Culture Days, a nation-wide celebration of arts and culture,  is coming to Richmond in a few weeks. On Friday Sept. 27, guests will have an opportunity to watch “Hope Beyond Homelessness,” a 30-minute play starring people with lived experience of poverty and unstable housing. Produced by the Richmond Advocacy and Support Committee, it is a story of one person’s journey through the shame and indignity of living on the streets. More info here.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver offers women an opportunity to practice their English, cooking and more at the upcoming ESL Cooking for Moms, held at South Arm Community Centre at 8800 Williams Rd. in Richmond. On-site childcare is available. Please call 604-279-7100 or email Joanne at jmonteiro@fsgv.ca to register for this complimentary program.

Give your child the gift of camp this summer and enrol him or her in one of the programs listed in this year’s directory for low-income residents. There is also information in the guide on how to apply for financial assistance. If there are any other camps around the Lower Mainland you know of not listed, please feel free to send us an email so that we may add it to the growing list. Thank you!

The New York Times recently published an article by columnist David Brooks, who talks about what Canada is doing right in tackling the issue of poverty in contrast to our neighbours to the south. An excerpt:

“In Canada it’s not like that. About 15 years ago, a disparate group of Canadians realized that a problem as complex as poverty can be addressed only through a multisector comprehensive approach. They realized that poverty was not going to be reduced by some innovation — some cool, new program nobody thought of before. It …

Each year, the Ethel Tibbits Scholarship awards a mature female student who is returning to school to upgrade her education in order to better provide for her family. This year, the bursary is $650. Applications are due on May 24, visit www.richmondfoundation.org for more information.

Interested in DIY clothing repair? Non-profit group Frameworq Education Society is hosting free workshops at the Vancity Blundell Centre community branch on April 27 and May 25 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Register here or by walking into the branch. BYOC (bring your own clothes).

The clock is ticking — April 30 is the last day to file Canadian tax returns for most people. Need a hand? Below is a list of primarily Richmond-based organizations offering free income tax preparation help for low income individuals ($35,000 annual income or lower, $35,000 to 37,500 with one child) and families ($45,000 dual annual income or lower). Please bring valid government-issued photo identification and all relevant documents such as T4, T5 and Canada Child Benefit slips.
• Chimo Community Services (120-7000 Minoru Blvd.): Monday to Friday year-round — income tax form …