Neighbourhood Houses: Building Community in Vancouver

Globalization and migration are creating disconnected societies in modern urban cities, and urban communities are at risk of becoming fragmented. Neighbourhood Houses draws on a five-year study to document and contextualize an antidote: the neighbourhood house movement. Contributors outline the history of the Vancouver neighbourhood house network, its relationship with local government and other organizations in the region, the programs and activities offered, and the experiences of participants. By providing health services, public recreation, daycare, adult literacy classes, and other programming, neighbourhood houses are revealed to be community hubs bringing both newcomers and neighbours together.