CHANGE A LIFE
“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,
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
“What do we have, if we don’t have a connection? We have only ourselves,” says Marlene, a Seniors Community Connector, who helps other seniors access life-changing programming in her East Vancouver neighbourhood. She believes that everyone, no matter their age, should be connected to local home care and transportation services, as well as community-building activities,
When her husband passed away eight years ago, Olive Jean moved to Mission to be closer to her family. Being near her son has helped her. “But I knew from the beginning he could not be the only thing [to help me],” she says. For Olive Jean, spending time in her community, staying active and
Millennials these day get a bad rap. Like many younger generations before them, they’re often unfairly lumped together and stereotyped. But you don’t have to go far to find countless examples of millennials who are passionate about bettering our community, and who work every day to build better, safer and more empowered spaces for us
Food is a powerful community-builder. It brings people together, bridging cultural and generational divides. It shapes our understanding of the world. “Food is about dignity,” says Kevin Huang, co-founder of the Hua Foundation, a youth-driven non-profit organization based in Vancouver’s Chinatown. “Food keeps us alive. It connects us socially and culturally to our families and
Thinking about fun ways to spend time with your friends and family over the upcoming long weekend? You already know the usual suspects: barbecues, beach days, woodland hikes and evening sunsets. But what about instead trying something truly unique? We’ve got the answer. This weekend, start your Acts of Local Love 31-day challenge! What is
Tracy Green is a civic-minded Bugs Bunny. She likes to know “what’s up?” in her community and she wants to know how she can give back. A long-time resident of the Tri-Cities, she currently calls Port Moody home, along with her husband Chaz and two children, Ella and Lucas. The diverse and unique character of
The old adage remains true as ever: sharing is caring. There is no greater example of this than at the Sharing Farm Society, a local non-profit that grows food to feed families in need. Run by community members, for community members, the Sharing Farm provides fresh, healthy, local produce for the Richmond Food Bank and
Sorriso. Osmijeh. ابْتِسَامَة. Glimlach. Ngiti. 微笑. Leende. ยิ้ม. Sourire. Any way you write it, it means the same thing: Smile. For Abbotsford resident Kathryn, it’s also the fastest way to get to know someone. “A smile is an immediate social interaction,” she says. “When I smile at someone, they will smile right back at me.
Do you believe in a world where everyone is proud of who they are? Where leaders encourage, empower and take action with others? Do you believe in the power of community? Every day, 15-year-old River helps build this reality for his classmates, his teammates, his family and his friends. A grade 10 student at Frank