THE NEW HUNGARIAN VOICE FALL 2003 (Read-Only)

IN
HUNGARIAN
VANCOUVER
INSTITUTIONS
HUNGARIAN RETIREMENT HOME - THE ‘MAGYAR OTTHON’
By the 1980's the youthful group of refugees
from communist Hungary began thinking about the future and
retirement. In Vancouver by that time there were many retirement
homes springing up and one could see the success of other
ethnic groups - German, Italian, Scottish, Croatian, and many
other homes that were being built.
One person who was totally dedicated to the idea of
a Hungarian retirement home was Mr.
Sándor Gyarmati. Mr. Gyarmati
formed a committee of like
minded Hungarians and with
the support and backing of
Vancouver based Hungarian
churches he and his fellow Hungarians
registered their organization
in Victoria in 1982 as the
Canadian-Hungarian Housing
Society of British Columbia.
After this important step,
they started planning for the building,
and most importantly they
started the difficult task of trying to secure
a lot and financial assistance for the project. Anybody who ever
tried to fundraise for projects will know how much time and
effort it requires. After many letters, phone calls, interviews
and appointments, the Housing Society convinced the
City of Vancouver of the importance of this venture, and they
were granted a building lot for the future home. The lot (which
was much appreciated), was not quite right for their purposes
and the committee exchanged it for one on South-West Marine
Drive. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided
the funds for the building and by October 1988 the construction
was completed and the Hungarian Retirement Home, or the
‘Magyar Otthon’ opened its doors at 1564 S.W. Marine Drive.
A total of fifty-four 535 square foot one bedroom apartments
were ready for occupation, and people began to
move in on the 1st of October. I visited
the ‘Magyar Otthon’ few times and on
each occasion I was delighted to be
there. The building looks bright,
clean, friendly and inviting. The
apartments are also full of
light, with flowered balconies;
and the atmosphere is cheerful
and warm.
The managers of the building
are more than just employees
of the Board of Directors - they also
look after the tenants and share in
their Hungarian inspired feelings. There
are extra rooms for meetings, reading and laundry; but what
really touched me, was the little chapel where the tenants could
go for Sunday service, or just to drop in to meditate and withdraw
from the rush of our modern world. I applaud the success
of the ‘Magyar Otthon’ and hope that it will be a peaceful
home for many Hungarians in the future.
Magda Sasvári
“Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided the funds for the building and by October 1988 the construction was completed
and the Hungarian Retirement Home, or the ‘Magyar Otthon’ opened its doors at 1564 S.W. Marine Drive. “
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