Hi Neighbour

Kanaka Bar Band

In 2015, the Kanaka Bar Band developed a vision to be a self-sufficient community. From building a turbine in the Fraser River and installing solar panels within the community, to building a community orchard, garden, and farm; the Kanaka Indian Band has become a leader in community resilience. United Way British Columbia has felt welcomed into the community while being invited to learn from and support this beautiful initiative. We have had the opportunity to fund resiliency projects in this community, including the local community food hub. We look forward to continue learning from this community.

Lytton First Nation

The Lytton First Nation has been hit harder than can be explained by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. Pandemic-related restrictions and short and long-term wildfire evacuations have created great challenges to community connectedness. Community engagement is vitally important to the band members’ mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Over the past year, United Way British Columbia has provided financial support to Lytton First Nation food security initiatives: delivering food, non perishables, and first aid supplies to assist in keeping community members closer to home. We are excited to be welcomed into the community and look forward to continuing to build a this valued relationship.

Siska First Nation

The Siska First Nation was one of the first communities to open their doors to any area resident during the 2021 Lytton wildfire evacuation. They have kept their doors open providing a food hub open to any area resident, band member or not. United Way British Columbia is honoured to support this initiative and hopes to continue to build a relationship with the community and assisting as opportunities continue to come forward.

Skuppah Indian Band

The Skuppah Indian Band was one of the first communities to open a food hub shortly after the Lytton Wildfires in 2021. United Way British Columbia has been providing non-perishable supports and looks forward to engaging further with the community providing support when requested.

Skwah First Nation (Chilliwack Landing)

The Skwah First Nation experienced many hardships during the November 2021 flood in the Fraser Valley. Skwah, one of several reserves in the Chilliwack area, was cut off from supply chains when roads flooded, leaving Elders and others concerned about access to groceries, particularly because stores were running low on stock. United Way British Columbia helped mobilize resources to secure meat, eggs, and dairy from local suppliers to ensure that the fridges and freezers (that weren’t flooded) could be well- stocked to feed the Elders and the community.

Meet the team

Margaret

Community Builder

Margaret supports activities organized by Skwah First Nation members, including engaging youth, adults, and Elders in cultural activities. She provides help when communities are applying to the United Way BC Local Love Fund for these activities. The Local Love Fund has financially supported the River Spirit Canoe Club for their races; materials for making ribbon skirts with 50 women from Skwah and neighbouring nations; and supported the creation of hygiene and craft kits for Skwah youth.

Email Margaret

Sumas First Nation (the Semá:th people)

The Sumas First Nation was heavily impacted by the November 2021 flood in the Fraser Valley. Semá:th Lake reappeared as Sumas Prairie filled with water once again. Some properties on the reserve flooded and roads were closed off from the wider community. Area resident, Lenny, focused on checking in on family and Elders to see how they were being impacted by the flood. As a Community Builder, she continues to connect with the community with a focus on building relationships across generations.

Meet the team

Lenette

Community Builder

Lenette works closely with the Sts’elemeqw Residential School Thrivers Society (SRSTS) and members of Semá:th, as well as other nearby nations. Her goal is to help heal the past and bring cultural awareness to their youth. SRSTS members, including Lenny’s mother, were once students at St. Mary’s residential school in Mission, BC. When they gather for meetings, it is a time of sitting in a Circle, sharing a meal, and talking around the table: laughter, tears, and memories are shared. Lenny attends the meetings to reflect and hold space to support the Elders. She also supports Semá:th members to apply for United Way BC Local Love Funds. The funds have been used towards the Semá:th Warriors Canoe Club and activities such as jam and Bannock making with Elders and youth.

Email Lenette

Babich-Mill Lake

Babich-Mill Lake in Abbotsford is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community.  United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you meet them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you.

It might be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as exciting as building a new community garden or advocating for change on an issue that’s important to you – we call these acts of local love. And we’re here to help.

Our team is in neighbourhoods across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley working with community members to promote the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Get involved

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Babich-Mill Lake team

Elise

Community Engagement Specialist

Elise is a lifelong Fraser Valley resident with a passion for all things local! She enjoys making new connections and empowering community champions across the region.

Email Elise

Jasmine

Community Builder

Jasmine is a mother to four amazing children. She is a very active member of her community and she also facilitates grief and resilience workshops in the Fraser Valley. 

Email Jasmine

Cedar Valley

Cedar Valley in Mission is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Cedar Valley team

Elise

Community Engagement Specialist

Elise is a lifelong Fraser Valley resident with a passion for all things local! She enjoys making new connections and empowering community champions in Cedar Valley.

Email Elise

Stefany

Community Builder

Stefany is a Red Seal Electrician who is passionate about being involved in the Cedar Valley community. She is looking forward to making things better for people and bringing them together towards common goals.

Email Stefany

Clayton Heights

Clayton Heights is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community.

In April 2023, after almost five years, Clayton Heights, United Way BC’s pilot Hi Neighbour community is evolving. Working together, with local residents, we have supported community leadership and ownership, and strengthened vital connections through numerous community projects, volunteerism and special events.

Engagement, mobilization, collaboration, organization and sustainability were key phases of this community’s transformation to legacy. 

As we step back, local residents are continuing positive community impact by leading initiatives and projects autonomously or through the Cloverdale Community Association, and initiatives like the Hi Neighbour Seniors Social have been embedded into the Clayton Community Centre.

Today, United Way BC Hi Neighbour Clayton Heights is a legacy neighbourhood. Read more about this community journey.

Edmonds

Edmonds in Burnaby is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Edmonds team

George

Community Engagement Specialist

George (he/him) is a Chinese-English community organizer and cultural connector. He is inspired by how community members come together to share ideas, resources and create positive change.

Email George

Mary

Community Builder

Mary’s kind personality and her vision for sharing the learnings and experiences of Edmond’s wealth of different cultures with the neighbourhood’s children, family and seniors and beyond makes her perfect for helping you create community projects and events.

Email Mary

Lonsdale

Lonsdale in North Vancouver is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. The little libraries in our community are a great example! Check out the Little Library map we made to see how Little Libraries are connecting our community.

See more exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to get involved?

Meet the Lonsdale team – coming soon

North Delta

North Delta is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the North Delta team

Hala

Community Engagement Specialist

With a background in Early Childhood Education, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and working with refugees and newcomers, Hala’s unique skills help empower others toward unity and making a positive difference. Get in touch to learn how she can support you.

Email Hala

Cathie

Community Builder

Long-time North Delta resident and volunteer, Cathie has created and engaged her community in projects and activities that enrich and improve her neighbourhood for many years. Come join her!

Email Cathie

Sardis

Sardis in Chilliwack is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Sardis team

Elise

Community Engagement Specialist

Elise is a lifelong Fraser Valley resident with a passion for all things local! She enjoys making new connections and empowering community champions in Sardis.

Email Elise

Teri

Community Builder

Teri feels lucky to call Chilliwack – the traditional and unceded territory of the Ts’elxwéyeqw, Pilalt and Sema:th people – home. He is passionate about community and is a founding member of the local Pride Society and the Downtown Community Market.

Email Teri

South Coquitlam

South Coquitlam is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Como Lake team

Leila

Community Engagement Specialist

Leila (she/her) is a proud mother, sister, auntie, and the youngest of 6 children. Leila looks for creative and innovative ways to mobilize residents and facilitate connection across unique and shared experiences, and she wholeheartedly believes in the power of storytelling for social change.

Email Leila

Erinn

Community Builder

Erinn has a background in Journalism, Theatre, and teaching English. She is passionate about bringing people of all walks of life together, especially in her Como Lake neighbourhood, where she lives, grew up and is now raising two children of her own.

Email Erinn

Sumas Prairie

Sumas Prairie is filled with talented, passionate people who care about their community. United Way’s Community Re-builder Initiative supports Sumas Prairie residents just like you to help your community rebuild and recover from the floods of 2021. We’re here to help you make a difference in the ways that matter most to you and to your community.

Let’s get started

United Way Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available. It might be providing hot meals for clean-up efforts, helping people refurbish flood-damaged furniture or providing essential items so people can return to their homes and farms. We call these acts of local love. And we’re here to help you make it happen.

See more exciting projects Hi Neighbour community members across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Sumas Prairie Team

Alison

Community Engagement Specialist

Alison loves living and working in the Fraser Valley. She’s passionate about social justice and enjoys helping others.

Email Alison

Gurjit

Community Builder

Gurjit finds joy in supporting her community’s recovery and growth after the Fraser Valley floods. Her unwavering commitment brings hope, resilience and positive change to those in need.

Email Gurjit

Sunset

Sunset in Vancouver is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Sunset team

Javier

Community Builder

Javier is a music lover and a passionate Sunset resident. He brings a background in community development and sustainability to helping his neighborhood be an even better place to live.

Email Javier

Willoughby

Willoughby in Langley is filled with talented, passionate people just like you, who care about your community. United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative helps you connect with them and works with you to create opportunities to make a difference in your community in ways that matter most to you. We call these acts of local love.

It can be as simple as saying hello to someone on the street, as welcoming as holding an afternoon tea for newcomers or hosting a block party to support neighbours recovering from natural disasters to building a new community garden.

Let’s get started

Our Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 help you make it happen. See some of the exciting projects community members have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Meet the Willoughby team

Leila

Community Engagement Specialist

Leila (she/her) is a proud mother, sister, auntie, and the youngest of 6 children. Leila looks for creative and innovative ways to mobilize residents and facilitate connection across unique and shared experiences, and she wholeheartedly believes in the power of storytelling for social change.

Email Leila

Yarrow

Yarrow is filled with talented, passionate people who care about their community. United Way’s Community Re-builder Initiative supports Yarrow residents just like you to help your community rebuild and recover from the floods of 2021. We’re here to help you make a difference in the ways that matter most to you and to your community.

Let’s get started

United Way Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available. It might be providing hot meals for clean-up efforts, helping people refurbish flood-damaged furniture or providing essential items so people can return to their homes and farms. We call these acts of local love. And we’re here to help you make it happen.

See more exciting projects Hi Neighbour community members across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley have created to help make their neighbourhoods more caring, healthy and inclusive.

Want to volunteer, get involved, or have an idea you’d like to share?

Connect with your Community Builder and learn more about what is happening in your neighbourhood.

Alison

Community Engagement Specialist

Alison loves living and working in the Fraser Valley. She’s passionate about social justice and enjoys helping others.

Email Alison

Deanna

Community Builder

Deanna is a Yarrow resident and proud mom of two teenage girls. She loves small-town living, empowering young women to be the best they can be and bringing people together.

Email Deanna

Lytton & Merrit

Lytton/Merrit

Lytton, Merritt, seven Nlaka’pamux Nation communities and the surrounding regional district have experienced countless natural disasters and resulting hardships in the past few years, including being displaced to 17 surrounding communities and lengthy commutes for basic goods and services. United Way British Columbia is working with residents, local community champions, agencies, and organizations to foster a sense of community and resiliency while the area recovers and rebuilds.

Let’s get started

United Way Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available to support recovery efforts. Funds help local champions like you to create projects and events to rebuild community and a sense of belonging. It might be providing low-barrier essentials, like food and personal care items, for people impacted by natural disasters, or hosting a barbeque, disc-frisby golf tournament or holiday celebrations to bring people together for healing. We call these acts of local love. We also partner with municipalities, Indigenous communities and their champions to help make it happen.

Apply for a Local Love microgrant – United Way British Columbia (uwbc.ca) today.

Meet the Lytton & Merrit team

Sarah

Community Builder

Long-time Merritt resident, baker and volunteer, Sarah is actively involved in the community. She is excited to work with area residents to create a robust, vibrant and inclusive community. 

Email Sarah

Princeton

Princeton, located in the Similkameen Valley, experienced severe flooding in November 2021 leaving area homes flooded and residents cut off from the outside world and basic good and services. United Way British Columbia is working to build community resiliency by strengthening relationships with residents, local community champions, agencies, and organizations.

Let’s get started

United Way Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available to support recovery efforts. Funds help local champions like you to create projects and events to rebuild community and a sense of belonging. It might be providing low-barrier essentials, like food and personal care items, for people impacted by natural disasters, or hosting a barbeque, disc-frisby golf tournament or holiday celebrations to bring people together for healing. We call these acts of local love. We also partner with municipalities, Indigenous communities and their champions to help make it happen.

Apply for a Local Love microgrant – United Way British Columbia (uwbc.ca) today.

Meet the Princeton team

Kaileigh

Community Engagement Specialist

Kaileigh is a proud mother of two who is continuously working to connect residents and bring community together in Princeton.

Email Kaileigh

Tanya

Community Builder

New Princeton resident, wife and mom, Tanya has a strong belief in early childhood development and volunteerism. She is looking forward to empowering her community to be a strong and amazing place to live.

Email Tanya