OUR STUDENT HALL OF FAME
We are so proud of all our Homework Clubbers!
BURSARY RECIPIENTS
2022 Homework Club Graduates
2020 Homework Club Graduates
2018 Homework Club Graduates
2017 Homework Club Graduates
Jimmy La |
David Ma |
Karida Zhang |
Linda Tran |
Sally Nguyen |
Na Thi |
Fernando Reyes |
Teresa Le |
2016 Homework Club Graduates
Andy Legge |
Charlene May-ag |
Li Liu |
Vicky Bwishe |
YEP! Youth Engagement Project Bursaries 2016
Jacob Moody |
Megan Pakkala |
Michele Nyon |
Muhaned Shalash |
Joseph Aziz |
2015 Homework Club Graduates
Kai Johnson |
Danny Jo |
Andrew Fa |
Raymond Wu |
Feng Wu |
Jason Lau |
YEP! Youth Engagement Project Bursaries 2015
Solan Thi |
Chantal Ndongiye |
2014 Homework Club Graduates
Nicole Bui |
2013 Homework Club Graduates
Ethan Wilson |
Haven Sayed Nouri |
Leon Lai |
Hyacinth Segundo |
Kimberly Valle |
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
We want to shine a light on some of our students who really knock our socks off! We'll be regularly highlighting a student who comes consistently to Homework Club and makes it the special place that it is! A special thank you to our program facilitators, Katie and Natalie, for nurturing the relationships with our students and providing the safe space they do every day, and additional thanks to Katie for providing these profiles to share with you.
Anita and Advienne have been Homework Club attendees since Grade 8, and so we’ve had the great joy of watching them grow up these last five years. The daughters of Chinese immigrants, the twins grew up in the Strathcona neighbourhood alongside their three older sisters, one of whom was an HWC bursary recipient in 2021 and is now studying at Simon Fraser University. Homework Club has always provided them with a safe and inclusive space to do their studies, build relationships with peers and seek help from tutors. These days they are usually rushing around from one basketball game to the next, but always find time to say hello, fill their plates and get some work done.
I had these two on my caseload when they were in Grade 8 and remember them as quiet but eager. Now seeing them at almost 18 years old, knowing all the community activities they have engaged in and watching their leadership skills grow as thoughtful and confident young people, is a simple reminder of why we do what we do and the impact that programs such as Homework Club can have on our community. It is not the physical space that makes the difference, but the young people that fill it with their resilience, unique personalities, eagerness to learn and determination to want great things for their lives. Anita expressed to me that Britannia and everything it has to offer are a huge part of helping her become who she is today.
When you become a senior in the school, you realize that what you have available here is far beyond what any other school could offer; its unlike anywhere else. So much has changed for them in the last five years – they went from a linear system into three years of hybrid learning during COVID to a semester program all while taking on International Baccalaureate level academics. Their best piece of advice is to take on any opportunity that comes your way whether that’s trying a new method of learning in your class, joining a sport or after school program and leaning into the resources available because those will be the defining things that impact your high school experience.
I had these two on my caseload when they were in Grade 8 and remember them as quiet but eager. Now seeing them at almost 18 years old, knowing all the community activities they have engaged in and watching their leadership skills grow as thoughtful and confident young people, is a simple reminder of why we do what we do and the impact that programs such as Homework Club can have on our community. It is not the physical space that makes the difference, but the young people that fill it with their resilience, unique personalities, eagerness to learn and determination to want great things for their lives. Anita expressed to me that Britannia and everything it has to offer are a huge part of helping her become who she is today.
When you become a senior in the school, you realize that what you have available here is far beyond what any other school could offer; its unlike anywhere else. So much has changed for them in the last five years – they went from a linear system into three years of hybrid learning during COVID to a semester program all while taking on International Baccalaureate level academics. Their best piece of advice is to take on any opportunity that comes your way whether that’s trying a new method of learning in your class, joining a sport or after school program and leaning into the resources available because those will be the defining things that impact your high school experience.
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In this instalment of our Spotlight, we hear from Homework Club alumni and student superstar Raymond Chhun, who went on to study nursing and who has just recently earned his Masters Degree and an award for Nursing! Raymond has also just learned he is accepted to begin a Doctorate degree and will begin his PhD in Nursing at the University of Alberta in 2023.
We hope any current Homework Club student reading this heeds his excellent advice below! Raymond, what do you remember about Homework Club from your time there? The Homework Club provided me with the necessary resources to maximize my learning in an environment that was safe and nurturing. The start of my educational career was profoundly influenced by the organizers and tutors of the HWC. Why did you choose nursing as a post-secondary option? My mentor suggested that I consider and explore nursing as a potential career. And yes, MEN can be nurses too! |
Who helped you along your path towards your university career?
Two mentors: Dianne Rice (the founder of Homework Club) for getting me started and Cathy Koller for pushing me to pursue graduate studies. And Dr. Helen Brown for guiding and shaping me into a strong scholar.
What advice would you give your former "Homework Clubber" self?
Two mentors: Dianne Rice (the founder of Homework Club) for getting me started and Cathy Koller for pushing me to pursue graduate studies. And Dr. Helen Brown for guiding and shaping me into a strong scholar.
What advice would you give your former "Homework Clubber" self?
- Life is not easy. If it were easy there would be no Raymond Chhun.
- Make mistakes and learn from them. Work hard, stay humble, and be tenacious.
- Don't give up. Fall down seven times and get up eight.
Kira Bhandar Ma is one of those Homework Club students that we all aspire to be like – a lifer. She has been coming to hang out with us since starting at Britannia in Grade 8. Although she spent her younger years in Toronto, Kira considers herself a true east van kid at heart and if you know anything about the community, you’ll understand that holds some weight. If you ask her why she joined she’ll tell you it was for a quiet place to do work, but in all seriousness, she was really excited about the snacks.
Like all of us, being stuck inside during COVID took its toll and Kira was eager to return to us for a space outside of her bedroom. An academic at heart and eager International Baccalaureate student, Kira always shows up to the club a little later than most, usually because she has been coordinating some other program in the community. We know that when she does come around, she immediately needs a laptop and something to eat and then it’s down to business. Often, she is editing a column for the school newspaper, a venture that she started with her creative sidekick and fellow senior, Grace Caruso. Their passion and perspective are beyond brilliant, and we often find them eagerly asking for input and ideas from every kind of student at Homework Club. After high school she plans to travel and work in an industry that keeps her smiling.
Like all of us, being stuck inside during COVID took its toll and Kira was eager to return to us for a space outside of her bedroom. An academic at heart and eager International Baccalaureate student, Kira always shows up to the club a little later than most, usually because she has been coordinating some other program in the community. We know that when she does come around, she immediately needs a laptop and something to eat and then it’s down to business. Often, she is editing a column for the school newspaper, a venture that she started with her creative sidekick and fellow senior, Grace Caruso. Their passion and perspective are beyond brilliant, and we often find them eagerly asking for input and ideas from every kind of student at Homework Club. After high school she plans to travel and work in an industry that keeps her smiling.
Britannia is situated in the downtown east side neighbourhood of Vancouver wherein our primary catchment is one of the lowest income postal codes in Canada. Much of our demographic have faced tremendous struggle so when they thrive and conquer new challenges, it says everything about their character as young people and confidence in themselves and their abilities; they have overcome and made academics a priority despite many obstacles. That said, our community emphasizes the importance of diversity like nowhere else in the district. Although we are a small school, we are mighty and the students thrive as a whole and recognize the various cultural beauty of their neighbourhood, respect and respond to local and global needs and learn early on the importance of leadership. In relation to the tremendous struggle experienced, the students have also had the great fortune to experience an environment that is committed to change and taught them by example what it means to stand up for what is right.
Our beloved Samir is no exception to this reality. The boy with the mischievous smile and pension for snagging an extra bag of mini Oreo’s is a new member to Homework Club this season. He expressed that his motivation was to be part of an inclusive space and get extra help with his difficult senior year courses. He enjoys the camaraderie of working with his peers on an assignment and seeking guidance from the tutors about life after high school.
Samir moved to Canada five years ago from Kenya with his parents and six siblings in tow. Currently, they live in a three-bedroom BC housing unit. The transition has been hard and his dad is always looking for work, but the language barrier makes it difficult to find a steady job. Upon arrival, Samir started volunteering at the RayCam Community Centre, a hubbub for our youth, and as a skilled soccer player himself, lent his expertise to coaching and mentoring younger kids. Nowadays, he works with Frontier College, a Homework Club affiliate, and helps children at summer camps to prevent learning loss. Last year, he challenged them to read 500 hours over July and August with the incentive of an ice cream party. In his work with them, he receives a small stipend and that money goes back into supporting his family. On top of maintaining an 83% average, Samir does school drop-off and pick-up for his siblings and helps them with their homework. He also began a gaming club at Britannia, which is now the most well-attended lunch-time activity at our school. Through grant funding, Samir was able to create a summer program for community youth wherein they execute local projects that are meaningful to this neighbourhood. Moving forward, Samir wants to study computer science at UBC or BCIT and then make the trek down south to work in Silicon Valley before eventually starting his own company.
Our beloved Samir is no exception to this reality. The boy with the mischievous smile and pension for snagging an extra bag of mini Oreo’s is a new member to Homework Club this season. He expressed that his motivation was to be part of an inclusive space and get extra help with his difficult senior year courses. He enjoys the camaraderie of working with his peers on an assignment and seeking guidance from the tutors about life after high school.
Samir moved to Canada five years ago from Kenya with his parents and six siblings in tow. Currently, they live in a three-bedroom BC housing unit. The transition has been hard and his dad is always looking for work, but the language barrier makes it difficult to find a steady job. Upon arrival, Samir started volunteering at the RayCam Community Centre, a hubbub for our youth, and as a skilled soccer player himself, lent his expertise to coaching and mentoring younger kids. Nowadays, he works with Frontier College, a Homework Club affiliate, and helps children at summer camps to prevent learning loss. Last year, he challenged them to read 500 hours over July and August with the incentive of an ice cream party. In his work with them, he receives a small stipend and that money goes back into supporting his family. On top of maintaining an 83% average, Samir does school drop-off and pick-up for his siblings and helps them with their homework. He also began a gaming club at Britannia, which is now the most well-attended lunch-time activity at our school. Through grant funding, Samir was able to create a summer program for community youth wherein they execute local projects that are meaningful to this neighbourhood. Moving forward, Samir wants to study computer science at UBC or BCIT and then make the trek down south to work in Silicon Valley before eventually starting his own company.
Our Nazifa moved to Canada from Dhaka, Bangladesh with an older sister and her parents in in tow in 2013 and enrolled at Britannia Elementary. She came to us with sass and a servant’s heart in Grade 8 and has been an exemplary member of Homework Club right from the get-go.
Nazifa expressed that Homework Club has always been a good environment to work, but she also loves getting to spend time with friends and just hang out. At first, it was a great way to meet people, get to know the tutors and now as a senior student it’s a means of motivation to get everything done and done well.
Nazifa plans to attend the University of British Columbia or the University of Toronto next year and study criminology and psychology, which will hopefully lead to further studies in law. In the future, she plans to continue volunteering and, when financially ready, to give back to the program that has done so much for her. Although Grade 12 has been stressful and surreal so far, Nazifa feels grateful for all the support provided by the tutors and to study on this sacred land.
HEAR MORE ABOUT NAZIFA AND HER WORK AS A STUDENT VOLUNTEER AT BRITANNIA!
Nazifa expressed that Homework Club has always been a good environment to work, but she also loves getting to spend time with friends and just hang out. At first, it was a great way to meet people, get to know the tutors and now as a senior student it’s a means of motivation to get everything done and done well.
Nazifa plans to attend the University of British Columbia or the University of Toronto next year and study criminology and psychology, which will hopefully lead to further studies in law. In the future, she plans to continue volunteering and, when financially ready, to give back to the program that has done so much for her. Although Grade 12 has been stressful and surreal so far, Nazifa feels grateful for all the support provided by the tutors and to study on this sacred land.
HEAR MORE ABOUT NAZIFA AND HER WORK AS A STUDENT VOLUNTEER AT BRITANNIA!
When Ashki was in fifth grade, she was forced to leave school because it is not encouraged for women in Kurdistan to receive an education. Because of this, her immediate family made the trek to Canada to start a new life, leaving behind her little brother who then passed away. Devastated with grief, the Shkur family was presented with huge cultural demands and Ashki had to step up and appeal to the government of Canada to stay through a rigorous legal process with a 3% success rate. She has fled from gender-based persecution, endured significant violence, been nearly abducted by adversaries and experienced threats to her safety and those of her family.
As a refugee, she knows the challenges of displacement, vulnerability and exploitation that threaten newcomers in Canada and has consistently worked to find ways to make this journey more accessible to other families. For 5 years now she has hosted a Ride for Refuge team and raised over $6,000 for the organization, she is Britannia’s Student Council President, a Funseekers leader, member of the Muslim Association of Canada, Girls Who Leap, Agenda Gap, Britannia Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression committee, Britannia Board of Management and Grandview and Commercial Youth Council. She is also a cofounder of the Ripple Effect and Britannia Girls Can Talk Society, a provincial science fair silver medalist, honour roll and top student award recipient and has been published in the Canadian Science Fair Journal. So yup she has a lot going on!
Ashki has been an avid Homework Club attendee and enthusiast since coming to Britannia in Grade 8. I am confident in saying that few others have logged as many hours with us – she is usually first to sign in and almost always helps with closing things down. Ashki is eager to seek support and guidance from tutors, give us advice on which snacks to buy and call out any students who aren’t getting their work done. She’s a boss lady. But more importantly, Ashki is one of those courageous and unparalleled individuals who has faced tremendous obstacles and yet absolutely refuses to give up. More than that, her strength and exceeding empathy make her someone who lives to serve others and demands better from all of us. On the rare day she’s not at Homework Club because she’s changing the world in some other part of our community, the loss of her presence is felt. I’m not quite sure what we’ll do next year without her, but I have every confidence her impact will not go unnoticed.
Although Ashki is unique unto herself, this is the kind of youth that Homework Club attracts and we’re so lucky to spend time together in our little corner of east van, learning from them and being inspired by the boldness of their hearts and eagerness of their brilliant minds. Thank you for continuing to make our students a priority during this busy time of year!
As a refugee, she knows the challenges of displacement, vulnerability and exploitation that threaten newcomers in Canada and has consistently worked to find ways to make this journey more accessible to other families. For 5 years now she has hosted a Ride for Refuge team and raised over $6,000 for the organization, she is Britannia’s Student Council President, a Funseekers leader, member of the Muslim Association of Canada, Girls Who Leap, Agenda Gap, Britannia Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression committee, Britannia Board of Management and Grandview and Commercial Youth Council. She is also a cofounder of the Ripple Effect and Britannia Girls Can Talk Society, a provincial science fair silver medalist, honour roll and top student award recipient and has been published in the Canadian Science Fair Journal. So yup she has a lot going on!
Ashki has been an avid Homework Club attendee and enthusiast since coming to Britannia in Grade 8. I am confident in saying that few others have logged as many hours with us – she is usually first to sign in and almost always helps with closing things down. Ashki is eager to seek support and guidance from tutors, give us advice on which snacks to buy and call out any students who aren’t getting their work done. She’s a boss lady. But more importantly, Ashki is one of those courageous and unparalleled individuals who has faced tremendous obstacles and yet absolutely refuses to give up. More than that, her strength and exceeding empathy make her someone who lives to serve others and demands better from all of us. On the rare day she’s not at Homework Club because she’s changing the world in some other part of our community, the loss of her presence is felt. I’m not quite sure what we’ll do next year without her, but I have every confidence her impact will not go unnoticed.
Although Ashki is unique unto herself, this is the kind of youth that Homework Club attracts and we’re so lucky to spend time together in our little corner of east van, learning from them and being inspired by the boldness of their hearts and eagerness of their brilliant minds. Thank you for continuing to make our students a priority during this busy time of year!
Our Sam.
A kid whose affinity for sweatshirts and dad jokes knows no bounds. He came from North Carolina when he was eleven years old and has been at Britannia since Grade 8. In the same year, he joined cross country and has never looked back. Sam usually joins Homework Club after doing a few laps of the track and has been known for missing “turn around” markers on longer runs and adding on quite a few kilometers. He loves competing at the provincial level because it challenges his speed and he gets to meet other runners.
Sam and his Grade 12 friends come to Homework Club every day to get stuff done, have snacks and maximize their last year of high school together. It speaks volumes about his motivation to hang out with us seeing as his commute is over an hour both ways. Looking back at his years here, Sam reflected that the best thing you can do is try everything – all the sports, join every club and see what fits! Next year, Sam plans to study theology and philosophy at Calvin University but will greatly miss the diversity of kids at our little club.
A kid whose affinity for sweatshirts and dad jokes knows no bounds. He came from North Carolina when he was eleven years old and has been at Britannia since Grade 8. In the same year, he joined cross country and has never looked back. Sam usually joins Homework Club after doing a few laps of the track and has been known for missing “turn around” markers on longer runs and adding on quite a few kilometers. He loves competing at the provincial level because it challenges his speed and he gets to meet other runners.
Sam and his Grade 12 friends come to Homework Club every day to get stuff done, have snacks and maximize their last year of high school together. It speaks volumes about his motivation to hang out with us seeing as his commute is over an hour both ways. Looking back at his years here, Sam reflected that the best thing you can do is try everything – all the sports, join every club and see what fits! Next year, Sam plans to study theology and philosophy at Calvin University but will greatly miss the diversity of kids at our little club.
Our Haley. A girl with the best 1970s style out there. Who wears her hair like early days Cher and rocks wide-legged jeans and fresh Nike’s like nobody’s business. Haley is always in a constant state of studying for something. On any given day, you can find her with headphones on, head ducked, hands frantically flying across the keyboard. Always with enough snacks to feed a small village and her favourite sparkling water that we started stocking just for her. She is a constant at Homework Club and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Haley was born in Vancouver and grew up in Burnaby. Her parents are still to this day her best friends, although she misses her grandmother dearly and she is the proud older sister of someone lovingly referred to as “Baby Wong.”
Having transferred to Britannia in Grade 10, she started coming to Homework Club because it was a safe space to do some work before basketball practice. Haley expressed that “it was also a huge bonus that there were in-person tutors and great snacks and resources available.” She loves the sense of community and motivation from peers and made a note to mention the sparkling water as well!
Haley will attend the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University because it involves both hard and soft skills. She wants a versatile degree that won’t limit her career path and options for the future. She excited to meet new people, join lots of clubs (especially Scrabble), get accepted into a co-op program and play intramural basketball. Her best advice for upcoming grads is not to wait until the last minute. Begin things early no matter how much you think is on your plate. We’ll miss her dearly and can hardly wait for what the future holds!
Haley was born in Vancouver and grew up in Burnaby. Her parents are still to this day her best friends, although she misses her grandmother dearly and she is the proud older sister of someone lovingly referred to as “Baby Wong.”
Having transferred to Britannia in Grade 10, she started coming to Homework Club because it was a safe space to do some work before basketball practice. Haley expressed that “it was also a huge bonus that there were in-person tutors and great snacks and resources available.” She loves the sense of community and motivation from peers and made a note to mention the sparkling water as well!
Haley will attend the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University because it involves both hard and soft skills. She wants a versatile degree that won’t limit her career path and options for the future. She excited to meet new people, join lots of clubs (especially Scrabble), get accepted into a co-op program and play intramural basketball. Her best advice for upcoming grads is not to wait until the last minute. Begin things early no matter how much you think is on your plate. We’ll miss her dearly and can hardly wait for what the future holds!
Masood is the kind of kid who answers every request with a “sure no problem!” and really means it. Who greets you with the same smile and lighthearted banter each and every day. He’s the kind of kid who works tirelessly on his own at Homework Club and then tutors other just because he can. He is a mentor and a young man with much wisdom who is eager to share and learn and listen.
Masood’s family immigrated from Pakistan in 2009 and moved into BC housing in Vancouver the following year. The oldest of four siblings, the youngest being just shy of two years old, he comes from a family full of love and support. Masood has been coming to Homework Club since Grade 8 and made it an integral part of his high school experience. In his words, “[it’s] always been a safe space for me. Whether I needed help or simply wanted to hang out with my peers or the amazing tutors, it was always my top option.” More than anything, Masood values human connection and cites the club as having a significant impact on his ability to build those relationships and experience the support he needed.
Moving forward, Masood plans to attend SFU or UBC to pursue a degree in business. He wants to travel and meet people around the world so he can learn new values, cultures and ways of living. As someone in his final months of Grade 12, his best advice is to make memories along the way and never pass up a chance to make someone’s day. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and consider it an honour that Homework Club has played such a significant role in his journey!
Masood’s family immigrated from Pakistan in 2009 and moved into BC housing in Vancouver the following year. The oldest of four siblings, the youngest being just shy of two years old, he comes from a family full of love and support. Masood has been coming to Homework Club since Grade 8 and made it an integral part of his high school experience. In his words, “[it’s] always been a safe space for me. Whether I needed help or simply wanted to hang out with my peers or the amazing tutors, it was always my top option.” More than anything, Masood values human connection and cites the club as having a significant impact on his ability to build those relationships and experience the support he needed.
Moving forward, Masood plans to attend SFU or UBC to pursue a degree in business. He wants to travel and meet people around the world so he can learn new values, cultures and ways of living. As someone in his final months of Grade 12, his best advice is to make memories along the way and never pass up a chance to make someone’s day. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and consider it an honour that Homework Club has played such a significant role in his journey!
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
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Homework Club helped my peers and I tackle the difficult task of juggling athletics and school work during our high school careers. After a full dayof classes and a practice or two, we would roll into Homework Club hungry and exhausted. Somehow, Kim would manage to get a team full of loud, hyper boys fed and settled enough to sit still and study. Homework Club helped me to finish high school on time and get accepted into Capilano College and St. Mary’s University.
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I can’t imagine going through high school without Homework Club. With kind and helpful tutors, a dynamic and supportive atmosphere, and of course, it’s always motivating and encouraging spearhead, Ms. Leary, I can always count on Homework to get me through that difficult calculus question, or dreadful English essay. Homework Club really cares; it is genuinely concerned with enhancing the performance of students and being that support base we all often need when we stumble across obstacles in our learning.
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All I know is you can look high and low and you will never find a home like the Homework Club. Personally, HWC made a huge difference in my life. When I first heard of it I wasn’t sure what to think so it took me a while to check it out, but once I started going I never stopped until I graduated. It was a place that my friends and I went to get help with our work, and never felt uncomfortable to ask any question because they were so accepting to everyone’s personality and needs that no one felt out of place.
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