CHANGE A LIFE
Like so many others, COVID-19 is impacting Shannon’s life and family. For the past 12 years, the Clayton Heights’ resident has co-owned an event planning business. When events over 50 people were banned in March, Shannon and her partner lost 90% of their annual business overnight. But like many across the Lower Mainland and Fraser
The Do Good Recklessly project aims to bring smiles to Chilliwack residents who are feeling the emotional strain of current events. Started by Chilliwack resident, K.J. (pictured above) in April, residents are nominated by friends and family, and every Sunday, every nominee receives an anonymous bouquet at their doorstep. Thanks to a Local Love Fund grant, Do Good Recklessly delivers
COVID-19 is leaving kitchen cupboards bare across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Mass lay-offs and underemployment are affecting our friends, neighbours and family members leaving many struggling to pay rent and buy food. United Way British Columbia is responding quickly to the devastating effect COVID-19 is having on food security. By mobilizing a network of community partners, businesses and local residents, United Way is
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
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
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
The beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and look back at everything you accomplished the last 365 days. In 2018, we launched a rather remarkable goal: By 2025, we want to inspire 1 million people to engage in acts of local love across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
What defines ‘community’? Is it the people in our neighbourhoods? Our colleagues and teammates? What about our family and friends? Any way you choose to define it, a community can be as diverse and unique as the people who call it home. There are also times when we find and build community unexpectedly: by trying
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
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,