United Way invests in 80 local programs through Community Fund
September 11, 2019 (Southern Interior) – This week, United Way announced grants of over $620k from the Community Fund for 80 vital programs delivered by 54 unique charities across the Southern Interior including Central, South & North Okanagan, Similkameen, Columbia & Shuswap area. These investments will help improve the lives of
United Way delivers car seats destined for families in need in the Southern Interior
August 29, 2019 (Okanagan region) – This week, United Way Southern Interior BC (SIBC) along with key distribution partners delivered 169 child car seats across the Southern Interior. Our team of do-gooders packed up an Idealease truck full of convertible car seats and delivered to 27 charity partners throughout the Okanagan
4 Local programs win awards from Social Enterprise Accelerator Fund
August 21, 2019 – Today, United Way Southern Interior BC (SIBC), in partnership with Interior Savings Credit Union and the Community Foundations of the North and South Okanagan, announces the four recipients of the second year of their Social Enterprise Accelerator Program. The fund grew this year due to increasingly innovative
Vulnerable Okanagan residents to receive free menstrual products from United Way, Government of B.C.
July 10, 2019 (Kelowna, B.C.) – Thanks to an innovative pilot project from the Government of B.C. and United Way of the Lower Mainland, deliveries of free pads and tampons will soon be arriving for Okanagan residents in need. Periods are a fact of life. But if you’re
HEU and NOLC get behind Period Promise campaign
Shown above: HEU Kelowna Local branch and North Okanagan Labour Council proudly displaying their gathered donations for the Period Promise campaign. June 18, 2019 (Kelowna, BC) – The local Hospital Employees Union and North Okanagan Labour Council got behind the United Way’s Period Promise campaign in a big way this spring.
United Way benefactors impact local families of the future
The Central Okanagan Family Hub proves its pilot model as an essential community resource Shown above (left to right): Jude Brunt (United Way SIBC), Peter Boyd (Your Independent Grocer/KCR Board), Ellen Boelcke (KCR), Katelin Mitchell (KCR), Jennifer Robins and sons (United Way SIBC Board Vice Chair). June 12th, 2019 (Kelowna) –
Homelessness Simulator – Taking steps toward education, empathy and action
May 29, 2019 - Members of the media and United Way staff were invited to join the community and stakeholders of Kelowna's Journey Home Strategy to ‘Take Steps’ on Tuesday, an experiential journey through the experience of homelessness. “The aim of this homelessness simulator initiative is to realistically
Community Youth Led Projects Receive Local Funding
Photo shown above: The Youth Initiative Grant committee – left to right: From Central Okanagan Youth Initiative Grant Volunteers - Amanda Shatzko, Wyatt Slattery, From GenNext Kelowna volunteer Board - Julianne Kublik, Heather McColl, Kayla Caruana May 15, 2019 – This spring, the Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth (COFFY) and
The Hub leadership team gathers to launch fundraising appeal
May 10, 2019 - The Central Okanagan Family Hub leadership team launched their "Do a Lot with a Little" fundraising campaign today amongst communities leaders, program leaders, staff and clients. The goal is to raise $100K by June 14 to keep the Hub open and serving the families and children of
Operation Take Two invited to pitch on CBC’s Dragon’s Den
UPDATE - The Operation Take Two team have arrived back home from their whirlwind adventure in Toronto to pitch their project on CBC's Dragon's Den. The team states "We are not allowed to disclose what happened in the Den, unfortunately, but it was a truly great experience. There is no guarantee
In the News: Kelowna students support family resource centre
https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/kelowna-students-support-family-resource-centre/
Local United Ways join forces for local good
April 2, 2019 – Today, United Way Central and South Okanagan/Similkameen (CSO) and United Way North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap (NOCS) announced they have joined forces under the new name United Way Southern Interior BC. The merger creates a strong, efficient regional United Way, focused on local impact and investment. By combining
In the News: New faces join Kelowna group working to end homelessness
March 15, 2019 - The Daily Courier The Journey Home Society, which is working to end homelessness in Kelowna, has six new board members and has surpassed the $1-million mark in its $2.7-million fundraiser. New on the board are: Murray Bye of FH&P Lawyers, Josh Cairns from Crew Marketing Partners, Ken
In the News: 100 Homes seeks to add Penticton to federal homelessness strategy
Penticton council provided a letter of support to join Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy March 11, 2019 - Kelowna Capital News 100 Homes Penticton, via the United Way Central & South Okanagan, is hoping the city will become a designated community part of Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. According to Jude
UBC Okanagan students give up Reading Week to GIVE BACK
February 25, 2018 (Kelowna, BC) – Last week, UBC Okanagan students once again generously volunteered time during their reading week break to help local charities through the Pushor Mitchell United Way Day of Caring® Program. More than 65 students coordinated by the UBC Okanagan Community Service Learning program donated over 200
BC211 launches new mobile site in time for 211 Day – February 11
February 7, 2019 - February 11 is 211 Day across North America. In the Okanagan, BC211.ca is made available through a partnership with United Way so that everyone can access it. BC211 is a free, up-to-date, reliable gateway to community, social, non-clinical health and government services. Free, confidential help is available 24/7,
Helping Kids – Local Impact Stories
Below are a just a few of the local stories from the United Way funded programs that impact local children, youth and families. Julie and Jacob's Story A single mom receives help for her son Julie and her 4 year old son Jacob live in the South Okanagan. Julie is a
AJ’s Story – Finding home again
United Way agencies helped AJ when he left home as a teen. Now, he’s reconnected with his family, thinking about school, and helping other young people. “When I was nine or 10, I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). That led to other diagnoses: generalized anxiety and depression. Growing up,
Healthy People, Strong Communities – Local Impact Stories
Below are a just a few of the local impact stories from the United Way funded programs that support healthy people and strong communities. Tammy and Troy's Story A local couple with mental illness find hope in the South Okanagan Tammy and Troy are a married couple. Both have a diagnosed
Kids and Families Unplug All Over the Central Okanagan
Interior Savings Unplug and Play Week runs January 20 – 27, and encourages children, families, and communities to unplug from their screens and explore ways of spending time together. Playing screen games, watching television and going online are fun activities but too much screen time can impact children’s development, have health
Realities of poverty necessitate holiday giving for many of us
December 19, 2018 – With the giving season upon us, and the holidays only a few days away, examples of generosity and giving are all around us. Inspiring stories of people and businesses giving back to those among us experiencing hardship – through either time, talent or treasure. Generous acts of
The Central Okanagan Family Hub celebrates its 10,000th visit
Shown above: Alba Ramirez and son proudly accept the 10,000th visitor honour at the Hub December 11, 2018 - The Central Okanagan Family Hub is excited to be celebrating its 10,000th visit! Through a truly community-based collaborative approach,
From Poverty to Possibility – Local Impact Stories
Shown above: Participants of the Desert Sun Community Kitchen program along with Executive Director, Marieze Tarr (far left) Below are a just a few of the local impact stories from the United Way funded programs. Jessica's Story A local community kitchen teaches cooking skills to a single mom For the past
Melanie’s Story – Moving from poverty to possibility
A dream comes true for a single mom and her family Mélanie and her kids were living in a substandard apartment. Thanks to a United Way funded agency, she found a new home and is starting her own business. Single mothers going through hard times need to ask for help,