CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
It’s Pride Week in Vancouver. The 36th annual Pride Parade takes place Sunday, August 3, starting at noon at Robson and Thurlow Streets in Vancouver and is expected to attract a crowd of 650,000 people. The Parade is put on by The Vancouver PRIDE Society, a non-profit organization that brings together members of the Lesbian,
The Surrey Board of Trade is presenting a business case for a national child-care program to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce convention in September. As reported in The Vancouver Sun, the board recommends “that the federal government work with the provinces and territories to develop, improve and expand access to a Canadian child-care program that
A recently released survey found that children are under-reporting cyberbullying to their parents. Nearly 90 per cent of parents surveyed in the Protecting Canadian Families Online survey released last week thought their children would tell them if they were cyberbullied, yet the survey shows that only eight per cent of youth do. Why? “One of
Recently, MLA Michelle Mungall introduced a private member’s bill proposing a B.C. Poverty Reduction and Economic Inclusion Act. As reported in the Kelowna Daily Courier, the bill asks that the government develop a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy within one year, and legislate specific targets and timelines to reduce the breadth and depth of poverty. One
The fourth cohort of United Way’s Public Policy Institute (PPI) graduates with flying colours! View photos from the graduation event. PPI is a training program for leaders in the non-profit sector in BC whose organizations want to better understand and influence the public policy process. Returning for the fourth year, lead faculty was former Premier
Given Spectra Energy’s interest and history in supporting health and human services and well as programs that contribute to their community enhancement, we were so blessed to have team of volunteers on Thursday June 12th. Through Spectra’s contributions, our Food For Families Program was able to purchase proteins and serve additional wholesome and nutritious items
On June 13th, the 10th annual Union Counsellors’ Agency Tour took activists from many unions to visit three United Way-funded agencies: Langley Seniors Resource Society, The Centre for Child Development and the Alexandra Neighbourhood House, both in Surrey. The 10th Annual Union Counsellors’ Agency Tour was presented by Vancity and led by George Davison, co-chair
Making our community a better place is a big job. United Way British Columbia couldn’t do it without the support of unions and their members in workplaces throughout Metro Vancouver. Labour and United Way have long been partners in social change supporting the families and communities where they are located. Labour’s contributions help United Way
A new online memory test designed by Toronto’s Baycrest Health Sciences was launched today and could help in the early detection of dementia. The online test takes about 20 minutes to complete and provides a ranking of your results against others in the same age range with similar education level. The test is designed for
May 5 – 9 is Hunger Awareness Week. The event,put on by food banks across Canada, raises awareness about the issue of hunger in Canada. Food banks have been helping more than 700,000 people every month for the better part of the past 15 years. In 2013, close to 833,000 people were assisted each month
What can we learn from global community leaders? What similar challenges do we face? How can we be more effective at strengthening communities? Neighbourhood Houses are “community centres on steroids” according to United Way planner Yves Trudel, who is attending the conference. In the Lower Mainland, Neighbourhood Houses are community hubs offering recreation, social supports,
Better at Home‘s Quesnel program coordinator Brenda Gardiner has won a 2014 Courage To Come Back Award in the social adversity category. Her harrowing story was featured in The Vancouver Sun and Vancouver Province. Before she was five years old, Brenda Gardiner watched her mother be beaten to death by her drunken father. “It’s 50
Volunteers from Target Canada got paid in dough – plus had a laugh – at a volunteer event held at Deltassist Family and Community Services Society facilitated through The Vancouver Sun United Way Day of Caring.Target Canada is a generous supporter of United Way British Columbia. The bread that volunteers helped sort is donated by
In 2006, United Way British Columbia and a UBC research team led by Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl had a novel thought: if we want to know how kids are doing, why not ask them directly? The Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) was designed so that children themselves in Grade 4 and Grade 7 could fill out
One in four seniors in Vancouver live alone. Most are women. Many, like 78-year-old Lenna, have lived full lives and worked in helping professions as nurses and teachers. The former social worker, social planner and teacher leads an active retirement volunteering with the Vancouver Art Gallery and as a Book Buddy reading to inner city
Unassuming. Deeply committed. Tirelessly compassionate. Respectful. Exemplary. These are some of the words used to describe a group of exceptional people who work with children, families and seniors on a daily basis at United Way-funded agencies and who were recognized for their passion, commitment and dedication at the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards. The awards are
Residents of the Sunshine Coast now have access to bc211! The toll-free phone number provides people with information and referral to community, social and government services. 2-1-1 service is also available to the residents of Metro Vancouver, Squamish-Lillooet and Fraser Valley Regional Districts. Primarily funded by United Way British Columbia, bc211 utilizes an extensive database
A silent film about bullying, verbal abuse and teen suicide has won first prize in the Youth Category at United Way’s third annual Care to Change competition. “Bullet Mouth” was created by a group of Crofton House School high school students in Vancouver. First prize in the Adult Category went to “I Wish” a poignant
Charitable giving boosts happiness and reduces stress. So why not give a meaningful gift this Valentine’s Day? “Giving makes you happy,” says Lara Aknin, an assistant professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University. Aknin has studied the link between philanthropy and well-being included measuring cortisol in the bloodstream. That study found that when people gave
Last July, the Canadian Medical Association published a report Healthcare in Canada: What Makes Us Sick? Poverty was found to be the most significant determinant of illness. Other significant determinants include access to affordable and safe housing, early childhood development and education as reported in The Vancouver Courier. By understanding the social determinants of health,