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.
Limitless Potential
No matter where you live, a large city, or even small town, chances are you have seen a young person who is experiencing homelessness. As individuals and as a society, it is important that we do everything we can to support all youth. Why? As a former Covenant House Vancouver youth so eloquently stated, “Given the right environment, we are all capable of greatness.” The term greatness is subjective, so let’s use it in the sense of a person becoming their best self. We can’t predict how a youth’s story will end, but at this stage of their lives, their potential is close to limitless.
Meet creator and artist Makia
In February of 2019, Makia came to Vancouver, and she needed a safe place to stay. “That’s when CHV opened their doors for me. It felt like home.” To Makia, CHV was a safe place where she was heard and appreciated. “[They] helped me with everything. They helped me get a job, get my ID, they helped me enroll in school and look into scholarships.”
“I felt like I was capable of doing anything,” shared Makia. She believes that in order to help prevent youth from becoming homeless, the challenges that youth face need to be tackled at the youth level – and she believes that CHV does this very well.
During her time at CHV, Makia’s confidence grew, and she began to believe in herself. “CHV built my confidence. I would look out the window every day and smile.” Makia has an amazing view on life. She has embraced her journey and her challenges. “Right now, I’m working. I’m planning on going to music school. I’m a musician and I write music. I’m discovering who I am, and I am proud of that. I’m proud of this moment.”
“I am happy that I am able to creatively express myself through art and music. I feel like I am a part of art. It has always felt like it was a therapeutic way of self-expression.” After her stay at CHV, Makia shared her passion for music and her gratitude for all that CHV did for her, by producing her first music video. “The video shows the struggle and the loneliness of those specifically dealing with homelessness.” She hired the videographer, found the locations and “found a special person to be in the video with me.”
Take a moment to enjoy this impactful video
Makia’s message for any young person who is hurting, struggling, or lost
The take-away message that Makia hopes the viewers will carry with them is to have understanding and compassion for those on a different journey than their own. “Sometimes, somethings are just unexplainable.” Makia is inspired by the world. She believes that we can all learn from one another to create bigger possibilities.
Makia has a message for any young person who is hurting, struggling, or lost. “We are all purposeful and important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When people are pushing you to be your best it’s because they see the best in you. Continue to push forward to achieve or maintain your happiness.”
Makia has grown as a person and as an artist. She used to feel like she was a failure when things didn’t work out for her. She’s realized that dealing with grief is a process, so she takes her time with each step of her healing and moves forward.
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Portobello West Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Portobello West’s highly anticipated Spring Market 2022 returns to Vancouver’s Olympic Village on False Creek in March, featuring over 60 BC artists, designers and producers. Check out what’s in store and enter to win a prize package valued at over $300!
Portobello West Spring Market
When: Saturday, March 19 & Sunday, March 20 – 11:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Creekside Community Recreation Centre (1 Athletes Way, Vancouver)
Admission: Buy online $5 for adults, kids 12 and under free
With safety protocols in place. All attendees will be required to provide proof of full (double) vaccination by showing their Vaccine Passport with matching ID. Masks mandatory.
Shop from the curated selection of exquisite offerings for your entire family, including fashion, jewellery, art, home decor, skin care, and more. Once you’ve shopped up an appetite, grab a bite from eateries on site, Camion Café and The Brownie Bakers.
Enjoy free, public art installations, performances, theatre, film, culture and heritage events all across the city over the next few days. From LunarFest to Love Lights, online festivals to outdoor skating, there are over forty things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend February 4-6, 2022
Back by popular demand, Science World’s Girls and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & design, Math) event returns with a multi-day format and a keynote by activist and engineering Student, Alexis Williams.
Science World’s Girls and STEAM 2022
When: Tuesday February 22, 5:00pm to 7:00pm; Thursday February 24, 5:00pm to 7:00pm; Saturday February 26, 9:00am to 12:00pm
This free, virtual and in-demand event aims to engage youth aged 14-16 in STEAM learning and boasts over 100 mentors for the girls to connect with in breakout rooms.
This year, the keynote on February 26 will be delivered by Alexis Williams, activist and student at the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University, who combined her coding skills with her passion for activism to create pb-resources.com, an anti-racism toolkit that teaches users about allyship and Black history, and encourages direct action.
“I look forward to sharing my experiences as a woman in STEM and how being a member of marginalized communities contributes to the work I do,” said Alexis Williams. “Sharing the importance of applying your skills and privilege toward supporting communities and topics you are passionate about is something I really hope comes across in my keynote speech. I look forward to inspiring this group and know I’ll be inspired by their hard work and drive as well.”
This is the fifth year of Girls and STEAM, and this year’s format has a new spin with mentorship events on Tuesday and Thursday and a keynote event on Saturday. Science World has expanded this event due to the demand for more events that support and nurture the development of girls and women in STEAM careers. There are over 32 breakout rooms for the girls to attend, with over 100 mentors.
On the 26th, participants will enjoy an exhibitor showcase, panel discussions and breakout sessions with a variety of mentors, interactive experiments and workshops with leaders in STEAM, and finish with a fully interactive online gameshow highlighting some of the many opportunities showcased at the event. There will also be a 20-minute workshop hosted by engineers and geoscientists from BGC Engineering to investigate the cause of a large landslide threatening a mountain village. In this interactive workshop, participants will help to solve the mystery and choose an engineering solution to save the village. Mentorship cafes hosted throughout the event will connect girls in the event with mentors in the fields they are interested in.
The full schedule can be found here. All mentor sessions will be available to stream after the event at youtube.com/scienceworldtv.
Step up your Valentine’s Day (or any day getaway) plans with a romantic stay in at Rowena’s Inn at Sandpiper Resort in Harrison Mills. Secluded on a 160-acre waterfront estate, this Harrison hotel is a grand, English-style manor that was converted into a boutique bed and breakfast in the Fraser Valley.
Rowena’s Inn, John Bollwitt photo
Valentine’s Day at Rowena’s Inn
The resort, which features a golf course, restaurant, boutique inn hotel, cottages, and cabins, is hosting a series of special dinners this season.
Step Back in Time, Fireside Dining is taking place February 12 & 13, March 12, and April 9, 2022. Enjoy a seasonally-focused gourmet meal amidst 1920s ambiance. Dine fireside in the Upper and Lower Drawing Rooms at Rowena’s Inn all while enjoying beautiful mountain and river views. $75 per person for the four course dining experience (view the menu online here).
The Clubhouse Restaurant has a special Super Bowl LVI menu (February 13), and a three course prime rib Valentine’s Dinner (available February 12, 13, 14).
Rowena’s Inn, John Bollwitt photo
To give you an idea of just how idyllic Rowena’s Inn on the River is: It’s been the backdrop for several Hallmark movies and I also recommended it for our nephew when he wanted to propose to his girlfriend when they visited Vancouver (she said yes! and they were married in September, 2021).
When you choose to stay at Rowena’s Inn, a $20 food and beverage credit is included per person per day, which may be used towards breakfast, lunch, dinner, or on the golf course. Browse their winter packages for more great offers and follow Rowena’s on Instagram and Facebook for their latest news.
