Hi Neighbour

Skwah (Sqwá) First Nation (Chilliwack Landing)

The Skwah (Sqwá) First Nation experienced many hardships during the November 2021 flood in the Fraser Valley. Skwah (Sqwá), 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 (Sqwá) 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 (Sqwá) and neighbouring nations; and supported the creation of hygiene and craft kits for Skwah (Sqwá) 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

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.

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

Connect with your Community Representative 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

Shuswap

Since 2021, Hi Neighbour for Recovery has focused on engaging local community organizations and residents in areas of BC that have been impacted by evacuations during wildfires or floods to support ongoing recovery and resiliency work. In the Shuswap this work followed the 2023 wildfire season and has included community engagement efforts several communities including Scotch Creek, Anglemont and Celista.

Residents and local organizations are invited to connect with United Way British Columbia’s Leigh Schaffer, our local Specialist for Emergency Response and Partnerships, to discuss ideas they have for bringing together their neighbours throughout their recovery and rebuilding of their community. 

Let’s get started 

United Way BC Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available to support recovery and resiliency efforts. Funds help local champions like you to create projects and events to rebuild community and a sense of belonging. It might be hosting a community lunch, organizing an activity for neighbourhood children or organizing a holiday celebration 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. 

Leigh Schaffer

Specialist, Emergent Response & Partnerships

Long-time North Shuswap resident, Leigh has been actively involved in the community for many years, driven by a belief in creating a brighter future. Passionate about fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers, Leigh is committed to making a positive and sustainable impact.

Email Leigh

West Kelowna

Since 2021, Hi Neighbour for Recovery has focused on engaging local community organizations and residents in areas of BC that have been impacted by evacuations during wildfires or floods to support ongoing recovery and resiliency work. In West Kelowna, this work followed the 2023 wildfire season. Residents and local organizations are invited to connect with United Way British Columbia’s Magda Kapp, our local Specialist for Emergency Response and Partnerships, to discuss ideas they have for bringing together their neighbours throughout their recovery and rebuilding of their community. 

Let’s get started 

United Way BC Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available to support recovery and resiliency efforts. Funds help local champions like you to create projects and events to rebuild community and a sense of belonging. It might be hosting a community lunch, organizing an activity for neighbourhood children or organizing a holiday celebration 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. 

Magda Kapp

Specialist, Emergent Response & Partnerships

Magda lives in West Kelowna with her husband, golden retriever and ginger cat. She has lengthy experience in the not-for-profit world and loves being part of the United Way BC team and bringing a focus on emergency response and partnerships to her community.

Email Magda

Fraser Canyon 

Since 2021, Hi Neighbour for Recovery has focused on engaging local community organizations and residents in areas of BC that have been impacted by evacuations during wildfires or floods to support ongoing recovery and resiliency work. Lytton, Cache Creek, Ashcroft, the Stó:lō, Xwoxwela:lhp (Yale First Nation), Nlaka’pamux, and St’at’imc Peoples and the surrounding regional district have experienced a number of 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.

Residents and local organizations are invited to connect with United Way British Columbia’s Krista Billy, our local Specialist for Emergency Response & Partnerships, to discuss ideas they have for bringing together their neighbours throughout their recovery and rebuilding of their community. 

Let’s get started

United Way BC Local Love microgrants of up to $1,000 are available to support recovery and resiliency 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, hosting a community lunch, organizing an activity for neighbourhood children or organizing a 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. 

Krista Billy

Specialist, Emergent Response & Partnerships

Krista Billy – Wapa’a’no’asak (Morning Star) comes from the Gitxsan and Cree Nations. She is a proud wife and mother of four; two boys and two girls and lives within the beautiful St’uxwtews territory in the Secwepemc Nation. 

Email Krista