The Dan’s Legacy Foundation has launched a new social enterprise called Dan’s Diner in New Westminster, offering at-risk youth an opportunity to gain valuable skills to help them succeed while providing local community members with affordable, nutritious meals.
Dan’s Diner Grand Opening – Barb Coates, Executive Director along with dignitaries and Dan’s staff
Dan’s Diner Job-Skills Training for At-Risk Youth
Address: 150 – 131 11th Street, New Westminster
Hours: Weekdays (except statutory holidays) from 11:30am to 5:30pm
Dan’s Diner offers packaged soups, stews, curries, chilis and more, all made by students under the direction of our professional chefs. Service training is conducted out of the diner where the meals are available for sale to the public, and catering services are also now available. New menu items are updated on a daily basis
This new social enterprise was allocated federal funding from the Building Safer Communities Fund, which is designed to decrease gun and gang violence among youth by providing supportive diversion programs. Gangs attract vulnerable youth by offering them a sense of security and belonging that is otherwise missing in their life; young people don’t recognize the violence and instability inherent in gang association until it’s too late.
The diner offers at-risk youth a safe alternative to gangs; a clinically-supported, stable environment in which to build their self-esteem and receive food service industry training and paid work experience alongside their peers. The job and life skills that program participants gain will empower them to build meaningful careers.
About Dan’s Legacy
The Dan’s Legacy Foundation is a Canadian registered charity operating in Metro Vancouver. They provide therapeutic counselling and life-skills intervention programs for youth affected by mental health and addictions issues resulting from childhood trauma and abuse. They deliver our programs to clients in partnership with other community organizations providing wrap-around services to at-risk youth. For individual clients, private counselling sessions can be obtained through a Dan’s Legacy bursary should there be a financial need.
No other organization in Metro Vancouver does what Dan’s Legacy does and they have an over 50% success rate in helping youth to stabilize, and begin working towards their education, employment and recovery goals. In 2022, they helped over 450 youth overcome their mental health and addiction challenges and lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours has unveiled a new seasonal offering! The Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour is a blend of history, architecture, scandalous tales, and delicious hot chocolate.
Holiday & Hot Chocolate Tour
Date: Saturdays and Sundays in December and early January
Extra dates December 27th to January 5th
Time: Starting at 11:00am or 2:00pm
Address: Meet at the corner of Robson & Granville St in front of Old Navy
The tour offers a unique journey through iconic Downtown Vancouver heritage buildings that hold within their walls captivating tales of intrigue, jealousy, murder, fame, and corruption. Participants will also view stunning holiday displays in some of the city’s most opulent hotel lobbies. A highlight of the tour is a private viewing inside the historic Marine Building, an Art Deco masterpiece once the city’s tallest building.
To add a sweet note to the walking tour, participants will enjoy a delicious hot chocolate from the award-winning Mink Chocolates, known for their handmade artisan chocolates. The experience is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all ages 10 and older. Guests can customize their hot cocoas with dark or milk chocolate and non-dairy choices (including vegan options). All tour stops are inside or under cover to keep guests warm and dry.
Follow Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours on Facebook for more info.
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As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving takes center stage, and you can give the wonderful gift of your time by becoming a volunteer at an Aunt Leah’s tree lot.
Photo submitted by Aunt Leah’s
Volunteer with Aunt Leah’s Tree Lots
For almost 30 years, Aunt Leah’s Trees has sold Christmas trees to fund programs that provide foster youth and young mothers with the support they require on their journey to independence. These programs offer safe housing, food security, life skills, and employment training.
Aunt Leah’s Trees has a goal to have trees in the homes of over 5,000 families this year; a goal that can be completed with your help. There’s a position for everyone looking to contribute from November 25 to December 17 at all of Aunt Leah’s Tree lots locations. View the volunteer guide and sign up to volunteer for the location, time, and position that suits you best.
Vancouver Shift Times:
Daily from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Daily from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Daily from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Burnaby and Coquitlam Shift Times:
Monday through Thursday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday through Thursday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Friday through Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Friday through Sunday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Weekends 10:00am to 2:00pm
Aunt Leah’s Trees has 3 locations across Vancouver, Burnaby, and Coquitlam with shifts for volunteers daily. From November 25th to December 17th, sign up for any time slot at any location available.
Vancouver: St. Stephen’s United Church at 54th and Granville St 7025 Granville St
Open Hours: Monday through Sunday from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Burnaby: All Saints Anglican Church at Royal Oak and Rumble 7405 Royal Oak Ave
Open Hours: Monday through Thursday from 1:00pm to 8:00pm; Friday and Sunday from 10:00am to 8:00pm; Saturdays until 5:00pm
Coquitlam: Eagle Ridge United Church 2813 Glen Dr
Open Hours: Monday through Thursday from 1:00pm to 8:00pm and Friday through Sunday from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Follow Miss604Holidays this season for the latest arts and culture activities, attraction and event news »
Miss604 is proud to sponsor Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum which opens for the season this weekend with free admission. You can find this event and many more things to do around Metro Vancouver listed below:
Early Music Vancouver (EMV) and the Vancouver Chamber Choir (VCC) celebrate the festive season with the highly anticipated return of Handel’s Messiah at The Orpheum – and you can enter to win tickets!
Photo by Jan Gates.
Handel’s Messiah Holiday Concert in Vancouver
Date: Friday, December 8, 2023
Time: 7:30pm
Address: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
Tickets: Available online now.
From $20-$69
Under age 35: 35% off regular priced tickets; free tickets for Indigenous persons; $10 Student Rush tickets at the door, based on availability
EMV’s in-house orchestra, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will come together to delight audiences in this glorious masterwork, led by celebrated conductor Alexander Weimann. They are joined by four internationally acclaimed soloists: sopranoSherezade Panthaki, altoAllyson McHardy, tenor Nicholas Scott, and bass Jonathon Adams – each of whom will perform from memory, thereby enhancing the story-telling side of this glorious work.
EMV and the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s rendition of Handel’s Messiah offers an intimate, baroque styling of the seasonal favourite, reminiscent of the period instruments and display of virtuosity with which Handel would have been acquainted. Featuring an orchestra of 21 period instrumentalists, a chorus of 24 chamber vocalists, and four international soloists specializing in baroque ornamentation performance practice, audiences will be transported to the concert halls of 18th century England, further illuminating the transcendent legacy of this universal treasure.
Written by the composer in just 24 days, Handel’s Messiah has been performed around the world for centuries. In Canada alone, Messiah performances date back to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Halifax in 1789 – evidence of the timeless resonance of this work! The triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” is so recognizable and beloved, it is now synonymous with this work, and with the season at large.
