CMHA Get Set & Connect Program
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Letter-Writing Club

Letter-Writing Club
The Letter Writing Club:
  • Offers an alternative to modern communication methods such as texting, messaging, and emailing
  • Welcomes all, regardless of prior experience or skill level
  • Requires no sign-up, just drop in and start writing
  • Provides all necessary supplies for free
    ​
Benefits of the Club:
  • Reconnects with the tradition of sending and receiving heartfelt letters.
  • Provides an opportunity to slow down and express feelings in a personal and intimate way.
  • Allows you to show your loved ones they are cared for and appreciated.

Note: The Letter-Writing Club is currently on hiatus. 
​​

Receive event reminders and other notices via Instagram.

Date and time: First Thursday of every month
  • 7 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: The Regional Assembly of Text
  • ​3934 Main Street (South of 23rd)
Cost: Free
More About Them

English Corner - Practice Conversational English

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English Corner is an informal way to improve conversational English. At English Corner, participants learn English, share ideas, and discover ways to build community. The program allows newcomers to practice communicating in English, make new friends, and together find opportunities to contribute to the wellbeing of the community.

Details:
  • Free registration
  • Intermediate-level English and higher-level speakers are welcomed!
  • Led by volunteer facilitators who speak various languages
​
Locations:

Kitsilano Community Centre
  • Sundays | 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
  • 2690 Larch St., Vancouver

West End Community Centre
  • Tuesdays | 10 am - 11:30 am
  • Sundays | 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm (beginner)
  • 870 Denman St., Vancouver

Sunset Community Centre
  • Tuesdays | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Mondays | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
  • 6810 Main St., Vancouver
 
Killarney Community Centre
  • Fridays | 7 pm - 8:30 pm
  • 6260 Killarney St., Vancouver

Dunbar Community Centre
  • Thursdays | 1 pm - 3 pm
  • 4747 Dunbar St., Vancouver

Note: Registration may be required for each session. Please consult the website. 
More Community Centre Activities

Book Clubs for Adults

Book Clubs for Adults
Read some good books, enjoy lively discussions, and make new friends. Joining a book club at your local Vancouver Public Library Branch is a great way to socialize and connect with your community.

Details:
  • Various VPL Branches host weekly book clubs 
  • Free registration
  • Cantonese and Mandarin groups are available at some branches 
  • Morning, afternoon, and evening groups available

Winter Book Clubs:

Firehall Branch
  • ​2nd Tuesday of each month | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  • 1455 West 10th Ave., Vancouver
  • Books include:
    • ​Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
    • Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin
    • The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Fraseriew Book Club
  • 2nd Saturday of each month | 11:30 am
  • 1950 Argyle Dr., Vancouver
  • Books include:
    • His Whole Life by Elizabeth Hay
    • ​An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield
    • The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

​Hastings Branch
  • 3rd Wednesday of each month | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
  • 2674 East Hastings St., Vancouver
  • Books include:
    • The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
    • ​​Tilly and the Crazy Eights by Monique Gray Smith
    • Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club by Megan Gail Coles
    • His Whole Life by Elizabeth Hay

False Creek Reading Circle
  • 2nd Thursday of each month | 2:30 - 3:30 pm
  • 1318 Cartwright St., Vancouver

Chinese Book Lovers Reading Circle (in Mandarin) 
  • 2nd Saturday of each month | 2:30 - 4:00 pm
  • At the Central VPL Branch - 350 West Georgia St.
  • Share your favourite Chinese materials, including books, articles, and movies with other enthusiastic readers
More Info

Board Game Events

Board Game Paradise
Do you sometimes find it easier to be doing something while you chat, rather than an event with the focus being just conversation? A drop-in board game night may be for you.

Rain City Games: 
  • Location: #1609, 88 West Pender St., Vancouver
  • Saturdays, from 1 pm - 9 pm
  • Cost: $5 for a drop-in, register here

​Strategies Games & Hobbies:
  • Various board game events
  • Location: 3878 Main St., Vancouver
  • More info here

​Drop-In Board Games at Emily Carr:
  • Thursdays at the Emily Carr University Library
  • Free for students, staff, and faculty
  • Open to all levels
  • More info here
    ​
​Family Board Games at VPL:
  • Periodic board game events for the whole family
  • More info here
  • Vancouver Public Library also lends out board games 

Community Board Games

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Various Community Centres around Vancouver offer free weekly drop-in board game events for individuals to gather around a table and explore the tabletop gaming hobby. There will be a rotating collection of games provided, ranging from the old to the new. Event hosts will be available to teach these games to you, as well as answer any questions that come up as you play them.

Free Weekly Drop-In Board Games:
  • Champlain Heights Community Centre
    • Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:30 pm
    • 3350 Maquinna Drive, Vancouver
  • Sunset Community Centre (Bridge only)
    • Wednesdays from 12:30 - 3:30 pm
    • ​6810 Main St., Vancouver
  • Killarney Community Centre
    • Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm​
    • ​6260 Killarney St., Vancouver
  • West End Games Night
    • ​Weekly evening events
    • Currently on hold
Note: Other Community Centres around Vancouver offer board game events for a fee. More information is available on the websites for each Centre.
Explore Community Centre Events

Men's Issues Meetup

Men's Issues Meetup
Participants
  • For Fathers and Non-Fathers
Group Overview
  • The Vancouver Men's Issues Meetup is a discussion and event-oriented group
Host
  • Hosted by the Canadian Association for Equality
Programs provided
  • Public programs, campus outreach, multimedia, research and public policy engagement
  • All related to Men's Issues Awareness.
More info

Indigenous Reads Book Club

Vancouver Public Library
Indigenous Reads Book Club
Interested in reading Indigenous stories and authors? Join the group the second Thursday of the month for Indigenous Reads Book Club, where we discuss compelling Indigenous literature with like-minded readers.

​Date: Second Thursday of each month
Time: 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Britannia Branch
  • Vancouver Public Library
  • 1661 Napier St. (by Commercial Drive)
Phone: (604) 665-2222 to register


Meaningful Discussions Gatherings

Meaningful Discussions Gatherings
The Meaningful Discussions Project's mission is to explore the art and science of meaningful conversations and to create opportunities for these conversations to happen in cities worldwide.

Location:
The project launched in Vancouver, with regular gatherings taking place in Kitsilano and at Steamworks pub in Gastown.

Costs:
Attendees are expected to purchase food, as the meetings take place at restaurants. The only other cost for entry is $5.

Pre-event preparation:
Before each event, participants will receive an email with a selection of videos related to the discussion topic. These videos are intended to stimulate conversation and are meant to be watched before the event.

Facilitation:
Facilitators at the event are volunteers, and the project is always looking for more people to help lead discussions.
About the Project

Social Book Club

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Do you like to read?  Looking to expand your book choices and enhance your reading?   If so, please join the monthly book club at Trout Lake Community Centre, where the group will have friendly discussions about the chosen book. 

Details:
  • Borrow book club sets from the library
  •  Book list will include Indigenous authors
  • First session will be a "meet and greet" where you will receive a copy of our first selection
  • Facilitated by a community member
  • Free registration is required

For current program details, please consult the Program Guide. 
Trout Lake Community Programs

English Conversation Group 

English Conversation Group
Services: 
  • A group setting for practicing English language skills, including reading, writing, and speaking.
  • Assistance for language development at all skill levels, from beginners to advanced learners.
  • Interactive and engaging activities and games that accommodate different learning styles.
  • A drop-in format, allowing flexibility for participants to join at any time.

When: Thursdays | 2 pm - 3 pm
Where: Zoom (virtual class)
Cost: Free
Email:
 [email protected]
Phone: 604-683-2554
More info

ESL Conversation Practice

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Join a weekly conversation group and practice your conversational English in a relaxed circle of friendly people. Conversations are guided by experienced facilitators who are there to help foster conversation and answer any questions you may have.

Collingwood Branch
  • ​Tuesdays | 6 pm - 7 pm
  • ​2985 Kingsway, Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome
    ​
South Hill Branch
  • Saturdays | 2 pm - 3 pm
  • ​6076 Fraser St., Vancouver
  • Free registration is required
    ​
Terry Salman Branch
  • ​Mondays | 2 pm - 3 pm
  • 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver
  • ​Free, drop-ins welcome
    ​
Britannia Branch 
  • Wednesdays | 3 pm - 4 pm
  • ​1661 Napier St., Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome
    ​
Mount Pleasant Branch
  • ​Wednesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
  • ​1 Kingsway, Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome
    ​
Kitsilano Branch
  • Saturdays | 11 am - 12 pm​
  • 2425 MacDonald St., Vancouver
  • Free registration is required
    ​
Fraserview Branch 
  •  Sundays | 11:30am - 12:30pm
  • ​1950 Argyle Drive, Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome

Strathcona Branch
  • Mondays | 3 pm - 4 pm
  • ​730 East Hastings St., Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome

Hastings Branch
  • Tuesdays | 10 am - 11 am
  • ​2674 East Hastings St., Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome

Firehall Branch
  • Tuesdays | 6:30 - 7:30 pm
  • ​​1455 West 10th Ave, Vancouver
  • Free, drop-ins welcome​​
Join the Conversation

Queer Reading and Book Club

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Join the queer reading circle and bring your personal craft project of choice to work on while discussing monthly themes, what we have read, and what we are looking forward to reading. Craft ideas include hand sewing, embroidery, colouring, and knitting. 

The intention of this group is to build friendships and community centered around queerness, books, and crafts. Each month features a different theme and related literary works. 

Dates and Time: Sundays|  2 pm - 4 pm
Location: Mount Pleasant Library
  • 1 Kingsway, Vancouver
Cost: Free, registration is required
Queer Book Club

Book Talks Book Club

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Join the conversation about a rotating collection of books. Bring your favourite passages, points of interest, and share your reading experiences. Each person is responsible for either borrowing or buying their own copy to read. ​

Upcoming books include:
  • Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard
  • Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma
  • The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
  • We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama
​
Dates and Times: 4th Wednesday of each month
  • 6:15 pm - 7:45 pm 
Location: Britannia Library, Meeting Room
  • 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free 
Book Talks Book Club

Knitting and Crocheting Group

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Join other community members and learn how to knit or crochet. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their skill level. Primary materials are provided, but individuals are encouraged to bring their own projects as well. Why knit alone when you can knit with friends. Bring your projects along to this friendly and supportive group. 

Marpole Neighbourhood House:
Dates:
  • Mondays | 1 pm - 2 pm
  • Wednesdays | 12 pm - 2 pm
Location: 8585 Hudson St., Vancouver
Cost: Free for members, annual membership is $6 for adults

Champlain Heights Community Centre:
Dates: Thursdays | 1 pm - 3 pm
Location: 3350 Maquinna Drive, Vancouver
Cost: Free 

Knot2gether at Hillcrest Community Centre:
Dates: Mondays | 6 pm - 7 pm
Location: 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver
Cost: Free 

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​​We at Get Set & Connect acknowledge that our program is based on unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.