CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
In 2020, celebrating multiculturalism is more important than ever. Here at United Way British Columbia, we work every day to honour, discover and appreciate our multicultural communities. In celebration of Multiculturalism Day, we’re sharing how some of our friends and neighbours across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley are making our world a better place for everyone. “We are
Your acts of local love did not go unnoticed. Indeed, in light of recent events, they’ve been more important than ever before. Your incredible generosity and support allowed us to pivot in a time of crisis. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to respond to immediate, emerging needs in our community and help our most vulnerable and isolated neighbours through these unprecedented times. Now, as the situation seems to have stabilized
When Emilianna’s roommate moved out during COVID-19, she was left to cover the full cost of her rent. The comedy club she worked at also closed at the same time. As a former youth in government care who is now studying Social Work at Douglas College, Emilianna doesn’t have the safety net of her parents
Every year, about 6,500 British Columbians have a stroke. Around 75% of them are over the age of 65. A stroke survivor may spend days or weeks in acute care, and then days, weeks or months in rehabilitation whether as an inpatient, an outpatient, in a community-based setting, or some combination of those. This is
Don’t let the distance fool you, Kelowna residents Mary-Ann and Glen are becoming fast friends. That’s one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic – newfound connections and appreciation. “The first time I met Glen, he looked me straight in the eyes and there was a connection there,” says Mary-Ann. “It hit me really
Every day, food needs for thousands of people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside remain unmet. A unique new partnership aims to support people with lived experience from within the community to deliver healthy meals where they are needed most to address this gap. Hundreds of free meals are being delivered to people who live and work
May 28th is Menstrual Hygiene Day, a day devoted to breaking taboos about menstruation and raising awareness about good menstrual hygiene. United Way’s Period Promise campaign is proud to participate in the global movement to take action and provide product. Periods don’t pause for pandemics This year, Menstrual Hygiene Day is happening during a global
Before the global pandemic, thousands of students across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley trusted school meal programs as a dependable and necessary source of daily nourishment. Mandated school closures to curb the spread of COVID-19 meant schools needed to quickly adapt their programs to answer to escalating needs, not just from students but their
COVID-19 has dramatically changed how seniors go about their daily lives. It’s also changing how United Way partner agencies and those delivering services to seniors work too. “As difficult as COVID-19 has been for all of us, we are witnessing the resilience of seniors and the creativity of the community-based seniors sector shine in so
Food for vulnerable children, families and seniors during COVID-19 means food rescue and food redistribution is more important than ever. Long-time United Way community partner, SOURCES Community Resources in Surrey is building on their expertise to help ensure area residents are getting the support they need. Since June 2019, the SOURCES Food Hub has rescued
For new United Way British Columbia volunteer Edmond Law, being on the ground helping was an eye-opening experience into how COVID-19 is impacting people’s lives. Edmond helped greet people and ensure social distancing among community members at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House when they recently provided hot lunches and distributed food hampers. “There are many vulnerable people who
Before COVID-19, the street outside Collingwood Neighbourhood House in East Vancouver was bustling, with lots of foot traffic going past the building all day, every day. Inside, the space was an active hive, with chatter in a multitude of different languages, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi, Punjabi, Vietnamese and Japanese. Visitors would comment on the vibrancy, diversity and buzz of the Neighbourhood House. These days, it’s just a sparkling clean, quiet
COVID-19 is leaving kitchen cupboards bare across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Mass lay-offs and underemployment are affecting our friends, neighbours and family members leaving many struggling to pay rent and buy food. United Way British Columbia is responding quickly to the devastating effect COVID-19 is having on food security. By mobilizing a network of community partners, businesses and local residents, United Way is
A few months ago, 60-year-old Phillip was filling his days with work, visiting friends and family, and plenty of exercise – long walks and going to the gym several times weekly – in his West End Vancouver neighbourhood. Then he took a fall, which resulted in breaks and fractures to his left arm and pelvis.
We’re so appreciative of our amazing volunteers year-round at United Way British Columbia, but especially during National Volunteer Week, from April 19-25, we want to show our gratitude to them with a series of blogs and social media posts. Barbara, a long-time donor, becomes a volunteer during COVID-19 crisis Barbara’s journey with United Way started in the 1990s. She connected through a workplace campaign at West Coast Energy, her employer at
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches from weeks to months once vibrant schoolyards across the province have gone quiet, leaving some vulnerable kids in our communities missing not only the structure and play that going to school provides, but also meals. That’s because at school, many vulnerable kids receive breakfast, lunch or snacks through United Way of the
As the global crisis of COVID-19 continues, grassroots actions are seeing volunteers mobilizing, people reaching out and folks calling to check in on their neighbours across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. And United Way is there to help, thanks to iVolunteer, a portal linking volunteers to community needs. iVolunteer matches helpers Neighbourhood houses, long-time
We’re all feeling vulnerable because of COVID-19. Now, imagine you’re a senior living independently with the help of family and friends. Calls for social distancing and self-isolation to prevent the spread of the outbreak means you’re finding these supports unavailable. “Seniors who live in their own homes are facing deepened isolation and a heightened sense
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 means physical distancing, which can leave people isolated and lonely. That’s why acts of local love and kindness are becoming more important than ever. And having a huge impact on the lives of vulnerable people. Across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, a simple postcard is making a big difference
United Way British Columbia is monitoring the COVID-19 situation as the World Health Organization is now terming it a pandemic. Given that social distancing is being advised wherever possible to help contain the spread of this virus, many people will be spending more time in self isolation, telecommuting, and choosing to stay home away from