United Way BC - Southern Interior

06/07/2026

06/06/2026

Aging should be celebrated — not stigmatized.

As we mark the end of BC Seniors Week, recent community talks with the Office of the Seniors Advocate's Dan Levitt highlighted some of the urgent issues facing older adults in BC, from rising housing and home care costs to extended wait times for long-term care and the growing impacts of social isolation.

It was also a reminder that healthy aging is about more than health care alone. It’s about dignity, connection, and making sure older adults can remain active, engaged, and supported in their communities.

That’s why United Way BC’s Healthy Aging work matters. With support from the Government of British Columbia, these community-based services help older adults stay connected, maintain independence, and age with dignity close to home.

Recent provincial investments in community-based seniors’ services show an important recognition that supporting people earlier, through connection, practical help, and local care, can make a real difference for older adults and their families.

Older adults deserve communities where they are valued, connected, and cared for and where the systems around them reflect the realities they face.

🌐 Learn More: https://uwbc.ca/program/healthy-aging/

06/01/2026

Did you know? As of 2025, more than 1 in 5 British Columbians is aged 65 or older, that’s over 20% of our population, and it continues to grow every year.

Each of these individuals carries a lifetime of experiences, stories, and contributions that enrich and strengthen the communities around us. ❣️

We are proud to celebrate BC Seniors Week (June 1–7, 2026), a time to honour seniors across the province and reflect on what it means to age well, together.

This year’s theme, “Gather. Play. Celebrate. Connecting Communities and Cultures!”, highlights the importance of social connection, cultural engagement, and staying active at every age.

Here’s how you can get involved:
✅ Attend a local Seniors Week event in your community
✅ Spend time connecting with an older adult in your life
✅ Volunteer with organizations supporting seniors
✅ Share a story or photo of a senior who inspires you using

At United Way BC, we’re committed to supporting programs that promote healthy aging, connection, and belonging for older adults across the province.

🌐 Learn more: https://uwbc.ca/program/healthy-aging/

Together, we are United for Seniors in Need.

05/28/2026

What better way to honour World Menstrual Health Day than to support United Way BC’s Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross in partnership with CUPE BC 1816.

We’re collecting financial donations and period products to help make them available for anyone who needs them, no matter where they are in BC.

And don’t forget, all monetary donations made will be matched by Pacific Blue Cross up to $25,000!
Donate today: uwbc.ca/periodpromise

05/27/2026

Are you ready for an emergency? That was the theme at City of West Kelowna's FireSmart BC Day this past Saturday.

Open to the community, the event offered a variety of activities and demonstrations – all aimed at raising awareness and being fire smart. On hand was United Way BC’s Magda who shared our Emergency Preparedness Guides and spoke to residents about actions they can take to be prepared.

United Way BC’s Emergency Response & Recovery work is about standing with communities through every stage of crisis, from urgent relief in the immediate aftermath to the long road of recovery that follows. By supporting local organizations and community-led responses, we help build resiliency by strengthening connection, restoring a sense of stability, and supporting communities to adapt, recover, and move forward together.

To download a guide today, visit https://uwbc.ca/emergency-response-resources/

Magda pictured with City of West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund.

05/27/2026

❤️ Creating a Will doesn’t have to be complicated. And it might be one of the most meaningful things you ever do.

Today, it’s easier than ever to put your wishes in place—whether through a lawyer or a simple online tool you can complete from home. No matter your age or stage of life, having a Will is a powerful way to protect the people you love and bring clarity to the future.

Because a Will isn’t just about finances—it’s a final act of care.

It ensures:
✨ Your loved ones are supported
✨ Your wishes are clearly understood
✨ Important decisions stay in your hands

And it’s also an opportunity to reflect what matters most to you. Even a small gift in your Will—like 1%—can make a lasting difference in your community.

By including United Way BC, you can help ensure vital supports like food security, mental health, and programs for children, youth, and seniors are there for generations to come—through a trusted, community-driven organization.

👉 Ready to get started? Learn how easy it is to create a Will (even from home)—and how your legacy can make a lasting impact: https://bit.ly/3Z2aa7Q

05/27/2026

“As a union, we stand for the wellbeing of all workers – and period poverty in BC is something that we cannot overlook,” says Beth Miller, President of CUPE BC 1816. “With the rising cost of living affecting families across our province, many people are feeling increased pressure to make trade-offs around everyday essentials. The Period Promise campaign meets that reality head-on, offering practical relief and a powerful message of solidarity. CUPE 1816 is immensely proud to support this work.”

Without reliable access to period products, people may miss school, work, or daily activities simply because they can't afford what they need.

Together, United Way BC, Pacific Blue Cross , and CUPE BC 1816 are working to improve lives across BC.

Learn how you can help: uwbc.ca/periodpromise.

05/25/2026

❤️ Have you thought about what would happen if you didn’t have a Will?

It’s not easy to think about—but without a Will, some of life’s most important decisions may be left to government rules, not your wishes.

Without a Will:
• Your estate may not be divided the way you intended
• Delays, costs, and stress can fall on your loved ones
• Decisions about your children, pets, and assets could be made by others

Creating a Will is one of the most compassionate things you can do. It gives you a voice in the future—and peace of mind today.

And it’s also an opportunity to shape the legacy you leave behind. A gift in your Will to United Way BC can help support your community for generations—through a trusted organization that ensures help reaches those who need it most.

👉 Find out what really happens without a Will—and how to take control of your legacy: https://bit.ly/3HbeTOc

05/22/2026

When communities come together, healing happens. ❣️

With support from a United Way BC Emergency Response & Recovery grant, United at the Table brought people in Princeton together for a welcoming meal, meaningful connection, and access to local resources after a challenging period of disaster recovery.

Led by Princeton Family Services Society and Princeton & District Community Services Society, this event created space for neighbours to connect, learn about supports in their community, and strengthen resilience together.

United Way BC’s Emergency Response & Recovery work is about standing with communities through every stage of crisis, from urgent relief in the immediate aftermath to the long road of recovery that follows. By supporting local organizations and community-led responses, we help build resiliency by strengthening connection, restoring a sense of stability, and supporting communities to adapt, recover, and move forward together.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this gathering possible.

05/21/2026

"Access to period products isn’t a luxury – it's a health necessity,” says Sarah Hoffman, President and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross. "Period poverty quietly sidelines students, workers, and families across BC every single day, and that reality is unacceptable. The United Way BC Period Promise campaign is changing that. After nine years and millions of products distributed province-wide, we’ve seen the difference this campaign makes: it removes a barrier that keeps people from fully participating in school, at work, and in their communities. Pacific Blue Cross is proud to stand behind this initiative, because advancing health means tackling the inequities that too often go unseen."

Thank you to Pacific Blue Cross, in partnership with CUPE BC 1816, for their leadership as presenting sponsor of United Way BC's Period Promise.

Learn more at uwbc.ca/periodpromise