In our neighbourhoods

Vancouver-Point Grey includes the unique communities of Kitsilano, Point Grey, the University Endowment Lands (University Hill), the University Neighborhoods Association, and UBC. Our neighborhood is also home to great beaches and parks including Kits Beach, Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach, Wreck Beach, Pacific Spirit Park and the old growth forests at UBC.  Our constituents bring issues to our attention that are specific to our neighborhood as well as policy suggestions for British Columbia as a whole.

 Feel free to call or email to send us a suggestion  regarding other issues you’d like to see addressed.

KITS FARMERS MARKET
Vancouver farmers’ markets will be open as essential services, with social distancing measures in place. VFM’s 25th anniversary season begins in May, including the opening for our beloved Kits Farmers’ Market.
For more info, take a look at Vancouver Farmer’s Market’s latest blog post:
Creative Neighbours on Zoom! With master recycling artist Leah Price
Odyssey in Polyester Double-Knit (Or How I Became a Zero-Waste Textile Artist)
Sunday April 26Gather at 3 pm to socialize. Leah’s presentation will start at 3:30 pm
Leah Price, master recycler and eco artist, will do her artist talk as planned – but on zoom.
Bring your own snacks.  Details at  https://creativeneighbourssalon.wordpress.com/salon-35-leah-price/
Questions? contact Mary at creativeneighbourssalon@gmail.com
Zoom link to register will be posted by Saturday noon. Check back then please.
Metro Area A Virtual Town Hall with Jen McCutcheon
Tuesday, April 28 at 7:15pm (following the 7pm cheer for essential workers)This virtual meeting is a chance for anyone living at UBC or the University Endowment Lands to connect (virtually), ask and get answers to questions about local and regional COVID responses, and discuss how we can best support each other.  The agenda will include updates from community leaders, followed by time for residents to share ideas, questions, concerns, and resources.  The meeting will be hosted and facilitated by Jen McCutcheon, Metro Vancouver Director for Electoral Area A.Email Jen McCutcheon for participation information: areaajen@gmail.com

Apart but Together: New Grant To Stay Socially Connected

Vancouver Foundation Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grants

R-NSG application intake is ongoing between April 15-July 1st!
What Can People Apply for an R-NSG for?
The R-NSG stream supports projects that ease social isolation of vulnerable people (with physical distancing in mind). Example: distributing care packages to seniors/vulnerable people from safe distanceIt will also support projects that use, share and exchange local assets and skills using online platforms such as Zoom. Example: storytelling workshops, arts and culture skill sharing or yoga and meditation sessionsWhere Can I Find More Information?
The Responsive-NSG program is at www.neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca website

R-NSG is a separate granting stream from NSG and GCG.

 

Broadway Subway Update

Beginning in mid-May 2020, BC Hydro will be constructing underground infrastructure on Arbutus Street between W. 10th Avenue and W. 7th Avenue. Work will follow proper social distancing protocols.

This work is being undertaken to relocate a portion of BC Hydro infrastructure, which currently runs above the Arbutus Greenway, underground along Arbutus Street. More information about the location, duration and anticipated impacts will be provided on the Broadway Subway Project website, with advance notification to the surrounding neighbourhood, including to residents, businesses, schools, and Arbutus Greenway users.

The Broadway Subway Project is committed to keeping you informed in advance of any local work now and in the future so you can plan accordingly. Please note, construction schedules can change on short notice. Updates will be posted to the Project’s website, and additional notification will be provided where possible.

Should there be any inquiries please contact the Broadway Subway Project by email at broadwaysubway@gov.bc.ca or by phone through our 24/7 Construction Line: 1-844-815-6114.

Volunteering and Supporting Community

Many are calling and emailing to ask how to help, others are calling to let us know about the great things you’re already doing.   These are some local resources, local business support groups, and volunteer groups operating in our neighbhourhoods have created and/or notified us about.  This is definitely not a comprehensive list–please let us know what else you’re doing out there and what we should know about.

Facebook groups:

Van Westsiders United

Kitsilano Cares

COVID-19 coming together Vancouver

Kitsilano (Now and Then)

Kitsilano Community Projects (many past Neighbourhood Small Grants here).

Free goods and services exchanges, Kitislano: Buy Nothing Kitsilano  In these days people are often also asking for gifts of self–walking dogs or grocery shopping. Message Mary Peterson Bennett a private message on FB to be invited.

Supporting Local businesses:

West Broadway Business Improvement Association (BIA West Broadway)

Pt Grey Business Improvement Association (BIA Pt. Grey)

West Fourth Business Improvement Association (BIA W 4th)

Heritage Vancouver-interactive map with Links to Local Businesses that are still operating

Other Volunteering:

Federal Canadian Government skilled volunteer sign up COVID-19 response

Sign up to assist BC 211/United Way in responding to seniors with needs

City of Vancouver: Give a Hand Vancouver

BC Materials & equipment donations-Supply HUB

Donate blood

Vancouver Public Library:
Facebook Live Storytime


Watch Virtual Storytime with the Vancouver Public Library

Have a little one at home? Tune in to Virtual Storytime with the Vancouver Public Library. Enjoy songs, rhymes and a fun story from the comfort of your own home!

Watch Storytime live on Facebook every weekday at 10 a.m.
https://www.facebook.com/vancouverpubliclibrary

Stream Storytime on-demand on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp9Du1me5InJJ1ntWS8BCNC1ZW8CP2Yg6

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VPL’s Digital Library is Always Open

Vancouver Public Library is increasing its collection of ebooks, audiobooks and more to help you and your family. We have lots to help you fill your days – find new reads, stream TV shows, pick up a new language and more with your VPL card.

Discover more: http://www.vpl.ca/digital

Gardening Opportunities and Connections

Village Vancouver

Village Vancouver (www.villagevancouver.ca) is gardening, making free seeds available by mail, hosting online workshops, looking into creating diy planter box kits, and much more! They need volunteers to help fold seed packets (at home) for their seed library-by-mail. For information on volunteering, workshops, diy planter boxes, seeds, and gardening with them at their collaborative community gardens, please contact Ross Moster at ross@villagevancouver.ca.

Kitsilano Growing Circle Gardening Tribe

Hello Neighbours, we would like to invite you to join the KITSILANO GROWING CIRCLE! We are a virtual, all ages, all walks of life, nondenominational, apolitical place to connect, create and share with each other and the larger neighbourhood. We connect on an online space https://kitsilanogrowingcircle.tribe.so/signup/2eh5OIw50XblfWD91HzmS8w7 that acts as a virtual “community center” where we can share ideas, creativity, connection, assistance and so much more. Since this is an all-ages community space, we ask that all users get to know and respect the community guidelines that help guide us towards the most kind, considerate and healthy environment possible. We encourage community members to sign up as either individuals or family users, whatever suits you best!

If you are interested in connecting with the Kitsilano Growing Circle virtual space, please email your first and last name and where you were referred from to our admin team, Tea and Marcia at tea.kitsilanogrowingcircle@gmail.com (Your name will NOT be shared publicly on the site, it is just for our security purposes. For your security, Dulcy, a staffer from Mr. Eby’s office has kindly agreed to verify that we are neighbours known by the office). We’re so excited to connect with you!”
FREE ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
“We know that children and families are feeling anxiety and uncertainty during these challenging times, and it’s important we provide resources to help them thrive,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.Free virtual social and emotional learning plans are available through the WE Schools @home program:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/our-work/we-schools/at-home/. Accessible for grades K-12 in both English and French, these resources place a special emphasis on social-emotional learning and resiliency.  The program was developed in collaboration with B.C. educators, the Ministry of Education and University of British Columbia and mental health professionals.

Also available to parents and caregivers is the new EASE (Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators) at Home program

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/ease.

Activities focus on tips and strategies parents can use with their children to create calming routines, help them talk about difficult emotions and manage their anxiety. Kits have been developed for grades K-3 and 4-7 and provide five weeks of activities, with a different game or story for each day. Activities are research-based and proven to help younger children calm themselves, learn relaxation techniques and understand their worries.

The WE Well-being and EASE at Home materials complement the recent Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announcement of $5 million to expand existing mental-health programs and launch new services to support British Columbians around COVID-19. One focus of the funding is a new virtual clinic that will make Foundry services available around the province for young people aged 12 to 24 years and their families through voice, video and chat, rolling out April 20th: https://foundrybc.ca/

Here2Talk for BC Post-Secondary enrolled students from any BC institution:
Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web: https://here2talk.ca/home

  • Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counselor, 24 hours a day.
  • 310 Mental Health Support at 310-6789 (no area code needed) for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health for all ages

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