Our Work
What does United Way BC do? Learn how we’re driving positive impact and lasting change in local communities across British Columbia.
In times of crisis, we’re here to lend a hand
Utilizing our extensive network of volunteers, partners, donors, and supporting agencies, we have organized strategic, rapid responses for the substantial challenges that affect our communities. United, we are stronger.
Wildfire
During the wildfires, United Ways across BC raised funds to support the recovery and rebuilding of the communities most affected. Donations allowed us to provide rapid-response support, funding, and supplies to communities, and establish long-term aid.
Flood
When BC communities were impacted by flooding, United Way responded by volunteering on the ground, convening those who were responding, facilitating the donations of goods and services, and raising dollars to address important social needs: shelter, food assistance, trauma and mental health supports, and the rebuilding of social infrastructure.
Learn how we are impacting communities with emergency relief and long-term recovery.
Ukraine
Whether through natural disasters or war, we are seeing an increased and compounding number people displaced from their homes. Welcoming displaced Ukrainians into BC and helping them settle into new and unfamiliar surroundings while processing their trauma is another way we support and strengthen our communities.
COVID-19
Universally we found ourselves faced with an unprecedented pandemic. Our most vulnerable neighbours were especially impacted by shutdowns and restrictions. United Way supported its network in new and caring ways, ensuring everyone in our communities could get the help they needed.
Food Security
Supporting health and wellness through food access.
Food Security
Almost 860,000 British Columbians live in food-insecure households. Through our Food Security Initiative, United Way is working to address British Columbia’s growing and shifting food needs.
Active, connected, and engaged
Through collaboration and engagement with the Community-Based Seniors’ Services sector, we’ve developed a service model that is responsive, flexible and strong. This kind of intentional and ongoing community engagement ensures that our programs remain relevant and meaningful – reducing seniors’ isolation and enhancing the quality of life for older British Columbians, their families, friends, caregivers, and allies.
Healthy Aging
Active, connected, and engaged! These are the keys to health and wellness for everyone, but they become particularly important as we age. Based on these simple essentials, our Healthy Aging initiative has developed and supports a range of programs and activities that enhance older adults’ healthy aging process and enable them to live independently at home for as long as possible.
Better at Home
Better at Home helps seniors with non-medical, day-to-day tasks like grocery shopping and light housekeeping so they can live independently in their own homes. Friendly visits also keep participants socially engaged and connected. The result is an overall increase in quality of life.
Healthy Aging administers the Better at Home program throughout B.C., supporting over 80 non-profit organizations who deliver Better at Home in over 260 communities. This community-based approach ensures that local agencies are responding to local needs.
Every child deserves the chance to achieve their potential
We help kids and youth succeed by supporting local and provincial programs and initiatives in early childhood development, out-of-school time activities, and youth leadership.
School’s Out
Programs for children 6-12 years of age that provide mental and physical wellness, healthy and nutritious food, and developmental support throughout the school year.
School’s Out Summer
At the end of June, many kids lose access to the vital out-of-schooltime supports that they’re used to. This new program gives kids access to free or low-cost quality summer programs that are critical for their emotional and social well-being, academic success, physical health, and overall well-being.
Future Leaders
Through paid or volunteer internships, we help youth gain valuable work experience, grow leadership skills, and develop social networks.
Youth Futures Education Fund
By providing low-barrier access to funds, we help create equal educational opportunities for young adults who have been in government care.
Child Safety Initiative
BCAA estimates as many as 1 in 7 children in British Columbia don’t use an approved child car seat when travelling by car, despite the clear advantages of using one. The unfortunate reality is that some kids go unprotected because their families simply cannot afford the expense of a car seat.
United Way believes that no family should have to put their child’s safety at risk because of limited finances.
Providing leaders with the tools to lead better
We help businesses and non-profits discover their capacity to influence and create social good by connecting leaders with the resources they need to excel at what they do. These programs are designed to help organizations grow with purpose and integrity while being fully supported.
Public Policy Institute
A leadership training program with innovative small group training and access to a faculty of professionals who have real-life public policy experience. This six-month program is designed to help leaders from the not-for-profit sector increase their knowledge of the public policy process and their capacity to influence it.
Leadership Fellows
Leadership Fellows is a program that provides non-formal, graduate-level training through a highly collaborative in-person experience for leaders in the BC non-profit sector. The aim of the program is to build the capacity of non-profit Executive Directors to develop leadership skills in others. The overarching goal in offering this program since 2014 has been to increase social impact throughout British Columbia.
Participants are guided through seven modules set to engage them in a series of key ideas about developmental leadership, such as how to lead for adaptive growth and development, how to lead for systemic and organizational change, how to develop a personal philosophy for leadership, and how to sustain a culture of leadership.
The curriculum is accompanied by interaction, reflection, and guided application for current and future opportunities to develop leaders.
Learn more about the next offering here: Leadership Fellows FAQ 2024-25
Strengthening communities by connecting people with the help they need
We empower British Columbians by providing information about social, government, and community services.
211 British Columbia
Dial or text 2-1-1 to be connected with a Resource Navigator who will provide information about supports and services in your community for your situation, such as food banks, income assistance programs, legal resources, mental health and low-cost counselling, shelter information, or other help. It’s free and confidential, with interpretation available in over 240 languages and dialects.
Not sure where to turn? Contact 211 for information and resources. Or, search the online directory of resources at bc.211.ca
211 British Columbia is supported by the Province of British Columbia and is part of a network of 211 services across North America.
Helpline Services
United Way BC Helpline Services offers community information and referral to the public through various specialized helplines. Our Community Resource Specialists assist British Columbians by way of call, text, email, and webchat.
Honouring and supporting Indigenous values and self-determination.
Indigenous Priorities
Recognizing the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and learning from its lessons and calls to action is an important focus for United Way BC. We are committed to building respectful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities by honouring and supporting Indigenous values and self-determination.
Everyone has the right to food, shelter, employment, and safety
We support people at the neighbourhood and community levels to help them move from poverty to possibility while working with businesses to create a more just society.
Work Experience Opportunities Grant
Preparing people on income and disability assistance for in-demand jobs through skills and training opportunities.
United Way’s Hi Neighbour!
Working with local residents to strengthen vital connections so communities are stronger, safer, and more inclusive and resilient.
Period Promise
The Period Promise campaign is a local response to a global issue. We can reduce the isolation created by period poverty in our own neighbourhoods. Learn how you can take action in your community and help end the stigma around periods.
Poverty
For too many people, poverty is a daily, uphill struggle that forces them to make impossible choices between essentials like putting food on the table or paying the rent. With your support, we help to meet the basic needs of our communities’ most vulnerable people and families.
BC Safe Haven Program
Supporting refugee claimants by facilitating volunteer mobilizations and public appeals for housing, goods, and services for the BC Safe Haven Resource Network.
Emergency Transit Assistance Program
Providing people in need with access to free bus transportation through the provision of transit vouchers.