CHANGE A LIFE
What can we learn from global community leaders? What similar challenges do we face? How can we be more effective at strengthening communities? Neighbourhood Houses are “community centres on steroids” according to United Way planner Yves Trudel, who is attending the conference. In the Lower Mainland, Neighbourhood Houses are community hubs offering recreation, social supports,
Better at Home‘s Quesnel program coordinator Brenda Gardiner has won a 2014 Courage To Come Back Award in the social adversity category. Her harrowing story was featured in The Vancouver Sun and Vancouver Province. Before she was five years old, Brenda Gardiner watched her mother be beaten to death by her drunken father. “It’s 50
Volunteers from Target Canada got paid in dough – plus had a laugh – at a volunteer event held at Deltassist Family and Community Services Society facilitated through The Vancouver Sun United Way Day of Caring.Target Canada is a generous supporter of United Way British Columbia. The bread that volunteers helped sort is donated by
In 2006, United Way British Columbia and a UBC research team led by Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl had a novel thought: if we want to know how kids are doing, why not ask them directly? The Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) was designed so that children themselves in Grade 4 and Grade 7 could fill out
One in four seniors in Vancouver live alone. Most are women. Many, like 78-year-old Lenna, have lived full lives and worked in helping professions as nurses and teachers. The former social worker, social planner and teacher leads an active retirement volunteering with the Vancouver Art Gallery and as a Book Buddy reading to inner city
Unassuming. Deeply committed. Tirelessly compassionate. Respectful. Exemplary. These are some of the words used to describe a group of exceptional people who work with children, families and seniors on a daily basis at United Way-funded agencies and who were recognized for their passion, commitment and dedication at the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards. The awards are
Residents of the Sunshine Coast now have access to bc211! The toll-free phone number provides people with information and referral to community, social and government services. 2-1-1 service is also available to the residents of Metro Vancouver, Squamish-Lillooet and Fraser Valley Regional Districts. Primarily funded by United Way British Columbia, bc211 utilizes an extensive database
A silent film about bullying, verbal abuse and teen suicide has won first prize in the Youth Category at United Way’s third annual Care to Change competition. “Bullet Mouth” was created by a group of Crofton House School high school students in Vancouver. First prize in the Adult Category went to “I Wish” a poignant
Charitable giving boosts happiness and reduces stress. So why not give a meaningful gift this Valentine’s Day? “Giving makes you happy,” says Lara Aknin, an assistant professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University. Aknin has studied the link between philanthropy and well-being included measuring cortisol in the bloodstream. That study found that when people gave
Last July, the Canadian Medical Association published a report Healthcare in Canada: What Makes Us Sick? Poverty was found to be the most significant determinant of illness. Other significant determinants include access to affordable and safe housing, early childhood development and education as reported in The Vancouver Courier. By understanding the social determinants of health,
The CLC United Way Union Counselling program is a cornerstone of the Labour and United Way Partnership that has been in place for over 30 years. The program is prevention based with a goal of helping union members in the workplace. United Way British Columbia’s very own Madeleine Buhlau attended this year. She wanted to
Headquartered in Burnaby, G&F Financial Group demonstrated exceptional teamwork and community spirit donating $75,000 to United Way British Columbia. Over 80% of staff and management give to United Way to help children, families and seniors in the Lower Mainland. United Way invested $1.7 million into Burnaby in 2012/2013 supporting 56 organizations and 117 initiatives. “G&F
In my job at United Way, I get to meet people who have the power to change me just by sharing their story. Looking through a window into their world can alter my line of sight. It’s not always a world I can fully understand, but it’s enough to challenge my perceptions more than any
One in five children in BC lives in poverty. How do we turn this around? Many believe the place to start is with early childhood development. United Way’s My Neighbourhood, My Future is a new initiative aimed at helping children get the best start in life. We are focusing time, energy and investments over a
70,000 British Columbians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. This number is set to double within the next 25 years. The social, emotional and financial impacts of dementia are felt by everyone — those with the disease, their families, caregivers and communities. January is Alzheimer Awareness month hosted by the Alzheimer