Dear Editor:
As a former board member, I offer my heartiest congratulations to the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House on the news that the 15-year-old social service agency will be moving into a brand-new, 12,000 square-foot facility, to be shared with other non-profit partners, adjacent to the Metrotown SkyTrain station.
Burnaby's first-ever Neighbourhood House has long outgrown its current storefront location on Imperial, not to mention its tiny, humble beginnings on Jubilee Avenue. The new building and central location will make the SBNH and its sister non-profits more efficient, convenient, accessible and visible for all who need the vital services they provide.
With approximately 450 volunteers assisting full-time and part-time staff in delivering programs, such as school-age child care (at seven schools), Homework Haven, Friendship Club, Kids out of the Rain, summer day camps, student training, youth leadership and others, the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House is a Burnaby success story with a simple storyline: neighbours helping neighbours.
Finally, kudos to the mayor and city council for working with the SBNH's dedicated board and tireless executive director, Antonia Beck, to find a permanent home, which should be ready to open its doors by spring 2013 and lend an even bigger helping hand to Burnaby residents.
Harman Pandher, Burnaby
