CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
Imagine being forced to choose between food and menstrual products. Or facing the daunting prospect of asking for pads when you’re in the midst of a gender transition. Maybe it’s the middle of exam season, stress is mounting and student loan funds are dwindling. You’re suddenly faced with choosing between necessary brain fuel and expensive
Taking a break after chair yoga class, Don is relaxed with his sneakers kicked off, chatting about the physical impacts of aging. He quotes from a Leonard Cohen song. “You start to ache in the places you used to play,” he says with a smile. At 88, Don has led a rich life. He began
It starts with a glimmer. An idea so rich in potential, you break out in goosebumps. Your emerging idea has the potential to create positive change for vulnerable people in your community. Maybe you want to improve transit, housing, child care, or access to other essential services. Over time, your vision begins to take shape
Feeling alone. It’s a hardship many seniors across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley experience daily. Perhaps you know someone—a parent, a grandparent or a friend, who is experiencing this. It becomes especially painful during the holidays for seniors like Sally who don’t have any family close by. That’s why United Way’s Active Aging* programs
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 pm, between 70-90 people from all walks of life gather at the Cloverdale Community Kitchen. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – dinner is served. The meals not only nourish, they help build community and friendships among everyone who enters from single moms
On a crisp Winter evening recently in the Fraser Valley, the commercial kitchen at the Sardis Community Church was filled with a flurry of activity and a bouquet of aromas. Chef Rim, her 15-year-old daughter Jennifer and her good friend Sand spent an afternoon and early evening preparing a Syrian banquet for local residents and
Hundreds of B.C. youth formerly in government care are receiving money when they need it most, thanks to the Youth Futures Education Fund. This year 811 former youth in care are eligible to receive funds while they pursue their post-secondary education. The funds help them pay for part of their living expenses while they study,
It’s not often the labour movement gets to recognize the accomplishments of its activists, so at the 2019 Labour Appreciation Night, presented by Pacific Blue Cross, four community leaders were honoured. This year’s event was co-hosted with the Vancouver and District Labour Council, New Westminster & District Labour Council and for the first time, the
For four hours one Saturday last November, the Vancity community room at The Junction Shopping Centre was buzzing with activity as locals participated in a ‘repair café’, fixing a wide range of items otherwise destined for local landfills. Janet Chalmers, a local resident and member of Building Resilience in Mission, says it all started when a few passionate individuals began discussing the concept of a transition
The health benefits of knitting are many – stress, anxiety, pain and memory loss reduction, and creative fulfilment. Another benefit: community building. Every Monday, Lower Lonsdale’s Knitting Kittens, a group of 12-15 women gather at North Vancouver’s John Braithwaite Community Centre for conversation, friendship and charitable works. “When I came here I was very depressed.
What’s the secret of a long life? For 86-year-old Bernice, it is painting, crocheting and playing ukulele, while 93-year-old Janine credits eating properly – meat, potatoes, vegetables and dessert. And like 74% of seniors over 85 they are living in their own homes. Like a growing number of Richmond citizens, these women are at the
Over 350 advocates are set to descend in at the Provincial Summit on Aging November 6 to 8, hosted by Healthy Aging by United Way and the Community-Based Seniors’ Service Leadership Council. The second biennial summit will bring together leaders from local organizations, older adults, family and friend caregivers, academia and government. The diverse group
Bob Wiens, a true champion of local love, was recognized as the 2019 Joseph and Rosalie Segal United Way Community Vision Award at a dinner with friends and family at the storied Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Now in its 33rd year, the Community Vision Award recognizes individuals or families who have shown outstanding commitment to local love through
Working together makes all the difference when it comes to building community, according to United Way British Columbia research. Volunteering is 21% more meaningful when you do it with people you know. It’s something students from Clayton Heights Secondary School completely agree with. Earlier this month, 30 Grade 10 Math students travelled from Surrey’s Clayton
United Way’s Period Promise campaign continues to make strides once thought impossible by getting free menstrual products into more places than ever before. We’re doing this with school districts, the provincial government, municipal governments, unions, and with businesses who want to be a part of the solution. The Period Promise Policy Agreement is how we’re
When starting college or university, most young people have support from their families to cover living expenses like rent, food and transportation. Unfortunately, these supports are not available to everyone, including former youth in care. Youth like Soraya Bellou. From foster care to medical school Growing up, life could be challenging and unstable for Soraya
On October 8 a crowd of community champions gathered at the Woodward’s building in Gastown for Better Together by United Way. Better Together was an event designed by donors, for donors. After consulting with United Way supporters earlier this year, event organizers heard there was demand for something simple, with major impact. There was a call to
According to new research released today by United Way British Columbia, almost half (46%) of British Columbians say they sometimes feel lonely – but there is an upside. The same poll also found that giving back as part of a group, whether you donate time or money, makes us feel better than doing it alone.
The Vancouver tech community gathered this past Sunday to hack the Grouse Grind, taking part in the 4th annual United Way Tech Grind presented by McMillan LLP. Teams raced to the top of Grouse Mountain – all 2,830 steps, 2.9 km and 853 meters in elevation – all while raising funds for United Way’s School’s
Soccer helps create community The empty, lush grass field of Burke Mountain’s Victoria Park left Robert Birungi wondering who owned it. In his native Uganda, he says only the very wealthy could own or afford to play on grounds like this. “I asked my wife are we allowed to use this,” Robert says. “She said