Hi Neighbour Babich-Mill Lake legacy grows community 

Since 2021, Lekw’ōquem (Le-kwa-kwem) as it’s known by the Stò:lō Nation and Mill Lake as its known by settlers has been at the heart of the United Way BC Hi Neighbour Babich-Mill Lake  community in Abbotsford. Thanks to dedicated Community Builders, Community Champions and volunteers, United Way BC Hi Neighbour and our Local Love Funds – microgrants of up to $1,000 to help build neighbourhood connections – supported community gardens and community pantries, along vibrant cultural celebrations designed to build connection and bring area residents together.  

As Hi Neighbour Babich Mill Lake transitions into the legacy phase of the initiative, we share some of the highlights about what makes this community so special and demonstrates how United Way BC has helped to strengthen the vital connections to create a healthier, more caring and inclusive community. 

A growing concern 

At the Chelsea Community Garden, leafy greens, fresh potatoes, carrots, and onions followed by tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, peas, and squashes are grown for residents. Started in Spring 2024 thanks to a Local Love grant accessed by volunteer and Community Champion Daryl. Volunteers plant for the summer, winter and spring seasons, ensuring the garden remains productive year-round. Gardening initiatives are community-building endeavors fostering social connections and promoting local food security. Now that’s a bountiful harvest! 

United Way BC Community Champion, Kelly and his partner, John – ‘The Accidental Gardeners’ – began their gardening journey in 2010. After much trial and error, they have created a magical oasis in their Babich-Mill Lake neighbourhood. Kelly shared his vast knowledge as a guest speaker at the Mill Lake Neighbourhood Community Plant & Seed Exchange. 

As our climate changes, energy and water conservation are top of mind. United Way BC Hi Neighbour Community Champion Harpal organized a workshop attended by over 25 women. The event, which took place at a local Sikh temple focused on helping newcomers explore innovative approaches to conserving water like rainwater harvesting and responsible water usage as well other sustainable energy practices. Along with practical tips and information-sharing, participants got to know one another, share stories and begin to build friendships, helping to strengthen local community connections. 

Community cupboards 

Along with gardens producing healthy, nutritious food, and soul-filling beauty, Babich-Mill Lake community members worked together to help support their neighbours in need thanks to Local Love grants to support food insecure residents. In November 2023, the first community cupboard opened in Mill Lake. The anonymous community cupboard helped increase food accessibility 24 hours a day, with the simple and inclusive philosophy of “Take what you need, leave what you can.”  Hi Neighbour Babich Mill Lake Community Builder Jasmine and United Way BC joined forces with Pastor Randy from Mill Lake Church, to make it happen. The goal was to ensure that no one in the local community goes hungry by providing essential food items to families and individuals in need. 

The second Babich-Mill Lake free pantry, the Seedlings Church Community Cupboard, opened in July 2024 thanks to the efforts of a local volunteer builder. Both projects’ successes are a testament to the power of collaboration, with partnerships, sponsorships, and the dedicated support of volunteers playing a pivotal role. The Community Cupboards are a beacon of hope and support, made possible by a caring and compassionate community. 

Celebrating cultures and community heroes 

From Ukrainian perogies to Middle Eastern falafel, Kenyan mukimo to Indian samosas, traditional curry, and Taiwanese noodles to Afghan Kabuli pulao, Abbotsford community members and partners came together to connect through food at the heartwarming and flavorful multicultural food sharing event showcasing diversity and the strength that arises when people come together through food, laughter, and shared stories. United Way BC sponsored Taste Around the World event, held at Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park, which was a collaboration with Archway Community Services, Tourism Abbotsford, and the City of Abbotsford. Along with great food the event showcased the importance of fostering connections through shared experiences.   

‘Celebrating our Community Heroes’ saw members of the Abbotsford Police Department receive ‘Kindness Violation’ tickets, friendship bracelets and handmade keychains from students attending Police Week at the Abbotsford Community School. It was part of a Hi Neighbour Mill Lake-Babich Local Love-funded community BBQ giving kids the opportunity to connect and to learn about all of the incredible things the Abbotsford Police Department does for the local community.   

UNITED for communities 

As Hi Neighbour Babich-Mill Lake moves into legacy, our Hi Neighbour Community Engagement Handbook provides inspirations, tips, tools and resources to ensure Community Champions like Daryl, Kelly and Harpal and others can continue to lead vibrant and positive community change. 

“It has been the honour of a lifetime working within Babich-Mill Lake in Abbotsford,” says Elizabeth Birak United Way BC Community Engagement Specialist. “I’ve met and worked alongside the most incredible people who care deeply about their community. It’s a gift to see firsthand that so many of us are eager to make connections, support each other, and create a more inclusive world.”  
 
“Through United Way BC’s Hi Neighbour Babich-Mill Lake, many Community Champions were able to see their ideas for their communities come to fruition, through tangible support like financial resources through our Local Love Fund, or through mentorship and training.  I’m convinced that the impact of United Way BC Hi Neighbour in these communities will continue through the community champions who live out the values of equity, inclusion, and belonging.” 

As Hi Neighbour Babich Mill Lake moves into legacy, our Building Inclusive Communities Hi Neighbour Babich-Mill Lake Handbook provides inspirations, tips, tools and resources to ensure Cedar Valley residents continue to lead vibrant and positive community change. 

Leaving a legacy 

Over the past seven years, the United BC Hi Neighbour (HIN) Initiative has successfully fostered community connections in over 33 communities, including Indigenous Communities and Emergency Response across BC. Since 2021, almost 1,000 Local Love grants have been disbursed for numerous projects, events and other vital community building and rebuilding activities. Almost 165,000 people have been engaged and uplifted to help create healthier, more caring and inclusive communities.   

Together, we are UNITED for communities.