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The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) and Statistics Canada co-developed a series of landmark workshops on hate to address hate crimes across the country, starting in British Columbia. “In British Columbia alone, hate crime rose 62% from 2019 to 2022. Communities disproportionately impacted by hate have flagged rising rates as cause for serious concern,” the…
May 3 is the UN-recognized World Press Freedom Day, and Saranaz Barforoush thinks it’s time for a re-set. As a journalist and assistant professor of teaching at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) School of Journalism, Writing, and Media, Barforoush holds a unique perspective on what’s at stake for the future of journalism. In her…
Non-profits say they’re struggling to keep quality volunteers and staff due to high burnout – a problem that’s getting worse with inadequate funding for competitive benefits and wages. In an industry report conducted by Vantage Point, approximately 230 survey respondents say they’re spending more time or money on staff recruitment and retention. As the charitable…
Embracing the spirit of community and sustainability, the Community Education on Environment & Development (CEED) Centre Society is a non-profit and neighborhood house fostering connections and sparking positive change. It was also recently recognized by the Maple Ridge Heritage Awards for their efforts. The CEED Centre Society won the 2024 Stewardship of a Community Cultural…
Helen Wong has found a way to blend community advocacy with greater environmental understanding. The environmental science student at Simon Fraser University (SFU) brought in over 20 volunteers to aid her undergraduate thesis project, which looks to learn more about the impact and extent of microplastics on Vancouver’s coasts. After winning a $1500 Ocean Actions…
What started with two musicians looking to find a way back into music after suffering sports-related injuries, has become a foundation through which artists of all abilities are encouraged to create music. The Vancouver Adapted Music Society is a space where adaptive technology is used to give those living with disabilities the opportunity to learn,…
Every February, people across Canada and the U.S. celebrate Black History Month to honour and uplift the legacies of Black communities. This year, advocacy groups, like Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) and University of British Columbia’s Black Student Union (BSU), are not only highlighting Black voices, but also Vancouver’s history of anti-Black racism. Hogan’s Alley, from…
Part 1 in a series highlighting the intersection between disability and arts in Metro Vancouver. For almost four decades, Theatre Terrific has been pioneering inclusivity through performance art. Through classes, workshops and productions, the Vancouver-based theatre group leads an inclusive approach to theatre performance, not just for its audiences, but for performers with a range…
Chinese Canadians make up a significant part of Canada’s history, but this fact is often forgotten when people talk about Canadian heritage. To remedy that oversight, the Chinatown Storytelling Centre exists to inform the public about this important part of our past and its contemporary legacies. Situated in the middle of Chinatown, the Storytelling Centre…
For many Prince George community members, the Hell Yeah Prince George! (or HYPG!) Facebook group serves as a beacon of positivity amidst the onslaught of negative news online. What started as a conversation between two friends living in Prince George on the under-appreciated nature of Prince George, led to the group’s creation in 2014 and…
There are often many barriers that prevent seniors from living their best lives. Health complications are one part of the picture, but loneliness, advocating for one’s needs, and a lack of agency are challenges as well. For immigrant seniors who might face a language barrier, that can make all of those things even trickier to…
The graduation of an inaugural Indigenous cohort with a Financial Management certificate paves the way for a new generation of Indigenous financial leaders. Last month, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College, AFOA Canada and AFOA BC announced the graduation of their first cohort of Indigenous students with an AFOA Indigenous Financial Management Certificate. “The program has always…
For upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society sends out an open and inclusive invitation to all for hope, healing, celebration of culture, tradition and storytelling. Held at John Hendry Park, Trout Lake from 1 pm, the event will commence with a land acknowledgment and opening remarks with a…
