CHANGE A LIFE
stories, news, and other happenings in our community
Conversations about housing, finances and health care can be hard. These subjects can be even more difficult to broach with an aging parent. Many of us struggle, asking ourselves: When is the right time to have these conversations? Can I tell my mum that I worry about her falling? How do I talk about my
Too often the greatest problems in our community are the ones we sometimes don’t see. The senior trapped in their home due to mobility and access issues. The young child who sits too quietly at the edge of the playground instead of playing. The kids who don’t know where to go when the school bell
Every day we see how unignorable issues can negatively impact our communities. Here in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, child vulnerability is an unignorable issue. Almost 1 in 10 local kids say that they don’t think a single adult cares about them. Without adequate supports, vulnerable youth are at risk of negative behaviours, including
Coming together as a community, supporting each other, and advocating for change. These are some of the things on the minds of Clayton residents that participated in a casual table talk event that took place in Clayton on Tuesday, October 2nd. The event, organized by the United
This weekend, Vancouver’s tech community logged out of their computers and logged in to nature, taking part in Tech Grind with United Way. Now in its third year, this competition takes teams up Grouse Mountain – all 2,830 steps, 2.9 km and 853 meters in elevation. As they raced against each other, participants also competed to
United Way British Columbia is pleased to announce that Neal Adolph has been appointed to the position of Director, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Labour Participation Department. An advocate for labour and community Neal has a strong background in the labour movement and a master’s degree in history from Simon Fraser University, where his research explored how governments and activist organizations shape
On Sunday, September 23rd, the 5th Annual UPS Plane Pull reached peak cruising altitude, taking-off and landing in style. Eighteen teams competed at UPS’s hangar at YVR, raising $30,000 for children and youth across our communities. Teams tested their strength by pulling a Boeing 757 jet across the tarmac – no small feat considering it weighs about 127,000 lbs! Pulling for change As a fundraiser, as
On September 20, 2018, residents from across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley celebrated United Way Day by showing us something we’ve known all along: that they’re one in a million! In recognition of this fact, we formally launched an ambitious new goal: to inspire 1 million people to engage in acts of local love,
For three straight hours on Wednesday, September 12, locals “paid it forward” in a Gastown coffee shop, buying a coffee for the person behind them. In total, 140 people participated in a continuous, unbroken chain, buying the coffee for the person behind them when they learned theirs had been gifted by a stranger. The generous
Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod said it best: keep fit and have fun. As the brains and muscle behind the immortal public service announcement “Body Break”, they helped thousands of Canadians of all ages embrace exercise, teamwork, and nutrition, and for that, we salute them. At United Way British Columbia, we take this philosophy one
Are you a change maker who works in the non-profit sector and wants to advance social change? Registration is now open for the 2019 United Way Public Policy Institute, a professional development program designed to help non-profit leaders and their organizations increase their understanding of the public policy process in BC and their capacity to
“The long weekend in September.” “The last, big hurrah before going back to school.” “Your last chance to wear white this season.” There are many ways to think about Labour Day. Unfortunately, they are often far-removed from the day’s origins and the outstanding achievements of the Canadian labour movement – principally, its commitment to building
Sometimes it takes the worst in community to showcase its very best. Earlier this year, there was a local outcry when vandals torched the Little Library at Wellington Park in Port Coquitlam. Amber Gregory is the Community Connector with United Way Avenues of Change Coquitlam River. She is a long-time Port Coquitlam resident and a
What do you get when you combine a beautiful rooftop patio, over 200 local millennials and a shared passion for community? The hottest (and coolest) party in town! Last night, GenNext at United Way British Columbia hosted their 3rd Annual Impact Red: Rooftop Social. Held at event sponsor RBC Dominion Securities’ stunning rooftop deck at
Trisha Dulku is passionate about empowering the community she calls home. As the Community Projects Coordinator with Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Surrey Campus, she works with students, faculty and staff to help organize and execute community-focused initiatives that support local newcomers and youth. Building community What inspires Trisha? The opportunity for positive change she sees
What makes a community? Is it knowing your neighbour? A shared love for a local sports team? For many, a community means advocating for and supporting each other; it’s creating a shared sense of belonging, no matter who you are or where you’re from. So much of our community relies on connection. As human beings,
Libraries are amazing. Beyond a place to check out new and favourite books, they are important focal points in our communities. Local libraries are places to take part in activities, access services, and use facilities, at zero or nominal cost. Libraries are multi-purpose hubs whose offerings reflect local needs: meeting spaces, early childhood education programs,
The weather forecast for the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley this summer can be summed up in one word: HOT. Our communities are in for a hot and dry July and August, with very similar temperatures and weather to what we experienced last year. As we head into a prolonged hot spell, it is important
The next time you’re riding the bus, take a moment to look at your fellow riders. You may even recognize a few: maybe the passenger who has a similar work commute or someone who shares your stop. Now, take a moment to ask yourself: who is missing from this picture? A seat for everyone Viveca
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. It is important to acknowledge that while these groups may share similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Today is also a