— Image: Photo from the Painting Acadia Park's summer foliage project. Credit: Jessica Kang, Project leader —
Inspired to apply for your own grant? The 2023 grant cycle is open for applications!
Congratulations to all the Inspiring Community grant recipients! Thank you for your creative ideas to bring people together and your initiative to lead a project.
Learn more about all the funded projects by reading the summaries submitted by project leaders and featured stories on our blog.
Painting Acadia Park's Summer Foliage by Jessica K.
Surrounded by rich, leafy nature, Acadia Park offers a lot of artistic inspiration with its green foliage – and great weather in the early summer to express our creativity outside! In this plein air watercolour demonstration and workshop (immediately following the demo), participants will be introduced to professional artist grade paints, how to work with a very limited palette to establish a wide range of greens, and paint a small masterpiece of the vegetation here. Painting outside is fun and meditative – it will be sure to inspire the community to draw and paint outside all summer. This project took place in early June at Acadia Park.
Multicultural Crochet Group by Minhye C.
This project aims to provide an opportunity to connect multicultural people in the community by sharing basic crocheting skills to create useful items. This project targets anyone who wants to learn beginner crochet skills. Its main intent is to promote a better connection and understanding among people from different multicultural backgrounds through crocheting. Read the interview with Minhye to learn more about the project!
Multicultural Day by Norma Rose Point School PAC
Located in UBC, Norma Rose Point School community has a very diverse cultural background. Parents and students from different cultural background are presenting their own culture with posters, arts, hands-on activities, and performances. Last year we had an online platform due to Covid, but this year we are coming back in actual event in Covid- Safe manners. Brazil/ Mexico, India, Korea, Japan and South Asian countries are setting up a booth on Norma Rose Point School playground after school. This project took place in May at the school.
UBC Community Timelapse by Kabir H.
The UBC Community Timelapse provides a chance for anyone with a cellphone to contribute to making a huge timelapse simply by taking a single photo and sharing it! It consists of a painted wooden board with instructions on it, an example picture, and a slot for people to put their phone in to take a photo. After taking a picture they can post it using a hashtag (#UBCTimelapse) or e-mail it in. As more and more people submit photos, they will be edited into a timelapse and shared online! This project is taking place — learn more and contribute your photos!
Arducamp by Ethan S., Leo X., Peter L., Ryan W., Filip V.
We are five high school students passionate about STEM and plan to host a summer camp where we teach children how to use Arduino, including making a circuit, coding an Arduino, and using an Arduino to control various sensors and motors, such as ultrasonic sensors, temperature detectors, and servos. Our camp hopes to inspire a love for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and also to teach camp members the basics of electrical engineering through Arduino. Our camps will be fun, engaging, and informing to all camp members ages 10 to 12! Arducamp took place from August 15-19, learn more at: https://ardu.camp/ and read our interview with the team!
Summer Vibes Family Picnic 2022 by Rebecca H.
This project will host two picnic events to bring residents from Acadia Park together to share a meal and relax with music. Before the pandemic, the monthly potluck was a regular and anticipated feature of Acadia Park community life. Previously, the potlucks provided an opportunity for residents to share their cultural background and family favourite foods. It is hoped this project will help in the healing process of re-establishing community togetherness with food, but at a slow and sensitive pace. Adding music provides points of connection, affirmation, structure and focus. This project took place in July and August.
Youth Dance by Erica L.
Traditionally High Schools put on dances for their students, with covid, our school has not hosted a dance in the past couple of years. Our desire to host a dance for our peers came out of our friend group desiring such a space, we could only imagine our peers felt similarly. The Youth Dance will take place on June 24 at the Old Barn Community Centre. This event will allow youth 15-17 years to socialize with peers in a fun and safe environment where youth can meet new people and make new connections. The dance took place on June 24.
UBC Mooncake Festival by Adelia V.
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, is an ancient festival with roots in harvest festival celebrations and moon worshiping rituals. It occurs on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and is uniquely celebrated in Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and many other East Asian cultures - making it a truly international event. UBC Mooncake Festival will bring friends and family together to admire the full moon while enjoying mooncakes, performances and other arts and crafts activities. The event is set for September 9 — read the blog story for the event recap!
Painting Acadia Park's Summer Foliage (Workshop #2) by Jessica K.
Surrounded by rich, leafy nature, Acadia Park offers a lot of artistic inspiration with its green foliage – and great weather in the early summer to express our creativity outside! In this plein air watercolour demonstration and workshop (immediately following the demo), participants will be introduced to professional artist grade paints, how to work with a very limited palette to establish a wide range of greens, and paint a small masterpiece of the vegetation here. Due to popular demand from the first workshop, this project recieved a second grant to host another workshop that took place in early August.
Mathematics and Finance Workshop for Teenagers by Howard Zhu
The project is a series of three workshops for teenagers in the UBC neighbourhoods. The main goal is to inspire interest in mathematics and finance. Some of the workshop topics will include: how to find your interest in mathematics, how to prepare for math contests, what is finance and the importance of it.
Everything is Health Podcast Community Launch Event by Madeline E.
Everything is Health is a conversational, plain-language research summary podcast exploring current health research happening in the Downtown Eastside (DTES). Its goal is to serve as a resource for community members, students, and organisations affected by or interested in topics such as housing first initiatives, low-barrier employment, and safe supply. We are proposing to host a community listening event to extend the reach of the podcast. Students, community members, and researchers would be invited to the UBC Learning Exchange to listen to a selection of episodes and discuss their content. The event is set for October 2022.
Pride Picnic by Hana H.
The Pride Picnic will be a safe place where people of the LGBTQ+ Community and allies can get to know each other and make new connections over live performances and food. We will have lots of positive space so everyone can express themselves however they please and feel they can share their experiences and stories. This event took place on August 16.
Get to Know Your New Home by Sabrina H.
This free event is open to everyone especially new students and their families to understand and adapt to their life at UBC. There will be food, games, music, and more to connect new people with neighbors and make friends. Volunteers will provide an opportunity for people to socialize and ask questions about the community, while sharing UBC and UNA community program resources.
Molcajete - Salsa Dance by Armando R.
We live in such a fast-paced world that we rarely stop to enjoy 90 minutes of moving our bodies to the rhythm of salsa songs (Latin music). Dancing salsa has many benefits, such as burning calories, improving circulation, increasing breathing, and improving balance, coordination, and posture. This time will be used to create community through a very happy, fun, and unique dance. This event will take place on September 17.
Youth Orchestra by Rosie W., Audrey G., Eva W., Emily Z.
Led by a team of passionate high school students, the UNA Youth Orchestra provides an opportunity for young musicians of all backgrounds to come together and bond over their love of the arts. Members will be inspired to create a meaningful, lasting connection to music by exploring a blend of classic, popular, and traditional orchestral music while also showcasing their abilities individually. The UNA Youth Orchestra will perform for a range of audiences, from hospitals to festive events. Practices will be held Sundays at the Old Barn Community Centre in UBC from 2 - 4:30 PM beginning September 18th. All youth of the UBC campus and beyond are welcome!
Diwali in the UNA by Angie D.
The Indian New Year Celebration (Diwali) aims to bring together people from the UBC community to learn about and celebrate Diwali through the sharing of Indian art, dance, music and food. Activities at this year’s event will include Indian classical and modern dance performances, Bollywood dancing with audience participation, craft activities, henna artists, and opportunities to try on different types of traditional Indian clothing (sarees, turbans etc). Traditional Indian snacks such as samosas, ladoos and chai will be provided. Diwali took place at the Wesbrook Community Centre on October 23.
Diwali in Residence by Katherine C., Melanie L., Akshi V., Kiriel B., Sujith S., Kevin W.
All are welcome to come to Diwali in Residence! Diwali is a widely celebrated festival in India and amongst Indians worldwide as the festival of light. Come join us in celebration with delicious food, dancing, diya decorating, and henna! Diwali in Residence took place in the Marine Drive Ballroom on October 24.
Let's enjoy the FIFA World Cup together by Vladimir B.
Sporting events provide an excellent opportunity to bring different nationalities together to celebrate in a friendly and festive environment. The FIFA Men's Soccer World Cup includes 32 National teams, providing many Acadia Park Residents the chance for an inclusive and diverse event. Unfortunately, not all residents can access the different platforms broadcasting the event, as this is only available through paid services. The goal of this event is to afford all interested people the opportunity to watch 30 of the 64 games at no cost, as well as provide snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and a comfortable location to enjoy the games in a safe and inclusive environment.
Letter with you Project by Linda C.
There are times when we might feel alone in our ups and downs; especially after the pandemic, which made it even more challenging to feel connected and understood. Our project involves sending personalized notes and cards to everyone who needs a reminder about how important and worthy they are and to help bring them a smile on more challenging days. We also hope to inspire others to prioritize their mental well-being and remember to take time for themselves by including include gift cards to grab ice cream or coffee, stickers, stationery, and more. To learn more or request a letter, please visit: https://letterwithyou.com/
Nailed It by Eileen W.
Nailed It is a workshop that aims to make manicures easier and more accessible to the community. Getting nails done is a way for people express and feel confident about themselves. However, the cost of visiting a salon is quite high. Nails done at a salon also typically only last for a maximum of two weeks or so before you have to get them removed. This project will be an event for everyone and of all genders to learn how to paint and design their very own set of reusable nails and make friends with some members of their community.
Painting for Pain by Negarin S.
UBC Students Partners In Health Canada recognizes that it is crucial to raise awareness for mental health issues and provide sustainable services that are available to upkeep our mental health. By organizing Painting for Pain, we provide a welcoming environment for students to distress from midterm seasons, through painting, socializing and connecting with the community, and further realizing that they have a community to support them.
Youth Systematic Thinking Workshops and Discussion Group by Mahdi S.
The Persian community on campus has been rapidly growing over the past years; however, bringing the youth of our community together and engaging in meaningful conversations has been a growing struggle for many newcomer faculty and graduate families raising teenagers. The critical thinking workshops and discussion group will be a place for these young minds to explore their traditions and culture, while learning from steamed UBC Faculty members, approaches to systematic thinking, carefully processing the vast information we receive in the New Media Age, and civilly exchanging our ideas with each other.
Community Outreach at the Out on The Shelves Library
Out on The Shelves Library, Vancouver’s oldest LGBT2QIA+ library, is expanding its community outreach and in-person activities in the coming months as community members seek connection and social interaction. Outreach is focusing on the existing interests of its patrons, includnig two screenings of LGBT2QIA+ films and a skill-building workshop on the role-playing tabletop game, Mastering the Art of Dungeon Mastering.
Deck the Halls by Katherine C., Melanie L., Akshi V., Kiriel B., Sujith S., Kevin W. (Marine Drive Residence Advising Team)
Make your unit door as festive with some creative holiday decoration ideas! Come create holiday decorations to bring seasonal cheer to your unit door. Then take pictures of your final masterpiece and let the Marine Drive community vote on their favourite!
Grant applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. As more projects are funded, they will be added to this list so check back soon!
For questions about the projects listed, please contact: info.utown@ubc.ca
Last updated December, 2022