome BC United Way Vancouver Foundation Direct Access Gaming Raise a Reader- Vancouver Sun SMART Fund Individual Donations

Community Partners

SUCCESS, Pacific Immigrant Resource Society, Point Grey Community Church, International House, City of Vancouver- Citizen U, UBC Faculty of Women and Gender Studies, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning, Westside Family Place, Decoda Literacy Solutions, Vancouver Literacy Support Table. UBC Arts Internship Program, PALS Autism School, Pacific Gateway ESL College, Developmental Disabilities Association, Immigrant Vancouver Ethnographic Field School (IVEFS), Langara College-Expressive Arts Therapy Program, 4th Avenue BIA, Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce, West Broadway BIA, Neighbourhood Small Grants Coordinator Group, Military Family Resource Centre-Cadets, British Columbia Centre of Elder Advocacy and Support, Council of Seniors Citizens Organization, BC Housing, Access Transit, Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver Police Department, Red Cross, 411 Vancouver, Langara College- Social Work Department, Pharmasave 4th avenue and Alma, Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, Fruit and Veggie Deal, Westside Food Collaborative, Village Vancouver, SFU Sustainable Community Development, UBC Community Learning Initiative, VSB- Settlement Workers Schools, Vancouver Coastal Health, Wholefoods Market 4th avenue and Vine street, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Parks an Recreation, St. Marks United Church.

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Staff 2011 - 2012

Executive Director
Catherine Leach

Childcare Programs
Rachelle Gauthier Childcare Supervisor and LCM Assistant Supervisor Nicolas Narvaez OSC Assistant Supervisor Munisha Tumato OSC Assistant Angelo Moroni OSC Assistant Supervisor Carolyn Major OSC and LCM Assistant Lindsay Cook LCM Assistant and OSC Assistanton call Lindsay Kessler OSC and LCM Assistant- on call Angela Kvinlaug OSC and LCM Assistant- on call Tracy Thomas- OSC and LCM Assistant- on call Linda Cheng- Preschool and LCM Assistant- on call Barbara Corbin Preschool Teacher Marie-Claire Bergman Assistant Preschool Teacher

Administration
Paul Riley Operations Manager Susan Coburn Relocation Coordinator Erica Booth- Front Desk and Support Worker Kendal Gerus Front Desk and Support Worker Tamara Ling Administrative Assistant

Family Programs
Sandra Petrozzi Coordinator of Family Programs Patricia Paz Strengthening Connections Facilitator Roya Bardshiry Family Resource Practitioner Nikki Wrankmore Family Support Worker Barbara Corbin Mama & Papa Goose Facilitator Brigette Bouchard Family Camp Worker Kendal Gerus Pre-teen Activity Worker

Community Programs
Emily Palmer Director of Community Programs Patricia Paz - Welcoming Neighbours Facilitator Julie Rieter Volunteer Programmer and Fund Developer Zsuzsi Fodor Community Programmer and Westside Food Collaborative

Seniors Programs
Sandra Petrozzi Coordinator of Seniors Programs Julie Wall Coordinator of Seniors Programs / Linden Tree Place Housing Representative Rachel Ruddle Senior Support Worker Vinyse Barber Senior Support Worker Eleonore Tremblay Senior Peer Counselling and Outreach Programmer Louisa Brunke Senior Outreach Assistant

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Community Board 2011 2012

Andrew Lyons Chair Person, Board of Directors Rep. Kataneh Sherkat Vice president Penny Noble Fundraising Chair Brita Cloghesy-Devereux Community Liaison/ Communications Taskforce Niveria Oliveira Marketing/ Communications Taskforce Tamara Little Communications Taskforce Alessandra Morzan Secretary, Board Development Erik MacKinnon-Board Member Jon Hoyles Board Member Mischa Zajtmann Board Member
In picture left to right: Erik MacKinnon, Jon Hoyles, Tamara Little, Andrew Lyons, Catherine Leach (Executive Director), Mischa Zajtmann, Penny Noble, Kataneh Sherkat, Brita Cloghesy- Devereux. Absent on day of shooting: Alessandra Morzan, Niveria Oliveira

KITSILANO NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Year ended March 31, 2012 REVENUES Interest & Investment Income Province of BC BC Housing for Redevelopment Federal Government United Way City of Vancouver Gaming Earned Income Donations and Fundraising Other Contributions and Miscellaneous TOTAL REVENUE EXPENSES Salaries and Benefits Building Occupancy Office Expenses Purchased Services & Subcontracts Program, Food & Transportation Other Expenses Redevelopment/ Construction Costs Capital Expenses TOTAL EXPENSES Operating Surplus (Deficit)
10 Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

2012 $ 5,783 224,417 917,111 10,337 122,084 97,618 81,250 280,996 12,138 97,045 1,848,779

661,627 48,831 31,095 88,429 74,302 35,333 917,111 1,001 1,857,729 $ (8,950)

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Programs 2011 - 2012

Childcare:
Bumbletree (Highbury and 4th location) The Owls Nest Preschool - (Highbury and 4th location) Dunbar Kids Club: Out of School Care - (Dunbar location) Kitsilano Kids Club: Kindercare and Out of School Care

Community:
Gamblers Anonymous Income Tax Clinic for those on a low income Public Access Computers and Tutorials English Conversation Circles Immigrant Womens Support Group Community Potlucks Information and Referral Neighbourhood Small Grants Welcoming Neighbours Volunteer Training Welcoming Neighbours Out-trips and Socials

Family Programs:

Family Peer Support Volunteer Training Out-trips & Cultural Events Multicultural Family Resource Fair UBC Parent and Tot Drop-in (partnership with UBC Acadia Commons Block) Parent and Tot Drop-in Program Multicultural Women Support Program Family Camp Weekend Mama & Papa Goose Program One-on-One Support Services In-House Family Support Worker Nobodys Perfect Parenting Program My Tween and Me Parenting Program Kids Up Front Entertainment Tickets

Youth Programs:
Pre-Teen Momentum Youth Volunteer Skills Program Youth Leadership

Seniors Programs:
Seniors Drop-in Programs Seniors Links Program Senior Peer Counselling Program Maple Crest Outreach Project Osteofit Classes Out-trips Knitting Circle Kits House Seniors Advisory Committee Steeves Manor Community Resource Centre

Networks, Committees and Collaboratives:

Westside ECD Network 4 Community Table Westside Food Security Collaborative Garden Collaborative Westside Youth Networking Table Youth Advisory Committee Westside Newcomers Hub

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012

11

2305 2325 West 7th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6K 1Y4 Phone: (604) 736-3588 Fax: (604) 736-3640 Web: www.KitsHouse.org

Our project was helping to teach people about African traditions and environmental sustainability. Our project appealed to all ages, which helped the participants feel included, but it also taught people about a cultural minority in Vancouver, which could help the African community feel a greater sense of belonging because they have been invited to create and take part in this event. -Neighbourhood Small Grants recipient

The Neighbourhood Small Grants Program is brilliant... These sparks of ingenuity and community care and planning help us build the stronger, healthier, greener, friendlier, more self-sufficient and sustainable city that we love. -Neighbourhood Small Grants recipient

Becoming a member of the Kits House Youth Advisory Group was one of the best things that happened to me... the moment I walked in the House, I could feel its warmth and friendly ambiance. -Youth Advisory Group participant

We had single parents, two parents, LGBT families and a mix of ethnic groups represented at the barbeque together. People shared information about strollers and baby equipment, breastfeeding, childrens programs and community resources. Neighbourhood Small Grants recipient

I am worried about whether it is possible to have my new life here. Im really a social person that if I couldnt communicate with others, the only destination is depression. I need community as I need the air and waterI nearly couldnt breathe because of the isolation. Then I discovered Kits House offers training for Parents and Tots and was welcomed by an open heart and big smile. I really feel the support I received at KitsHouse gave me the courage to start my new life -Parent and Tot participant

12

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012