CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
Want an easy way to help families in need? Now you can donate new, or semi-used, unregistered Compass Cards into donation kiosks. The value of the donated Compass Cards will be converted into transit passes to help children, families and seniors at United Way-funded social service agencies. For vulnerable families, the ability to travel worry
United Steelworkers (USW) shares a long and proud history with United Way British Columbia. The relationship is rooted in a shared desire to make positive change and build strong communities. “Most of our members have done well in their jobs and in their careers. They’ve provided for their families and participated in their communities. There
We believe that unity is stronger than division. It’s what makes our community rich, vibrant and beautiful. Age, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, differing abilities, values and beliefs – these are just some of the many differences that help to make up the very fabric of our community. “Now more than ever, we need champions
Game on! FoosFest, Human Foosball with United Way is kicking off Saturday, March 25. That’s right…human foosball. Life-size game. Life-size goals. Teams – workplace, sports clubs, and groups of friends – will be taking on the competition and raising important funds for local after-school programs. Each team of five players will raise a minimum of
How can you make a positive difference in your community? One step at a time! On Tuesday, March 2, take 14,520 steps in the right direction of United Way British Columbia to raise money for your organization and United Way! It’s the second annual 2nd annual 11km Walk for Possibility on Thursday March 2, 2017 from
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
Last week, when Canada’s biggest foodie event of the year started, United Way was there raising awareness about food security issues in the Lower Mainland and raising money for nutritious snacks for children in United Way-funded after-school programs. On Friday, January 20, the Chef Soup Experiment kicked off the Dine Out Vancouver Festival. Top chefs
Twenty-five individuals start school today as the seventh annual session of United Way’s Public Policy Institute (PPI) gets underway. United Way’s PPI is a leadership program is designed to help non-profit leaders across BC learn how to shape and influence public policy. Topics being explored in this session range from looking at options for local
A report commissioned by Early Childhood Educators of B.C. predicts that $10-a-day child care could pay for itself within three years of implementation. The Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of the $10aDayChild Care Plan for British Columbia makes the case that increased government revenues from the jobs generated through expanding and operating a new childcare system, taxing
No matter what the score last year, kids in our community won every time the Vancouver Whitecaps FC played. Thanks to a partnership with McMillan LLP and their Corners for Kids campaign, altogether $13,200 was raised to help vulnerable children in our community. Here’s how: for every ‘Caps corner kick taken at a Whitecaps FC
With an 850 per cent increase in single family development permits for new houses in the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and the City of West Vancouver, it seems like many people know what United Way’s comprehensive community profile reveals: the North Shore appears to be a good place to live with
BC’s poverty rate is virtually unchanged from where it was a decade ago. At 13.2 per cent, BC’s poverty rate is the second highest in the country says a new report – Long Overdue: Why BC Needs a Poverty Reduction Plan, co-published today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), the United Way British
Happy New Year! For decades, we have worked with generous donors, dedicated organizations and incredible volunteers to create a community that we can all be proud of. Our work is made possible by the support of tens of thousands of donors, corporate support, and government funding. United Way is the backbone of an area-wide network
Some kids hope for dessert after dinner. Other kids just hope for dinner. The holidays are a special time for family and friends to come together and enjoy each other’s company over a festive dinner. However, many families in the Lower Mainland struggle to afford to buy healthy food. In fact, there are 1 in
When 15-year-old Lajuanne is asked what he likes most about being a youth leader in an after-school program, he gives a big smile. “The best pay for this kind of work isn’t the actual pay you get but it’s walking down the street and some little kid seeing me in public and running up to
Every year, local companies, organizations and unions generously sponsor or loan individuals to help United Way raise millions of dollars to help those most in need. These individuals are called Campaign Associates. Last week, United Way said farewell to our 2016 class of Campaign Associates. We bid adieu to 43 energetic, enthusiastic individuals who helped
Looking for a great way to ring in 2017 that’s fun, family-friendly and free? Check out Concord’s New Year’s Eve Vancouver 2017 Celebration, from 6:30 pm on December 31 to just after midnight on January 1. It’s Canada’s biggest New Year’s Eve block party and is all taking place along Canada Place Way between Howe
For more than 30 years, United Way and Labour have worked together to improve lives and strengthen communities. Behind the achievements of this partnership are people who dedicate their lives and careers to advocating for social change.Three outstanding individuals, who have done just that, were recognized at the 23rd Annual Labour Appreciation Night held last
Surrey Councillors Bruce Hayne, Vera LeFranc, Mike Starchuk, and Dave Woods together with City Manager Vincent Lalonde and members of the City of Surrey’s United Way committee presented a cheque in the amount of $230,438.29 to United Way British Columbia at Surrey City Hall earlier this week. The amount represents total dollars raised by City
United Way British Columbia, the Vancouver & District Labour Council and the New Westminster & District Labour Council will celebrate the amazing things the Labour movement makes possible at this year’s annual Labour Appreciation Night. This year’s event takes place on Thursday, December 8. Unions are an important force for democracy impacting not only workers’