CHANGE A LIFE
Today is National Senior’s Day, a day to celebrate and honour the seniors in our lives – who are our teachers, mentors, neighbours, friends and family members. Healthy Aging by United Way supports regular programs across BC that help seniors with basic day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own
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
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 has dramatically changed how seniors go about their daily lives. It’s also changing how United Way partner agencies and those delivering services to seniors work too. “As difficult as COVID-19 has been for all of us, we are witnessing the resilience of seniors and the creativity of the community-based seniors sector shine in so
A few months ago, 60-year-old Phillip was filling his days with work, visiting friends and family, and plenty of exercise – long walks and going to the gym several times weekly – in his West End Vancouver neighbourhood. Then he took a fall, which resulted in breaks and fractures to his left arm and pelvis.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 pm, between 70-90 people from all walks of life gather at the Cloverdale Community Kitchen. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – dinner is served. The meals not only nourish, they help build community and friendships among everyone who enters from single moms
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
Over 350 advocates are set to descend in at the Provincial Summit on Aging November 6 to 8, hosted by Healthy Aging by United Way and the Community-Based Seniors’ Service Leadership Council. The second biennial summit will bring together leaders from local organizations, older adults, family and friend caregivers, academia and government. The diverse group
On October 8 a crowd of community champions gathered at the Woodward’s building in Gastown for Better Together by United Way. Better Together was an event designed by donors, for donors. After consulting with United Way supporters earlier this year, event organizers heard there was demand for something simple, with major impact. There was a call to
According to new research released today by United Way British Columbia, almost half (46%) of British Columbians say they sometimes feel lonely – but there is an upside. The same poll also found that giving back as part of a group, whether you donate time or money, makes us feel better than doing it alone.
On Tuesday June 18, 2019 United Way British Columbia held its 89th Annual General Meeting. The gathering was a chance to reflect on the progress made since adopting our 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. In just one year, we’ve implemented many innovative approaches to live our new mission: serving the needs of our local communities, while igniting
Have you ever had the “warm and fuzzies”? We all know giving back is good. But not just because it feels that way. It’s science! Home-grown happiness research Dr. Lara Aknin is an assistant professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University and a principle investigator in SFU’s Helping and Happiness lab. Dr. Aknin studies “prosocial
The beginning of a new season can mean many things: a fresh start, a time to reassess, and for many, a chance to try something new. It’s also often a time when individuals prioritize mental and physical well-being, with many signing up for gym memberships and meditation classes. The great news? Getting involved in your
It’s one of our most favourite times of the year: National Volunteer Week! We’re proud and excited to celebrate the 12.7 million volunteers (nearly 1 in 3 Canadians!) who give back their time, leadership, expertise and passion to build strong, connected and vibrant communities. In B.C. alone, every year 1.5 million volunteers contribute 114 million
This past year, over 500 organizations and unions came together to support United Way and spark positive change in communities across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, impacting over 400,000 lives in the region! This amazing work wouldn’t happen without a high degree of local commitment and love for community, and for that we thank
This week, we bid farewell and thank our energetic and passionate group of 31 Campaign Associates. Every year, local companies, organizations and unions generously sponsor or loan individuals to help United Way raise millions of dollars to help those most in need. Campaign Associates are essential to the on-going success of our organization. They help
Earlier this week, the second annual Family Feud pitted KPMG against Odlum Brown to raise funds for United Way. Four teams from each organization competed for the title of reigning champion. Audience members participated by answering skill-testing questions. This year, Odlum Brown won, taking the winner title away from KPMG. Debra Doucette Hewson, President and
Each year, a key group of supporters take on the challenge to “jump start” our annual campaign by becoming a United Way Pacesetter. Last year, the generosity of this incredible group of organizations resulted in almost $2.6 million raised for United Way. Their support, just like yours, means hundreds of thousands of our community’s kids,
Last week, dozens of labour activists from multiple unions and municipalities came together for the annual United Way British Columbia Labour Day of Caring with a full day of activity with SHARE Family & Community Services in Coquitlam. Volunteers worked at a social housing complex doing a variety of tasks including repairing two playgrounds, clearing