CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
Amara, mother of five moved from Nigeria to Canada in 2015. She was struggling with learning a new language and adapting to a new culture. Amara didn’t have any support from extended family. Amara was so excited to find out about the New Westminster Parent Connect Program. It turned her life around. Once a week
Today, we are saddened to learn of the sudden death of Jill Calder, Executive Director of New View Society. On behalf of the board and staff of United Way British Columbia, I extend our deepest sympathies to the Calder family, to Jill’s friends and to her co-workers. Many United Way staff have been inspired by
United Way British Columbia is investing up to $300,000 over the next years to build brighter future for children in Richmond’s City Centre neighbourhood through United Way Avenues of Change. Currently in the Richmond City Centre neighbourhood – bounded by the Fraser River to the north and west side, No. 4 road to the east,
The first ever 11 km Walk for Possibility took place today raising over $24,000 for the community. The Walk kicked off early this morning in downtown Vancouver at the Robert Lee YMCA and ended with a celebration at the United Way British Columbia office in Burnaby. There were optional stops enroute at United-Way funded agencies—bc211,
March is Nutrition Month: you can help us Stop the Growl. United Way British Columbia wants your help to ensure that all Lower Mainland kids and families have access to healthy and affordable food. One in five British Columbians have skipped a meal either because they could not afford food or so that their children
United Way British Columbia will put $25.1 million to work in the community to help 340,000 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, and build stronger communities for all.
This year’s Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards will be amazing! The event takes place on Thursday, 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 15th consecutive year. At Scotiabank, we
Kidnapping, torture, execution of family or friends, sexual assault, exploitation and threats. These are the kinds of horrors that Syrian refugees, who now call Canada home, may have experienced escaping from one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. United Way British Columbia (UWLM) is investing $158,000 into mental health support programs to help
Caring for seniors can be stressful. A recent report published by B.C.’s Office of the Seniors Advocate found that 29% of unpaid caregivers in B.C. are in distress. Unpaid caregivers, most of whom are family members, are often the only thing standing between a senior being able to continue living at home and needing to
Sometimes the biggest barrier to getting help is knowing where to find it. February 11 is 2-1-1 Day. United Ways across Canada are bringing attention to 211, a free help resource available across the country. In British Columbia, bc211 serves the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Squamish-Lillooet and Sunshine Coast. United Way British Columbia is the
This Family Day, however you define your family, spend some extra time together with those people and creatures who light up your life. Whether it’s dining together to celebrate Lunar New Year, going skating together, or taking your dog for a walk on a new trail, here are 61 activities to do this Family Day
BCIT’s inaugural United Way Pool Jump created a big splash at their North Vancouver Marine campus this past week. Members from BCIT’s leadership department agreed to take the plunge if BCIT met their United Way fundraising goal. The costumed pool jumpers included: • David Porter, Associate Vice President, Education Support and Innovation • Dawna Mackay, Acting Associate Vice President,
Rainbow arrived in Canada from China when she was a very young woman. She came alone; both her parents had died and she spoke little English. Eventually, Rainbow married and had two children. She spent the first few years here in and out of hospital with illness. Because she couldn’t speak English and felt isolated
Twenty-five individuals start school tomorrow in the next session of United Way’s Public Policy Institute. This leadership program is designed to help non-profit leaders learn how to shape and influence public policy. This is the sixth year that United Way British Columbia has run this program. Topics being explored in this session range from literacy
Today BMO donated $75,000 to United Way British Columbia. This corporate gift from BMO Bank of Montreal, BC & Yukon Division, represents only a portion of the overall monies raised by BMO to help even the odds for people in need in the community. Another $25,000 was donated to United Way through BMO Capital Markets,
Green onions got their groove on in a song written by Booker T. Jones in the 1960s. Move over green onions: The North Shore’s Edible Garden Project lets cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and other veggies and fruits get the attention they deserve too. “We share, we farm and we teach. The Edible Garden Project is all
Do I pay my rent or do I eat? Do I pay for electricity or do I pay for gas? Do I pay for food or do I pay for feminine hygiene products? Those were Victoria’s* choices. The 31-year-old single mother and her son had just moved to Richmond on an advance provided by her
Gathering together to share a meal is healthy, grows friendships and builds stronger communities. Food is a powerful incentive for us all. How do we know this? We confirmed it! United Way British Columbia in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health conducted a qualitative research study to understand the role food plays in social support programs.
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United Way launches urgent fundraising appeal to help Syrian refugees Between 2,500 and 3,000 Syrian refugees – having escaped the worst humanitarian crisis in the world – will arrive in the Lower Mainland over the next several months. Forty percent of these new arrivals will be children under 18. They will need our support as