Recently, Finding Home facilitated a series of dialogues with Mandarin-speaking grandparents who are also caregivers during the day for their grandchildren. The dialogues were hosted by Kitsilano Neighbourhood House and funded by New Horizaons for Seniors Programs. During the dialogues the grandparents agreed that Mah-jong creates a sense of home for them. In China, they explained, everyone plays games together. If they could only have a place to play Mah-jong here in Canada, then they would finally feel at home.

The dialogue series consisted of three sessions. During the first session, we explored what home means, why it matters, what elements foster or erode a sense of belonging and what are their priority needs. The themes of the next two dialogues were customized around their top two priorities: Understanding Each Other and Creating Home in Canada. They shared stories and came up with innovative strategies. Read more…