Pacific Region

Vancouver Chapter

The Pacific Region comprises many communities and the Tetra Head Office in Vancouver, BC. Read more about Tetra Society programs near the national head office.

Vancouver Woodworking Shop

Vancouver volunteers are offering classes for anyone with a disability interested in learning how to use workshop equipment to produce craft projects.

Launched in 2011, the Tetra shop project is helping people with significant mobility limitations to make beautiful arts and crafts, handy items like bookshelves, footstools and ballpoint pens, and fun ones like birdhouses and planters. Participants discover new skills and hobbies and have fun at the same time.

Check out the Facebook page for pictures of the shop in use. It’s designed to be accessible with its tools, equipment and machinery modified for use by people with mobility and dexterity limitations. 

“We encourage people to do whatever they can physically do,” explains Tetra volunteer George Shipley. “We are there to advise and inspire people – but mainly to guarantee safety.” 

The shop is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 2:30pm and operates on a drop-in basis. The charge is $10/session and that covers the cost of materials for most of the projects. 

For more information, contact George Shipley by email or at 604-596-9404. 

Volunteer Meetings

Typically, meetings are held on the third Monday of the month. Night classes start at 6:30pm and some parking stalls will be taken by 7:00pm.

Meetings are at BCIT (Burnaby campus) in building SE06 room 109. SE06 is also known as the IBM Building and the School of Business. SE6-109 is in the basement and access is by stairs or elevator.

A good place to park is lot P5. Parking Lot P7 is a good alternative. Attendees would need to purchase a parking pass for the evening from the parking Kiosk.

Carey Avenue is under construction and drivers can use Wayburne Drive to enter campus and drive to lot P5. Enter SE06 thru the main doors next to lot P5. Then walk downstairs or take elevator in foyer.

Tetra Treasure Trove

The Vancouver Tetra chapter has a small collection of parts, surplus equipment and no-longer-required completed projects to be recycled for current Tetra projects. 

The equipment has been amassed by longtime Vancouver volunteer Jay Drew (right), and is made available for free for Tetra volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis. Take a look at a pdf list of what’s available.


Thank You

Your generosity is greatly appreciated:

Contact Info:

Eric Molendyk
National Program Coordinator &
Pacific Region (BC, Canada, USA)
Email: VancouverBC@tetrasociety.org
Phone: 604-688-6464, ext. 117