CHANGE A LIFE
As we pass Thanksgiving, United Way Local Love Food Hubs have served 1.2 million meals. That’s because more British Columbians than ever are struggling to keep food in their cupboards due to COVID-19 and the economic fallout from the crisis. About 15% of British Columbians are now food insecure. For families with children, it’s even higher at about 19%. “It has been a difficult situation,” says Marta, a South Vancouver resident, who lives with
Nineteen-year-old Jodi loves school. She’s learning new things, meeting new people and planning for a bright future as she pursues her degree through the Child and Youth Care program at Douglas College in New Westminster. It was something that was almost unimaginable for her as a child. “I knew when we had no food. I
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
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
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
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
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,