CHANGE A LIFE
Congratulations to CUPE 402, winner of the Labour United Award! The award is part of the Scotiabank & United Way Community Spirit Awards event that took place on February 25 in Vancouver. The Labour United Award is presented by the United Steelworks to a union and its members who exemplify commitment to community and to
A lawyer who sits on the board of the United Way-funded agency Nidus Personal Resource Planning and Registry says that living wills in B.C. don’t adequately protect end-of-life wishes. A Representation Agreement, however, does. The lawyer was interviewed on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition. “The reality is we do have a good law in British
Spring is just around the corner—and so is the implementation phase of United Way My Neighbourhood, My Future! Officially launched in April 2013, this unprecedented five year initiative has one resounding objective: to see more kids start school with all the skills they need to succeed—in the classroom and in life. As we enter the
In partnership with United Way British Columbia, BCAA will provide another 1,000 new child car seats throughout the province through its Community Child Car Seat Program. The seats are to be used by kids who may otherwise not have safe transport options. Since launching in 2013, the Community Child Car Seat Program has provided a
If you visit Surrey’s Central City Shopping Centre on the first and third Wednesdays of the month between 10 am and noon, you’ll see some delightful early learning in the works. A large space near the entrance of Winners is transformed into a vibrant kid-friendly area. Play mats, toys, picture books, play dough, and other
For Immediate Release: February 25, 2015 United Way British Columbia will put $26.5 million to work in the community to help children, families and seniors across Metro Vancouver. The money raised through the generosity of donors means that United Way can help move families from poverty to possibility, help kids be all they can be,
Imagine schools as safe, caring centres of communities, not just during class hours, but in the evenings and on weekends too. This model of community schools is a reality in many neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver, ensuring kids have opportunities to grow up strong and healthy with access to a wider range of community services. United
This year’s Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards will be amazing! The event takes place on Wednesday, February 25 and recognizes and honours organizations, unions and individuals that have helped to strengthen our community over the past year. Scotiabank returns as title sponsor of the event for the 14th consecutive year. “Making a positive
“I just want to make a difference and help people,” said Andrew Tham, a Canada Post CUPW member. He took the Critical Incident Stress course recently offered at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) 2015 Harrison Winter School for union members. Andrew was one of 1,100 union members who attended the 41st annual Winter School. 110
In 1858, 800 black pioneers escaping racial persecution in San Francisco came to British Columbia in search of work and a safe place to raise their families. Now, more than 33,200 British Columbians trace their ancestry from Africa, contributing to B.C.’s culture of diversity. February is Black History Month proclaimed by the B.C. government. It’s
According to a survey of more than 1,200 doctors and nurses surveyed across Canada, seriously ill, hospitalized Canadians are increasingly receiving aggressive, invasive and futile care at end of life because patients and families cannot accept that they are dying. In a story published in The Vancouver Sun, the survey revealed that unrealistic expectations about
Starting today, residents of the Lower Mainland are able to access bc211’s services simply by texting 2-1-1 on their mobile devices. This means accessing free information and referrals for community, government and social services in B.C. no longer requires a phone call. The bc211 service, developed in partnership with the United Way, currently manages over
Kids who are taught how to be mindful—defined as “paying attention in the present moment without judgment”—are happier, kinder, and do better in math than kids who aren’t. As reported in a recent Vancouver Sun article, UBC researchers uncovered these connections when they studied a group of grade 4 and 5 kids in Coquitlam. Some
In the Tri-Cities, 9 out of 10 youth have their own cell phones. Those who don’t are more likely to sleep 8 hours a day—and to experience better mental health than their phone-wielding peers. These and other findings were shared at the Know 2 Grow Research Forum, partially funded by United Way British Columbia, yesterday.
In an article published in The Vancouver Sun, columnist Daphne Bramham discusses gaps and gains for B.C.’s aboriginal children. First the good news – we are heading in the right direction in the field of education. The article highlights findings from a C.D. Howe Institute report published in 2014 by SFU professor John Richards, “Are
Poverty statistics released by Statistics Canada in December 2014 show once again that B.C. has one of the highest poverty rates in Canada. One in ten British Columbians are living in poverty, meaning 469,000 people are struggling to make ends meet. Relative to the rest of the country, B.C. is tied third with Quebec after
Fall means harvest and farmers markets. When people stop by the Gourmet Grannies booth at the Haney Farmers Market in Maple Ridge, they sometimes think that the Grannies are serving space vegetables. “People look at the pattypan squash and think you’re serving UFOs!” says Gabby with a laugh. Gabby, 68 years old, and Elaine, 80
Author Emily White says that self-reliance is overrated and that it’s time to rebuild a sense of community and civic life. In a Globe and Mail article, White traces her search for modern-day offline community in her book Count Me In: How I Stepped Off the Sidelines, Created Connection, and Build a Fuller, Richer, More
Nakusp, Invermere, the Villages of Fraser Lake and Valemount, and Pender Island are the five communities chosen for United Way’s Better at Home rural and remote pilot project. The goal of the pilot project is to test service delivery options to seniors living in rural and remote communities in B.C. Theresa Wood, event co-ordinator for
Thanks to 38 enthusiastic individuals and the generous unions and companies that sponsored them, United Way received invaluable fundraising support for its 2014 workplace campaign. These individuals, called Campaign Associates, help United Way make incredible things happen for people living in the Lower Mainland. This year, nine Campaign Associates were sponsored by unions. Other sponsoring