After a COVID-forced shutdown, 91原创's program is back and looking for people to join the community-building group at its regular get-togethers.
Now in a new location, #100 鈥� 20179 56 Ave. in 91原创 City, the United Churches of 91原创 and Inclusion 91原创 program offers a drop-in space and community connection time on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
At a recent You've Gotta Have Friends open house, volunteer hosts Gillian McLeod and Dave Pike were explaining the appeal of the program, which was shut down due to COVID in 2020, and just revived in October.
"What's good about You Gotta Have Friends is that it brings people together here at the office," Pike said.
"When people become friends, they connect in the community and they start getting involved doing things on their own outside of the office."
McLeod, the social justice and outreach program facilitator with the United Churches of 91原创, told the 91原创 Advance Times You've Gotta Have Friends was first launched in 2011.
"It was begun as a way for community development," McLeod explained.
"There's very much an interest in making sure that people have a place to go, and sometimes it's particular groups of people, like differently abled, different ages, newcomers, queers, [who] feel like they might not be welcome in town, so that they could come here to be together."
Rebuilding it will require volunteers to step up, McLeod said.
"We're actually at the point now where we're reaching out to more community people who are volunteering to be here to help host and help us plan events for the community."
Anyone interested in assisting is invited to email socialjustice@ucol.ca or call 604-530-2929, ext. 207.
