This week we’re stepping a little outside of the boundaries and highlighting Frog Hollow Neighborhood House, who are located at 2131 Renfrew Street. The Hastings North BIA has continually supported and worked with Frog Hollow for many events and community initiatives, so we thought it was time to shine some light on the good things they do. Frog Hollow is a non-profit organization working with youth to strengthen community bonds through a wide variety of programs and services. Running under the umbrella of Neighborhood Houses of BC, Frog Hollow offers a wide variety of community activities and services, mostly free of charge. Everything from language classes, computer lessons, to programs designed for new Pemanent Residents and New Canadians — Frog Hollow offers a supportive and relaxing atmosphere where children and parents or caregivers can meet and socialize. The majority of the programs at Frog Hollow are designed to provide positive child development, promote school readiness skills and introduce families to the resources and supports in their community. The Community Action Program for Children or CAPC is an example of some the great services Frog Hollow provides. Supporting families with children from birth to six years old, the CAPC program aims to promote the health and well being of young children and infants. The programs include fun and educational activities such as family drop -in programs, parent education courses, parent- led groups and information and referral services. The Youth program is another wonderful support system, offering guidance and a safe environment to help youth discover their unique contribution in the community. We recently chatted with Molina, who runs the Youth Programs at Frog Hollow. “I feel like I live here,” she says smiling. “This place is like my second home.” 
When we ask Molina what she loves about the work she does at Frog Hollow, she says it’s the variety of it all that keeps her days exciting. “I love the fact that I get to create and do new things all the time,” Molina says. “My job is never boring — This job challenges me and I am constantly learning.” A resident of Grandview-Woodland, Molina says she enjoys the area, and supports its merchants whenever she can. “I love supporting the locals through shopping, and I love being mindful of what is out there in this neighbourhood – and if a youth asks me where I got something, I can tell them that I purchased it in this area and that they can do the same.” Molina says that inclusiveness is paramount at Frog Hollow, and that everyone is welcome. “We are very multilingual here at the neighbourhood house. If you speak a different language we try to tell people to not be afraid to come in and get acquainted,” Molina says. “We have a staff who speak many different languages. We want people to have a sense of belonging – and we want to be able to support them through their transition from wherever they are coming from.” For more information about Frog Hollow Neighborhood House and its services, visit their website, and don’t forget to stay social on Facebook!