UBC Learning Exchange

08/25/2026

Last week we held our annual community summer picnic in the park!

Huge thanks to UBC Food Services, UBC Student Housing and Community Services (SHCS), and Sage Catering for the incredible food, the zero waste approach, and the friendly service! And many thanks to Phoenix Tent & Event Rentals for the great tents!

If you were one of our 40+ attendees, thanks for coming! Let us know your favourite part of the day in the comments below! For us, it was the mashed potatoes. Yum!

08/13/2026

As we are all learning again this summer, understanding air quality and the associated health risks, along with managing our indoor environments and creating a clean-air space in our homes, can be vital to protect one's health and of the health of those we love.

UBC students in the UEFS class worked with residents of the Downtown Eastside to create these infographics on how to stay cool and safe during wildfire season. The project was in partnership with the CLEAR project, SFU's Community-Engaged Research Initiative's Climate Resilience Roadmap for Non-Profits, the Hogan's Alley Society, and residents of Nora Hendrix Place.

Learn more about CLEAR here: https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/community-based-research/climate-equity-action-resilience-clear/

And remember that you can always come in to our drop-in on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons to get away from the heat and smoke: https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/community-based-programs/drop-in/

08/11/2026

At a groundbreaking ceremony earlier, UBC announced it has purchased a purpose-built home for the Learning Exchange within a new mixed-use, non-market housing development at Main & East Cordova.

This means that in about three years we will be moving to a permanent space just down the street from our current location that is designed for the work we do—the free community programs, student learning opportunities, and support for community-based research.

Thank you to the residents, community organizations and the wider Downtown Eastside community who have shaped our work for the last 25 years.

Thank you to the UBC Board of Governors and the executive leadership team for your steadfast and tireless championing of this unique partnership with three levels of government and the non-profit housing sector.

And many thanks to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), BC Builds, the City of Vancouver - Local Government, and the MAC Housing and Development Society for your partnership and investment.

Read more: https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/2026/08/11/construction-underway-on-new-location-for-ubc-learning-exchange/

A new chapter for the UBC Learning Exchange: Construction is underway on a purpose-built home in the Downtown Eastside, expanding space for community learning, partnerships and student engagement: https://bit.ly/45os735

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), BC Housing, City of Vancouver - Local Government

07/30/2026

Celebrate Afro Van Connect Society’s Emancipation Day on Saturday, August 1 at the Vancouver Maritime Museum + Jama'a.

This free, family friendly community event will feature food vendors, art, black-owned marketplace, cultural experiences, live DJs, giveaways, and more!

For more information check out the event details below to learn more.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DHTVDeVPn/

07/29/2026

Indyanna Vanderlaan said her experience as a student at the Learning Exchange helped her hone her media production and professional communications skills, and showed her the strong sense of community in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside.

To find out more and to get a sense of what it’s like working at the Learning Exchange as a student, read this Q&A with Indyanna, who held the Communications Assistant Work Learn position from 2024 to 2025.

Read the full story about her experience at the Learning Exchange.
https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/2025/03/26/student-profile-you-can-get-lost-in-theories-without-real-world-applications/

If you're a UBC student interested in the Learning Exchange, check out our open Work Learn positions. You can also contact us to learn about other opportunities to work with us in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/2026/07/27/openpositions/

07/27/2026

The UBC Learning Exchange in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside is looking to fill the following student Work Learn Positions for the winter semester:

- Downtown Eastside Educational Assistant
- Animating Connections & Drop-in Program Assistant
- Downtown Eastside Communications Assistant
- English Conversation Program Assistant

Apply as soon as possible. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.

Learn more on the Learning Exchange website: https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/2026/07/27/openpositions/

07/24/2026

Elders' Lunch/Fraud & Scam Prevention workshop is full! Thank you for your interest!

If you have a ticket, remember that the lunch/workshop is this Tuesday, July 28 at the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre.

We look forward to seeing you there with your ticket!

Place: Carnegie Community Centre Theatre
Date: Tuesday, July 28
Time: 12:30 – 2:30
Entrance: Event is full. Tickets required.

07/23/2026

Come in! Cool off! Wednesday and Thursday afternoons!

The Learning Exchange offers a welcoming place to refresh and cool down during drop-in hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Come enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned space and connect with others.

We have:
• Cool drinking water
• Air conditioning (AC)
• Activities while staying cool and refreshed
• Washrooms
• Phone
• Free WiFi
• Computers

For all the cool activities, download our community program flyer here:

https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/community-based-programs/event-calendar/

You can also find a list of cooling centres across Vancouver through the City of Vancouver's "Staying Safe in Hot Weather" resource.

https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/hot-weather.aspx -to-keep-cool
Check out all the community programs in our August calendar!

Most importantly, stay cool, stay safe, and enjoy your summer!

07/22/2026

☀️ Check out these tips to stay cool, keep the air inside your home clean, and recognize signs of heat-related health risks.

UBC students worked with residents of Nora Hendrix Place to tailor the information for the Downtown Eastside context. The project was in response to SFU CERi's Climate Resilience Roadmap for Non-Profits report that was also co-created with community partners. SFU's Community-Engaged Research Initiative has been working with the CLEAR project to move the report's recommendations into action.

Take a look and stay safe this summer!

For higher resolution and print copies of the infographics, email Matt Hume at [email protected].

To learn more about the CLEAR project, go here: https://learningexchange.ubc.ca/community-based-research/climate-equity-action-resilience-clear/

To learn more about the Climate Resilience Roadmap for Non-Profits, go here: https://www.sfu.ca/ceri/publications1/handbooks---toolkits/climate-resilience-roadmap/climate-resilience-roadmap.html

07/15/2026

🌞 How can you stay cool and prevent heat-related illness?
🌫️ What can you do to protect yourself during smoky days and poor air quality?

Join us for our Extreme Heat and Smoke Safety Workshop today, July 15, where Lisa Perrett from REACH Community Health Centre will share practical tips and important information to help you stay safe and enjoy a healthy summer.

This is a free event, and everyone is welcome! We'll also have snacks and door prizes.

📅 Date: Wednesday, July 15
🕒 Time: 3:15–4:30 p.m.
📍 Location: UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main St., Vancouver
🎟️ Admission: Free – no registration required

We hope to see you here!