CHANGE A LIFE
The challenges facing today’s high school students are numerous and diverse: bullying, social media, cliques, grades, familial pressure – the list seems to grow every day. For many students, the high cost of transit is another large hurdle they must overcome every month. Which is why United Way, in partnership with TransLink, has been collecting
This is a guest blog by Geralyn Alain, Director of Marketing & Communications, United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo. “I am extremely anxious. I don’t know what to expect, and what if we’re denied for any help? What then? I’ve been crying a lot.” Social media posts like this have been common over the past month
This is a guest blog from Gordon Neighbourhood House. Gordon Neighbourhood House’s mission is to make the West End a better neighbourhood in which to live and grow. The community hub offers a wide range of programs and services to people living in the neighbourhood including programs for children and families, programs for seniors, and
On July 20, 100 of the coolest people with the warmest hearts gathered on the spectacular TELUS garden rooftop for Impact Red. This is the second annual Impact Red: Rooftop Social presented by TD Bank Group and hosted by United Way British Columbia’s GenNext Cabinet. The GenNext Cabinet harnesses the vision, energy and generosity of
The devastation the wildfires is causing is heartbreaking. How communities are pulling together is heartwarming. United Way is bringing together the power of many to help those affected by the 2017 BC wildfires. As fires continue to devastate British Columbia, United Way is mobilizing efforts through United for BC Wildfire Recovery, a provincial initiative preparing for
New research published by UBC’s Human Early Learning Partnership, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University demonstrates that teaching emotional intelligence in schools has long lasting effects. Social and emotional learning programs for youth not only immediately improve mental health, social skills, and learning outcomes but also continue to benefit children years later.
On a beautiful July summer morning last week, I had the opportunity to visit the A Rocha environmental stewardship program at their organic gardens in South Surrey, BC. This United Way funded program is designed specifically to help young girls at risk and seniors living in isolation through cooking, gardening and food and farm
Twenty community leaders have graduated from United Way’s Public Policy Institute (PPI), an innnovative professional development program. Graduates walk away with new knowledge, skills and tools so that they are better able to understand and influence the public policy process. A diverse group of leaders from across the province including Cranbrook, Kamloops, and Vancouver Island and
The 4th annual UPS Plane Pull for United Way raised over $34,000 for people in need across the community. Twenty-four teams competed on near record-breaking temperatures at UPS’s tarmac at YVR on June 25. It was a free family-friendly event with a plane pull for kids, carnival games and a show and shine. And Seymour
Sixteen Labour activists learned firsthand that support from unions and donors helps Burnaby Meals on Wheels serve over 135 clients more than 9,000 meals annually thanks to United Way funding. “The United Way Labour Partnership Agency Tour is a fantastic opportunity to see your donation dollars in use. It was really cool being able to
United Way British Columbia held its 87th Annual General Meeting on June 20. Three new board members were welcomed to the 2017/18 United Way British Columbia Board of Directors: Helen Blackburn, Coast Capital Savings Heather Johnson, Community Member Mauro Manzi, TD Bank New Board member Heather Johnston, will represent the interests of the former
United Way British Columbia recognizes the significance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), the release of the TRC’s Final Report and its Calls to Action. Last year on National Aboriginal Day, the Board of United Way British Columbia adopted a Statement of Reconciliation. UWBC stated that it would evaluate internal and external
Today is World Refugee Day, a day to recognize the plight of refugees and how we can help refugees arriving in our communities achieve a safer, better life for themselves and their families. At United Way be believe in building healthy, caring, inclusive communities. Which is why we’re thrilled to partner with Langley Community Services Society to support its
United Way British Columbia (UWLM) will be investing more than $31 million into community programs and services in 2017/18. Programs and services funded range from refugee support programs for children age 6 and younger to programs designed to keep seniors active and socially connected as they age. As the largest non-government funder of community services,
A current student in United Way’s Public Policy Institute 2017 class helped the City of Vancouver achieve an important milestone today. This morning, the City of Vancouver was officially recognized as a Living Wage Employer. Deanna Ogle is the Campaign Organizer for the Living Wage for Families Campaign. The Living Wage for Families Campaign encourages
The 43rd Annual Alexandra Festival took place at Crescent Beach at the end of May. This fun, family-friendly event saw nearly 3,000 friends, neighbours and community partners come out to Alexandra Neighbourhood House’s heritage site at Crescent Beach. Attendees enjoyed a variety of family activities, browsed the many artisans and crafters booths, and admired (and purchased!) their
Becoming a United Way Campaign Associate changes your understanding of community and your role in creating change for others. Just ask Vancity’s Zahra Damjanovic. “I didn’t know how much the labour movement is instrumental in championing human rights causes, not just for their members, but for all people,” Zahra says. It wasn’t until Zahra became
Since 1976, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House has been serving the diverse, vibrant, and multicultural neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant in East Vancouver. It recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a big party at its beautiful building at the corner of Broadway and Prince Albert in Vancouver. United Way has supported this neighbourhood house since it opened
United Way works to build strong healthy communities, communities where people feel connected and supported. None of the work we do would be possible without the support of our donors, our government and labour partners and our corporate sponsors. This long weekend, get out and enjoy your community! Here are 11 free or low-cost things
At gunpoint, Zeynab made the terrible sacrifice to leave her baby Nasteha behind when she fled a Kenyan refugee camp to bring her other children to safety in Canada. Although devastated, she settled in Surrey with her family. To help her adjust to her new life, Zeynab began attending the United Way-developed and -funded First