Search
December 18, 2009
Post
The atmosphere verges on tribal. A group of 30-something men walk in a small circle swinging their babies gently as they sing softly, “Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon.” Then there’s a countdown: “Five, four, three, two, one – blast off!” The men lift the babies to the ceiling and there...
December 17, 2009
Post
It starts with one ball … dropping onto the hard gym floor at RayCam Community Center in East Vancouver. The basketball hits the floor with the distinctive “thunk” of rubber on laminated wood, and bounces high, back into an excited pair of nine-year-old hands. Then another ball hits the floor, and...
December 17, 2009
Post
Susan Faehndrich-Findlay is a grassroots community leader in south Vancouver, a mother of four and until recently a wannabe canner. Living sustainably is important to her. And so is the health of her family. These factors, combined with her knowledge about preservatives and dangerous chemicals such...
December 17, 2009
Post
Customs for Urban Teens (CUT) “We brought a perfectly good car in here,” says Mark McKim. “And then we cut it up.” McKim is pointing to a hulking piece of dark blue metal. It’s a car alright – a 1965 Impala SS – but only just. The rear end is propped in the air, there are large pieces missing, the...
December 17, 2009
Post
Red Cross Many refugees arrive in Canada with nothing. Sometimes they are distressed or demoralized from years in refugee camps. The Red Cross Society’s First Contact Program helps them get the information they need, almost as soon as they touch foot on Canadian soil. First Contact operates a 24-...
December 17, 2009
Post
In the film classic Citizen Kane, the “do good” idealism of the lead character, Charles Foster Kane, fades as his business empire burgeons. Like Kane, local forestry titan Jake Kerr built an impressive business empire. Kerr masterminded the success of his forestry company Lignum, and was Canada’s...
December 17, 2009
Post
It’s a warm August evening in the Downtown Eastside, and a community room at the Portland Hotel Society is filled with women being pampered with haircuts, manicures, massages, makeup applications and facial scrubs. In the middle of it all, Cherryse Kaiser is finishing up a reiki treatment. She’s as...
December 17, 2009
Post
As the general director of Vancouver Opera (VO), James Wright is ultimately responsible for all programming, artistic and administrative functions of this popular company, including strategic and artistic planning, fund development and government relations. He manages an annual budget of $9 million...
December 17, 2009
Post
Broadway Youth Resource Centre Time was running out. Seventeen-year-old Vanessa (not her real name) had overstayed the limit at a temporary shelter in East Vancouver and her options were dwindling. Vanessa had left home at 16, depressed and worn down by constant conflict with her eastern European...
December 17, 2009
Post
The lined faces of the senior citizens watch in awe as Master artist Siu Chang Wong gently glides his fine, horsehair brush over the delicate rice paper. With a few fluid strokes, a beautiful image is born. The audience is impressed. But they are also watching carefully, because soon it will be...
December 14, 2009
Post
A 13-year-old cooks all the meals for her three siblings because her alcoholic parents are often incapable of caring for their children ... A 12-year-old does her best to take care of her mentally ill mother ... A 16-year-old feeds and bathes his ailing grandfather ... This is the secret world of...
October 26, 2009
Post
October 26 - 2009 -- Vancouver Foundation released its report Weathering the Storm today. It is the first definitive study to examine the effects of the economic downturn on charities in BC. The survey, which was conducted in the last two weeks of September 2009, gathered information on what...
September 15, 2009
Post
In May 2009, the HR Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector and Vancouver Foundation hosted a provincial forum to examine labour force issues in the nonprofit sector. More than 40 individuals representing a wide range of leaders from BC’s non-profit sector and provincial government...
September 14, 2009
Publication
Our online survey was conducted during the last two weeks of September 2009, and was completed by 470 charities. Together their responses paint a picture of an important sector that is struggling, and in some cases becoming more fragile with each passing month.
Download PDF (1.18 MB)
September 5, 2009
Post
August 5, 2009 -- The Downtown Eastside is normally a hotbed of artistic activity. But this fall, it will be even busier, as Vancouver Foundation and the Carnegie Community Centre have announced the first round of successful applicants in a pilot program called “DTES Small Arts Grants.” The program...
July 28, 2009
Post
July 28, 2009 -- The family of renowned architect Arthur Erickson has established a scholarship fund at Vancouver Foundation to help future students of architecture. Erickson died on May 20, 2009 at the age of 84 after a long and successful career as an architect. His work is known around the world...
July 13, 2009
Post
July 13, 2009 -- Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, Vancouver Foundation is offering dollar for dollar matches on donations of $1,000 or more to its Community Impact Fund. "This the first time we've been able to offer this type of incentive to donors," says Faye Wightman, Vancouver...
July 7, 2009
Post
July 7, 2009-Vancouver Foundation has approved an emergency grant of $7,500 to the Richmond Cat Sanctuary to help cope with a sudden influx of 100 farm cats and kittens at the facility. The cats were recently discovered in the barn of a local farm, and were suffering from a variety of ailments...
June 17, 2009
Post
Shea Jim is standing on the pitcher’s mound at Nat Bailey Stadium. At nine years old, she’s almost lost in this huge field of green. The people in the stands, including her family, can barely pick her out. She’s calm, waiting. It’s July 31. The Vancouver Canadians are taking on the Salem- Keizer...
June 17, 2009
Post
“I hate debt.” Art Kelm’s jaw sets and his voice takes on an uncharacteristically hard edge. Then he shakes his head, and laughs. “I guess that's the accountant in me. But it's also a product of my upbringing.” Two instances of debt have shaped Kelm’s life. The first was when he was a young boy in...
June 15, 2009
Post
June 15, 2009--Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) today announced the appointment of Faye Wightman, President and CEO of Vancouver Foundation, as Chair of CFC’s Board of Directors. “On behalf of CFC I want to welcome Faye to her new role as Board Chair,” said Monica Patten, CFC President and CEO...
June 2, 2009
Post
June 2, 2009 Ground-breaking youth survey gives Vancouver the grades DOWNLOAD PDF The results of Youth Vital Signs – a ground-breaking survey designed by youth and capturing the perceptions and experiences of 1,700 youth in Vancouver age 15 to 24 – were released today. The survey explored 12 issues...
March 15, 2009
Post
In the Business of Reducing Homelessness One corporate leader is spearheading efforts to solve the housing crisis Helping the homeless? Business used to leave that to government and non-profits. But that’s changing, at least in Vancouver, where the business community is increasingly becoming a...