Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society

Aunt Leah's Independent Lifeskills Society Youth from care and vulnerable moms deserve to thrive

A Non-Profit Organization dedicated to helping prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless, and mothers in need from losing custody of their children.

Throughout National Indigenous History Month, we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, languages, traditions ...
06/19/2026

Throughout National Indigenous History Month, we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, languages, traditions and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

As part of this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, Aunt Leah’s was grateful to join the community in New Westminster. The event offered a meaningful opportunity to connect, celebrate and strengthen our relationships with the youth and families we serve.

Indigenous Peoples have shaped the histories, cultures and communities of this land for generations, and continue to shape who we are today.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and shared in the celebration with us.

Our celebration of BC Child and Youth in Care Week continues as we celebrate Ashley, recipient of the 2026 Rona Award.Th...
06/04/2026

Our celebration of BC Child and Youth in Care Week continues as we celebrate Ashley, recipient of the 2026 Rona Award.

The Rona Award is presented in honour of Rona Castagnier, a longtime friend of Aunt Leah’s whose kindness, compassion, strength, and generosity touched everyone around her. In her honour, this award recognizes a participant in one of Aunt Leah’s training programs who demonstrates the qualities Rona valued most.

As a former youth in care and single mother to a 6-year-old, Ashley has shown incredible resilience while creating a future that works for both her and her daughter.

Ashley faced the challenge of finding a career path that offered both financial security and the flexibility required for solo parenting. Through the Employ to Empower Business Skills Training Program, Ashley found a path to self-employment as a way to build financial stability while maintaining the flexibility needed to be present as a parent. She transformed her passion for holistic wellness into Green Fairy Apothecary, a business offering handmade soaps, bath bombs, and bath soaks.

With determination and a clear vision for her future, Ashley has created a path where she doesn't have to choose between providing for her child and being there for them. She is building a legacy of independence and spiritual wellness for herself and her daughter.

Congratulations, Ashley, on receiving the 2026 Rona Award! 🌟

Interested in supporting Ashley's business? Follow Green Fairy Apothecary on Instagram:

As we continue to celebrate BC Child and Youth in Care Week, we’re honoured to recognize Lin as the 2026 Champion Award ...
06/03/2026

As we continue to celebrate BC Child and Youth in Care Week, we’re honoured to recognize Lin as the 2026 Champion Award winner.

The Champion Award recognizes a participant who uplifts others through leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to creating positive change.

When it comes to adapting to change, no one in the Thresholds program does it better than Lin. During her time with us, she has built strong everyday life skills that support her independence and well-being. Over the past year, she has moved into more independent housing, taking on greater responsibility and ownership of her daily life. She maintains a healthy lifestyle, cooking and exercising regularly. She practices self-care, proactively caring for her well-being so that she can work towards her long-term goals, while also prioritizing the needs of her daughter.

Though at times, juggling multiple roles, unpacking adverse childhood experiences, and managing mental health can be challenging, Lin does not let that impede her progress towards positive, sustainable change. She role-models healthy relationships for her daughter by building community with other program participants, engaging in play, setting boundaries when needed, and practicing healthy communication.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen Lin grow not only as a young mother, but as an individual.

Her resilience has led her to pursue her dreams of obtaining her Early Childhood Education degree. She will soon start volunteering at a daycare, and will be enrolling in an ECE program at Vancouver Community College. Lin knows her strengths, and most importantly, knows how to advocate for her needs. She inspires the moms around her by showing that being able to ask for support is a sign of strength, and can be an opportunity to build trust, safety, and community.

Step by step, Lin is building a stable and loving environment for her daughter. For her dedication to the noble act of motherhood, we recognize her as a champion.

Congratulations, Lin, on receiving the Champion Award! 🌟

As we celebrate BC Child and Youth in Care Week, we'll be highlighting some of this year's Youth Award recipients.This y...
06/01/2026

As we celebrate BC Child and Youth in Care Week, we'll be highlighting some of this year's Youth Award recipients.

This year, we are proud to recognize Samantha Siu as the recipient of the Leah Award in honour of her perseverance, determination, and commitment to creating a positive future for herself and her child.

As a participant at Aunt Leah’s House, Samantha has consistently shown exceptional strength and dedication in all areas of her life. She is highly motivated and hardworking, continually striving to improve her circumstances while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood, employment, education, and personal growth. Through every challenge, she has remained focused on achieving her goals and building long-term stability and independence for herself and her son.

In addition to working regularly while raising her child, Samantha has pursued entrepreneurial opportunities and continued to make meaningful progress toward her future aspirations.

Recently, Samantha began a Personal Training Program, a path that strongly aligns with her values of self-improvement, wellness, and independence. She has excelled academically, achieving above-average grades while continuing to balance the many demands of daily life.

Beyond her accomplishments, Samantha is known for her ability to build positive relationships with others and inspire those around her through kindness, encouragement, and authenticity.

Samantha is a remarkable role model whose journey demonstrates the power of resilience, perseverance, and hard work. She continues to inspire others to pursue their goals wholeheartedly and to never give up in the face of adversity.

We’re excited to come together tonight for our youth awards celebration.

Congratulations, Samantha, on receiving the 2026 Leah Award! 🌟



[Information on Post Graphic: Photo of Aunt Leah's Leah Award recipient, Samantha Siu with her son]

Final week to apply to join the Board at Aunt Leah’s.💗 Apply for a Board position at Aunt Leah’s and help make a lasting...
05/25/2026

Final week to apply to join the Board at Aunt Leah’s.💗

Apply for a Board position at Aunt Leah’s and help make a lasting difference in the lives of youth from care and mothers and their children in Metro Vancouver.

We are looking for community-minded leaders with diverse perspectives and experience.

We are particularly seeking experience in:
• Finance and accounting
• Public relations and reputation management
• Donor development and networking
• Board governance
• Social services, child advocacy, and/or Indigenous relations

📅 Application close: May 29, 2026

Learn more and apply: https://auntleahs.org/support-us/volunteer/

With heavy hearts we share that on April 16, Bridget Orford passed away, surrounded by family and loved ones.Bridget was...
05/14/2026

With heavy hearts we share that on April 16, Bridget Orford passed away, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Bridget was one of Aunt Leah’s founders. She helped create warm, welcoming, and dignified spaces for young people, moms, and families, offering care in ways that reflected deep hospitality, trust, and belonging. Her impact helped shape the culture of Aunt Leah’s and continues to live on in the work we do today.

A Celebration of Life will be held in honour of Bridget tomorrow:

📅 Friday, May 15
🕜 1:30 pm
📍 St. Augustine’s Church
8680 Hudson Street, Vancouver

We are sharing these details with our broader community so that those who knew Bridget, were connected to her work, or have been part of Aunt Leah’s journey may have the opportunity to attend and honour her life.

Our hearts are with Bridget’s family, loved ones, and all those whose lives she touched.

This Mother’s Day, your care can go twice as far. 💗A generous donor, Anne, has made a $25,000 gift to She Thrives and is...
05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, your care can go twice as far. 💗

A generous donor, Anne, has made a $25,000 gift to She Thrives and is inviting others to match it. That means every donation will be doubled, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.

Your gift supports Aunt Leah’s Thresholds program, which helps vulnerable mothers and their children build safety, stability, and belonging.

For moms like Lin, support can make space for healing, confidence, and the next steps toward independence.

“I am driven to get started on my life, to have my own stable place, and as I recover from poor mental health I am more motivated to hold onto my vision.”

This is the heart of She Thrives: care that helps futures take root, for mothers, their children, and generations to come.

Help us reach our $50,000 goal this Mother’s Day.
❤️Donate today: https://auntleahs.org/she-thrives/

When women thrive, we all rise.

This Mental Health Week, we’re honouring the role connection plays in mental health. 💗For youth from care and vulnerable...
05/08/2026

This Mental Health Week, we’re honouring the role connection plays in mental health. 💗

For youth from care and vulnerable moms, well-being is connected to safety, stability, belonging, and practical support.

At Aunt Leah’s, we help participants access housing support, counselling, food, life-skills coaching, education and employment guidance, and community connection. These supports help youth from care, vulnerable moms, and families build confidence, independence, and brighter futures.

Today, on Red Dress Day, we honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.This...
05/06/2026

Today, on Red Dress Day, we honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.

This day is a time to remember, to listen, and to reflect. The ongoing crisis of MMIWG2S is deeply rooted in the impacts of colonization and continues to affect Indigenous communities across the country.

We stand with the families and communities who carry these losses, and who continue to call for justice, healing, and change.

At Aunt Leah’s, many of the young people and families we support are Indigenous. We are committed to showing up with care that is grounded in respect, safety, and cultural connection, while continuing to learn how we can do better.

Learn more:
🔗 https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
🔗 https://amnesty.ca/red-dress-day/

Aunt Leah’s is currently seeking volunteer Board Directors to help guide our mission and expand our impact.For over 35 y...
05/01/2026

Aunt Leah’s is currently seeking volunteer Board Directors to help guide our mission and expand our impact.

For over 35 years, Aunt Leah’s has supported youth from care and vulnerable moms in building stable, independent futures through housing, life skills, education, and employment programs. As we continue to grow, we are looking for values-driven leaders to join our Governance Board and contribute to the strategic direction of the organization.

Board Directors play a key role in governance, oversight, and community connection. This is an opportunity to apply your expertise in service of meaningful, community-based impact.

We are particularly seeking experience in:
• Finance and accounting
• Public relations and reputation management
• Donor development and networking
• Board governance
• Social services, child advocacy, and/or Indigenous relations

We welcome diverse perspectives and are committed to building a Board that reflects the communities we serve.

📅 Application deadline: May 20, 2026
Learn more and apply: https://auntleahs.org/support-us/volunteer/

Address

816 20th Street
New Westminster, BC
V4M4W6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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