United Way BC - Central & Northern Vancouver Island Region

We are pleased to be invited to participate in a panel session on strengthening resiliency against drought at this week's Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference. Regional Community Impact Coordinator for the Central & South Okanagan Naomi Woodland shared stories of local collaboration in action - presenting the supportive role that local non-profit sector can play in partnership with government and local authorities to support BC residents most impacted by the adverse effects of drought, such as fires and floods. United Way BC is committed to supporting these vital efforts and invites you to learn more about our work and how you can get involved. Learn how we're driving positive impact in local BC - connect with us today. https://bit.ly/4erPsTR #UBCM2024 #UnitedForPeopleInNeed

Thank you Elements Casino Victoria for your generous donation to our #UnitedforBC Wildfire Recovery Fund! Their support enables us to not only respond quickly to a wildfire but, more importantly, with recovery and resiliency building. Our support doesn’t end when the smoke clears. We are here for the long-term, supporting community driven recovery in social infrastructure and connecting members to their communities. To learn more visit uwbc.ca/wildfires #UnitedforBCWildfires #BCWildfires

Request for Expression of Interest The recent Nanaimo Point-in-Time Count highlighted an increasing level of people experiencing homelessness in the city. To address the gaps in service, the City of Nanaimo is partnering with the Nanaimo Community Advisory Board (Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy) to support up to two year-round drop-in hubs that can serve as both warming and cooling centres. These drop-in hubs will be safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces providing the basic needs of people experiencing homelessness, especially those who have no access to shelter of any kind. Respecting the dignity and cultural needs of individuals, the hubs will connect those who are unsheltered to support services where available. United Way British Columbia, on behalf of the CAB and in partnership with the City, is soliciting Expressions of Interest in operating these drop-in hubs. To apply, visit the link below. Deadline is Friday, October 4, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gcYVd9b5 #aplaceforeveryone #unitedforpeopleinneed

United Way BC is excited to kick off day 1 at the 2024 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention, with our team members Signy Madden, CFRE, Jeanne Legua, Yves Trudel and Naomi Woodland. Drop by our United Way BC booth (#600) at the UBCM Tradeshow on Wednesday & Thursday! This convention offers the opportunity for United Way BC to continue fostering its trusted partnerships with local government and find opportunities to co-drive innovative, local solutions to increasingly complex social issues like food security, urgent response, and healthy aging for older adults. #UBCM2024 #UnitedWayBC #UnitedForPeopleInNeed

What a perfect morning!!! 🌞 Thank you to all our beloved community champions, supporters, partners, and friends for celebrating United Way BC Day with us as we kicked off our 2024 Campaign, while enjoying a delicious breakfast together, and strengthening vital connections with our community! As always Daryl Major, The Wave, was a brilliant emcee and brought so much to the breakfast! We are also so grateful to Elder Lolly Good who brought everyone together in friendship. To the Honourable Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction who brought greetings from the province, we thank you! As well, thank you to our speakers Jane Russell, @coastal-community, Travis Bryson, @MNP, Deborah Hollins, Nanimo Family Life Association, and Tony Nelson, @vancouver-island-health-authority. Special shout out to our Presenting Sponsor, Coastal Community Credit Union; Community Sponsor, MNP; and Media Sponsors, The Wolf and The Wave, who made this amazing morning happen! If you're a United Way BC supporter, please help us share our beautiful local work using the hashtag #UnitedForPeopleInNeed. All contributions to United Way BC help build a strong social support network, providing programs and services that address food security, youth and child mental well-being, and services and supports for seniors and others in need, including the 211 British Columbia helpline. 👉 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gGQ6ST_m #UWBCDay2024 #UnitedforBC #UnitedForPeopleInNeed

Today is the day! It’s United Way BC Day and we’re celebrating with a Kick-Off Breakfast! We’re gathering in Nanaimo with our lovely community champions, supporters, partners, and friends to celebrate United Way BC Day with our Kick-Off breakfast! This special community event is being hosted simultaneously across the regions we serve in Kelowna, Kamloops, and Prince George to salute and inspire our communities. A big thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, @coastal-community; Community Sponsor, @MNP, and Media Sponsors, 102.3 The Wave and 106.9 FM THE WOLF! We couldn’t do this without their support. #UnitedforPeopleinNeed #UnitedForBC #UWBCDay2024

If you notice iconic landmarks in your community lit up in RED this Thursday, September 12, it's in celebration of United Way BC Day, the launch of our annual fall campaign! Keep an eye out for the following landmarks illuminated in a striking red to show we are #UnitedForPeopleInNeed: Vancouver • Science World • City Hall • Convention Centre • Harbour Centre Lookout • Canada Place • Burrard Street Bridge • YVR Tower Lights • UBC Ladner Clock Tower Burnaby • City Hall • Park Guideway at Metrotown Coquitlam • Lafarge Lake Delta • City Hall & Median on 56th Street Port Coquitlam • City Hall New Westminster • City Hall Port Moody • City Hall Kelowna • Visitor Centre • Kelowna Sails Trail • Victoria St Bridge Nanaimo • The Bastion Ladysmith • City Hall Parksville • Civic & Tech Centre Quesnel • Fraser River Footbridge Victoria • Legislative Assembly of British Columbia We also extend our gratitude to the municipalities officially declaring September 12, 2024, as United Way BC Day. Thank you to: • City of Duncan • City of Kelowna • City of Nanaimo • City of New Westminster • City of Penticton • City of Port Moody • City of Prince George • City of Port Coquitlam • City of Richmond • City of Trail • City of Vancouver Whether you show your support by attending a community breakfast, wearing red, or snapping a picture of a red-lit landmark and tagging us using #UnitedForPeopleInNeed, thank you for celebrating United Way BC Day with us this Thursday! https://bit.ly/3Xn6Fak

Explore United Way BC’s Healthy Aging initiatives' remarkable impact in 2023-2024! United Way BC’s Healthy Aging portfolio oversaw seven provincial community initiatives focused on person-centered programming and services that foster independence, social engagement, physical activity, and a sense of belonging. By participating, seniors and elders, along with their family and friend caregivers, experienced an improved quality of life marked by increased social engagement and overall well-being. https://bit.ly/3TKFfdB

Gwen and Justin are longtime volunteers and program participants at the United Way BC Regional Community Food Hub in central Surrey. 🍎 Regional Community Food Hubs are an innovative, local response to the unique food security needs in a specific area. In Surrey, a network of community partners like Kekinow Native Housing and Sources Community Resource Centres work together to provide healthy, nutritious food and wrap-around services such as mental health supports🌿, employment services🌟 childcare🧸 and access to United Way programs like Better at Home 🏠 and School’s Out 🛝, creating a web of care. • Check out the full video to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gxWYyJPE • Read Gwen and Justin's story: https://lnkd.in/gGUy3iDg #UnitedForPeopleinNeed #UnitedForFoodSecurity #UnitedWayBC

Naomi from our Powell River and qathet Regional District office visited Blueberry Commons last week to discuss food security in the area. Around 30 people attended the event to share ideas and knowledge, as well as farm opportunities. Among the attendees was Sara Dent (pictured with Naomi), co-host of the event and co-founder of Young Agrarians, an organization that supports young farmers as they attempt to start and develop farming businesses. To learn more about United Way BC’s food security initiatives, visit https://lnkd.in/gCXhQmgW #unitedforfoodsecurity