Impact Story: Meet Lorelei
Coming in for breakfast was Lorelei’s first introduction to the Neighbourhood House
Lorelei grew up in the Interior of British Columbia. During her teenage years, her adoptive parents brought her to the YMCA and abandoned her. She was then forced to become independent, growing up for a while on Granville Street and then on Hastings. After moving around the Lower Mainland, Lorelei returned to the Okanagan. Throughout this process, she discovered she was not just Aboriginal on her mother’s side, but also on her father’s side. After coming out publicly and receiving her welcoming ceremony, Lorelei returned to Vancouver. She has included her culture in her passion for traditional medicine and the fine arts.
“When we come here, it’s like a home”
Coming in for breakfast was Lorelei’s first introduction to the Neighbourhood House. Being highly involved in the community, Lorelei noticed a few areas where she could make a difference and decided to speak up. The autonomy given to members to pursue their own programs allowed Lorelei to organize a documentary viewing in the Neighbourhood House, prompting discussions surrounding food sovereignty through traditional food and medicine.
“It’s just being able to participate at all the different levels, and when you’re ready, you actually come up with an idea for a program, or they would come to you and say okay we have this idea, and you get to help develop it”
During her involvement with the Neighbourhood House, Lorelei has contributed to the community kitchen, performed medicine-well teaching, participated in talking circles, and continued returning to the breakfasts for discussions with the community. Her experience on many boards and committees, including at the provincial level, has allowed her to develop expertise in board development, which she contributed to at the Neighbourhood House while presenting an Aboriginal context. She appreciates the collaborative environment at the Neighbourhood House, and the passing on of new ideas to the greater community.
“To be able to join and belong and feel safe. Not just sit in the place but with the people”
Lorelei has developed an extended family through her ability to make friends with those in the Neighbourhood House community. She believes being able to socialize with others, especially for those in the community who struggle with trauma, is extremely important for the healing process. She advocates for the importance of Neighbourhood Houses, especially during times like these. The wisdom and knowledge Lorelei shares within the Neighbourhood House space is extremely valued and we greatly appreciate all that she has done for our community.