Our Region
Regional Initiatives / Involvement
Northern Scoping Exercise
We have initiated a socio-demographic study with the Community Development Institute at UNBC to assist us in developing our regional impact strategy. The Northern Scoping Exercise will provide us with a baseline of information about the social issues and trends faced by each community in the region. The study will help direct our future resource and community development work.
For more information, please click here (PDF file).
Planned Approach
The United Way of Northern British Columbia uses a planned approach to ensure a constant cycle of effort so that critical needs are identified, cooperative strategies are developed, and donations are invested in a way to have the greatest impact on communities. The three focus areas of impactful investment include: successful kids & empowered families, involved seniors and healthy citizens & safe, supportive communities.
The five step impact cycle is illustrated below and aligns with United Way activities:
Successful Kids & Empowered Families
What is the issue?
25% of children entering kindergarten in northern BC lack the skills needed to succeed in school. Literacy rates of children in northern BC are among the lowest in the province. Family relationships are under stress through a variety of forces. Social and recreational activities need to be broadly supported for youth, teens, and the "missing" age group of 17-23 years old. Accessibility to general and recreational activities can mitigate issues around stress in the household and can build stronger families and thus stronger communities.
What is our impact on this issue?
Every $1 invested in early childhood programs equates to a $7 return on investment in later years. Through early childhood development programs, United Way is committed to significantly increasing the number of school-ready children. United Way gives families the tools they need to give children a good start. Programs and services include literacy, nutrition and parenting support. We fund a youth crisis line, intervention programs to prevent youth from becoming involved in crime and drugs, programs for children involved in parental divorce or death, and education programs for parents to learn to deal effectively with youth at risk. United Way works with our partners to intervene in negative family environments. Prevention and early intervention programs are critical for these children. We support shelter, counseling and guidance for women and children who have witnessed violence, and support for sexual abuse victims and their families.
We believe in successful kids and empowered families.
Success by 6
For information on programs and services for children ages 0 to 6 and families in your community visit the
SUCCESS BY 6 page.
Involved Seniors
What is the issue?
The seniors' population is undergoing significant growth. Services are either not available or simply not keeping pace. Older people often need assistance in order to continue to live independently and participate in community life. Physical limitations, shrinking social networks and declining income are among the many challenges seniors face. Many caregivers must balance care responsibilities for children and older relatives. With little to no foundation of services and programs for the aging population, many services must be created from scratch.
What is our impact on this issue?
United Way is committed to helping seniors remain healthy, independent, contributing members of the community. United Way engages seniors through housing support, care giving, social networking and outreach. United Way assists organizations to establish programs and services that provide support to seniors and their caregivers.
We believe in involved seniors.
Healthy Citizens & Safe, Supportive Communities
What is the issue?
10% of the population lives with a physical disability. The rate of brain injury in northern BC is more than double the national average. Nearly 20% of northern BC residents are living below the poverty line, the number of families affected by HIV is increasing, drug-related crimes are on the rise. Annually, 8,000 adults and teens facing life-altering events, emotional stress, or thinking of ending their lives call the crisis line.
What is our impact on this issue?
United Way supports education programs for those living in poverty, adult and teen crisis lines, programs for victims of crime, those dealing with substance abuse problems and people affected by HIV. United Way helps individuals escape negative lifestyles and reintegrate into the community. United Way plays a lead role in supporting local agencies to ensure all residents with mental health issues, hearing and visual impairments and survivors of brain and spinal cord injuries have access to the equipment and services they need to live healthy lives and participate fully in the community.
We believe in healthy citizens and safe, supportive communities.
Measuring Up The North
The Measuring Up The North Project in Northern British Columbia began as a partnership between the North Central Local Government Association and the BC Paraplegic Association along with supporting partners: 2010 Legacies Now, BC Healthy Communities Initiative, Northern Health: Healthy Community Development Program, Age-Friendly Communities Initiative, and BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport. The goal of the project is to assist over 40 communities and regional districts to develop livable, senior-friendly, disability-friendly, universally designed, inclusive communities for all residents and visitors. Although the funding to keep the Measuring Up The North Project moving forward at the pace it has been in the first two years is no longer available, the North Central Local Government Association is continuing to keep the ideals of inclusivity and universal design forefront within our member communities.
In 2010 the North Central Local Government Association initiated a new award – the "Measuring Up The North Award of Excellence" which recognizes local governments, businesses, groups, individuals and other entities that have shown innovation and ingenuity in our quest to build more livable, age-friendly, disability-friendly universally designed inclusive communities for all of our residents and visitors in the NCLGA region. This award will be given out annually at the North Central Local Government Association AGM & Convention.
United Way of Northern British Columbia has been a partner in the Measuring Up The North project since its inception and will continue to support the work of communities whose focus is accessibility and inclusion through participation on the Measuring Up The North Award Selection Committee.
For more information contact Maxine Koppe, Executive Director, via e-mail or phone (250) 564-6585. You can also visit www.measureupthenorth.com.
Lend A Hand Program
United Way of Northern British Columbia is a partner in promoting the Lend A Hand Program, a volunteer community income tax program to assist low-income individuals complete and submit their taxes.
For further information on the Lend A Hand Program please contact Vickie Houk at the Canada Revenue Agency via e-mail or call (250) 561-7804.
Organizational Capacity Enhancement
Feasibility Study for Shared HR Services
In partnership with the Vancouver Foundation, the United Way of Northern British Columbia is undertaking a broad exploration of the feasibility for specific shared human resource service models to meet the unique human resource needs of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal non-profit social service organizations operating in north-central British Columbia.
Overall, the goal of this project is to identify shared HR service models that can address the particular HR needs of the three target areas, small non-profit organizations serving a large geographic area (Prince George), small non-profit organizations operating in a rural community (Vanderhoof), and Aboriginal non-profit organizations operating in an urban area (Prince George).
Annual Events
United Way Spring Fling
The United Way Spring Fling is an event to recognize, share, celebrate and give thanks to all who partner with United Way throughout the year. Along with presenting a few key awards, the campaign achievement for that year is announced with guest speaker's speaking to the impact support to United Way has for kids, families, seniors, citizens and communities across the north.
Seeing Is Believing Tours
Seeing Is Believing Tours provide an opportunity for donors and community members to visit not-for-profit organizations in their community to learn about the valuable services provided by this sector and to SEE the positive impact their donation, and the collective contributions of their colleagues have on friends, relatives and neighbours.
To view a slideshow from a Seeing Is Believing Tour please click here.
Day of Caring
Day of Caring is a United Way initiative that mobilizes local volunteers to complete meaningful, hands-on projects to assist not-for-profit organizations. Day of Caring volunteers include teams of employees from companies, United Way staff and volunteers.
Throughout the year teams take part in projects such as:
- Painting rooms in an organization;
- Assisting with cleanup of an organization's space;
- Building a children's playground for families visiting ill family members;
- And lots more!
Day of Caring spotlights the United Way role in bringing people together to build a stronger, healthier community for everyone and provides an opportunity for employee groups to work on team building while at the same time providing much-needed volunteer assistance to local not-for-profit organizations.
If your not-for-profit organization has a Day of Caring idea or your employee group would like to participate in a Day of Caring please contact us.
For current information on United Way events, visit the United Way's Facebook page. To view photos from United Way events please visit our Photobucket pages.
Campaign
For information on Campaign activities in your community please visit the Campaign page.
