More children will be playing outdoors in Victoria-Fraserview if a group of enthusiastic teens have their way.
The neighbourhood is dominated by tree-lined streets, single-family homes and manicured lawns — reminiscent of the late 1980s American TV show The Wonder Years. But unlike on that show, the streets in Victoria-Fraserview are often empty of children.
The lack of interplay between neighbourhood children led to the Engaging Neighbourhoods Initiative, a group of 13 Victoria-Fraserview teens and one university student who organize events such as dinners, outside games and a yearly carnival for children aged six to 12 in an effort to bring together youth who are not meeting other kids in their community.
Simon Fraser University business student Samantha Nguyen, ENI’s university representative, got involved when she moved from the Philippines to
Victoria-Fraserview almost six years ago. She said language barriers and being unfamiliar with customs often prevent young immigrants from engaging in their neighbourhood.
Nguyen, 18, made connections for herself, and has been moved by seeing other young immigrants get connected through the group.
“This one boy came over, him and his younger brother and they were playing on their Playbook and they just kind of stopped for a minute and then they came over and joined the soccer game we were playing,” she said.
Samantha is looking forward to the group’s biggest event, a carnival in spring 2014.
Community planner Sarah Gillett wrote a graduating project on ENI in 2010 as a student at UBC.
She said she was inspired by the amazing capacity of youth to make things happen but noticed no single community partner took ownership of the group — they didn’t even have a consistent space to meet. She worries they won’t be able to keep the group going.
“One of the takeaways for me is just the importance for communities to create the space and support for youth. Youth don’t need much … but there is a role in communities to really actively facilitate,” she said.
The group is partnered with the newly formed South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Community Action Network. ENI’s high school leader Andrew Ng said they are trying to fundraise to make the group self-sustaining. Earlier this month they raised $100 at a bake sale.
For information on ENI go to southvancommunityproject.wordpress.com
