United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund
Bringing together the power of many to help those affected by BC Wildfires.
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Starting in July 2021, United Way has been working with communities and individuals impacted by the BC wildfires in their recovery efforts.
After starting an emergency support phase that saw the provision of vital food supplies, support vouchers, and agency grants to help with a wide range of community issues, we moved into long-term recovery efforts to help rebuild and recover.
A variety of programs and essential supports will be critical as BC residents recover physically and emotionally from the devastation of wildfires within our local communities. The United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund plays an important role in helping affected communities recover from the devastation resulting from the wildfires. Funds go towards addressing important needs like permanent housing, food assistance, trauma, and mental health support.
To find out more about the impact we had during our initial emergency phase, see our first-stage report.
Since Fall 2021 we have been in the second phase of this Fund, focused on long-term recovery. Please read more about this work and our future plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
In response to the impact BC wildfires are having on communities, United Way has launched the United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund campaign to raise funds that will address important social needs like finding permanent housing, food assistance, trauma and mental health supports, and rebuilding social infrastructure.
United Way is in a unique position as we have connections within all affected areas through our community partners and positions on collaborative tables throughout the region. With an “ear to the ground” we are able to nimbly respond to the needs as they arise from our funded partners and communities we serve.
Grants from the United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund will support those who are displaced or have lost housing, belongings and/or employment, suffered physical or mental health trauma, as well as for the provision of health and safety education. The Fund will run throughout the wildfire season ensuring local people have access to urgent aid, and as emergency needs are reduced, support for recovering and rebuilding their lives.
This includes:
- Basic needs assistance: Providing basic support and assistance to protect the safety and lives of people directly impacted.
- Food security: Through UWBC’s existing Food Hubs and Hi Neighbour program, the Fund will provide meals to wildfire evacuees and first responders across BC. Donations will support the procurement, packaging and delivery of goods and services to vulnerable BC communities in need.
- Mental health support: Providing mental health services and trauma counselling to those directly impacted by wildfires as they work to rebuild their lives and recover.
- Pop-up day camps for kids: Developing therapeutic day camps for children in wildfire-impacted communities to help them have a sense of normalcy this summer, receive trauma-informed care and education, and help mitigate any learning losses.
- Legal services to low-income families: Supporting families to access and navigate legal services regarding home and personal insurance.
- Social connection: Providing social activities for citizens who have lost their communities. This may include community dinners, trauma support groups and Indigenous learning circles.
- Grants for recovery and rebuilding: Providing grants to non-profit agencies and institutions in surrounding areas to support additional evacuee capacity and support.
As with all funds received, United Way BC is committed to transparency in dollars raised and distributed as a part of the Wildfire Recovery Fund. Dollars will be invested into local initiatives and programs across the Province that support all recovery efforts as a result of the wildfires. UWBC is committed to distributing all funds in a timely manner and to report out to donors and partners how their dollars have been invested. Find copies of our most recent financial statements here.
Contact: 604-294-8929 or info@uwbc.ca