knh annual report final 20120824

7/31/2019 KNH Annual Report Final 20120824

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Annual ReportAugust 25th, 2012


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Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 20122

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House is a non-prot organizationdedicated to meeting community needs, cultivating a sense

of belonging and connection to community for residents of

Vancouvers Westside.

Our Vision

Vancouvers Westside is a safe, healthy and vibrant community where everyone thrives.

Our MissionWe are dedicated to strengthening our community through leadership, collaboration and opportunity.

Statement of DiversityWe 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 reect the diversity of our neighbourhoods in our membership, our Boards of Management, ourvolunteers 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 thesame respect to all those they meet here.

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 isat the heart of KNH. Rest assured that your Community Board is committed in its support ofstaff, volunteers and patrons in achieving both.

Our focus over the past several years has been the redevelopment. It is a great accomplish-ment that we can nally state that we have entered into the construction phase. This wouldnot 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 rsts this year as we relocated several of our programs to accommodate theredevelopment 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 open-ing of Linden Tree Place and the upcoming opening of our new seniors resource centre. Witness to the hive ofactivity 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 growthrough our involvement in Greek Days, Kits Fest, Kits Me Campaign, Khatsahlano and Kitsilanos Biggest Ga-

rage Sale. Events like these allow us to showcase Kits House while building on existing relationship and estab-lishing 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 redevelop-

ment project, ensuring our programs serve all in our neighbourhood and that the West Side remains a thriving,healthy, safe and vibrant community for everyone.


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Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Annual Report 2012 3

Greetings from the Executive Director

Kits House remains committed to the belief that all communities have strengths. Thesestrengths include community organizations/foundations/associations, local businesses,parks, unused spaces and its people. People of every description have skills, knowledgeand passion to contribute to their community. These strengths, when brought together,build individual and community capacity which in turn builds healthy, vibrant and safe neigh-

bourhoods. 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 prot organizations Kits House empowered the WestsideCommunity to identify and use their strengths for the purpose of supporting a healthy andvibrant 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 andVine.

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 providedongoing 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 con-ceiving, developing and implementing the rst Neighbourhood House staff retreat.

For the rst time on the Westside, this year and last, 30 Neighbourhood Small Grant projects were imple-mented.

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 sup-port.

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 fruitsand 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 intheir 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 theyarise.

In the coming year we will have our plates full with a new building, a building under construction, a new collabo-

ration 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.


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Good Neighbour Awards 2011

Youth Bursary

We are pleased to announce the award recipient of the AlexandraFoundation Bursary from Kits House: Tiffany Ongtenco. The bursary of $750.00 isawarded 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 AdvisoryCommittee.She illustrated her organizational and people skills in her role as stagemanager for a Multicultural Youth Talent Show.

Congratulations, Tiffany!

Learning, Volunteering and Sharing Wisdom

Communities thrive whenits members have ample opportunities to come together in common spacesfor 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 KitsChamber 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 andto share a meaningful story about their time in the neighbourhood. The stories we received varied, ranging frompeople 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 89different people (and their kids, dogs and props!) were then invited to get their pictures taken for their ownpersonalized street banners.To nd out more about Kits me...Love the hood youre in! and to see all 89 banners andstories visit www.kitshouse.org.


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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 com-munity partners to host an annual Multicultural Family Resource Fair. The Fair is a local, informative, fun, andinclusive community event that celebrates diversity and encourages sharing, learning and community connec-

tions.

At the 4th Annual Multicultural Family Resource Fair on March 30th, over 20 service providers in the areas ofhealth, safety, childcare, and newcomer supports provided interactive displays with a focus on essential re-

sources and support for local and newcomer families. Over 100 families participated in the event, almost dou-

ble from previous years, and approximately 74% of participants were newcomers to Canada. The Fair providesfamilies 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 nding a doctor,nding about thelocal libraries and just getting connected.

The Multicultural Family Resource Fair builds community capacity and provides opportunities for individualsto contribute in meaningful ways. This year over 30 volunteers, many of whom are newcomers to Canadathemselves, supported the fair by welcoming families in their rst language, facilitating Story Time, Arts & Craftactivities, 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 anothercountry, 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 condence

and empower to achieve my goals in thefuture.

- Nathaly Mujica, a women from

Venezuela


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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 inKitsilano. Owned and operated by Shalom Legion Branch #178, Maple Crest houses approximately 120 tenantsbetween the ages of 57 and 94, who come from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Some characteristics shared by thetenant group include loneliness, emotional and social isolation, physical and/or mental disabilities, health issuesand aging concerns.

Funded by United Way, the Maple Crest Seniors Outreach Project was designed to connect seniors livingat 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, Osteot, and the popular Share a Soup, Share a Storyprogram:

Everyone loved the split pea and ham soup, thanks for bringing thephotocopied 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 egg-lemon Greek soup for the next event? A.L.

A key piece of our work has been providing support to Maple Crest tenantswho are facing multiple health, nancial and emotional issues that impact their independence and overallwellbeing. There is a high need for advocacy and support which Kits House staff provided through relationshipbuilding 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 herphone for an ambulance her wish, but found out she had no one to call for support. The KNH outreach workerstayed 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 knoweach other. People are getting out of their apartments. Kits House has made an invaluable difference in ourcommunity! C.F.

The Seniors Advisory committee

The Seniors Advisory Committee was developed in January 2008 in aneffort 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 functionsas part of the on-going development for Seniors Programs at KitsilanoNeighbourhood House, particularly the Seniors Drop-in. The mainpurpose of the SAC is to enable collaboration between Kits House andthe 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 asthe annual Christmas Luncheon. Through volunteer leadership they have played a key role in encouragingother 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 andtransportation. Many local seniors attended City Council meetings in 2011 to voice their support for Kits Houseand the new affordable seniors housing complex on 8th and Vine Street, called Linden Tree Place. There arecurrently 9 active members on the SAC. To date the group has volunteered over 1200 hours in the last 4 years.



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Neighbourhood Small Grants

Thanks to the Vancouver Foundation, Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) came to KitsHouse and Vancouvers Westside for the rst time in April 2011.Kits House was ecstatic as we know rst-hand how important it is for people to feel a senseof belonging and inclusion. An alarming number of people in Vancouver express feeling an

increased sense of social isolation (Vancouver Foundation Belonging Report). NSG is agreat grass-roots solution to the above as it empowers our local community to take action and be the changethey want to see in their neighborhood and city. In the words of a NSG applicant, These sparks of ingenuityand community care and planning help us build the stronger, healthier, greener, friendlier, more self-sufcientand sustainable city that we love.

NSG helps to stimulate creativity, encourage local solutions, build connections between neighbors, and engagepeople from all backgrounds and circumstances in the life of their community

(Vancouver Foundation). Community members of all ages and backgroundscan apply for grants up to $500.00 that benet Vancouvers Westside socially,culturally and environmentally. A volunteer NSG Resident Committee thendeliberates 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 BakingGroup and a Seed Library- these are just some of the wonderful resident- drivenideas funded this year.

We ended our rst year of NSG with a big show and tell NSG PotluckCelebration which was attended by over 100 people. A big thank you to everyonewho made our rst year of NSG such a success! NSG ResidentCommitteeWe 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 cametogether 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 since1972, 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 (rstexecutive 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 VancouverCommunity Arts Council, a theatre performance by True North Theatre Productions,beat poetry by Weldon Hunter and Kiran Sunar, interactive art by members theMotivation, Power and Achievement Society and on-site painting by Jackie Conradi-Robertson. 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 andwe 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.



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Partners 2011 - 2012

Funding

BC HousingCity of VancouverGovernment of CanadaHuman Resources Development Canada

Ministry of Children and Family DevelopmentMinistry of Housing & Social DevelopmentVancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Community NetworkVancouver School BoardDecoda Literacy solutionsWelcome BCUnited Way

Vancouver Foundation

Direct Access GamingRaise a Reader- Vancouver SunSMART FundIndividual Donations

Community Partners

SUCCESS, Pacic 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, Pacic 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.


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Executive Director

Catherine Leach

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 FundDeveloper

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 WorkerEleonore Tremblay Senior Peer Counselling andOutreach Programmer

Louisa Brunke Senior Outreach Assistant

Childcare Programs

Rachelle Gauthier Childcare Supervisor and LCMAssistant 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 Assistant-on 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

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Staff 2011 - 2012


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Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Community Board 2011 2012

Andrew Lyons Chair Person, Board of Directors Rep.Kataneh Sherkat Vice presidentPenny Noble Fundraising ChairBrita Cloghesy-Devereux Community Liaison/ CommunicationsTaskforceNiveria Oliveira Marketing/ Communications Taskforce

Tamara Little Communications TaskforceAlessandra Morzan Secretary, Board Development Erik MacKinnon-Board MemberJon Hoyles Board MemberMischa Zajtmann Board Member

KITSILANO NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year ended March 31, 2012

REVENUES 2012

Interest & Investment Income $ 5,783

Province of BC 224,417

BC Housing for Redevelopment 917,111Federal Government 10,337

United Way 122,084

City of Vancouver 97,618

Gaming 81,250Earned Income 280,996

Donations and Fundraising 12,138

Other Contributions and Miscellaneous 97,045

TOTAL REVENUE 1,848,779

EXPENSES

Salaries and Benets 661,627

Building Occupancy 48,831

Ofce Expenses 31,095

Purchased Services & Subcontracts 88,429

Program, Food & Transportation 74,302

Other Expenses 35,333

Redevelopment/ Construction Costs 917,111

Capital Expenses 1,001

TOTAL EXPENSES 1,857,729

Operating Surplus (Defcit) $ (8,950)

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


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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

Family Programs:Family Peer Support Volunteer TrainingOut-trips & Cultural EventsMulticultural Family Resource FairUBC Parent and Tot Drop-in (partnership with UBC AcadiaCommons Block)Parent and Tot Drop-in ProgramMulticultural Women Support ProgramFamily Camp WeekendMama & Papa Goose ProgramOne-on-One Support ServicesIn-House Family Support Worker

Nobodys Perfect Parenting ProgramMy Tween and Me Parenting ProgramKids Up Front Entertainment Tickets

Youth Programs:

Pre-Teen MomentumYouth Volunteer Skills ProgramYouth Leadership

Seniors Programs:

Seniors Drop-in Programs

Seniors Links ProgramSenior Peer Counselling ProgramMaple Crest Outreach ProjectOsteot ClassesOut-trips

Knitting CircleKits House Seniors Advisory CommitteeSteeves Manor Community Resource Centre

Networks, Committees and

Collaboratives:

Westside ECD Network 4 Community TableWestside Food Security CollaborativeGarden CollaborativeWestside Youth Networking TableYouth Advisory CommitteeWestside Newcomers Hub

Community:

Gamblers AnonymousIncome Tax Clinic for those on a low incomePublic Access Computers and TutorialsEnglish Conversation Circles

Immigrant Womens Support GroupCommunity PotlucksInformation and Referral

Neighbourhood Small GrantsWelcoming Neighbours Volunteer TrainingWelcoming Neighbours Out-trips and Socials

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Programs 2011 - 2012


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I am worried about whether it is possibleto have my new life here. Im really a socialperson that if I couldnt communicate withothers, the only destination is depression.

I need community as I need the air and

waterI nearly couldnt breathe because ofthe isolation. Then I discovered Kits Houseoffers training for Parents and Tots and waswelcomed by an open heart and big smile. I

really feel the support I received atKitsHouse gave me the courage to start my

new life-Parent and Tot participant

The Neighbourhood Small Grants Programis brilliant... These sparks of ingenuity andcommunity care and planning help us buildthe stronger, healthier, greener, friendlier,

more self-sufcient and sustainable city that

we love.

-Neighbourhood Small Grants recipient

Becoming a member of the Kits HouseYouth Advisory Group was one of the bestthings that happened to me... the moment Iwalked in the House, I could feel its warmth

and friendly ambiance.

-Youth Advisory Group participant

We had single parents, two parents, LGBTfamilies and a mix of ethnic groups repre-sented at the barbeque together. People

shared information about strollers and babyequipment, breastfeeding, childrens pro-

grams and community resources.

Neighbourhood Small Grants recipient

Our project was helping to teach peopleabout African traditions and environmen-tal sustainability. Our project appealed to

all ages, which helped the participants feelincluded, but it also taught people about a

cultural minority in Vancouver, which couldhelp the African community feel a greater

sense of belonging because they have beeninvited to create and take part in this event.

-Neighbourhood Small Grants recipient

2305 2325 West 7th AvenueVancouver, BC V6K 1Y4Phone: (604) 736-3588Fax: (604) 736-3640

Web: www.KitsHouse.org

knh annual report final 20120824

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