Around Town: LEGO partners, Victim Circles of Support, Surrey Night Market

LEGO Mindstorms is providing a way for Youth Unlimited, HD Stafford Middle School and BCIT students to help pre-teens.

LEGO Mindstorms is providing a way for Youth Unlimited, HD Stafford Middle School and BCIT students to work together with pre-teens.

LEGO is the key to a creative partnership just under way between Youth Unlimited and HD Stafford Middle School in Langley. This report by Keela Keeping, director of marketing and communications for Youth Unlimited tells the story:

While it’s often teenagers who attract attention to their distraught outbursts, Youth Unlimited and HD Stafford Middle School have long known what studies show – it’s the pre-teen years where intervention is both possible and critical. That’s why they‘ve turned their attention to a surprising ally in helping those young people – LEGO. Puzzled? Think less interlocking plastic bricks, and more innovative robotics.

A 2011 United Way study showed that as disengaged kids aged nine to 12 moved from middle school to high school, they report a troubling decrease in self-confidence, self-worth, optimism, empathy and satisfaction with life. Left unchecked, this worsens as children move into adolescence.

“However,“ says Danny Ferguson, youth worker and director of Youth Unlimited in Langley, “the study also shows that children who engaged in after-school structured activities scored significantly higher across almost all dimensions of psychological and social well-being than their non-involved counter-parts.“

It was this understanding that prompted Stafford officials to push for additional school activities for students to fill the gap between the end of the school day and when they go home. Input from BCIT practicum students suggested the launch of an after-school LEGO club, but the resources and manpower to launch it seemed unattainable.

The Stafford vice principal reached out to Youth Unlimited outreach workers.

“We saw this project as a really smart investment in our kids,” says Ferguson. “LEGO has a way of igniting imagination and developing community – two ingredients we definitely want to see more of in local youth. LEGO Mindstorms takes it to a whole new level.”

firstlegoleague1The project is based on the First LEGO League curriculum, which uses LEGO Mindstorms, a series of kits with software and hardware to create customizable and programmable robots. Projects like this enable youth to research engineering projects, such as environmental sustainability, then build working systems to address these issues.

Through the power of social media, Youth Unlimited jumped the initial funding hurdle; after six hours of broadcast, Kitchening and Co. stepped up as a program sponsor and the program was a “go.”

“It’s the definition of community partnership,” says Ferguson. “Stafford provides the space, BCIT students teach robotics, the shop teacher volunteers his time and a local business provides the start-up funds. We couldn’t be more thrilled to coordinate and provide the youth workers.”

While research affirmed that project relevance was high, expectations for student turn-out was temperate.

“We were expecting 10 – 20 students to be interested,” says Ferguson, “But as it turns out we have our 12 kids, and there are over 100 on the waitlist.”

The initiative launched May 31 and will continue through the end of the school year. The hope of Youth Unlimited, HD Stafford and the community partners is to relaunch the full-fledged project in September to meet the demand. Ferguson says an additional $1,000 would create space for 30 – 40 more youth. He dreams of sending kids to provincial LEGO competitions and LEGOLAND in California.

“I would love to find the funds to send Langley youth to next year’s competition,” he says. “This project really feels like just a beginning of what’s possible.”

Victim Circles of Support

v-cos1This initiative seems like a great idea. Catholic Charities Justice Services (CCJS) is launching a new program: Victim Circles of Support (V-CoS). Participants in a day-long gathering this weekend will hear speakers, including Bishop David Monroe of Kamloops, and take part of the discussions about how to reach out to victims of crime.

The event, which takes place during Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2016, will be held on Saturday (June 4) in Langley. It is funded through the Department of Justice Victims Fund.

Organizers Germaine Solaiman and Maureen Donegan are also both involved with CoSA (Circles of Support and Accountability), which offers support for high risk sex offenders who have served time in prison.

Surrey Night Market

surreynightmarket1Starting this week (June 5) Surrey Night Market at Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds will feature Sunday worship services from 5 – 6 pm, with a prayer tent open until 10 pm. The market, which will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings each week, will carry on until August 15.

Sam Emerson of Cloverdale Church will be host pastor Sunday evenings. Organizers have lined up a number of performers for the Surrey Night Market stage, including Asi Somos, Five for the Road Band and the Langley Ukulele Ensemble. For the full list go here. Others interested in performing can email [email protected].

Organizers would also like to have more prayer warriors for the prayer tent. Email [email protected].

There is a $2 gate admission for entering the night market, though once inside, the service and prayer tent are free of charge.

Jun 2016

Walking in the Spirit of Reconciliation: Langley Churches for Reconciliation – June 1, 2016 - June 4, 2016 at All Day
Drama: Screaming in Silence – June 2, 2016 - June 4, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Stephen Woodworth – June 2, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Andy Atkins: Fighting Poverty, Saving the Earth – June 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Love the Stranger: Responding to the Current Refugee Crisis – June 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
More Than a Roof Presents: Art from the Shadows – June 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pacific Mennonite Children's Choir: Folk Songs Far and Near – June 3, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Launch of Victim Circles of Support Program – June 4, 2016 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Peter Anderson: Youth Explored: Tools for Understanding and Engaging the Next Generation – June 4, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre Garage Sale – June 4, 2016 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
DTES Church Gathering – June 5, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Gordon Smith: What Can Evangelicals Learn from Catholics? – June 6, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Darrell Johnson & Special Guest Presenters: A Consultation on Preaching – June 8, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psalm 23): Perspectives of Patients and Families on End of Life and Medical Assistance in Dying – June 8, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jeffrey Greenman: The Pedagogy of Praise – How Congregational Worship Shapes Christian Character – June 8, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Triology – June 8, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Wit by Margaret Edison – June 9, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Pause for Perspective: Silent Retreat with Father Richard Soo SJ – June 10, 2016 at 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
A Rocha: Stories & Song, with Peter & Miranda Harris, Sandra McCracken – June 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Duncan Africa Benefit Concert – June 10, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
DRIME Fundraiser: Run for the Nations – June 11, 2016 at All Day
The Mission of God and Your Church – June 11, 2016 at All Day
Gordon Smith: Cultivating Institutions that Thrive – June 11, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Mental Health Workshops: Mental Health, Faith & Community – June 11, 2016 at 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Gospel Music Festival – June 11, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Saint Eugene de Mazenod Play – June 11, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Reconcile This!: Uniting Struggles Against Colonial Dispossession & Capitalist Displacement – June 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jesus Loves Me Hymn Festival – June 11, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
GWW: God's Word Written – Biblical Apologetics & Preaching Conference – June 14, 2016 - June 16, 2016 at All Day
Watoto Children's Choir – June 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
British Columbia Christian Ashram – June 15, 2016 at All Day
Kairos Course (Cantonese) – June 15, 2016 at All Day
Clergy Abuse: Finding Ways to Heal – June 15, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 15, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Miles Wong – June 15, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
EFC Webinar: Youth and Church – Five Years Since the Hemorrhaging Faith Study – June 16, 2016 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Seaside Social: A Fundraising Evening for Creative Life – June 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pink Impact 2016 Women's Conference – June 17, 2016 - June 18, 2016 at 1:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Watoto Children's Choir: Oh, What Love – June 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Refugee Hope Walk – June 18, 2016 at 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Combating Modern Day Slavery – June 18, 2016 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 18, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Angus Stuart: Word of Light – The Gospel of John in the Flesh – June 18, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
World Refugee Sunday – June 19, 2016 at All Day
Ecumenical Worship in the Park – June 19, 2016 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Watoto Children's Choir – June 19, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
TRC Challenge Event & National Aboriginal Day – June 20, 2016 at 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
CSSA Golf Tournament for Mission Possible – June 22, 2016 at 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Kelita Haverland – June 22, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Pilar Mehlis: I Belong Here . . . – June 23, 2016 at All Day
Kairos Blanket Exercise – June 23, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Fr. Jacques Philippe: Series of talks on Mercy – June 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Men for God Conference – June 24, 2016 - June 25, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Chapel: School's Out 2016 - Trilogy – June 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 11:55 pm
Tamara Kleinsasser in Concert – June 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Birthright International Walk/Run Day – June 25, 2016 at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Welcome Centre Opening – June 25, 2016 at 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Vancouver Oratorio Society: The Path of Composition – June 25, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 25, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Aboriginal Day Electronica Liturgy – June 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cathy AJ Hardy Album Release Party: 'And I Heard the Sound of Laughter' – June 25, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
World Refugee Sunday – June 26, 2016 at All Day
St. Jude's Open House – June 26, 2016 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Kairos Course (Cantonese) – June 26, 2016 at 3:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Watoto Children's Choir – June 26, 2016 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mixed Multitude Music Album Release / Listening Party – June 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Vancouver Oratorio Society: Silver Jubilee Celebration Concert – June 26, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Richard Mouw: Why Evangelicals Need Sacred Spaces – June 27, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Regent Redux: A Good Death? Mercy, Mortality & Medically Assisted Dying – June 28, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Boundaries – June 28, 2016 at 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
The Colour Collective: The View from Here - Opening Reception – June 29, 2016 at 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Philip Ryken: Becoming Like Jesus in His Death – Lessons for Ministry from Shusaku Endo's 'Silence' – June 29, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Tord Gustavsen Hymns and Visions with Simin Tander and Jarle Vespestad – June 29, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong: Original Blend – June 29, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Jul 2016

Canada Day Prayer for Greater Vancouver – July 1, 2016 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am
With One Voice – July 1, 2016 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
A Rocha: Restoration Saturday – July 2, 2016 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Night of Power Prayer – July 3, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Summit Ministries Canada: Worldview Summer Course - “NO Compromise" Defending TRUTH in a Culture of Deception – July 4, 2016 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tsawwassen Alliance Church Soccer Camp – July 4, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dr. Daniel Boyarin: Jesus Kept Kosher: a New Interpretation of Mark 7 – July 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Night of Power Prayer – July 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Susan Phillips: Paying Attention - Taking the Time to Discover Our Stories – July 4, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
One Night Screening of 'Numb' – July 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Business By the Book: Annie Li – July 6, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Regen: Jen Ennis / Regen Band – July 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ralph Wood: Flannery O'Connor, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Christ Pantocrator – July 6, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Evensong: Hip Pocket Trio – July 6, 2016 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Memorial for Iraq – July 7, 2016 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Dr. Christine Bochen: Thomas Merton’s Witness and Challenge: “Mercy, always, in everything, mercy” – July 7, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Gospel in Vancouver: Imagining Mission in Cascadia – July 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Pacific Grace Soccer Camp – July 8, 2016 - July 12, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
White Rock Baptist Church Soccer Camp – July 8, 2016 - July 12, 2016 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
CBC Musical Nooners: The Tourist Company with special guest Jordan Klassen – July 8, 2016 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Harrison Gospel Chapel Art Exhibit – July 9, 2016 - July 10, 2016 at All Day
David Ley: Postmodern Urban Spaces - a City Tour – July 9, 2016 at 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Vancouver Whitecaps Faith and Family Night – July 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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