The Bloom Group: Cordova House

Applications are closed!

Check back in December 2020 for Reading Week 2021!

About the project

This project seeks to give voice to residents living at Cordova House, which offers a stable home and access to a range of support services for 66 residents ages 45 years and older in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Cordova House assists its residents in managing day-to-day tasks and activities so they are able to succeed in maintaining stable housing.

UBC student volunteers will get a unique opportunity to work closely with select Cordova House residents to help them express/narrate their stories about the communities (places and people) they interact with every day, through meaningful discussion and artistic expression. The project will see UBC students and Cordova House residents engage in one-on-one conversations about what makes a healthy community, and capture their personal perspectives using photography and arts and craft. These artistic representations of their stories, created with support from UBC students, will be put on display for other residents to see and engage in.

Scheduling

Programming	Dates
Kick-off Orientation	Saturday, February 8, 2019; 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Project	Tuesday, February 18 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 19 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Thursday, February 20 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

What you will do

The project will have UBC students interacting with residents in Cordova House (CH) by engaging in reflective conversations about what creates and supports a healthy community, and capture their perspectives of community through photography. Specific project activities include:

Work alongside your UBC staff and student leaders to prepare and plan for the project.
Participate in orientation activities at Cordova House on Day 1 (Feb 18).
Engage with select Cordova House residents to facilitate meaningful discussions on their experiences/storyline and plan the activities for Day 1 & 2.
Work one-on-one with a Cordova House resident to help them learn photography skills
Capture the residents’ stories and writing up brief summaries to include in the display.
Walk around in the neighbourhood and take photographs that reflect their perspective of the community.
Support residents to select and print the photos and source other materials for the display.
Support in planning, organizing and setting up the display on Day 2 and/or 3.
Participate in a range of activities, including reflective exercises with other student volunteers.
Taking part in celebratory wrap-up activities with Cordova House residents, staff, and UBC team.

Qualifications

Mandatory Criminal Record Check prior to Reading Week Kick off
Enthusiasm and interest in meaningful engagement with residents of the Downtown Eastside
Experience in community outreach
Interest in social justice
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Organizational, event planning, and time-management skills
An interest and passion for art, photography and storytelling
Ability to bring/use your personal camera for the project will be highly appreciated but not mandatory
A background in one of more of the following areas would be an asset, but is not mandatory:
- Journalism, film, or media studies
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Psychology, Social Work or Counseling