As a Palestinian, ‘refugee’ is a familiar word and status that many of my people have known since 1948. For non-refugees, this word can represent a stigma as it is associated with encroaching instability and danger. Others wear this term…
Last week the Vancouver Foundation released a much-anticipated update to its landmark 2012 Connections and Engagement report on loneliness and community life in Metro Vancouver. This update, like the original report, provides hard evidence for trends most of us know…
Our family gathers together each Sunday in Advent to sing carols. Most weeks I choose ‘O Holy Night’ and I particularly love the third verse: Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is…
Journey Home Community has been a leader in welcoming refugees to Metro Vancouver over the past decade or so (see here, here and here). Its commitment has again been made clear in a recent letter of concern to the Liberal…
There is an ocean width of difference between being alone and being lonely. Some think it is language, unaffordable housing, technology or erratic work schedules that distance us from each other. For newcomers to Canada, it may be all of…