A cultural heritage and outreach program at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for Chinese Seniors to enjoy food, social and educational activities in a multilingual, diverse and safe space.

Like many other incredible organisations and individuals, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden has been engaging and listening to the surrounding neighbourhoods on how the ongoing pandemic situation and number of increasing assaults targeting racialized individuals has tremendously affected entire communities.

Prompted by a recent article, “Seniors in Vancouver’s Chinatown are battling poverty and racism to put food on the table” the Garden, as a not for profit organisation whose core mandate is connecting cultures and communities, will be commencing a new outreach program as another initiative in addition to the many other resilient and inspiring ones around Chinatown.

Xiao 孝, is a cultural heritage and outreach program at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for Chinese Seniors to enjoy food, social and educational activities in a multilingual, diverse and safe space.

This program will take place once a month at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. We are happy to announce that the launch will commence Monday, February 28th from 10am to 12pm. We will be back Monday, March 28th and then Monday, April 18th as well.

Choosing a day when the Garden is closed to the public was important to us as we wish to offer an intimate, exclusive and peaceful setting.

Xiao 孝, filial piety, is a virtue of respect for one’s parents, elders, and ancestors. In more widespread denomination, it means to be good and take care of elders. It is also about showing and spreading love, respect, engagement and generosity which are core values of both the Garden and all partnering organizations, volunteers and individuals who are part of this program.

We are looking for Chinese speaking volunteers to help with our monthly outreach program for Chinese Seniors!

All volunteers will be given a small onboarding introduction about the history and programming of the Garden.  We are thrilled to welcome those interested to become a part of this passionate, resilient and enthusiastic team!

As a volunteer, you are an integral part of this project and will certainly make a difference for local seniors. Volunteerism is a great way to learn new things and expand your knowledge for personal growth while helping and caring for others.

Offering your skills, talents and time not only gives purpose but it simply feels good too.

For more information, please email [email protected]

Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.

As an organization whose mandate is the promotion of cultural sharing and education, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory, and recognize the continuous need to listen and learn from those who have, and continue to, call Vancouver home.

DEWC is a membership-driven organization where all women accessing their services are given a vote and a voice to steer their services and programs. They believe women are the experts in their own lives. Every woman is entitled to the basic necessities of life, including safety, autonomy, nutrition, stable housing, clothing, education, and other practical needs.

DEWC has an anti-racism and anti-poverty mandate. They understand that poverty is systemic, not the problem of an individual. They are a feminist organization with feminism as their guiding philosophy. They respect and welcome cultural diversity; each woman’s strengths and experiences are valued and respected. They believe every woman is entitled to self-determination, self-respect, self-esteem and safety. They define “woman” as anyone who identifies and lives as a woman including cis and transgender women.

Learn more about this inspiring organisation here

About FreshPoint Vancouver, Ltd. FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd. began as Pacific Produce 86 years ago on Water Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Since then, it has moved to its current location on “Produce Row” in the heart of Strathcona. FreshPoint provides fresh fruits and vegetables from around the world and from local farmers to independent retailers, hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, schools, and care homes. We are committed to giving back to the community and have been involved in many food insecurity initiatives in our many years of business.

“Connecting the world to share food and care for one another is our mandate and working with the Garden is a perfect way to give back to the neighbourhood where we first started 86 years ago,” says Colleen Goto, vice president, sales and marketing at FreshPoint.

We thank them for donating culturally appropriate fresh food to all seniors every time.

For more information, visit: www.freshpointcanada.com

As a non-profit organization founded in 1989, we believe strongly in community investment. That’s why we invest heavily into our youth programs and hiring, accessibility programs and infrastructure, and community-oriented outreach and specialty programming. This is in addition to our mandate to promote intercultural dialogue through sport, arts, and culture.

From 2018 onwards, the Society has engaged in a multi-year review and refresh of programming for racers, paddlers, and the community at large to ensure that we can continue delivering exciting and inclusive programming for years to come. This includes a renewed focus on our international racing profile, cultural programming, and asset renewal strategy.

Despite the pandemic, the Society continues its work to present dragon boat in its full form as a cultural sport, with equal footing in both culture and sport, ancient tradition and modern lifestyle, and a multitude of traditions and stories. As part of an overall strategy shift, the Society is currently executing its Dragon Boat BC 2025 Plan to position the organization and community for success and deeper engagement. By bringing together community, culture, and competition, we can achieve dragon boat’s full potential together.

We thank Dragon Boat BC for sponsoring the warm breakfasts sourced from local Chinatown eateries.

For more information, visit: www.dragonboatbc.ca