Day: June 12, 2023

Youth Growing Mentorship

jknapp

Would you like to learn how to grow fresh food and flowers for yourself and your community? Are you interested in exploring work in agriculture, ecosystem restoration, or farmers markets? Do you want to grow your skills in collaboration, communication, and entrepreneurship?

If you or someone you know is interested in taking part, please fill out our expression of interest form here. Intake will happen on a rolling basis until 30 June, 2023 or until we are at capacity which is 10 participants. If you have any questions, or want to chat before applying, please contact Becka at schools@ediblegardenproject.com

The details:

–  You must be between 15 – 23 years old to be eligible for the Rhizome mentorship, and to be able to commit to approximately 5hrs per week.
– The mentorship will run from the end of May to end of Oct/middle of November with a flexible schedule for those returning to school in the fall.
– Participants will receive personal garden tools such as gloves, kneeling pad, trowel, tool bag
– Our mentorship will take place over three sites; Loutet Farm, Silver Harbour (near Lonsdale & 22nd), and a residential site near Loutet Farm. Youth will have the opportunity to work both independently and collaboratively depending on their comfort level and needs, with full team check-ins weekly. Scheduling will happen with the guidance of Rhizome mentors, Becka & Hannah.
– Youth will be involved in as much of the decision making as possible (what to grow, pricing, scheduling, spending, etc) learning collective decision making with the support of mentors Becka & Hannah.
– Our is to be able to sell produce or a product at a market or farm stand, and to share produce by donation to Silver Harbour Seniors Center.
– Money made from sales will be used to support the project and shared amongst participants in a co-operative model. This will be discussed and managed collectively.
– Land based & growing skills: understanding soil, selecting plants and understanding their growing needs, crop management/rotation, harvesting, invasive vs native plants.
– Other skills: time management, communication, working in a team, financial management, entrepreneurial skills, interacting with public.
– All participants will receive a certificate of completion and letters of reference from their mentors.
Our aim is that this mentoring project will become a recurring yearly program that will be embedded in the North Vancouver community. For this project our food growing site/s will be in the community, this will encourage further engagement in the full range of our programs. It will also spark conversations with community members about food access, and the positive environmental, emotional, and physical impact of local small scale food growing.

Growing food in urban centers has direct positive environmental impacts such as bolstering biodiversity, supporting pollinators and wildlife habitat, and reducing the urban heat island effect. Transforming urban areas into vibrant, edible spaces provides places for community members to gather, share knowledge, connect with the natural world, reduce stress, and make connections with their neighbours. While this is a program targeted at youth, it is our belief that intergenerational learning is deeply valuable, and by growing food in community we encourage learning and knowledge sharing between all ages.

Volunteer at Chinatown Festival

jknapp

The 21st Vancouver Chinatown Festival is returning this year on July 15th and 16th.    This community event welcomes thousands and thousands of families, visitors, and volunteers every year.    We celebrate the diversity of the community and showcase Chinatown as an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient neighbourhood.   Vancouver Chinatown Festival has grown into a highly anticipated summer signature event for Vancouverites as well as tourists from around the world.

The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a free 2-day event that takes visitors through this historic neighbourhood to shop for unique specialty offerings from our local merchants and many more attractions.  Every year, we bring new ideas and activities to make this event an interesting and fun-filled experience for families and visitors, and to include the diversity of our community.

Event Location and Time

106 Keefer Street and neighboring street throughout Chinatown

  • Saturday, July 15th – 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Sunday, July 16th – 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

This is a community celebration and can only be made possible with the help of our amazing volunteers, like you.

Positions & Duties:

Greeter/Event Helper

  • light event set-up/clean up
  • welcome visitors as they arrive
  • answer any wayfinding or event question

 Kids Corner Activities Helper

  • light event set-up/clean up
  • engagement and manning the assigned activities booth

BIA Booth Attendant

  • checking Instagram contest answers, or Chinatown merchants receipt and handing out tokens to qualifying guests
  • maintaining the panda figurine capsule machine in good condition
  • replenish the panda figurine capsule machine as needed
  • support Chinatown BIA staff with merchandise sales
  • replenish merchandise, capsules and supplies as needed

Van Van Mascot Character Dress-up Ambassador 

  • dressed up in Van Van Mascot
  • roaming around festival area to meet and greet visitors
  • act as Chinatown Festival Ambassador

Van Van Mascot Character Helper

  • assist Mascot Ambassador in dressing up as the Van Van Mascot
  • accompany the Van Van Mascot while roaming the festival area

Photographers

  • Capture the essence of this community festival in still images.   The photos will be used for eblast, donor, and sponsorship communications, post-event and future event marking.
  • Focusing on exciting moments on VIP reception, Opening Ceremony, Main stage live entertainment, and visitors interact with Van Van, Food truck, Food vendors, kids corner, animal farm, mahjong game.
  • Especially the traffic generated in this Festival.

Roamers

  • light event set up/clean-up
  • roam throughout the neighbourhood directing people to our event
  • alert staff to any major clean-ups that require immediate attention
  • recommend restaurants/stores etc.

Volunteer Tent Attendant

  • light set-up/clean-up
  • be mindful of volunteers’ backpacks/belongings
  • check volunteers in and out at the beginning and end of their shifts
  • help with volunteer t-shirt sizing
  • replenish water and snacks for volunteers as needed

Cleaner/Monitors

  • light set-up/clean up
  • monitor the food and washroom area
  • provide light cleaning as necessary
  • alert event staff of any required major clean-ups.

Pre and Post Event Helper

  • assist with inspecting, sorting and prepping the decor installations for pre-event
  • assist set-up and tear down the vendor tent
  • assist with sorting, inspection, inventory and storage of event decor for post-event

Please email info@vancouver-chinatown.com and be part of our celebration.

With gratitude,

The Team at the Vancouver Chinatown BIA