Image: Cast and Crew of Changing the Lens —

Winter 2013 UTown@UBC Community Grants

Congratulations to our phenomenal community grant recipients! We're very pleased to announce that thirteen wonderful community projects have been awarded grants of up to $1000 and we look forward to watching them contribute to building an active, social and vibrant UTown@UBC community!

UBC Relay for Life- Ameen Amanian, $1000

The Relay for Life is a unique, empowering and unforgettable fundraising event that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones who have been lost and mobilizes communities to fight back against cancers. The UBC Relay for Life will take place March 15th, 2013 and teams of 8-15 will participate by walking, jogging or running a track for a 12-hour period. Funds raised benefit the Canadian Cancer Society, which leads cancer research and prevention initiatives and offers support services. 

Put together a team or just come out to support participants with some cheers!

To register, visit the Relay for Life website

UNA Men’s Chorus- Chunyang Chan, $1000

After a successful debut at this year’s Lunar Chinese New Year, the UNA Men’s Chorus is here to stay with the support of a UTown@UBC Community Grant! Led by professional tenor Marco Song, the UNA Mens’ Chorus hopes to expand their membership and invites all men living on campus who have a passion for singing, to get involved!  Contact Jeff Wang at dhw1998@yahoo.com for details on how to get involved!

Caribbean African Awareness Association Connection Week, Efua Emil- $1000

Connection Week is an educational, informational series of events throughout the week with a focus on four main goals: celebration, education, community and support and fundraising. This year’s theme is “colours of collaboration,” addressing the importance of accepting and integrating people of different backgrounds into all initiatives.

Events include:

  •     A panel discussion and keynote speech from Minnijean Brown Trickey, an activist and one of the “Little Rock Nine” who helped desegregate public schools by striding through the doors of Central High School in 1957.
  •     The Black  Monologues: A Call for Dialogue
  •     A traditional Caribbean dance party, featuring the Carnival Sensations dancers. Entry will be by donation, with proceeds to Liberty Lodge Training Centre in Saint Vincents.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/459116020828264/?fref=ts

Youth Music Ensembles- Fluorence Luo- $1000

The successful UNA Youth Band had expanded to include several small ensembles, including a Saxophone Quartet and a Jazz Quartet. They actively perform at events throughout the community and beyond, including the Lunar Chinese New Year Celebration, Old Barn, SUCCESS, Sunrise Senior Living and more. They are gearing up for a spring charity concert that is sure to be a huge success!  For information on how to get involved please contact Justin Wang at justinwang1996@gmail.com.

Multicultural Family Resource Fair- Nydia Gomez, $1000

The Multicultural Family Resource Fair is an informative, fun and inclusive community event that celebrates diversity and encourages learning. Currently in its 5th year, the Multicultural Family Resource Fair is a free event is specifically tailored for families with children under five and provides them with an array of important resources and information in a variety of languages:

Events this year include:

  •     Immigrant support services;
  •     Information on health, safety, child care and more;
  •     Free vision checks for 3 year olds;
  •     Storytime, music, face painting and crafts for tots;
  •     Free coffee, tea and healthy snacks. 

Be sure to stop by Acadia Park Commonsblock (2707 Tennis Crescent) Friday, April 5th, 2013 from 10-12 pm to take part in this great event! The Multicultural Family Resource Fair is held in collaboration with UBC Student Housing and Hospitality Services, Vancouver Coastal Health and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House.

English Corner for Women-Colette Garety, $1000

Women who are new to Canada, sometimes constrained by circumstances, may have fewer opportunities to engage in conversational English. The English Corner for Women is an informal get-together to help one another practice and feel more comfortable conversing in English. Led by a community member with an extensive background in ESL education, the English Corner for Women will endeavour to address their language needs, support their learning and help build a strong sense of community amongst them. For information on how to join please contact the Acadia Park Commonsblock front desk.

Changing the Lens- Gua Khee Chong, $1000

"Where are you (really) from?" is a production on cultural identity and assumptions that is created and performed by members of the UBC Community. Thirteen participants from diverse backgrounds and disciplines came together for six hours over six Sundays to be part of an intensive theatre workshop. Now, they present to you three audience-interactive pieces:

  •     Delicacies
  •     Assumptions
  •     Deal with it!

Performance Dates: March 19 (Tues) and March 21 (Thurs) at the First National Longhouse. Suggested donation of $5.

For more information, contact changingthelens@gmail.com or check out http://changingthelens.wix.com/forum-theatre

MiniComi- Albert Hsiao, $1000

MiniComi is a free one day artists market that takes place at the Student Union Building and showcases the talents and abilities of local, independent artists!

This family-friendly event provides an opportunity to support some of the talented artists in the UBC Community and to get to know their work.  Free workshops and events will be held for visitors and all members of the UTown@UBC community are invited to attend!

CRAZI Youth Club- Della Chang, $1000

Have a passion for pop? Dedicated to dance? Then the CRAZI Youth Club is for you! Bringing together UTown@UBC Youth, CRAZI Youth Club provides them with the opportunity to pursue their interest in music and dance while making friends, gaining leadership skills and having fun. Look for the CRAZI Youth Club performing at community events throughout the year! To register for the club please email craziyouthclub@gmail.com.

Building Bridges Through Storytelling, Hadas Diamont- $1000

Building Bridges Through Storytelling aims to establish an inter-cultural storytelling program at UBC where mothers from diverse ethnic and cultural communities can participate. Led by an inter-cultural team of facilitators, this five-week program focuses on diversity, friendship, acceptance of differences, respect and compassion through interactive circle activities, story time and discussion. For information on how to participate please contact the Acadia Park Commonsblock front desk.

The Sparkly Kids Talent Program- Alex Huang, $1000

Do you have a child between the ages of 6 and 9 who loves arts, crafts and listening to stories? The Sparkly Kids Talent Program provides  a safe and friendly environement for young kids to conenct with one another and indulge in their artistic interests, from origami to sketching and more! Parents are welcomed and encourage to stay and connect with other parents from different UTown@UBC neighbourhoods, while their kids are supervised.

The club will meet every Sunday from April 21st-July 21st (excluding June 30th and July 7th) from 3:30-5:00 in the Old Barn Living Room. If you would like your child to participate in this program please register with the Old Barn Community Center.

Fitness Fun @ Wesbrook Village-Leonor von Baer-, $1000

A free weekly fitness class open to adults with all levels of fitness. Come exercise, meet your neighbours, make new friends and have fun in Wesbrook Village! Classes as Mondays April 8th through June 14th, 6pm-7pm (there is no class on Monday the 20th). Meeting location is at McKenzie Square (next to Blenz and across from the Welcome Centre) 10 minutes prior to class. Please bring a yoga mat or towel, water and weather appropriate clothing (class runs rain or shine)!

To register or for more information please contact Leonor at leonor.vonbaer@gmx.net.

UBC Toastmasters- Lisa Shroder, $1000

Interested in improving your public speaking skills, gaining confidence and developing leadership skills? A new chapter of Toastmasters International is coming to the UTown@UBC Community! Keep an eye out for more information on how to join!