CHANGE A LIFE
United Way British Columbia is providing an additional $70,000 to gang-prevention program In It Together, operated by Abbotsford Community Services. Yves Trudel made the announcement at the Fraser Valley Community Spirit Awards May 7. The event recognized United Way donors and the impact their generosity is having in the Fraser Valley. “United Way is proud
Sometimes it takes a bit of adversity in your own life to truly appreciate the difference you can make in someone else’s. Brittany Wiesner understands this well. Brittany provides administrative support for United Way’s Donor Experience team, coordinating volunteer experiences. But more than that, as nominated by her own colleagues, she is an inspiring community
The beginning of a new season can mean many things: a fresh start, a time to reassess, and for many, a chance to try something new. It’s also often a time when individuals prioritize mental and physical well-being, with many signing up for gym memberships and meditation classes. The great news? Getting involved in your
In an historic decision, the Board of Education for New Westminster Schools voted to supply free pads and tampons in school bathrooms. The decision will improve access to menstrual products for local students, reducing the vulnerability and isolation caused by period poverty. Trustees also voted to endorse the Period Promise campaign by United Way British
Periods are a fact of life. Monthly menstruation products are a necessity. Sadly, across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, too many people can’t afford them. These include young girls and single mothers; newcomers and refugees, who face added levels of stigma; and trans and gender non-conforming folks, for whom this can be a compounding
Take a moment and ask yourself: what difference have labour unions made in your life? Safer working conditions, or the five-day work week may be the first things that come to mind. What you may not know is the far-ranging impact unions have had on policies that shape how inclusive we are as a society.
For many families, winter is a time of busy calendars, holiday celebrations and sunny getaways. For seniors, however, the exact opposite is often true. This, paired with cold temperatures, decreased mobility and limited incomes, can result in isolation that puts older adults at risk of physical, emotional and mental health challenges. The good news is that support
January can be a hard time of the year. While the days are slowly getting lighter, the pink cherry blossoms of spring are still far away, and depending on the weather, the sun can set before 5 o’clock in the afternoon. This makes it hard – as both a family and an individual – to
When Jeff Tsai and his family moved to Port Coquitlam 15 years ago, he remembers the city being much different from the lively community it is today. “It was such a sleepy little suburb when we first moved,” he says “but has grown leaps and bounds into a bustling city.” One of the things that
Conversations about housing, finances and health care can be hard. These subjects can be even more difficult to broach with an aging parent. Many of us struggle, asking ourselves: When is the right time to have these conversations? Can I tell my mum that I worry about her falling? How do I talk about my
On September 20, 2018, residents from across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley celebrated United Way Day by showing us something we’ve known all along: that they’re one in a million! In recognition of this fact, we formally launched an ambitious new goal: to inspire 1 million people to engage in acts of local love,
For three straight hours on Wednesday, September 12, locals “paid it forward” in a Gastown coffee shop, buying a coffee for the person behind them. In total, 140 people participated in a continuous, unbroken chain, buying the coffee for the person behind them when they learned theirs had been gifted by a stranger. The generous
Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod said it best: keep fit and have fun. As the brains and muscle behind the immortal public service announcement “Body Break”, they helped thousands of Canadians of all ages embrace exercise, teamwork, and nutrition, and for that, we salute them. At United Way British Columbia, we take this philosophy one
“The long weekend in September.” “The last, big hurrah before going back to school.” “Your last chance to wear white this season.” There are many ways to think about Labour Day. Unfortunately, they are often far-removed from the day’s origins and the outstanding achievements of the Canadian labour movement – principally, its commitment to building
Sometimes it takes the worst in community to showcase its very best. Earlier this year, there was a local outcry when vandals torched the Little Library at Wellington Park in Port Coquitlam. Amber Gregory is the Community Connector with United Way Avenues of Change Coquitlam River. She is a long-time Port Coquitlam resident and a
Trisha Dulku is passionate about empowering the community she calls home. As the Community Projects Coordinator with Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Surrey Campus, she works with students, faculty and staff to help organize and execute community-focused initiatives that support local newcomers and youth. Building community What inspires Trisha? The opportunity for positive change she sees
The next time you’re riding the bus, take a moment to look at your fellow riders. You may even recognize a few: maybe the passenger who has a similar work commute or someone who shares your stop. Now, take a moment to ask yourself: who is missing from this picture? A seat for everyone Viveca
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. It is important to acknowledge that while these groups may share similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Today is also a
On June 19, United Way British Columbia held its 88th Annual General Meeting. The afternoon was an opportunity to celebrate our history and share the vision articulated in our recently-adopted strategic plan. In addition to highlighting our community impact from the past year, attendees welcomed new board members, thanked retiring members, and recognized longtime partners.
“What do we have, if we don’t have a connection? We have only ourselves,” says Marlene, a Seniors Community Connector, who helps other seniors access life-changing programming in her East Vancouver neighbourhood. She believes that everyone, no matter their age, should be connected to local home care and transportation services, as well as community-building activities,