CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis’ story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away from her on her first day
United Way British Columbia is investing an additional $150,000 in the Youth Futures Education Fund, so more B.C. youth who have aged out of foster care can thrive at school – and in life. When starting college or university, most young people have support from their families to cover living expenses like rent, food and
Who doesn’t love a block party? They’re fun, simple, inexpensive, and a great way to get to know your neighbours! That’s precisely why residents of the Clayton Heights neighbourhood in Surrey took to the streets this weekend, for the area’s first Block Party Day. The more the merrier What helped make this weekend such a
Have you ever heard of “community care?” Earlier this year, an article on Mashable.com made waves among progressive do-gooders and community builders. In it, author Heather Dockray makes the provocative case that when trying to overcome burnout, relying on self-care may not be as helpful as it seems. She advocates for community care instead. What is community
Enter the Tote your Local Love contest giveaway, here! “To me, local love is feeling a deep connection to both people and place, as well as taking action to make things better where you live.” Once a volunteer for community development work in Kenya and Rwanda, Kama now brings her drive to enrich others’ lives locally as an engaged teacher, blogger and mother.
Enter the Tote your Local Love contest giveaway, here! Reg Lok is something of a triple threat– harnessing body, mind, and spirit to build joy among her neighbours. Reg is a kinesiologist, mom of two and works in digital marketing – all the tools she needs for a full life. To Reg, local love means
Enter the Tote your Local Love contest giveaway, here! Gloren Guelos is a multipotentialite. If this term is new to you, you’re not alone. It means she draws from many passions and creative pursuits—including dance teacher, mentor, volunteer, holder of the Miss BC 2016 and Miss World BC 2019 titles, and current competitor for Miss
Enter the Tote your Local Love contest giveaway, here! “Community can be defined geographically, but it’s the circles I run in that define local love.” It is family, colleagues, and people committed to a cause.” Kahir is busy. He’s a gerontologist by training, but by choice a servant leader. He volunteers for BC Original Minds Association, the Ismaili community and teaches technology to seniors. This is the Kahir we see. As an Ismaili Canadian Muslim, his shared
People will soon have easier and more affordable access to menstrual products with the launch of the United Way Period Promise Research Project. With the support of a $95,000 government grant, the project will distribute menstrual products to 15 non-profit agencies across B.C., who will make them easily accessible to their clients. Research that breaks
On Tuesday June 18, 2019 United Way British Columbia held its 89th Annual General Meeting. The gathering was a chance to reflect on the progress made since adopting our 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. In just one year, we’ve implemented many innovative approaches to live our new mission: serving the needs of our local communities, while igniting
Take a walk along Spirit Trail near Bewicke Park in Lower Lonsdale around 6 PM most week nights and you’ll probably see Kaylana and her friends, ages 5-14, out training on the water. They’re the Lil’ Geese or ḵ’émḵ’emay, part of the Squamish Nation’s North Vancouver Canoe Club youth squad. This innovative war canoeing program
Congratulations to the class of 2019! Twenty-one changemakers from the non-profit sector in B.C. have all just graduated from this year’s United Way Public Policy Institute (PPI). The Institute is a professional development program designed to help leaders from the non-profit sector create lasting social change. Through PPI participants to deepen their understanding of public
Active. Independent. Engaged. That’s how most of us want to live our lives, but for seniors with hearing loss it can be challenging. Anyone who has experienced a family member or friend with this impairment, especially in a social setting like a family gathering, knows just how isolating it can be. So, it’s no surprise
Today the Government of British Columbia announced a contribution of $250,000 in 2019-20 to the Youth Futures Education Fund. The funding will provide students formerly in foster care with access to funding for costs beyond tuition such as buying books, groceries, paying bills and rent. “Former youth in care pursuing their educational dreams don’t always
Every business owner wants their company to become a pillar of the community. Lower Lonsdale entrepreneurs Anroe and Nicole Aserson, owners of O’Canadawg hot dog stands, are a great example. Community building through cleaning up Littering was becoming a growing problem in their neighbourhood, and Anroe and Nicole wanted to help. Along with a fellow
This year’s Fraser Valley Community Spirit Awards celebrated all the amazing individuals, companies and unions who bring Local Love to life in the Fraser Valley. Over 100 caring and dedicated workplaces supported the United Way campaign in the Fraser Valley in 2018. They ran campaigns, raised dollars and awareness, and made a real difference for
United Way British Columbia is providing an additional $70,000 to gang-prevention program In It Together, operated by Abbotsford Community Services. Yves Trudel made the announcement at the Fraser Valley Community Spirit Awards May 7. The event recognized United Way donors and the impact their generosity is having in the Fraser Valley. “United Way is proud
Your acts of local love did not go unnoticed. The support generated from United Way donors and volunteers is a testament to the local love shared across our community. It is proof that together, we can create strong, caring connections across all our neighbourhoods. The BCAA & United Way Community Spirit Awards on April
Name Dorothee Xing What role do you serve on GenNext Cabinet? I’m an Events & Communications Team Member and the Lead on the 2019 Impact Red: Rooftop Social. What’s Your Day Job? Corporate Development Associate What is your best party trick? I’m really good at telling awkward jokes without embarrassing myself, and I have
Senior loneliness and isolation are important issues affecting our community. Both threaten older adults’ independence, and can create health risks as significant as obesity, smoking or alcoholism. What may be surprising is that loneliness and isolation are not synonymous. “You can be surrounded by lots of people and still be lonely or you can be