As 2015 comes to a close, we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support from individuals, organizations and communities across the Lower Mainland. Together, we’ve helped move families from poverty to possibility, we’ve inspired kids to be all they can be and we’ve helped build strong communities for all. Here’s a round up of some of the most memorable tweets and posts from 2015. January 2015: Poverty statistics released by Statistics Canada in December 2014 showed that once again B.C. has one of the highest poverty rates in Canada. One in ten British Columbians live in poverty, meaning 469,000 people are struggling to make ends meet. United Way continues to advocate to help move families from poverty to possibility. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/553597488175652864/photo/1 February 2015: When people care our community grows stronger. The Scotiabank & United Way Community Spirit Awards honours organizations and individuals dedicated to making a difference. In 2014 we honoured hundreds of volunteers and their organizations from across the Lower Mainland for their contributions of time and money to help fund local programs and services. If you are interested in attending our 2016 Community Spirit Awards Dinner, click here. https://twitter.com/NiraArora/status/570799857624985601 https://twitter.com/CorNaylor/status/573596294540697600 March 2015: Together, we joined forces with 100+ organizations, companies and municipalities to say “Yes to transit” and a more sustainable region that focuses on the transportation needs of families and seniors. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/578631794683092992/photo/1 April 2015: In April 2015 United Way launched the next phase of a bold early childhood initiative in the Coquitlam River neighbourhood. United Way Avenues of Change focuses on early years development and getting kids school ready so they can have the best start in life. The United Way Avenues of Change program was launched in the Surrey-Guildford community in October 2015. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/583325889120731136 May 2015: A report released in April 2015 by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows Vancouver’s living wage has jumped to $20.68 per hour in 2015. The BC Seniors Housing Report released in May showed that half of BC seniors live on less than $24,000 per year. Through your support, United Way helps build strong communities for all. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/596822773277700096/photo/1 June 2015: Each year United Way’s Public Policy Institute brings together 25 leaders from the BC non-profit sector whose organizations want to better understand and influence the public policy process. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/614599438640787456 This past June, our friends at UPS pulled together with dozens of teams to raise funds at the 2nd Annual Plane Pull for United Way. The event raised over $36,000 for local programs and services! https://twitter.com/yvrairport/status/607291148923633664 July 2015: The United Way Campaign Cabinet is a dedicated group of business and community leaders that volunteer their time and expertise to lead our Annual Campaign each year. Our community is stronger because of the hard work of our Campaign Cabinet, Board of Directors, Employee Campaign Chairs and all those that contribute to United Way British Columbia! https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/619286183021969408 August 2015: Who says building community is nothing but hard work? United Way supported agency Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre held their annual Soapbox Derby Race in August and we had a blast! https://twitter.com/VancouverPD/status/636229669633658880 The big storm of 2015 really showed us the strength of community and what type of big hearts live in the Lower Mainland. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/638493681968787457 September 2015: Labour Day was a day to celebrate the difference unions make in our lives and in our community. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/639851778016591872 Each September United Way volunteers descend on downtown Vancouver to learn, share and get revved up at our annual campaign training event! This year we started the campaign season off with a boom! https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/645039699644420096 October 2015: National Seniors Day was a day to recognize the many seniors in our lives and that for the first time ever, there are more seniors than children living in Canada! United Way helps seniors live independently through our Better at Home program. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/649619954984206337 November 2015: Could you live on $1600 per month in Vancouver? Many hardworking families and seniors struggle to make ends meet in the Lower Mainland. In November, we asked people to challenge their perspectives on poverty and try to Make the Month. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/661266484103024641 December 2015: In order for a community to be great, it has to be great for everyone. In 2015, UWBC invested $2.5 million into programs and services for refugee and immigrant families in the Lower Mainland. We fund agencies that help refugees find a home, learn a new language and culture, and offer long-term support for things like education and employment. To continue this commitment and welcome refugees into our community, United Way launched the United for Refugees campaign to raise additional funds to support Syrian refugees arriving in the Lower Mainland. https://twitter.com/UWLM/status/675108039633084417 And in a true show of holiday spirit, students from Byrne Creek Secondary School put on their best elf hats and volunteered to wrap presents to raise funds for United Way. https://twitter.com/RobsonStreet/status/679774764752355328 Community is one of our greatest gifts, thanks for giving generously this year! Together, #WeArePossibility. 
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