CHANGE A LIFE
When COVID hit, there was a lot of fear, there was a lot of isolation. People lost their jobs; people lost their food security, and people lost their ability to connect with each other. For a community to be great, it needs to be great for everyone, so we worked quickly to pivot, develop and adapt our programs. During the
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
Twenty-seven-year-old Sage is a Ceramics student at Selkirk College’s Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson in Southeastern BC. As a former youth in care, she held off pursuing post-secondary education for many years. “When it came to college and university, I kind of freaked out. School is so expensive, it didn’t seem like a realistic option for me,” she says. Along
Our most vulnerable and isolated citizens, those who were already struggling before the pandemic struck, have been hard hit by the global crisis: facing unforeseen job losses, food scarcity and increasing mental health issues. On top of that, many others are finding themselves newly vulnerable too. One in five local residents don’t know a neighbour well enough
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
Community food programs continue to face tremendous pressure as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. To help address the shortage of both funds and volunteers, FortisBC stepped up: they provided funding to the hardest hit food programs across B.C. and their Street Team staff were reassigned to assist with food distribution in the Lower Mainland. The FortisBC Street Team delivers The eight-person Street Team spends two to three days a week sorting and delivering food
Hea Nay spent the majority of her young life growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand. She and her family, who are members of the Karen minority, escaped Myanmar fleeing civil war when she was just two years old. After 14 years in the camp, where she went to school, Hea Nay, her parents
Making the lives of older British Columbians better strengthens the social fabric that creates healthy, caring, and inclusive communities for all ages. At no time has this been clearer than in the face of the devastating COVID-19 global pandemic. When the crisis hit, British Columbians readily stepped up to support seniors. From volunteers to community organizations
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
On a recent July Saturday Evena visited a Guildford school parking lot, one of four designated Local Love Food Hubs especially for children and families attending inner city schools in Surrey. She was there to pick up much-needed supports from volunteers at the City Dream Centre – a grocery hamper filled with bread, fresh produce,
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
Every year, about 6,500 British Columbians have a stroke. Around 75% of them are over the age of 65. A stroke survivor may spend days or weeks in acute care, and then days, weeks or months in rehabilitation whether as an inpatient, an outpatient, in a community-based setting, or some combination of those. This is
Don’t let the distance fool you, Kelowna residents Mary-Ann and Glen are becoming fast friends. That’s one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic – newfound connections and appreciation. “The first time I met Glen, he looked me straight in the eyes and there was a connection there,” says Mary-Ann. “It hit me really
Every day, food needs for thousands of people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside remain unmet. A unique new partnership aims to support people with lived experience from within the community to deliver healthy meals where they are needed most to address this gap. Hundreds of free meals are being delivered to people who live and work
Food for vulnerable children, families and seniors during COVID-19 means food rescue and food redistribution is more important than ever. Long-time United Way community partner, SOURCES Community Resources in Surrey is building on their expertise to help ensure area residents are getting the support they need. Since June 2019, the SOURCES Food Hub has rescued
As the global crisis of COVID-19 continues, grassroots actions are seeing volunteers mobilizing, people reaching out and folks calling to check in on their neighbours across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. And United Way is there to help, thanks to iVolunteer, a portal linking volunteers to community needs. iVolunteer matches helpers Neighbourhood houses, long-time
United Way British Columbia is monitoring the COVID-19 situation as the World Health Organization is now terming it a pandemic. Given that social distancing is being advised wherever possible to help contain the spread of this virus, many people will be spending more time in self isolation, telecommuting, and choosing to stay home away from
What’s the secret of a long life? For 86-year-old Bernice, it is painting, crocheting and playing ukulele, while 93-year-old Janine credits eating properly – meat, potatoes, vegetables and dessert. And like 74% of seniors over 85 they are living in their own homes. Like a growing number of Richmond citizens, these women are at the
Take a moment and ask yourself: what difference have labour unions made in your life? Safer working conditions, or the five-day work week may be the first things that come to mind. What you may not know is the far-ranging impact unions have had on policies that shape how inclusive we are as a society.
When Larry Fink speaks, the business world pays attention. It’s no wonder why. Fink is chairman and chief executive of BlackRock – an American global investment management corporation based in New York City. With a portfolio valuing over $6 trillion, it’s the largest investment management company in the world. It’s why Fink took #28 on