Tag Archives: Community

Neighbourhood Small Grants Applications Now Being Accepted Until April 30, 2022

27 Mar

The Neigbourhood Small Grant program is back for 2022.  The foundation of this program is connecting people within their own communities.  The premise of the program is fairly simple. It is the belief that the best people to affect change in a community, are those that live within it. When money is less of an issue, it allows more ideas to flow.  This is where the grants come in. The Neighbourhood Small Grants program allows you to apply for up to $500 for your idea to connect your community.

What have other people done?   A few ideas include book exchanges, benches and community gardens.  Some other ideas include creating small care packages for seniors with a few spring flowers and crossword puzzles and/or word search games.  For young children, creating a scavenger hunt in a park with prizes. People have also created art cards for seniors in long term care. Connection is the key and the ideas are only limited by your imagination and, of course, the $500 budget. Want more ideas or thinking about applying? We invite you to visit Neighbourhood Small Grants for more information.

The basic principles of the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program:

  1. Small is beautiful. Small ideas are beautiful and manageable.

  2. Everyone has something to offer. Whether you can teach a skill or give some tips, or provide a service. We all have something valuable to share.

  3. It’s your project. You create how you want it to look and feel.

  4. Create your chosen family.  A platform to help build networks within your community.

Applications are now open until April 30, 2022.   Applications may be accepted for a second cycle in the Fall depending on whether funds are still available. This is a great opportunity to create something memorable for your community.

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Neighbourhood Small Grants: Projects That Connect Neighbours

1 Mar

The Neigbourhood Small Grant program is back for 2021. The foundation of this program is connecting people within their own communities. Hard to argue that this is needed now more than ever before. Although the program is envisioned a little differently this year in light of COVID, the fundamental principles still apply.

  1. Small is beautiful. Small ideas are beautiful and manageable.
  2. Everyone has something to offer. Whether you can teach a skill or give some tips, or provide a service. We all have something valuable to share.
  3. It’s your project. You create how you want it to look and feel.
  4. Create your chosen family.  A platform to help build networks within your community.

What are Neighbourhood Small Grants? As the name implies, you apply for grants for a project within your community. You can receive grants of up to $500 for projects that connect people socially, or involve sharing a skill or talent. If you are sharing a skill, you may pay out an honorarium of up to $350. Projects must stay within guidelines for physical distancing.  Anyone who lives in any of the communities listed below can apply for the grant:

Britannia, Carnegie, Ray-Cam, Strathcona
Cedar Cottage, Hastings-Sunrise, Renfrew
South Vancouver: Renfrew Collingwood, Renfrew Heights,
Sunset, Marpole, Killarney, Champlain Heights, Victoria-Fraserview, Oakridge

The premise of these grants are the belief that the best people effect change in a community that they live in. When money is less of an issue, it allows more ideas to shine.  What have other people done?   A few ideas include book exchanges, benches and community gardens.  Some other idea befitting our pandemic times could include creating small care packages for seniors with a few spring flowers and crossword puzzles and/or word search games.  For young children, what about a scavenger hunt in a park with prizes?   The ability to be with other children, but still physically distanced.   You could also create art cards for seniors in long term care.  Art in the park?  Whether it’s adults sketching or using pastels, or kids painting rocks to be displayed in the neighbourhood, connection is key and the ideas are limitless.  Need more ideas or wish to apply for a grant?  Visit Neighbourhood Small Grants.

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Got Fruit? Vancouver Fruit Tree Project Wants You!

29 May

FruitTreeProjectThe Vancouver Fruit Tree Project Society is a local non-profit in operation since 1999. Since it’s inception they have picked more than 68,000 pounds of produce and redistributed it throughout the community to social service organizations.  The Society works with over 300 volunteers including tree fruit pickers as well as those offering trees for a backyard harvest.  The program benefits some 8,000 people.  Do you have a fruit tree to offer or have some time to volunteer this summer?  You can learn more at the Season Kick Off happening Tuesday, June 11th at The Hive, #210 – 128 West Hastings Street from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The evening includes a zero waste event, potluck, prizes, games and a beeswax wrap workshop. The Season Kick Off is a free event and everyone is welcome.  If you’d like more information, drop them a note at info@vancouverfruittreeproject.com.

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What’s On East Van: May 24th Edition

24 May

 

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Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming weekend.  Beyond the weekend, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

rEvolver Festival – The Cultch – Until June 2nd

The rEvolver Festival is now on at The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street until June 2nd. The festival brings a wide variety of contemporary theatre from emerging companies and artists. To see the full line up and for tickets, visit The Cultch.

11th Annual Cedar Cottage Community Garden Spring Fling – May 25th

You are invited to celebrate community and food security at the 11th Annual Cedar Cottage Community Garden this Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. This is a free family friendly event. There will be some local vendors with items including art, plants along with live bluegrass music.   Stop by and celebrate community. This community garden is rich in local history.

Family Yoga – Trout Lake Community Centre – May 25th

Family Yoga is back at Trout Lake Community Centre this Saturday from 1:00 – 2:00 pm along with live music. Cost is $1.00.

Reclaimed Wood Market – 1278 East Hastings Street – May 25th

The Reclaimed Wood Market is doing some spring cleaning which means it’s 15% off all reclaimed wood and live edge slabs this Saturday.  Stop by between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. They will be offering refreshments and hot dogs. Kids and pups welcome.

Collingwood Days – Gaston Park – May 25th

Collingwood Days Festival happens in Gaston Park this Saturday between 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast between 9:00 am – 11:00 am followed by a parade at 10:30 am. The official kick off is at 11:00 am and features entertainment, arts and crafts, games, food and much more.  This is a free family friendly event.

Parker Art Salon – 1000 Parker Street – May 24th – 26th

If you love art, this is the place to be this weekend. The Parker Art Salon is happening with a paid preview  event Friday night for collectors and a free event Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 1000 Parker Street. The halls of 1000 Parker Street are turned into a salon style exhibit by local artists. If you are interested in the Collector’s Night on Friday or a paid tour, visit Eventbrite.

21st Annual European Festival – The Alpen Club – May 26th

The 21st Annual European Festival happens this Sunday at the Vancouver Alpen Club (Victoria and 33rd Avenue).  The festival happens from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and will feature  live music, dance performances, food, artisans and much more.  To see what performances they’ve got lined up, visit the Festival Schedule. Admission is $5. Tickets can be purchased at the door, the day of the event or  in advance through Eventbrite.

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market – Dude Chilling Park – May 26th

If you live in Mount Pleasant or close to, this sweet little farmers market kicks off the seasons this Sunday at Dude Chilling Park (8th Ave & Guelph St.) from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Lucas Dubovik Quartet – Café Deux Soleils – May 26th

Looking to wind down towards the end of the weekend. The Lucas Dubovik Quartet is playing at Café Deux Soleils Sunday night. This group features four young talented musicians from the Vancouver area.  They are inspired by the sounds of the 1950s from some of the greats including John Coltrane, Hank Mobley and Sonny Rollins’ quartets. Doors are at 8:00 pm, show begins at 9:00 pm.

LIVE MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT & COMEDY

Looking for more live music, did you know The Heatley in Strathcona regularly features live music?  Every Sunday they offer bluegrass music with brunch 11 am – 3 pm.

Also 7 days a week, you will find live music at the Libra Room on The Drive. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights  from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, no cover.

Looking to shop local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 pm. To see more of What’s On in East Vancouver,  check our Event Listing.  We also have a separate listing of Free Events for those on a budget and in Vancouver, who isn’t.

Image Credit: June Hunter

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Neighbourhood Grants Are Now Available For Up To $500 For Community Projects

18 Feb

NeighbourhoodSmallGrants2014Do you have an idea for a community project that brings people in your community together? It could be something small such as getting a group together to make ‘kids playing here signs’ for your street, maybe a beautification project, hosting a picnic, maybe a tea party or BBQ for your block? We encourage you to consider applying for a Neighbourhood Small Grant. If you have not heard about this program, it is worth looking into. Speaking from experience this program is a great way to get to know your neighbours and build community. You can apply for grants of up to $500 for projects in your community. The aim of the program, which is funded by the Vancouver Foundation, is to connect and engage people within the community in which they live. Neighbours can get together and make an application for a variety of events. Some examples of past events include neighbourhood block parties, clean up campaigns, ethnic cooking classes, emergency preparedness plans, community gardens or an outdoor movie night. This is not for adults only, kids and teens are encouraged to get into the act.  The ideas are only limited by your imagination. Once your application is submitted, it is reviewed by a Resident Advisory Committee made up of residents in your neighbourhood. Note, you need two people from different addresses to apply for the grant in the same neighbourhood. Applicants are advised in late May/early June if they receive funding and are asked to have their projects completed by November 2019.  To apply for a grant, visit Neighbourhood Small Grant.  Note, the site is available in several different languages. Application deadline is April 9, 2019.  To learn more, check out the video “How To Apply” which shares other people’s ideas. 

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What’s On East Van: July 21, 2017

21 Jul

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Lots happening in East Van this next week.  Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out cool events for the upcoming week. Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

Italian Market – July 21, 2017

The Italian Cultural Centre is back hosting their monthly outdoor market which runs from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Lots of great local vendors, food trucks and if you feel like taking in some dancing, tango lessons will be happening from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  Or you could join in, cost is $20.

Grease Sing-A-Long – July 22, 2017

If you missed a recent showing of Grease at The Rio Theatre complete with Sing-A-Long, you are in luck it’s back by popular demand Saturday, July 22nd at 7:30 pm. For advance tickets, visit Rio Theatre.

MacDonald Park Block Party – July 22, 2017

The residents of South Hill are hosting a big neighbourhood potluck lunch at MacDonald Park from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The afternoon includes kite making, face painting, bike decorating, ice cream for the kids and a book swap. So have a book to share, bring it down.

You Can Can! Preserve The Summer Bounty – July 26, 2017

The Uncommon Café is hosting a class on canning. They will demonstrate how to make Blueberry Jam, Pesto, Raspberry Vinegar and Dill Pickles. While they show you how it’s done, you get to sip on a glass of wine, all very civil and of course you get to home with samples of everything made during the class. To register, visit Tartine & Maple.

Wheat In The Barley – July 26, 2017

Trout Lake Community Centre is playing host to a line up of free concerts every Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This week Wheat In The Barley takes the stage. In the event of rain, the event goes indoors.

Free Opera ‘Laughter & Love’ – July 26, 2017

The Italian Cultural Centre is hosting an evening of love and laughter.  It will be brought to you by two young opera singers in a program of operatic duets. The performance features humour and scheming between lovers. A host will fill in the plot details.  This a free show beginning at 7:00 pm. Food and drinks are available for sale if you wish from 6:30 pm.

Entertainment, Comedy, Live Music + Theatre

Playland is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday and plays host to adult only evening Friday, July 21st from 7:00 pm to midnight.   Looking for live music Breaking Boundaries is at Café Deux Soleils Friday at 9:00 pm. If you are interested in checking out some East Van history, Powell Street Walking Tour happens this Saturday afternoon. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Image: June Hunter

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Neighbourbood Small Grants Back For 2017 – Celebrate Community!

27 Feb

NeighbourhoodSmallGrants2014In case you hadn’t heard, it’s Canada’s 150th birthday this year.  Why not celebrate it within your own community?  Or maybe there is something small you can do to make your community a better place? We encourage you to consider applying for a Neighbourhood Small Grant. If you have not heard about this program, it is worth looking into. Speaking from experience this program is a great way to get to know your neighbours and build community. You can apply for grants of up to $500 for projects in your community. The aim of the program, which is funded by the Vancouver Foundation, is to connect and engage people within the community in which they live. Neighbours can get together and make an application for a variety of events. Some examples of past events include neighbourhood block parties, clean up campaigns, ethnic cooking classes, emergency preparedness plans, community gardens or an outdoor movie night. This is not for adults only, kids are welcome to get into the act.  The ideas are only limited by your imagination. Once your application is submitted, it is reviewed by a Resident Advisory Committee made up of residents in your neighbourhood. Applicants are advised in late May/early June if they receive funding and are asked to have their projects completed by November 30, 2017. To apply for a grant, visit Neighbourhood Small Grant.  Note, the site is available in several different languages. Application deadline is Monday, April 4, 2017 and open to residents in the following areas:

  • Carnegie – Strathcona – Ray Cam
  • Cedar Cottage – Hastings Sunrise – Renfrew
  • Mount Pleasant – Little Mountain
  • South Vancouver – Collingwood

If you prefer to make the City a greener space, there is also an opportunity to apply for a Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant. Again residents can apply for grants of up to $500 with the stipulation that the projects contribute to the City’s Greenest City Action Plan Targets.   Grants are given to projects that meet the following goals:

Mitigating climate change – Examples: A “Neighbour Challenge” to track sustainable behaviours i.e. measuring of household waste, food waste, green transportation trips.

Promoting greener forms of transportation – Examples: A “bike repair 101” session providing participants with knowledge and some basic tools (e.g. patch kit, tire levels, allen keys); a “walking school bus” or “bike train,” with prizes/incentives for participation; a community map where people can draw their bicycle route to work and link up with new buddies to ride together; promote walking through an organized tour about local history of neighbourhoods; a public art installation.

Creating zero waste – Examples: neighbourhood composting; building a community share sheds for tools, toys, or appliances.

Improving access to nature and planting trees – Examples: a workshop on the benefits and care of trees providing a small tree for each participant; building a community pollinator garden; a workshop on building nesting boxes for barn swallows with basic materials.

Breathing clean air – Examples: an awareness workshop about the use of renewable energy or carbon footprinting.

Making businesses greener – Examples: Working with a local green grocer business to use unsold food for an event to educate neighbours on reducing food waste; create a resource-sharing space for local businesses (for example, a small business book exchange or tool shed; a green business trade school event; or common marketing tool for local green businesses).

Clean Water – Examples: a workshop on rain gardens for boulevards; installing rain barrels on garden sheds in community gardens; a workshop on water-wise gardening practices; replacing an area of pavement with porous natural materials.

Green Buildings – Examples: hosting a “DIY home energy retrofit” workshop providing participants with starter materials (e.g. window insulation kit, door draft stopper, weatherstrip tape); a neighbourhood information session on incentives available to reduce energy use in the home, using available City of Vancouver brochures and other resources.

Lighter Footprint – Examples: a clothing and stuff swap; a school supplies swap; a repair café/fix-it fair event; a program for sharing in your neighbourhood

Growing and eating local food – Examples: develop a plan to pick neighbours’ unused/unwanted fruit and process this as a group (e.g. make jam, fruit leather, etc.); build a beehive and host a beehive workshop.

Residents in the following communities can apply for this grant:

  • Carnegie – Strathcona – Ray Cam
  • Cedar Cottage – Hastings Sunrise – Renfrew
  • South Vancouver – Collingwood

You can apply for both of the grants online. Please see their online application for more information.  The deadline to apply for the Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant is also Monday, April 4, 2017.

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Neighbourhood Small Grant & Greenest City Grants Now Available

7 Mar

NeighbourhoodSmallGrant2015Would you like to make your community a better place? If yes, consider applying for a Neighbourhood Small Grant. If you have not heard about this program, it is worth looking into. Speaking from experience this program is a great way to get to know your neighbours and build community. You can apply for grants of up to $500 for projects in your community. The aim of the program, which is funded by the Vancouver Foundation, is to connect and engage people within the community in which they live. Neighbours can get together and make an application for a variety of events. Some examples of past events include neighbourhood block parties, clean up campaigns, ethnic cooking classes, emergency preparedness plans, community gardens and an outdoor movie night. This is not for adults only, kids are welcome to get into the act.  The ideas are only limited by your imagination. Once your application is submitted, it is reviewed by a Resident Advisory Committee made up of residents in your neighbourhood. Applicants are advised in late May/early June if they receive funding and are usually asked to have their projects completed by November 30th. A Neighbourhood Small Grant is available to anyone in one of the following areas set out below. To apply for a grant, visit Neighbourhood Small Grant.  Application deadline is Monday, April 4, 2016 and open to residents in the following areas:

  • Carnegie – Strathcona – Ray Cam
  • Cedar Cottage – Hastings Sunrise – Renfrew
  • Mount Pleasant – Little Mountain
  • South Vancouver – Collingwood

This year, we see there is also an opportunity to apply for a Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant. Again residents can apply for grants of up to $500 with the stipulation that the projects contribute to the City’s Greenest City Action Plan Targets.   Grants are given to projects that meet the following goals:

Mitigating climate change – Examples: A “Neighbour Challenge” to track sustainable behaviours i.e. measuring of household waste, food waste, green transportation trips.

Promoting greener forms of transportation – Examples: A “bike repair 101” session providing participants with knowledge and some basic tools (e.g. patch kit, tire levels, allen keys); a “walking school bus” or “bike train,” with prizes/incentives for participation; a community map where people can draw their bicycle route to work and link up with new buddies to ride together; promote walking through an organized tour about local history of neighbourhoods; a public art installation.

Creating zero waste – Examples: neighbourhood composting; building a community share sheds for tools, toys, or appliances.

Improving access to nature and planting trees – Examples: a workshop on the benefits and care of trees providing a small tree for each participant; building a community pollinator garden; a workshop on building nesting boxes for barn swallows with basic materials.

Breathing clean air – Examples: an awareness workshop about the use of renewable energy or carbon footprinting.

Making businesses greener – Examples: Working with a local green grocer business to use unsold food for an event to educate neighbours on reducing food waste; create a resource-sharing space for local businesses (for example, a small business book exchange or tool shed; a green business trade school event; or common marketing tool for local green businesses).

Clean Water – Examples: a workshop on rain gardens for boulevards; installing rain barrels on garden sheds in community gardens; a workshop on water-wise gardening practices; replacing an area of pavement with porous natural materials.

Green Buildings – Examples: hosting a “DIY home energy retrofit” workshop providing participants with starter materials (e.g. window insulation kit, door draft stopper, weatherstrip tape); a neighbourhood information session on incentives available to reduce energy use in the home, using available City of Vancouver brochures and other resources.

Lighter Footprint – Examples: a clothing and stuff swap; a school supplies swap; a repair café/fix-it fair event; a program for sharing in your neighbourhood

Growing and eating local food – Examples: develop a plan to pick neighbours’ unused/unwanted fruit and process this as a group (e.g. make jam, fruit leather, etc.); build a beehive and host a beehive workshop.

Residents in the following communities can apply for this grant:

  • Carnegie – Strathcona – Ray Cam
  • Cedar Cottage – Hastings Sunrise – Renfrew
  • South Vancouver – Collingwood

You can apply for both of the grants online. Please see their online application for more information.  The deadline to apply for the Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant is also Monday, April 4, 2016.

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100 In 1 Day – Global Festival of Civic Engagement Comes to Vancouver June 6th

4 Jun

100In1DayYVR100 in 1 Day is happening in Vancouver this Saturday, June 6th. The idea is to bring hundreds of people together on ONE day and each take one small action to improve their city. This is in fact a global festival of civic engagement returning to Metro Vancouver for its second year.  Organizers are encouraging small initiatives to spark change. Everyone is invited to come out and participate. And really, the beginning of any journey, just takes that first step, then another and so on.  We’ve set out a listing of the events happening in East Vancouver, but if you’d like to see the full listing of events, visit 100 In 1 Day Vancouver.

ProVibers People’s Picnic – Victoria Park

This event is hosted by the ProVibers. They would like to see a happy and more connected Vancouver so they are hosting a community potluck in Victoria Park from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Saturday, June 6th.   You are invited to bring food for the potluck, music, games and an openness to meet new people. Their aim is to build community connections in our neighbourhood.

Britannia School Garden Salad Picnic – Britannia School Garden

This event is hosted by the Grandview Woodland Food Connection. Organizers of this event would like people to experience the magic of eating fresh healthy food picked straight from the garden. Organizers invite community residents to come and enjoy the simplicity of eating a freshly picked salad together.  The site is the beautiful Britannia School Garden which is abundant with fresh greens. You will pick veggies for a salad, prepare a healthy salad dressing and savor the taste of eating a fresh salad. While doing this, you will  meet people in your community who are passionate about urban sustainability.  This event begins at 1:00 pm and runs till 3:00 pm on June 6th.  All you need bring if you wish, is a picnic blanket, the rest is provided.

Stories of East Van – Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House

This event is hosted by Christine Nguyen and Eimon Yin. They are looking to connect spaces and people in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage community.  They will be hosting a one hour walking tour highlight the diversity of history, culture and interesting stories that abound in the very places we live and play but often forget to appreciate. There will be two tours offered. One begins in front of Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House at 9:00 am.  The second tour starts at the SouthEast corner of East Broadway & Victoria Drive at 10:30 a.m. As each tour has limited spaces available, you are asked to sign up at Eventbrite.

Love and Letters in the Library Lounge – Kensington Library

This event is hosted by Sarah Green. What do you love about your city, community or neighbours? You are invited to come hang out  and through conversation or typewritten notes share information about your community.  At this event, you will be seated in a mini-lounge where people can come and relax, sit for a moment and maybe meet a neighbor. You will be invited to use a typewriter or write a short love note about your current or future community.  Sarah hopes to highlight where people find value in their surroundings, build connections and share information.

“Every journey starts with a single step.” – Confucius

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