Dear Editor
Now 20 years old, it’s hard to remember the time when the Burnaby Neighbourhood House (formerly South Burnaby Neighbourhood House) began as a once-a-month event at a community church. That was in 1996, and community dinners were initiated with the goal of bringing people together from different cultures, generations and experiences. It was from these encounters that the groundwork was built for a gathering place for the community – the Neighbourhood House.
Getting settled with funding and space was a struggle and a long journey that didn’t really get going until 1999. We managed to secure a small storefront on Jubilee Avenue and received start-up funding from the Alexandra Foundation and the Vancouver Foundation, which also allowed us to hire our first staff person. Partnering with other organizations, schools and businesses in the community in the early days became a strategy that broadened and strengthened the work of the Neighbourhood House for years to come.
With this small storefront came more sustainable funding opportunities. In efforts to alleviate the isolation that is sometimes experienced living in a suburban setting, we wanted to make South Burnaby Neighbourhood House (SBNH) a place where people could come to gather or sit and have coffee just to meet neighbours, and a storefront space greatly helped. We also saw a strong need in the community for child care, we began a fee-based program, which would build revenue and increase financial stability for the house. SBNH worked closely with existing institutions and non-profits in order to fill a niche in the community, and enrich the existing services offered. Neighbourhood House quickly grew and became a fully functioning centre offering a range of programs that addressed the diverse needs of people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
In 2014, we made the decision to drop South from our name and became the Burnaby Neighbourhood House. Why? Well, by that time we already had several programs operating in North Burnaby, and we also had a plan to set up a North Burnaby Neighbourhood House. At the same time, we fulfilled a longtime dream of moving into a city facility in a Metrotown development that we now call the South House, and we established a small storefront in the Heights that we call the North House. In addition to the two locations, we also have a community hall on Rumble Street near Royal Oak Avenue, and we operate nine licensed daycare centres. Yes, we have come a long way in 20 years and have grown to become an important resource in Burnaby that many neighbours rely upon.
I am very proud to say that Mayor Derek Corrigan will be joining other municipalities across Metro Vancouver to proclaim May 8 to 14 as Neighbourhood House week in the City of Burnaby. The theme of the week is connect with us!
We welcome our Burnaby neighbours to drop by your local Neighbourhood House. Just like in the early days, the coffee pot is always on. For more information check out our website at www.burnabynh.ca.
Antonia Beck, executive director, Burnaby Neighbourhood House
