Meet some people you’ve helped
For 87 years, United Way BC Southern Vancouver Island has been serving the local community changing people’s lives for the better. Read the stories of some of the people who have been helped thanks to you.
Brenda and Andy suffered brain injuries that turned their worlds upside down.
Andy had just returned home from work when he felt an excruciating pain in his head. Two weeks later, he found himself looking in a hospital mirror, wondering at the long row of stitches in his head. He’d had a brain aneurysm.
Brenda, a teacher and athlete, was driving from Victoria to her home in Salmo when she was involved in a head-on collision. Coming out of a six-day-long coma, she learned she’d had a traumatic brain injury. She didn’t know who she was, where she was, or what happened. She didn’t recognize her husband.
Andy faced many challenges, including poor memory, fatigue, trouble making decisions, poor balance, and anger. Some of these challenges still affect him today.
Brenda had temporary paralysis, lost her vision in her left eye, and had to learn how to walk, dress, and feed herself. Unable to remember names and suffering from petit mal seizures, she couldn’t return to her profession, which she’d once loved dearly.
But both consider themselves lucky.
Over the years, they’ve learned to work with who they are now – with the help of the Victoria Brain Injury Society (VBIS). Both Andy and Brenda say VBIS’ “coping strategies” class helped them learn to recognize problems or challenges early, before they escalate.
Now both are volunteer peer supporters at VBIS, helping others who are struggling.
“All these programs and classes take place in a safe, understanding environment that has been made possible through your generous support of the United Way. It has had a positive effect on my recovery. Thank you very much for all your life-changing donations. It makes all the difference.” – Andy
Witnessing Brenda and Andy together, friends and allies who share much in common as brain injury survivors, is a joyful experience. They’re remarkably selfless, committed to destigmatizing brain injury and providing support to others.
And they’re like family, laughing infectiously at and with each other, eager to poke fun and finish each other’s sentences.
The Victoria Brain Injury Society is really grateful to the United Way. Without your funding, we could not provide these programs to survivors of brain injuries.” – Brenda
Josh was sick of being sick. And when you’re sick, it’s hard to take care of your family.
He’d been battling his addictions for years, and every time he thought he had it beat, something would crop up. And down he’d go again.
“I believe everyone deserves a second chance at life,” Josh says. “I was given a second chance and for that I am very grateful.”
Josh’s story is about overcoming addictions challenges, but it’s also about family–or two families: his son and girlfriend, and the family at Umbrella that welcomed him, held him tight, and refused to give up on him.
Umbrella Society helped Josh with supportive recovery. They taught him patience, how to be more honest with himself, and how to reach out for help in times of struggle.
Now he’s sober and good things keep happening – like Umbrella hiring Josh, and giving him the opportunity to give back to the community.
It’s nice to be an uncle, a brother and a son again
To say that Erik’s life has changed for the better would be an understatement.
Two years ago, Erik’s top priority was chasing his next drink. For a decade he had struggled to stay sober, spending some time homeless, some time in jail.
“I was like a zombie. Constantly sick. I just got so hopeless. I was so sick of being sick,” said Erik.
Erik got help through an outreach worker from Umbrella Society for Mental Health & Addiction, funded by United Way. He stuck it through detox and was introduced to Foundation House, a recovery house for men.
Now, even with the added toll of COVID-19, he’s celebrating three years of sobriety.
“My self-esteem and confidence is up,” he says. “There is so much happiness on the inside, it’s hard to describe. Good things just keep on happening since I’ve been sober.”
He adds, “My mom and sister are super happy. It’s nice to be an uncle, a brother and a son again.”
Erik is now the Housing Coordinator for Umbrella and part of their outreach team.
“It’s a good way to give back,” he says.
A dream for the future
“The program that has been most helpful to me was a leadership and homework program. I actually got to meet a lot of people from my school, because I joined in grade eight, so I didn’t know a lot of people going into high school. And that’s how I met my now best friend. We have been friends since the start of that program, we went to high school together and we got to do so many things together in that program,” said Sylvanna. She adds, “The program is also what paved my way to go to university. Neither of my parents went to university—as of right now, I am the first person in my family to attend. I always told the staff that I didn’t know what I want to do; I was always unsure. But they gave me a lot of support.”
Sylvanna is one of the many people helped by United Way. Last year, United Way supported over 125,000 individuals on Southern Vancouver Island in building better lives. That is almost 1 in 4 people in our region being helped by a United Way initiative or funded program.
We will continue to address and respond to the complex needs of the community long into the future as we recover and rebuild from the pandemic.
Finding a safe place
Sometimes what happens at home shouldn’t stay at home.
“I’m so surprised I’m still alive,” says Bev.
Bev is in her 60s. She had been living in an abusive relationship for decades. To make matters worse, Bev’s life changed in an instant after suffering a devastating brain injury due to an aneurysm. She had to re-learn to walk, talk, feed and dress herself. When she was discharged from hospital, Bev moved into a safe house.
At the safe house, started to to get back on her feet. She was described as generous, helpful, strong and as someone who never gave up. Eventually Bev was able to move into her own cozy apartment.
“I didn’t think I deserved a place like this,” she said.
At her new apartment, Bev got help from a program funded by United Way that sent a volunteer, Kate, to help her get settled. Kate helped Bev access financial assistance and transportation services and became a regular friendly visitor. The two women got together to go for walks in the community and to practice engaging in conversations. Kate took Bev to a local seniors centre so that Bev could get comfortable meeting people again.
Now Bev goes to knitting and crafts workshops twice a week at the seniors centre – all on her own. She has another social circle with a brain injury group. She goes for lunch with her old workmates. She has regained her confidence.
“I am so grateful. I would not be where I am today without all this help.”
An anchor for the Indigenous community
“There is disparity that remains for Indigenous people and people of colour in this country and we need to constantly shed light on the fact that we are treated different,” said Ron Rice, Executive Director, Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC).
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Indigenous people in the Greater Victoria Area, VNFC has been serving the community for 50 years. There are an estimated 20,000 Indigenous people living off reserve in the Greater Victoria area.
“When people come here we want them to feel safe, welcome, heard and understood. We want them to feel like they belong,” said Ron.
United Way is proud to have supported the Centre over the decades. Most recently, we funded their Health Aging for Elders program, supporting urban Indigenous Elders who have been isolated during the pandemic. Elders may have compromised health and be food insecure. Activities funded include language classes, weekly phone check-ins, assistance getting to and from doctor’s appointments, and food hampers. Elders also enjoy community meals at the Centre. Between 150 and 200 Elders access the Centre on a weekly basis.
Elder Jessica Sault says that the Friendship Centre is like family. “They are our anchor right now.”
Elder Shirley Alphonse adds, “People who are down and out know that they can come here and be helped whatever way they need.”
Ron adds, “We try to make sure that nobody ever feels like they are dependent on us. This is something that we are doing as a gesture of hope.”