United Way British Columbia

211 British Columbia is a front door to help. 📞 They provide information and referrals to a broad range of community, government, and social services to assist with basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and so much more. When Mary, a single woman in her 60's, phoned 211 British Columbia, she had been evicted from her home of over a decade when her landlord wanted to renovate; she found herself homeless for the first time in her life, and terrified. Lost in a sea of conflicting information and unsure where to turn, Mary called 211 looking for support. This is her story. #UnitedForPeopleinNeed #UnitedforSupport #UnitedWayBC #HelpStartsHere #211BritishColumbia

🌞Today, we thought we'd share a little sunshine. 🙌When people are UNITED for food security great things happen! The United Way BC Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Food Hub in partnership with The University of British Columbia Farm Practicum Program in Sustainable Agriculture is an example. 🍅 Each year, Practicum students donate hundreds of kilograms of fresh produce to the Food Hub, honing their skills in organic farming while contributing to an initiative that fosters community relationships, food justice, and food sovereignty. 🔓 Bringing students, volunteers and community members together not only improves this Vancouver community's food security, it allows people to develop connections with neighbours, learn how to grow their own food and unlock the collective potential for good. Read more about how working together creates resilient communities: https://bit.ly/4fUN611 💗Thanks to United Way British Columbia donors and the Government of British Columbia, we continue to expand Regional Community Food Hubs into new communities and regions, we are strengthening the network of support, resources, and knowledge-sharing helping to ensure the health and wellness of all British Columbians.

We're grateful to have supported a new community mural at Coquitlam's Getaway Youth Centre! Created by artist Laura Kwok with the support of 30+ local teens, this vibrant piece came to life through a collaboration between the City of Coquitlam and United Way British Columbia's South Coquitlam Hi Neighbour initiative. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQ4EN9Da

We're grateful to have supported a new community mural at Coquitlam's Getaway Youth Centre! Created by artist Laura Kwok with the support of 30+ local teens, this vibrant piece came to life through a collaboration between the City of Coquitlam and United Way British Columbia's South Coquitlam Hi Neighbour initiative. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gQ4EN9Da

On this International Volunteer Day, we raise our hands to the many generous volunteers who share their time and talents to build healthy, caring, and inclusive communities for all. 🙌 Curious about how you can use your gifts and passions to contribute meaningfully to your community? Check out United Way British Columbia’s iVolunteer website, which pairs individuals with organizations and causes they are care about. Start making a difference today at ivolunteer.ca or contact info@ivolunteer.ca to connect with us directly!

Inspired by the world’s largest day of generosity, BMO joined forces with United Way BC to launch their North American-wide employee giving campaign and support children in need across the province on #GivingTuesday. About 40 BMO staff, including James Kitamura, Regional President, Personal Banking BC and Yukon, and Ashish Arora, Managing Director, BMO, joined by Mike Hurley, Mayor, City of Burnaby, gathered at our central office in Burnaby to assemble winter school kits for kids in our United Way BC School’s Out Program. From captivating books and snacks, to cozy toques, mittens, and socks, each item was packed with care and comfort in mind. Together, we can build brighter futures for children and people in need. Thank you, BMO! #BMOGivesBack #SchoolsOut

Today isn’t just another day, it's ✨#GivingTuesday✨– a Global Day of Giving! Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue our vital work and reach more people in need. ❤️$25 provides 1 person with healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for 1 day from a Regional Community Food Hub. ❤️$40 allows one child to go on a field trip to a local science center, museum, or aquarium with their friends in the School’s Out program to learn more about their community. ❤️$100 goes toward a social gathering for seniors to meet regularly for coffee through our Hi Neighbour program. Every contribution plays a vital role in creating a brighter future for all. Giving Tuesday is a one-day event so donate now to be part of this global movement! A little goes a long way. ❤️ Donate now at uwbc.ca/give Thank you for being UNITED for people in need.

Have you heard of 211 British Columbia? It's a free, confidential helpline for anyone in British Columbia for help with life's basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, newcomers, and much more.📞 Plus, it's available in over 240 languages and dialects! Call or text 2-1-1 to connect with a Resource Navigator, 24/7, 365 days of the year. A huge thanks to Purneet and Canada Punjabi News and Information for stopping by United Way BC's Burnaby office to chat all about it! 🌟Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/geDR2KUR

🎓Grandmother of 10 and Sixties Scoop survivor, RavenSong received her Associate Arts degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in June after 23 years of perseverance and hard work. She's part of an 18.5% spike in mature students seeking support from United Way British Columbia Youth Futures Education Fund for basic living expenses and emergencies. 📓In 2023, thanks to United Way BC’s ongoing advocacy, the Province of British Columbia expanded the tuition waiver to all BC former youth in care as part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready plan to make education and training more accessible and affordable. Many individuals formerly in government care who did not have the opportunity to pursue education when they left school are now able to do so. ✨“It's a big deal to me, a big deal. And I couldn't have done it without [Youth Futures Education Fund’s] help,” says RavenSong. “It was just amazing that that's even a possibility. I thought I'd be denied because of my age, right? There was no ageism.” 👉 In 2025, United Way BC Youth Futures Education Fund will disburse $600,000 to 26 post-secondary institutions and the Native Education College to help support dedicated students like RavenSong with basic living expenses. Read more about her successes: https://bit.ly/4971S2f In 2023/24, 580 students of all ages received support from the Youth Futures Education Fund; 293 were over 25.

✨Across the Lower Mainland, community spirit is transformimg neighbourhoods. In United Way British Columbia #HiNeighbour communities from Edmonds in Burnaby to Guildford in Surrey and Sunset in Vancouver, Community Champions, Community Builders and volunteers are United for Community! 💗Check out the heartwarming and inspirational stories of people joining together to create healthy, caring and inclusive communities: https://bit.ly/3V5Lidm