UNITI - Semiahmoo House Society

03/26/2026

Empowered Women, Confident Communities 💙

Earlier this month, Stacey a proud member of UNITI’s SAS Self-Advocates attended the EmpowerHer in Business: Women’s Personal Safety Workshop.

Led by female officers from the Surrey Police Service. Participants learned practical personal safety strategies and practiced hands-on techniques. Stacey threw some great punches with lots of power!

Skills like these empower individuals, strengthen independence, and enrich our communities by encouraging active participation and confidence.

A huge thank you to the Surrey Police and the EmpowerHer initiative for hosting such a meaningful experience!

03/25/2026

Congratulations, Weston! What an amazing honor. Keep up the hard-work and dedication. The community needs people like you!

SAS Member, Weston Bosma, was recognized for 10 years of dedicated service for working at the City of Surrey. Congratulations West!

03/24/2026

Huge shout‑out to Kristin and Katie for volunteering in the kitchen at the Earl Marriott / Semiahmoo First Nation Pow Wow!

This special event organized in partnership with the Semiahmoo First Nation, and Earl Marriott Secondary’s Indigenous Education Program is so much more than a celebration.

It’s an incredible chance for students and the community to learn and connect.

Pow Wows feature:
• Traditional dance performances
• Indigenous music
• Traditional food and art

Every dish served and every helping hand supports a space where culture is shared, stories are heard and bridges are built.

That kind of community involvement is a meaningful step toward reconciliation through education, respect and UNITI.

03/23/2026

Did you make it to Yoga Class today?

We did! and it was exactly what we needed.

At UNITI, we believe taking time to be present, grounded and focused on self-care is just as important as anything else in your day.

Our weekly Yoga Sessions with Francis offers a calm, welcoming space to unwind and recharge.

A little pause can go a long way in a busy world.

Want to learn more about our Community Programs visit https://www.uniti4all.com/recreation-and-leisure-services

03/21/2026

MEET MARCUS!

At UNITI, we’re lucky to spend time with people like Marcus. He reminds us that meaningful connection, a sense of purpose and belonging are the cornerstones of a strong community.

Marcus looks forward to coming to UNITI each week. Sometimes he’s ready to leave the house before his mom even is!

One of his favourite activities is volunteering at Food Bank Friday with his friends from UNITI. He also enjoys making meals in the Healthy Cooking Class.

Marcus is very active with Special Olympics Langley. He plays basketball, soccer and track and field.

Last summer, he was one of the athletes chosen to travel to Prince George to compete in basketball at the Provincial Summer Games, proudly representing Langley.

Furthermore, Marcus is looking forward to baseball season starting next month and plays for White Rock/South Surrey Challenger Baseball.

When he’s not playing sports he enjoys going to the gym, helping at home with groceries, and taking weekly walks to visit his grandparents.

Today, as we recognize World Down Syndrome Day, remember that when inclusion meets support, our communities at large stand to benefit.

People with Down Syndrome give back every day, volunteering, participating, and contributing in ways that enrich all of us.

Keep shining, Marcus!

03/20/2026

As we celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, we embrace the values of inclusion and diversity that strengthen our community.

This occasion reminds us of the importance of togetherness and support in achieving our shared goals.

Let's continue to uplift one another and promote a culture of UNITI and belonging. Together we're stronger!

03/19/2026

Tickets are officially on sale for Doug’s Retirement Shindig! ( He's our fearless CEO)

Slip on your Blundstones and grab a burger!

Join us in celebrating a CEO whose career has been all about making communities shine.

When: Friday, May 8th @ 5:00 PM
Where: UNITI South Campus - 15306 24th Ave, Surrey
Theme: Dress like Doug (Whatever, that means to you!)

OH, and Doug will be flipping burgers on the grill.

Don't miss the hottest party in town.

Grab your tickets: www.galabid.com/dougsretirement

See you then!

03/19/2026

Creativity is always in full colour at UNITI!

From paint to paper, glitter and glue, the Arts & Crafts program is where imagination comes to life.

Every masterpiece tells a story. These stories are bold, beautiful, and uniquely their own.

Ready to get inspired?
Learn more about UNITI programs here: https://www.uniti4all.com/services

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today, UNITI hosted a St. Patrick's Day dance at our South Campus. There was lots of laughter, good cheer, and dancing! May you find a pot of gold 🪙 at the end of the rainbow 🌈 🎉🍀😊👍💚

03/17/2026

The Rec & Leisure Healthy Eating Class was at it again this week!

The delicious smell of Chicken Gnocchi Soup drifted through South Campus and had everyone feeling hungry.

This soup is truly a warm hug in a bowl, and it’s quick and easy to prepare!

Ingredients

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1½ cups)
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
¼ cup all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken broth
1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
½ tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
½ tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
1 lb dried gnocchi
1 (5‑oz) container baby spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup half-and-half

Directions
1️⃣ Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (10–12 minutes). Add the garlic during the last minute of cooking.

2️⃣ Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until the vegetables are evenly coated. Gradually stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken, thyme, salt, and pepper. Return to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low and cook until the chicken is cooked through (about 5 minutes).

3️⃣ Stir in the gnocchi and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender and fluffy (4–5 minutes). Add the spinach and half-and-half, stirring until well combined and the spinach has wilted (1–2 minutes). Remove from heat and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Expert Tips from the UNITI Chefs
✔ Use store‑bought rotisserie chicken for a quick, time-saving hack.
✔ Avoid overcooking the gnocchi, they only take about 5 minutes and will float to the top when ready.
✔ Enjoy on its own or serve with dinner rolls or a fresh salad.

In our kitchen, we cook, clean, and share meals together. These everyday moments build trust, connection and confidence.

Give the recipe a try and let us know how it turns out, post in the comments!

For more information about our Community Programs, visit:
https://www.uniti4all.com/recreation-and-leisure-services

03/13/2026

Have you seen our March Newsletter?

This month, we’re celebrating the amazing ways our community comes together:

Food Bank Friday: Highlighting the dedication of our UNITI volunteers who support essential services for those in need.

Harmony Apartments: Exciting updates on our project providing affordable homes for our community.

Valentine’s Day Dance: Check out the fun and memories captured in our photo gallery!

Healthy Eating/Cooking Class: Delicious recipes shared by our members.

Let’s take a moment to recognize the incredible efforts our members make every single day.

Read the full newsletter here: https://conta.cc/4bb7FGs

Email from The Semiahmoo Foundation   Monthly Newsletter   March 2026 LOVE IS IN THE AIR  The UNITI Valentine's Dance was a success! Participants arrived dressed to the nines for our annual Valenti

03/12/2026

TEDxWhite Rock 2026 welcomes Doug Tennant to the stage on March 15!

Doug Tennant is the CEO of UNITI, an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries to live self-directed, connected lives in their communities.

For more than two decades, Doug has worked at the intersection of leadership, governance, and inclusion. He challenges systems that concentrate power and advances models that trust people with lived experience to lead.

Under his leadership, UNITI has expanded inclusive housing, employment initiatives, and self-advocate leadership programs that position people with disabilities not as recipients of services, but as contributors and decision-makers.

Most notably, Doug helped lead the successful approval of Harmony Apartments, an inclusive housing development that became a catalyst for a broader community conversation about who gets to shape civic life.

Doug is a frequent speaker on governance, community leadership, and the future of inclusive housing. He believes that communities thrive when leadership is recognized where it has always existed and when institutions are willing to listen.

While he is retiring in 2026, he remains inspired by the self-advocates who continue to redefine what leadership looks like in their communities.

Don't miss this inspiring event!

Tickets: https://conta.cc/4riHH8X