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Hello there,
Welcome to the Gordon Neighbourhood House Newsletter!
Gordon Neighbourhood House has served as a community hub in Vancouver’s West End since 1942. We have a history of working alongside our friends and neighbours to facilitate connection, engagement and seizing opportunities for community development. The Newsletter is a mechanism we have created for you to stay updated on news, events and activities connected to Gordon Neighbourhood House. We thank you for your continued interest and support of our work in the community.
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First Annual West End Food Festival Inspires a Community
The first annual West End Food Festival launched on October 4, as an enthusiastic dinnertime crowd mingled in the park just outside Gordon Neighbourhood House. Entertained by live mandolin music, participants savoured the delicious samples contributed by local food vendors. And wandering amongst the display booths, who could resist peering in awe at the Strathcona 1890 Truck Farm?! This pick-up truck had a colourful vegetable garden tumbling out of its back!
Over four days, free public events highlighted local food culture by celebrating, exploring, and building awareness about community food issues. In a thriving partnership between Gordon Neighbourhood House and the West End Neighbourhood Food Network, the Festival brought together diverse participants. Activities included Community Kitchen cooking events, a sizzling Tin Pan Chef Competition, garden tours, and a community potluck dinner.
Concluding with Monday night’s Community Panel Discussion on Food Insecurity, speakers that included an academic, activists, and business people led the discussion on food accessibility and nutritional vulnerability.
As Paul Taylor, Gordon Neighbourhood House’s Executive Director noted,
"The evening's discussion also focused on the roles individuals, groups, organizations, and the government can play in challenging food insecurity.”
For a full account about the inaugural West End Food Festival, check out the Gordon Neighbourhood House Blog at http://gordonhouse.org/blog/category/gordon-neighbourhood-house/
Written by Anita Miettunen, October 16, 2013
Read more news coverage of the festival:
• The Vancouver Observer
• The Vancouver Courier
• The Terry Project Blog
• The Thunder Bird
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Together, an Urban Farm and Art are Creating Community Wellness
Behind Gordon Neighbourhood House (GNH), fresh food is now growing in the Urban Farm alongside a gorgeous art mural designed by Masha Tikhanova. A partnership between GNH and the West End Neighbourhood Food Network, this initiative is raising awareness, especially for children, about growing food in urban spaces.
As GNH Executive Director Paul Taylor says,“For children in the West End, the opportunity to grow food is limited. Their default is what’s available at grocery stores.”
GNH is creating a new default for children. And as the draft West End Community Plan indicates, growing healthy foods “close-to-home” is a key part of community wellness.
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Seeds to Supper
Saturdays, 4-7pm
Gordon Neighbourhood House
A great gathering time for families with young children. Come share a meal and a fun, community building art or music activity. Free!
We're currently looking for the following donations/volunteers:
• Plastic children's plates, cups and cutlery
• Musicians to come and play for us (any type of music that might grab the attention of little children). 10 or 15 minutes from approximately 6:00 to 6:15 pm. Free meal included!
Cheers and see you soon!
Joy and Barbara
For more information:
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Seniors Community Planning Table - West End
Friday, December 6, 2013
Are you interested in issues affecting West End Seniors? Join the Planning Table network and become more involved in planning with and for Seniors in our community.
Planning Tables perform an essential role by bringing together community leaders, agencies, advocates, and seniors to make decisions, take action, and develop solutions to emerging needs and issues facing seniors in local communities. Planning Tables are an important part of the greater ‘system’ that creates social change.
You are invited to our monthly meetings featuring key-note speakers and lively discussions sharing information about issues and programs affecting Seniors.
Meetings are Fridays at Gordon Neighbourhood House from 10:00 am-12:00pm.
For more information contact:
Sharon Isaak, Planning Table Coordinator
isaaksharon@gmail.com
Ana Maria Bustamente, Community Development Coordinator
ana_maria@gordonhouse.org
604-683-2554
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New Issue of The Haro: Roots
‘Roots,’ the latest issue of The Haro, is now live at theharo.ca. Highlights include “Ingrained Memories,” a poem by Natasha Barber; “Roots and Nuts,” an informative piece on comfrey’s abundance in the West End and its medicinal properties by Barbara Shaw; and a personal history of Hurricane Freida by Paul Hancock. If you would like to join The Haro team or support its work please email sam@gordonhouse.org
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MN events is honored to promote and produce The Neighborhood Brunch in support of Gordon Neighbourhood House. The menu will consist of a gourmet buffet brunch prepared by in-house chef Andrew and his team. Ham, vegetarian and gluten free fritattas, roasted potatoes, french toast with 100% real maple syrup, fresh fruit and other amazing side dishes, along with various juices, hot beverages and limited bar service ($5 per drink). The event is hosted by Alma B Itches along with other sisters of the Abbey of Long Cedar Canoe. We will feature live performances by Javier accompanied by Marc on the piano with a special performance by Colin Marcus Jackson.
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Volunteer Position: Community Kitchen Facilitator
Gordon Neighbourhood House, set in the heart of Vancouver's West End at 1019 Broughton Street, is a volunteer-led, secular, multi-service community organization. They are looking to expand their current list of programs to include a community kitchen where once a month, interested participants will throw on an apron and get mixing!
Gordon Neighbourhood House is currently looking for a community member—young or old—with a passion for cooking, to come and lead this monthly workshop. The primary responsibility of the Community Kitchen Lead Cook will be to facilitate a monthly community kitchen that incorporates healthy eating, skill building, and most importantly, delicious flavour! The Lead Cook will encourage interested parties to contribute their knowledge of cultural foods, while also encouraging attendees to share their own recipes. All ingredients and kitchen tools will be provided. Setup and cleanup tasks will be performed by the participants, guided by the Lead Cook, who will also be responsible for preparing a brief report on each event
Previous experience in a professional kitchen or as a cooking workshop leader is an asset, but not required. All applicants must be FoodSafe Level 1 certified.
This is an unpaid, volunteer position, but the Lead Cook (as well as monthly attendees) will take home a portion of the food they prepare at each community kitchen.
The position offers relatively flexible scheduling and requires a monthly minimum time commitment of 5 hours, which must be fulfilled on one (preferably consistent) weeknight evening each month.Any interested parties should contact andrew@gordonhouse.org for more information.
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REMINDER - Gordon Neighbourhood House will be closed from December 22, 2013 to January 5, 2014 (reopening January 6, 2014).
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