Lucky money goes a long way to help kids in need.

At three years old Felix was completely unprepared for preschool. He didn’t speak English and couldn’t understand anyone. It terrified him so much, he tried to escape through a fire exit. His Mandarin-speaking family lives in a high-rise, which gives Felix little opportunity to interact with other kids. Many newcomers to Canada are isolated, know few people and are unaware of how to access helpful resources. As a result, their children face challenges at school— challenges that will follow them for life. Thanks to caring people like you, United Way British Columbia’s Avenues of Change initiative in Richmond is helping Felix thrive. 1 in 3 kids in BC is vulnerable. In Felix’s neighbourhood, it’s 1 in 2. Helping kids like Felix from birth to age six is critical. It’s their best hope for gaining self-confidence and learning how to navigate the world so they can truly live up to their potential. Without support, vulnerable kids are less likely to graduate, to secure a job, or abide by the law—all of which become costly social problems like poverty, homelessness and crime, affecting us all. There are many other kids like Felix that need your help. January 28 marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year—which means the start of giving and sharing with family and the community. Help kids in your community by donating today. Some “lucky money” goes a long way to helping kids in need. United Way’s Avenues of Change is a community-driven initiative. United Way is investing $5 million over five years in neighbourhoods where kids are struggling most, across Richmond, Coquitlam, Surrey and Vancouver. Felix’s mom Lea is now part of Avenues of Change in Richmond. She volunteers sharing her experiences with newcomer families, meeting other parents and helping Felix make new friends. With your help, United Way is working alongside over 150 partner agencies that offer over 300 life-changing programs for those in need. Felix is now doing great. Multiply that by all the children we support throughout the neighbourhoods we reach, and the end result is vibrant, healthier communities; the kind of communities we all want to live in. Happy Chinese New Year!