The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
Covenant House Rights of Passage – Photo Submitted
The Rights of Passage Program Is Serving Up Life Skills
Covenant House Vancouver’s Rights of Passage program is about building the life skills, specific to each youth, that are necessary for them to make a successful transition to living independently. Some of these learned skills include renting, budgeting, resume writing, and cooking. Cooking is a multifaceted life skill because it involves planning a meal, knowing what ingredients to buy, budgeting to be able to afford the ingredients, shopping for the ingredients, and then preparing the food.
Proper nutrition is instrumental in performing many other life skills, so let’s take a moment to talk about the importance of nutrition.
Being nutritionally vulnerable has significant ramifications, including: poor health, which is a barrier from obtaining and maintaining employment; lack of proper food storage or cooking facilities which can lead to poor food choices such as fast food; possible impairment of cognitive and physiological functions; increase risk of infections; and exacerbating depression and substance use.
Youth enrolled in Covenant House Vancouver’s Rights of Passage program have regular access to healthy meals, a safe environment, and have support to work through any addictions, if applicable.
Covenant House Rights of Passage – Photo Submitted
Life Skills Change Lives
The life skills that one youth may need to be successful, can be quite different than another’s. That’s why Covenant House Vancouver takes a one-size-fits-one approach and tailors a plan for each youth that will help them to succeed.
If you were asked to go to the grocery store and pick up some hamburger meat, would you be able to complete that task? If you answered yes, that is because at some point, an adult has taught you that in the grocery store, hamburger meat is called ground beef. Now, imagine the same task, without an adult to teach you that life skill.
Cooking is such an essential life skill to learn. As stated earlier, proper nutrition is important in order to maintain employment, which is a key component in breaking the cycle of homelessness. The Pender Street location of Covenant House is currently being renovated to include a training kitchen that will better support youth in learning the many facets of cooking.
Learning to cook can also open up a youth’s social life. They will be able to invite friends over and cook for them, cooking together can help strengthen relationships, and youth will be able to participate in potluck events.
The life skills that youth learn in the Rights of Passage program are key to their successful transition to independent living. Despite the rising cost of food and housing, youth are still making successful transitions. If you would like to learn more about youth programs and services, or if you would like to support youth in the Rights of Passage program, please visit Covenant House Vancouver’s website.
A classic Vancouver entertainment experience returns this Summer as Theatre Under the Stars (“TUTS”) presents its 2023 season, featuring The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical from July 6 – August 26, 2023 at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl.
Theatre Under the Stars Summer 2023
When: July 6 – August 26, 2023
Previews: July 6 – 9, 2023
Opening Nights: July 11 and 12, 2023
Times: All shows begin at 8 pm except for July 22, 26, & 29 when shows begin at 7:00pm for Fireworks Nights
Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park (610 Pipeline Rd. Vancouver)
“This summer, we look forward to continuing the annual tradition of spectacular theatre in our magical outdoor setting with our faithful and supportive TUTS audience, whether families, friends, or passionate theatre-goers,” says TUTS General Manager Kevin Woo. “This year’s season is full of heart, hope, mischief, and merriment, featuring two of Broadway’s smash hits: the big-hearted comedy, The Prom, and the fast-paced family adventure, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. Audiences will be moved by both musicals’ warmth and optimism – and their ultimate promise that love always prevails.”
Set at a small-town high school, The Prom masterfully balances unabashed hopefulness, heartfelt vulnerability, and hard-hitting hilarity. Desperate to improve their public image, four down-on-their-luck Broadway actors rally behind Emma, a teenager whose prom has just been cancelled because she planned to attend with her girlfriend. But their scheming quickly goes sideways, and they ultimately come to learn what everyone is searching for – a place to belong.
The Prom will be directed and choreographed by Tracey Power, who makes her TUTS debut. A revered director and choreographer, Power has worked with numerous theatre and opera companies, including Vancouver Opera, Bard on the Beach, Arts Club Theatre, Firehall Arts Centre, and Citadel Theatre.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musicaltakes place in a small English village, where a brilliant little girl with a lively imagination is bullied by her self-absorbed parents and tyrannical headmistress. Through the strength of her whimsical storytelling abilities, she uses her newfound magical powers to ‘fight for the right to be a little bit naughty.’ With toe-tapping songs and outstanding dance numbers featuring a talented cast of young people, this family-friendly stage phenomenon is the perfect TUTS introduction for young audiences.
Also making her TUTS debut is Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical director Stephanie Graham. Graham’s directing credits include Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, and Mamma Mia for Globe Theatre and Anne of Green Gables for Thousand Islands Playhouse.
Regular ticket sales begin in June, 2023 and can be purchased online.
Enjoy summer movie nights at The Orpheum as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra plays along with live screenings of blockbusters and fan favourite films.
Summer Movie Nights at The Orpheum
When: July 2023
Where: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
Tickets: Save up to 10-40% when you bundle and purchase tickets to two or more Summer Movie Nights events
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert – July 5 & 6, 2023
Thirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished and a new threat has risen: The First Order, led by the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke and his dark side enforcer, Kylo Ren. General Leia Organa’s military force, the Resistance — and unlikely heroes brought together by fate — are the galaxy’s only hope at thwarting a new reign of evil. From visionary director J.J. Abrams, the film features a new score composed by five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony – July 13 & 14, 2023
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony™ celebrates the world’s most beloved Looney Tunes and their legendary stars projected on the big screen — Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Tweety, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, and Road Runner — while their extraordinary original scores are played live by the VSO.
Ratatouille in Concert – July 18 & 19, 2023
Experience Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning film Ratatouille™ on the big screen while the VSO performs composer Michael Giacchino’s beloved score live. Audiences of all ages love this tale of a determined young rat with a cultivated palate who gets an unlikely chance to do what he dreams of most – cook in a French restaurant in Paris.
Jurassic Park in Concert – July 21 & 22, 2023
Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of Jurassic Park™ pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Experience it now, projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture.
Follow the VSO on Facebook for more events and news.
All across the province communities are busy planning for BC Youth Week with free events organized by youth, for youth. Select a region below to view over a hundred events happening May 1-7, 2023!
BC Youth Week is a celebration recognizing the value, diversity and positive contributions youth make in their communities. Be sure to catch one of many events including everything from sporting events and art shows, to award ceremonies, talent shows and educational events.
