Strong Communities
Your Donation Fosters a Sense of Belonging
Supporting the overall well-being of individuals and families means creating a community of people who are physically healthy, have good social and emotional health, and have strong connections and a network of support.
Your donations are helping 6939 people this year
How We Help
We fund programs through numerous agencies who help children across Vancouver Island. See our full list of Community Partners.
Because there’s power in numbers, we bring together experts to address critical social issues in communities, such as health and poverty. We helped establish Nanaimo’s first ever network on social health, supporting a group of local citizens, agencies and governments to discuss how to improve overall well being in Nanaimo. We participate in similar networks in the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Oceanside, Cowichan and the West Coast. We also work with the homeless and affordable housing coalitions throughout our region.
Better at Home is a provincially funded United Way program that helps seniors with simple, day-to-day tasks so they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities. Each year, more than 1,000 seniors receive help with yard work, grocery shopping, transportation, housekeeping and friendly visiting. Volunteers provide most of these services. Visit our Volunteer Page and get started helping seniors in your area!
United Way has partnered with Vital Signs to measure the vitality of communities across Vancouver Island. Research focuses on social and economic trends in areas critical to quality of life such as housing, food security, sense of belonging, accessibility of services, etc. Read the Vital Signs report for your community.
United Way has brought bc211 to central and northern Vancouver Island. bc211 is a confidential telephone, texting, and online bc211.ca referral service providing free information for people in need . Highly-trained specialists link callers to services such as mental health supports, shelter and housing, legal aid, addictions treatment, newcomer services, food banks and more. The program operates in over 160 languages! You can call or text 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Meet Michael
Years ago, Michael's addiction and loneliness took a serious toll on his mental health. Being morbidly obese at 340 lbs. only made matters worse. He began attending a United Way-funded program in Campbell River for adults with chronic mental illness.
Now he's thriving as a leader, serving as a board member at that same program that helped him. Read his story here.
Help Someone Like Michael
Your support makes all the difference.
