Langley’s “Manners Lady” is hosting special events tonight (Oct. 12) and Saturday, and they’re all about acceptance and inclusiveness.
Langley Community Services Society is celebrating National Manners and Judi Vankevich, Lady, a local family entertainer and educator, is organizing a special family concert and workshop on this evening, during an Arabic family dinner party from 6 to 8 p.m. at Langley Community Services Society, 5339-207 St.
“We’re excited to have Judi come share with our families,” noted LCSS immigrant resettlement manager Mary Tanielian.
“The kids will love her music and we’ll have a lot of fun as we help the families adjust to the Canadian way of living and help their children in their adjustment to Canadian schools.”
LCSS board chairman, Wayne Wiebe, who is also a district governor for Rotary International, added, “It’s natural for LCSS to partner with Judi as she has helping to welcome new immigrants to Canada for over 30 years, as well as inspiring and equipping many Canadians through her Manners Lady concerts and workshops to learn the attitudes, words, and actions that we all need for successful and meaningful relationships at home, school, or work.”
Vankevich, a.k.a. “Judi the Manners Lady” travels around the world teaching manners and character in schools, community, and church groups through concerts and seminars.
She performed for more than 3,500 children in London and through her non-profit organization, The Canadian Centre for Manners & Civility, trained more than 12,000 children and teens to be “Multicultural Friendship Ambassadors” for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Bob Gabriel, who is the manager of the Settlement Program at Langley’s ISSofBC (Immigrant Services Society of BC) noted that it’s important that we not only help our immigrants with physical adjustments to Canada, but we must help them with social adjustments too.
“Judi The Manners Lady’s concerts and workshops are vital to help teach the social skills that all Canadians embrace,” Gabriel said.
“Judi teaches universal principles that parents from every cultural background embrace—character, kindness and manners.”
Vankevich will also be doing her Welcome to Canada workshop/concert at a second party for Syrian refugees at an Arabic Thanksgiving potluck lunch this Saturday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Onnri Church, 19711 86th Ave.
The event is being hosted by the Arabic Evangelical Church of BC.
For refugees and sponsor families, RSVP to Reda Hanna at arablicchurchbc@gmail.com or 778-245-0041.
Meanwhile, Vankevich will also be touring local schools and schools across Canada during National Manners Month and leading up to Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations.
For information about schools or groups being part of Judi The Manners Lady’s 2016-2017 tour, or for companies who would like to be a co-sponsor of the Welcome to Canada outreach to the new Syrian Refugees, call 604-530-4346 or email info@TheMannersClub.com
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
As Canada prepares for its 150th birthday, Vankevich’s program has been accepted as an official Canada 150 Project and she is excited to partner with the City of Langley to launch the new “Proud to be Canadian” campaign and the “Kindness Keys” in Langley.
“I’m excited to assist our newest immigrants and refugees catch the vision for their new home in Canada, helping make their transition as easy as possible,” Vankevich said.
After sharing dinner together, Judi and the families will have a story time with Judi’s new book, “The Bad Manners Monsters and the Kindness Keys” and then role-play fun ways of showing R-E-S-P-E-C-T with the three Kindness Keys: The Kind Attitude Key, The Kind Words Key and the Kind Actions Key.
Mary Tanielian added, “All the lyrics to Judi’s songs will be on the big screen and power point, so it will be easier for the families to follow along, as well as having help from a translator. Judi can also speak quite a few phrases in Arabic, which always makes them smile when they see that Canadians try to learn a few words in their language—even as they work on learning English.”