Impact Stories

Sumas Prairie – showing and shining with community spirit  

Hi Neighbour celebrates community resilience in the Fraser Valley as initiative moves to legacy.

Thousands of Fraser Valley residents were devastated by the November 2021 floods. People lost homes, livestock, and, in some cases, livelihoods. United Way BC’s Emergency Response Initiative quickly kicked into gear: supporting volunteers, facilitating the donations of goods and services, and stewarding dollars from donors to address important social needs from organizations.  

Through this initiative, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, SRY Rail Link, and the Washington Companies supported the United for the Fraser Valley: Community Re-builders Initiative—a special partnership to support residents in flood-affected areas of Sumas Prairie, Yarrow, Semá:th (Sumas) First Nation, and Skwah First Nation. The funding they provided addressed immediate needs like housing and food assistance, as well as trauma and mental health support. After this rapid response initiative, United Way BC Hi Neighbour Sumas Prairie provided longer term social resilience building for the community. 

As Hi Neighbour Sumas Prairie moves into the legacy phase of the initiative, we celebrate the dedicated Community Builders, Community Champions and United Way BC staff who led recovery efforts helping to bring residents together to rebuild community. 

A helping hand 

United Way BC provided funds to Gateway Community Church, which hired a Crisis Response Coordinator whose life had been impacted by the flooding. Her journey through clean-up, rebuilding, and recovery was invaluable for helping community members struggling with mental health challenges. 

“Formal counseling is helpful for those who are open to attending sessions with a clinical counselor. For many this does not feel like a fit or there is a stigma towards asking for help when it comes to mental health. The flexibility of providing informal mental health support through community gatherings and peer support is vital to the well-being of residents,” says Alison Gutrath, Community Engagement Specialist with United Way British Columbia.  

Along with the United Way funding, Gateway Church’s Crisis Response Centre included The Pantry, which offers residents affected by flooding (and others referred by Abbotsford support organizations) a chance to receive needed food and personal items.   

While one-on-one visits work best for some, community gatherings also proved extremely beneficial. Thanks to Local Love microgrant funding from the United for the Fraser Valley: Community Rebuilder Initiative, numerous projects enhancing the ability of neighbours to take care of one another in their community have taken place. A group of Sumas Prairie Community Champions have planned and hosted events promoting mental health and wellbeing throughout the spring, summer and fall.  

Harvest Sharefest 

In May of that year, 200 area residents took part in an evening of food, conversation, and sharing at Ripples Estate Winery, and in October approximately 400 people attended Harvest Sharefest an event that saw dozens of local farms and businesses contribute produce, preserves, and items for give away. Smaller “Coffee & Chat” gatherings have also been supported and appreciated by the community.  

“Creating opportunities for residents to gather allows them to feel less isolated and connected to others. They learn they are not alone and can count on their community to be by their side,” Alison says. This is also a great reminder that strengthening vital connections helps to build safer, healthier, more inclusive, and resilient communities for everyone.  

Community connects 

Other events included the Sumas Prairie Show & Shine at Sumas Prairie’s Huntingdon Community Park and Ice Cream in the Park. The Show & Shine brought together 70 people – kids, families and seniors – to enjoy each other’s company, while Ice Cream in the Park saw 110 people show up for free ice cream thanks to a United Way Local Love fund grant. 

The 2023 Arnold Community Church Block Party was one for the record books thanks to a Hi Neighbour Community Impact grant. Local Indian, Mexican, and Mennonite cuisine was featured as part of the meal and dessert. It was part of the event’s goal of more community inclusivity. Folks also enjoy a bike parade, bouncy houses, games, face-painting, and lawnmower races. 

Leaving a legacy 

As Hi Neighbour Sumas Prairie moves into legacy, our Building Inclusive Communities Hi Neighbour Sumas Prairie Handbook provides inspirations, tips, tools and resources to ensure Sumas Prairie residents continue to lead vibrant and positive community change. 

Over the past seven years, the United BC Hi Neighbour (HIN) Initiative has succesfully 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.