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We Need Chess Sets!

Hey Everyone,

I’m writing in regards to the shelter chess group that I am starting up for the youth this month.  If I’m correct, I believe this will be the first chess group done at CHV!  I know chess isn’t that exciting to everyone but it’s one of my passions and I’m looking forward to teaching the youth about it.  Ultimately, it’s another positive outlet available for the youth to take part in. 

There was a large interest amongst the youth which means we are short a few chess sets.  Within the group I’m planning to do some mini tournaments, teach some lessons throughout, and I have a few other ideas.  The goal is to have enough chess sets available so that none will be left waiting to play a game; to keep everyone actively engaged. 

With that said, I’m reaching out to see if there’s anyone has an extra chess set sitting around at home or one that doesn’t get used much that you would be willing to donate for the youth at Covenant House.

I’m hoping that this group will be a success and my overall goal is to give the youth more reason to make their stay in shelter a positive experience and outcome.

Cheers,
Stephen
Youth Worker, Crisis Shelter

If you are interested in donating a chess set please drop off them off at 575 Drake Street or call our Gift-in-Kind cell at 604-968-4679 for more information about donating.

image of chess set

 

Our youth send a thank you to Vancouver Opera

Vancouver Opera kindly donated tickets for our youth to attend the rehearsal performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The youth had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the experience, below are the thank you cards created by the youth.

Thanks Vancouver Opera!

thank you card

thank you card from youth

thank you card from youth

Smiling not only on the outside, but from the inside as well!

For "Jared", today was a tough day. It is welfare day, a day often fraught with many urges to buy and use drugs and/or alcohol. Today, many of Jared's friends are busy spending their money, using many substances and doing all they can to have everyone join in with them. On this day there is usually energy in the air as some of the youth in the shelter anticipate the mere $235.00 they will receive for the month from Income Assistance. This causes a lot of them anxiety, as at Covenant House, they are asked to save a good portion of their money and for most of them the idea of saving vs. impulsively spending is hard.

Today, Jared decided to sleep in, which is different than his usual routine which has almost always been to be up and ready to go by the time I arrive to work at 7:00am. Eventually when Jared did wake up today and got himself ready, he did not seem to have the same urgency as most Income Assistance days. After finishing his breakfast he asked to check in with me so we could chat about his plans for the day. Jared went on to state how he wanted to make different choices today with his money and wanted to do the right thing. I encouraged him to make healthy decisions before he left and let him know that no matter what decisions he made he was cared about by Covenant House. Later on that day Jared returned to the shelter and came straight to the office. He desperately wanted to speak to the team leader so that he could hand in his money.

Today was the first time ever that Jared had picked up his cheque, cashed it and brought every last penny back to be handed in. He also came back sober, without smoking any marijuana, another huge accomplishment for Jared! He seemed so proud of himself for making different choices today and for showing us, and himself that he could do it! Today Jared gave us another reason to help him celebrate and acknowledge a change that he had made to do something different. As a co-worker and I applauded him for his good decisions, Jared seemed to smile not only on the outside, but from the inside as well!

managing money clip art