Anntuaneth Figueroa (middle) with Britannia community centre members at Sun Run 2011. Photo courtesy of Anntuaneth Figueroa.

Soccer is my love, it’s my life,” says Christopher, one of several youth gathered in the shadow of Britannia secondary school for a weekly drop-in soccer game. These games originally started 15 years ago as an opportunity for at-risk Latino youth in Vancouver’s East End to stay active and engage in positive activities with peers from their community. Now the demographics of the game have shifted to include players from African and European backgrounds as well.

Much as the drop-in soccer game has evolved since its inception, the Britannia Community Services Centre has needed to adapt to the changing makeup and needs of the neighbourhood which it serves.

Home to many people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including a large proportion of Aboriginals, immigrants whose first language is not English or French, and other economically marginalized groups, the role played by the Britannia Community Services Centre in delivering educational, recreational and social services is vital.

Amelia Daly (right), participant in Britannia's drop-in soccer game, tries to go through 3 defenders. Photo by Brendan Munro.

“Typically, the people that do come see us know us very well,” says Amanda Munro, Britannia’s communications officer.

“Many residents have been coming here for decades, went to school here, and now come here with their own children. Many of the staff have been here for a long time too. It’s like a family.”

Many programs are aimed at strengthening and sharing elements of cultural significance within ethnic communities.

For instance, the seniors centre offers Vancouver’s only Vietnamese language seniors program, which draws about 100 members. Youth were recently invited to learn about Aboriginal art and helped carve a totem pole.

Meanwhile, weekly Latino cooking classes are very popular. The Latin community has a strong presence in the neighbourhood, so Britannia responded by deploying a Latin American youth worker, Anntuaneth Figueroa, to oversee several specifically targeted programs.

“One of our biggest programs has been indoor soccer…but we also do a lot of outreach with the schools to bring students information about the community, projects, volunteer opportunities and trying to get them involved with what we’re offering at Britannia,” says Figueroa.

“I just ran into someone, Carlos Mejia, who as a youth used to come all the time for soccer. He is now an analyst with the police department,” says Figueroa.

Other success stories are people like Ronald Arqueta, who joined the military and became an engineer. Ana Linares, who is now a teacher, is another example.

“We all look for an identity in our high school years,” says Figueroa. “I think that’s something our Latin youth program can give them. She adds that she hopes to continue building a Spanish language and culture program for Canadian-born Latinos.

Despite the emphasis on catering to specific ethnic groups, Britannia serves as a hub for social gatherings that bring the whole community together, the latest example being their Stone Soup Festival. The event focuses on the role of eating locally, featuring a farmer’s market, and includes arts and crafts activities for children.

When asked what some of the biggest challenges facing the community centre are, Munro points to the need for greater recognition and visibility.

“We’re in the process of creating a new sign and making ourselves more visible,” says Munro. “I think like any community centre, we would gain more community if more people knew about us. Its community members that make what happens here great.”