CHANGE A LIFE
Social inclusion — sometimes referred to as a sense of belonging — is the act of making all groups of people within a society feel valued and important. United Way British Columbia and four other United Ways – Calgary, Guelph, Hamilton and Ottawa – have partnered with Mitacs, a national not-for-profit research and training organization,
Every year across Metro Vancouver, residents throw out more than 100,000 tonnes of food. To put that in perspective, each day residents across our communities send more than 15,000 heads of lettuce, 40,000 tomatoes, 80,000 potatoes, 32,000 loaves of bread, and 70,000 cups of milk to the landfill. Sustainability advocate and SFU lecturer Alia Sunderji
Last week, dozens of labour activists from multiple unions and municipalities came together for the annual United Way British Columbia Labour Day of Caring with a full day of activity with SHARE Family & Community Services in Coquitlam. Volunteers worked at a social housing complex doing a variety of tasks including repairing two playgrounds, clearing
Angie always thought of herself as active and social. But the unexpected death of her husband—followed by personal health problems, mobility issues and limited income—left her feeling isolated and alone. “You wonder, Where do I go from here? What do I do? What do I have to look forward to?” Then Angie found the answer:
As society moves away from handwritten and verbal communication towards emailing, texting, and social media, many seniors like Richmond grandmothers, Ozra and Zohreh, are left behind. In a digitally connected world, the elderly are often left out leaving them isolated and alone. When Ozra met friends, she wasn’t able to share photos of her
Labour Day is more than a well-deserved day off. Labour Day celebrates the achievements that make our society a stronger more equitable place because of Unions. The labour movement is an important force for democracy, not just in the workplace, but beyond. Unions advocate for better social, economic and environmental policies. Today, in Canada, we
Last month, Tai, a housekeeper with United Way’s Better at Home in Ashcroft, BC, stepped out from her mobile home for a short trip to purchase groceries. What unfolded during next hour was a nightmare beyond her imagining. “When I left to return home I was told that the highway was already closed,” recounts Tai.
Family Caregiver Week in BC is being celebrated May 5–11, 2017. The week celebrates family caregivers and recognizes the essential role they play as part of the healthcare team. In British Columbia, over one million family and friend caregivers devote their time and energy to help someone else live a more comfortable, safe life. If
She was always a trailblazer. In the 1960s, when Betti Port was just 23, she embarked on a world tour from her native Australia, settling in Vancouver. Not long after, Betti joined CN Rail, breaking new ground to become one of CN’s first female sales managers, first senior managers and eventually, one of its first
The bright green bookshelves are filled with new books. The walls are painted with palm trees, fluffy clouds and blue skies. Colourful comfy chairs await kids.The United Way Reading Oasis is ready for kids to have fun and learn! A gift from an anonymous United Way donor and a partnership with New Westminster School District
United Way strives to make the Lower Mainland a place where everyone can access opportunity and reach their full potential, no matter where they live or where they’re from. In the Tri-Cities (Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody), United Way invested $2.0 million dollars in 2016 to support 60 programs and 42 agencies.