Surrey Shares

Surrey Shares was in the Peace Arch News again!!

This time, the story talks about one of our incredible participants Margaret Herle who at 83 years young just published her book Dragonfly, which is a journal type of memoir from her 6 years of traveling around North America in retirement on a bus they converted into a tiny home on wheels! (She was living the tiny home movement, before it was even a movement!!)

The story also talks about our program celebration event that we had last week at UNITI - Semiahmoo House Society to acknowledge all of the accomplishments people have made through the program over the past 4 years. Incredible!

https://www.peacearchnews.com/community/south-surrey-83-year-old-pens-nomad-retirement-7332865

Check out this incredible program!!

Our March workshop on Bhangra Fusion with Aman Bakshi, still has some spots available!

This workshop is going to be an introduction to Bhangra as a folk dance, and props are generally used. We’ll share some easy steps to dance on Punjabi beats!

Please see the poster for registration details.

What do you want from ‘your next chapter’ in life?? Not sure??

Come to this Free workshop on March 26th to uncover what you want from your ‘ideal life’.

From there, you get to begin writing this new chapter in your story, both literally and artistically.

Work with Jessika Houston from Glitter N' Grace and Noel Bentley as they take you through a journey of discovery, storytelling and intentional life design!

March 26th 2024 1-4pm
South Surrey Recreation Center

To Register- [email protected]

For anyone who may benefit from learning how to write a grant proposal!

grantfundingworkshop.ca FREE Event Reveals How You Can Tap Into Billions of Dollars in Free Grants from the Canadian Government! These Grants Are Available From Federal, Provincial, and Local Governments… Discover How You Can Get Your Share!

One of our alumni Lyn Verra-Lay runs this program and puts together wonderful workshops!! Check them out!

Come and meet some of the authors!!

This Saturday December 16th, we will be doing a book signing at BLACK BOND BOOKS in the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre from 1-3pm!

We will have about 8 authors there for you to meet, ask questions to and have your book signed!

Bring a friend and come join the fun!

This Saturday December 16th we will be doing a book signing at BLACK BOND BOOKS in the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre from 1-3pm!

We will have about 8 authors there for you to meet, ask questions to and have your book signed!

Bring a friend and come join the fun!

Surrey Shares anthology ‘reminds of shared values, lessons’

Part proceeds from book sales to benefit continuation of storytelling project

It’s been said that everyone has a story to tell – from tales of triumph and defeat, to life lessons, adventure, love, missed opportunity and more.

And while not all stories get told, those of more than two dozen shared by Semiahmoo Peninsula residents – including that of a woman whose dying wish was to be a published author – have recently been immortalized for all to enjoy.

Those behind Surrey Shares Stories: Connecting Community Through Storytelling say it is an anthology that’s hoped to stir emotions and inspire others to embark on their own journey of discovery.

“A lot of them, it’s about the leaving the stories for the people behind,” project co-ordinator Jessika Houston said of the contributors, during a chat about the book’s recent release on Amazon.

It hit online best-seller status on its first day of sales.

“It really took off,” Houston raved of the Nov. 8 debut.

“We were able to hit three number-ones” as well as take 77th spot overall – “which is really crazy, because there’s thousands and thousands of books on there.”

In the works for about 18 months, the book features 26 stories; most of them written by participants of the Surrey Shares program, an initiative of the Surrey Intercultural Seniors Social Inclusion Partnership Network that launched in April 2020 – shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.

The idea behind the program was to “connect people who are isolated or lonely, support them while they identify and achieve some of their personal goals and prepare them to share a personally meaningful story on stage.”

Initially proposed for seniors, it expanded a year later to include those aged 18 and older.

Houston has described connections formed through the program as life-changing for participants, a number of whom stepped out of their comfort zones earlier this year to grace the pages of a 2024 pinup calendar to help fundraise for it to continue. Without additional funds, its next eight-week cohort, set to begin in January, may well be the last.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: South Surrey seniors’ pin-up project captures ‘unbelievable’ transformation

Part proceeds from book sales – available for $19.99 – will also benefit efforts to keep it alive.

While not part of the original plan, the book idea emerged through listening to participants’ stories, and realizing they had a greater value.

In a foreword, White Rock resident and former MLA Gordie Hogg describes the anthology as exploring “a wide range of human values that connect us universally and remind us to pause and reflect upon our own lives.”

“These stories reinforce the idea that… we hold shared values of diversity, compassion, and understanding. They remind us that our commonalities unite us and that our lived lessons should be shared.”

The contributors, an introduction raves, experienced benefits ranging from relationship breakthroughs and mental-health gains, to figuring out what they wanted to get out of “their ‘next chapter.’”

READ MORE: Surrey storytelling program for seniors expands to include 18-and-older

For some, that has translated into starting a business, or pursuing further education.

“We have a few people, they’ve decided that they want to write their own entire book,” Houston told Peace Arch News. “One person… she’s already at the publishing stage.”

READ MORE: Surrey seniors connect through storytelling on video

Contributor Carla Josephson had a goal to be published before cancer claimed her life. Her story, said Houston, is “all about her cancer experience and how she kind of came to terms with how eventually she would pass.”

Finishing that story – Journey to Home – lifted a weight for the senior, Houston added.

“Even at her funeral they mentioned that one of her greatest joys was that she got to become a published author before she passed away.”

Efforts are underway to get the book – which includes two stories translated into Punjabi – onto local store shelves, as well as into museums and libraries.

Next month, some of the contributors will be at Black Bond Books in Semiahmoo Shopping Centre for a book-signing. The event is set for 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 16.

A book launch, meanwhile, is being planned for early February.

For information, or to order a book, email [email protected] or visit Amazon. Calendars ($25) may be ordered at glitterngrace.com

Check out our article!! Make sure to come and see us at BLACK BOND BOOKS Semiahmoo on Dec 16th!

Surrey Shares anthology ‘reminds of shared values, lessons’ Part proceeds from book sales to benefit continuation of storytelling project

TEDxSurrey - LIVE Jan 20th 2024 http://tedxsurrey.live/2024

Our books are officially in Black Bond Books now and we will be hosting an author book signing on Dec 16th from 1-3 at The Semiahmoo Shopping center- come say hi!!

I’m so excited for all the authors! Congratulations everyone!!

Our beautiful Surrey SHARES Senior Pin Up Calendar is finally ready!

This playful 12 month calendar demonstrates that beauty comes in all forms, all sizes and all ages!

Participants from the Surrey SHARES program came together for a day of laughter, support, friendship and fun and discovered that YES… seniors can still wear red lipstick!

Buy one of these beautiful calendars now knowing that any profits made through this calendar will be going back to the Surrey SHARES program to either extend or enhance our program.

To purchase please visit www.glitterngrace.com

Woooo hooo!!! We did it!! Amazon Best Seller in 3 Categories!!!
- Canadian Region- Biographies & Memoirs
- Western Provinces- Biographies & Memoirs
- Maritime Provinces- Biographies & Memoirs

In addition, we hit some really great numbers in some really tough categories that we should be super proud of!

- #77 out of all the books on Amazon.ca!!! (This is crazy as there are thousands of books available that we are competing with)
- #2 Best Seller in Family Relationship Books
- #6 Best Seller in Parenting and Relationship Books
- #8 Best Seller in Community and Culture Books

Congratulations to everyone involved!!

Todays the day!!! Today we launch our incredible book on Amazon!! Grab your copy today and help us become a Bestseller!!

Surrey Shares Stories: Connecting Community Through Storytelling https://a.co/d/f0kRITT

The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! On Wednesday, November 8th, from 9 am to 11 am, Surrey Shares is launching its book 'Surrey SHARES Stories', and we need your help to make it a huge success.

Join us in this exciting adventure as we unveil this remarkable collection of stories. Mark your calendars!

For purchase, check out the link!
https://a.co/d/06yNzNY

Know anyone who might want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity??

Next Cohort- Starts Oct 16th!!
Join us as we embark on an 8 week journey into storytelling, personal development and creating meaningful connections!

We have a few spaces left for this FREE program which is offered to Surrey residents who are 18+

Reach out soon if you’re interested as we start next week! Woo hoo!!

We made the news!!

PHOTOS: South Surrey seniors’ pin-up project captures ‘unbelievable’ transformation Calendar to raise funds for continuation of Surrey Shares storytelling project

Last week we did a Pin Up Photo Shoot with our seniors and had 11 people bravely come and get dolled up for photos! It was so much fun!! I can't wait to see the photos and to share them all with you!

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Surrey SHARES page. Unfortunately our old page was hacked so we are starting over and creating a brand new page.

Feel free to post any photos you may have relating to Surrey SHARES as we would love to highlight them all!