United Way BC - Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region

Coordinating and leading volunteers is a unique skill and effort that often goes unrecognized. Today, November 5, we recognize all of those who manage and lead volunteers as we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day. This day is dedicated to recognizing the vital work of volunteer managers and celebrating the profession of volunteer leadership. Many of United Way BC’s partner agencies work closely with or rely entirely on volunteers. And through United Way BC’s iVolunteer program, which connects individuals with organizations and causes they care about, while helping agencies find the volunteers they need. We know firsthand that the work of these volunteers is deeply impactful, but it is only possible with the guidance of Volunteer Managers. We hope you join us as we show our appreciation for Volunteer Managers, today and every day. Father Mykhailo Ozorovych of the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in New Westminster knows this well. He shares his experience from the recent Ukrainian New West Street Fest, supported in a variety of ways by United Way BC. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, United Way BC has worked closely with other agencies and organizations, including Father Mykhailo’s church, to help create welcoming communities for displaced Ukrainians that celebrate their traditions and culture. “A lot of it was thanks to United Way BC,” says Father Mykhailo. A deep sense of gratitude is evident when he speaks. “When just the dream was there, so was United Way BC. It’s not just the Local Love funds; it’s the whole idea of even considering volunteerism and having a volunteer coordinator position here. It’s the training and the support they provided as well.” 📖 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gREvEmGK 🔗 See volunteer opportunities in your community: https://lnkd.in/gsjkiJDV

The wonderful thing about United Way BC School's Out is that it is adaptive, designed to provide what each community needs, and to meet the unique needs of the children. In Kamloops, the need for after-school care is great, and through our partnership with BGC Kamloops, our first School's Out program serves families connected to Kamloops Immigrant Services, with the hope of expanding the program to help more families throughout the city. Providing friendship, mentorship, encouragement, nourishment, and breaking down language barriers is what Sofiia, the Program Coordinator, does with the children who attend each Monday and Tuesday. This is the story of School's Out in Kamloops, and the beautiful impact Sofiia is having on the kids. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqvY_kHs #UnitedForKidsandYouthinNeed #SchoolsOut

We are fast approaching November’s edition of the Volunteer Management Workshop Series! Join us in this webinar as Nicole R. Smith, Workforce Engagement Specialist, shares her knowledge and experience on Navigating Feedback for Volunteer Managers. Giving those you work closely with the opportunity to feel heard is incredibly important in creating a beneficial working space, but for Volunteer Managers this feedback can be difficult to navigate. In this webinar Nicole will lead us through the importance of obtaining feedback, how to effectively request feedback, ways to interpret feelings around the feedback, and most importantly, how to strategically act upon feedback. Date: Thursday, November 21st, 2024 Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM PST Location: Zoom (registration required) Register today at https://lnkd.in/g4FJHZ6Y

Growing older and living alone in has made several tasks much more difficult for Anne, an independent soul who loves her own space. That's why she's grateful for United Way BC’s Better at Home program, offered through Interior Community Services in Kamloops. Better at Home helps seniors like Anne continue to live in their own homes and remain connected to the communities they live in by supporting with non-medical, day-to-day tasks. Learn Anne's story here: https://lnkd.in/gRgx3xfb

We know that 1 in 3 people in BC don’t earn a living wage, and there is an $8 gap between the living and the minimum wage in the communities we call home. Struggling to make ends meet is a painful reality for many people living in BC. That's why United Way British Columbia is committed to being a living wage employer. Paying people a living wage is a critical step in helping people survive in this challenging economy, and we are proud to do so in each of the five regions we work and live: BC's North, Southern Interior, Thompson-Nicola Cariboo, Lower Mainland, and Central & Northern Vancouver Island. But we also want to make it easier for others to join us. To that end, we stand behind the Living Wage BC Living Wage campaign and are grateful to have supported their recent launch event! We invite you to join us as we strive for a living wage for all employees in British Columbia.

🚨 Great News! The deadline to apply to the Public Policy Institute has been extended to Thursday, October 24, 2024!🚨 Are you passionate about making a difference? Do you wish to empower your organization to drive policy change effectively? We're excited to announce that the application window for the 2025 United Way British Columbia Public Policy Institute has been extended to October 24, 2024. This professional development program is designed to equip nonprofit leaders and their organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the public policy landscape in BC and make a lasting impact. Carole James is the faculty lead and she along with the following cast of faculty develops and leads our Public Policy Institute program and provides mentorship to all accepted applicants: Ruth Wittenberg, Andrea Reimer, Nikki Hill, Ginger Gosnell-Myers, and Mark Sieben. Testimonials from #PPI Alumni speak to the impact of this vital program: "This program emphasized the powerful voices that non-profits represent in democracy and the responsibility they have to advocate for the communities they serve. You will be challenged to think outside the box and to strategize for impact." "This program helped de-mystify the public policy process and equipped me with practical tools to approach development of my policy ask in the most strategic way. It also gave me the confidence to build a strong convincing case to support and to advance my policy ask!" Don't let this incredible opportunity pass you by! Submit your application by the new deadline of October 24, 2024. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gFqFQ7WU Learn more about our Public Policy Institute and how it can empower you: https://lnkd.in/gXijeXzs Questions? Reach out to Julia Jachimowicz, our Policy and Advocacy Specialist: 📧 Email: ppi@uwbc.ca

Some days at United Way BC, our work in community starts before the sun comes up. Some days, it means talking about what we're doing in front of hundreds of hard-working people who want to know why it's important to support United Way BC. Some days it means standing in front of a giant off-road, heavy duty dump truck just to show how massive it is. And some days, it means doing all of the above with one amazing workplace partner, Teck Resources Limited Highland Valley Copper, and the dedicated members of United Steelworkers Local 7619. The work we do every day is like trying to fill the bucket of that big haul truck, to support people who need it most, and we couldn't do it without our workplace partners, community partners, and supporters from all walks of life. You help fill our bucket, and we thank you!

Today is World Food Day. 🍎 Almost one in ten people globally are undernourished, and more than 3 billion can’t afford a healthy diet, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. At United Way British Columbia, we support British Columbians health and wellbeing through our Food Security Initiatives. Our Regional Community Food Hubs, Food Infrastructure Grants and Food Link by United BC app connect individuals and families with nutritious, culturally preferable food and promote access to food and wellness programming like mental health supports, employment opportunities and childcare. Learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gCXhQmgW

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂 As we pause and gather with loved ones today, we give thanks for the bounty of our lives. All of us here at United Way BC are thankful every day to be united in our mission to support people in our communities. We acknowledge, with gratitude, that the land on which we live, work, and celebrate is the traditional territory of Indigenous nations. This Thanksgiving, we honor their history and culture. United Way BC is deeply grateful for our incredible staff, generous donors, dedicated partners, and tireless volunteers. Your unwavering support helps us work towards healthy, caring, and inclusive communities for all. Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are United for People In Need. 🧡 #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #UnitedWayBC #UnitedForPeopleInNeed #Community

Last year, 4,783 calls to 211 British Columbia were about mental health. That's a 42% increase from the year before. Today on #WorldMentalHealthDay, we're highlighting the critical need for accessible support across our communities. United Way BC is committed to ensuring everyone has access to the supports they deserve. If you or someone you know needs help, dial 2-1-1 or visit bc.211.ca to find local programs and services.