(These are FREE listings. Submit your event / announcement at EditorVoice@gmail.com)
New Mental Health Initiative: Youth Volunteers Needed
On behalf of the South Asian Mental Health Alliance and Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, this is an open call for South Asian youth in Greater Vancouver, ages 14 to 21, interested in receiving Mental Health First-Aid Training, a professional certification developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The goal is to create a volunteer team of mental health Youth Ambassadors who will raise awareness around mental health, and will work together to de-stigmatize its discussion and treatment within the South Asian community. In addition to mental health first-aid training, our volunteer Youth Ambassadors will receive training in public speaking and presenting so that they may effectively educate others about mental health. If this volunteer opportunity interests you, email harmanspandher@gmail.com, or call or text Harman S. Pandher at (778) 835-7898.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Celebration
“Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (PBD) is celebrated every year by the Consulate General of India, Vancouver, to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots. You are invited on the occasion on Wednesday, January 9, 3-5 p.m., at the Consulate General, 3rd Floor, #201 325 Howe Street, Vancouver. Registration is compulsory to attend the event. Click on RSVP to register. www.cgivancouver.gov.in. Phone: (604) 662-8811, Ext: 112.
South Asian Seniors: Group Birthday
Vedic Seniors Parivar Center of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members and guests to attend a group birthday of nine senior members born between November 19 and January 5. The celebration will take place on Saturday, January 5, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. There will be snacks, fruit juice, a cake, vegetarian lunch, dessert, etc. There will be live entertainment including jokes and Hindi songs. Prior registration is required for non-members. Contact Surendra Handa, Coordinator, at 604-507-9945 for registration.
Christmas Lights for Charity: North Vancouver
This North Vancouver family has done it again – spent two and half months decorating their family home with over 100,000 lights to benefit three local charities. From 5:30 to 11 p.m. daily until the last night of Sunday, January 6, the Christmas Lights for Charity will be illuminated and 100% of both the cash and food donations go in support of the Harvest Project, Shriners Care for Kids and BC Epilepsy Society. The house is located at 4967 Chalet Place, at the top of Skyline Drive, in North Vancouver. It takes the family 2.5 months to set up the display, which features Massive blow-ups, front garden lights that move to music, walk-up driveway display, Santa, elves, reindeer, snowmen – and many more. Kids love it. Aurore Viau and John Ribalkin have announced that this is the last year. Online donations can be made here: http://chaletlightscharity.ca/
Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services has called for more than 30,000 blood donors across the country to book and keep their appointments until January 6 to ensure blood and blood products are available to help patients this holiday season. Blood donations over the holiday season are needed for, among other things, chemotherapy treatments, trauma victims, cardiac surgeries, and organ transplants – procedures that all routinely take place between Christmas and New Year’s Day. To book a blood donation appointment today, locate a donor centre, check your eligibility to donate blood and more, download the GiveBlood app available for iOS on the App Store or for Android on Google Play or visit blood.ca.
George Mackie Library: Practice English, Learn Skills
Practice English and learn skills for the Canadian workplace. Meet at the George Mackie Library in Delta on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning January 9 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. to practice English, learn workplace vocabulary, become familiar with the Canadian labour market and develop networking skills. Each session includes tips and assistance with resume writing, job search skills, websites and Canadian workplace expectations. Taught by a TESOL-certified and experienced teacher, this program is being offered in partnership with Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society. Bonus: PICS refers students, if interested, to further education at local colleges or universities. To register, call 604-596-7722 or drop in at the library.
(For more events, visit the “Events” section of our website at voiceonline.com)
