Change Starts Here
Unplug and Play Week
Screens are a part of family life and they play many roles in our technology-based society. It is important for parents to be aware of screen time and strive...
Basics for babies
For many families, welcoming a new baby brings joy as well as additional financial obligations. Unfortunately, for some families the basic items needed by their...
Success By 6
Louise Osmond knows that strong relationships are the foundation to working effectively with children and families. At 24 years old, with a 3-year old toddler...
Support for seniors
Asking for help is difficult for most people. It can be especially daunting if a senior has always been independent, and then suddenly needs more support...
The engagement equation
It’s interesting when words or phrases become buzz words in our everyday language. One that you may have heard lately is the word ‘engagement'....
Leveraging people power
Organizations, by and large, strive for win-win outcomes. The United Way loaned and sponsored representative program goes even further. It is a triple win...
Putting donations to work
With so many charitable organizations seeking public support, donors want to know “how much of my donation actually gets to the people who need it?”...
Volunteers are indispensable
It’s fitting that April is the month that we nationally recognize our volunteers: spring brings to mind images of flowers blooming, new growth and with...
Success through connection
Connection is a necessary element for living a healthy and successful life. When we are connected to other people and our community, we feel supported, listened...
Parent conference filling a need
Success by 6®, as a United Way impact initiative, focuses on supporting preventative health and development programs for children six years of age or less...
United Way is about you
Many people are surprised to learn that there are more than 100 local United Ways in Canada. Each United Way serves multiple communities within their territory....
Facilitating community impact
At the United Way, our business is in facilitating Community Impact! Community Impact is lasting change that benefits this amazing place that we all love to...
Helping kids be all that they can be
United Way has three focus areas that the groups they fund must be working towards: moving People from Poverty to Possibility, Healthy People in Strong...
New grants for charities
There is new funding for charities that make an impact in the Central Okanagan, thanks to United Way. The application can be downloaded at unitedwaycso.com or...
Unity House: healthy connections
The United Way’s mission is to improve lives and build communities by engaging individuals and mobilizing action. The Canadian Mental Health Association...
Moving from poverty to possibility: Jim's story
Jim Paduch was a regular working guy for most of his life. Had a good paying job, a wife, family and friends. Then, during the 1980s Jim started using drugs. In...
Changes & the charitable sector
When I tell people I grew up in West Kelowna, the question that often follows is, “You must have seen a lot of change, eh?” And indeed it’s...
Giving back: Part 2
In my last column, I talked about finding a rewarding way to give back to community. This week’s topic is choosing the cause you will support. We all...
Giving back: Part 1
In this column and the next one, I will share ways of ensuring a satisfying experience when giving back to community. This week, I focus on important questions...
Hampers for Holidays
This time of year, many families struggle with expenses. It’s not just being able to buy presents and serve a turkey dinner; with utility costs going up,...