Community Matters: Reflections from the Hyack Multicultural Festival
Building Strong & Collaborative Community Through Shared Experiences
One of the things we love most about New Westminster is its sense of community.
In a world that often feels busy, fast-paced, and increasingly digital, opportunities to slow down, connect with our neighbours, and spend meaningful time together have become more important than ever. Community doesn't happen by accident. It happens when people, organizations, businesses, and families come together with a shared goal of creating something positive for those around them.
That's exactly what we experienced at this year's Hyack Multicultural Festival.
For the second year in a row, VICI Learning had the privilege of participating as a vendor at this incredible community event. While we arrived with activities, giveaways, and plenty of excitement, we left feeling grateful for something much more meaningful: connection.
More Than a Festival Booth
Throughout the day, hundreds of families stopped by our booth. Children eagerly participated in our activities, proudly showing off their completed challenges and cheering one another on. Parents shared stories about their children's learning journeys. Familiar faces from our tutoring and Learn & Play Day Camp programs stopped by to say hello. New families introduced themselves and learned more about the resources available within their own community.
Those moments may seem small, but together they tell a much bigger story.
Strong communities are built through relationships.
They are built when children feel welcomed and encouraged. They are built when parents know where to turn for support. They are built when local organizations collaborate rather than operate independently. They are built when businesses invest not only in their customers, but in their neighbourhoods.
Creating Spaces for Connection
Events like the Hyack Multicultural Festival create opportunities for those connections to happen naturally.
As we looked around throughout the day, we saw children proudly wearing their favourite outfits, families laughing together, volunteers giving their time, and local businesses working side by side to create memorable experiences.
We watched children return to our booth multiple times, excited to participate in another activity or spin the prize wheel. We saw siblings helping one another solve challenges and parents celebrating their children's accomplishments.
Perhaps most importantly, we witnessed something that can be difficult to measure but easy to feel: a genuine sense of belonging.
New Westminster Community: a vibrant place to live, learn, and grow.
At VICI Learning, we often talk about education as more than academics.
While grades and school success matter, a child's growth is also shaped by the people and communities around them. Children thrive when they feel supported. They thrive when they have opportunities to explore, ask questions, build confidence, and connect with others.
Community plays a powerful role in that process.
Many of the activities at our booth were designed to encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Whether children were building towers, solving puzzles, or participating in sensory activities, the goal wasn't simply to complete a task—it was to create opportunities for engagement, confidence, and joy.
At VICI Learning, we often talk about education as more than academics. While grades and school success matter, a child's growth is also shaped by the people and communities around them. Children thrive when they feel supported. They thrive when they have opportunities to explore, ask questions, build confidence, and connect with others. Share a commitment to making New Westminster a vibrant place to live, learn, and grow.
A Heartfelt Thank You
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Hyack Festival Association for organizing another exceptional event and creating a space where culture, community, and connection can be celebrated together. Their dedication to bringing people together continues to make a meaningful impact on our city.
We would also like to thank our incredible team of staff and volunteers whose enthusiasm and positivity helped make the day such a success. Their willingness to engage with children, welcome families, and represent the values of our organization is something we are deeply grateful for.
Most importantly, thank you to every family, child, community partner, and neighbour who stopped by our booth. Whether you participated in an activity, shared a conversation, collected a goodie bag, or simply stopped to say hello, you helped make the day special.
