United Way British Columbia

United Way British Columbia (UWBC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering healthy, caring, and inclusive communities across British Columbia. It was formed on July 1, 2021, through the merger of six regional United Way organizations: United Way of the Lower Mainland, United Way of Trail and District, United Way Southern Interior BC, Thomson Nicola Cariboo United Way, United Way East Kootenay, and United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island. Subsequent mergers included Powell River and District United Way on April 4, 2023, and United Way of Northern BC on October 1, 2023.

Mission and Focus Areas

UWBC's mission is to strengthen vital connections that support people in need within local BC communities. Its focus areas include urgent response, children and youth, seniors, poverty, mental health, food security, and capacity building. The organization aims to support a wide network of services and programs that focus on prevention and immediate assistance.

Program Initiatives

Seniors Program

A significant portion of UWBC's program spending is dedicated to supporting seniors, with initiatives like the Hi Neighbour program. This program encourages community involvement by organizing events that bring communities together. In a recent year, UWBC supported 12 Hi Neighbour initiatives, engaging around 18,000 neighbours.

Period Promise Campaign

UWBC also runs the Period Promise campaign to increase access to free menstrual products. The campaign addresses the barriers caused by a lack of menstrual products, such as missing events and feeling ashamed, which affect half of those who menstruate in BC.

Food Security

UWBC addresses food insecurity, which affects almost 860,000 British Columbians, by operating 23 regional community food hubs. These hubs delivered 3.2 million meals and hampers to over 450,000 families and individuals across BC in a recent year.

Impact

United Way Centraide in British Columbia annually invests approximately $36 million in local communities. It supports over 1,144 programs and reaches a population of about 4.2 million people, contributing to moving individuals from poverty to possibility, helping children reach their full potential, and building strong, healthy communities.

Business Registration

United Way British Columbia is registered as a charity with the Business Registration Number 108160185RR0001.

Community Involvement

UWBC's work involves partnerships with local citizens, agencies, and organizations to address social issues and improve community lives. It also involves research into community challenges, strengthening nonprofit organizations, and influencing public attitudes and policies to drive long-term social change.