Neighbourhood houses are welcoming, inclusive places which bring people together to build and strengthen their communities. We are spaces where everyone can attend, participate, lead, and learn through programs, services, and community building. We open our doors as a second home in the community and offer needs-based programs and services to residents.
Neighbourhood Houses build healthy and engaged neighbourhoods by connecting people and strengthening their capacity to create change. We approach everything in a holistic way, supporting the whole person, the whole family, the whole neighbourhood, and the whole community. As opposed to seeing ourselves as service providers, we strive to offer the support and tools to allow the community to do for themselves, and for others in their community. We recognize that as individuals, we all grow when we have the opportunity to give as well as receive.
The roots of Neighbourhood houses grew out of the Settlement Movement, where the discriminatory class structure fostered a wide gap creating a class system. Having started in 1880s England, “settlement” refers to members of more affluent London neighbourhoods settling into increasingly poor areas. This unprecedented move resulted in unease among some of affluent late-Victorians, who, to their credit, recognized the excessive levels of poverty, deprivation, starvation and disease created by the rapid growth of industrialization. Living alongside their neighbours in these struggling areas, community members began sharing their knowledge and skills rather than dispensing charity, therefore improving the quality of life for all in the community. The settlement movement was an important aspect in the creation of the social work profession, and the shaping of the social service sector today.
The distinguishing factor between a neighborhood house and other social service organizations or community centers is the philosophy behind the movement. We strive to build safe, inclusive communities where people have a sense of belonging, a sense of place in time, and the knowledge that they, as individuals, have the ability to make a difference in their own lives, in their neighbourhood, and in their community. It isn’t about providing a program or service to address a specific need, it’s about providing tools, knowledge and practical support that empowers individuals to improve their quality of life and, in some cases, take on leadership roles in their community. Neighbourhood Houses aim to help people to find the solution instead of being the solution. While neighbourhood houses share many values and similarities, every neighbourhood house is different, reflecting and responding to the needs of the community in which it is located.
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House has long roots in the Kitsilano community. Originally the Alexandra Orphanage and Non-Sectarian Home Society back in 1894, it went through several transformations in the early 1900’s, becoming a pioneer in 1938 when it re-established itself as Alexandra House. The House underwent a change of name and location in 1972 when it became Kitsilano Neighbourhood House and moved from its roots at 7th & Pine to the present site at 7th & Vine. \r\n\r\nOver the years Kits House has served the Westside of Vancouver, making significant contributions to a strong sense of community in the area. Our purpose is to assist and empower the residents of our community to improve the quality of their lives, and the community, through the provision of community programs and services, issue advocacy, community capacity building, and community development initiatives. Our goal is to work together with residents, other community organizations, all levels of government, and business in order to respond effectively and efficiently to the changing needs of our diverse community.