211 British Columbia

Have you experienced racism in BC?
Access safe support and resources in over 240 languages. Wherever you are.
📞 Call the Racist Incident Helpline at 1-833-457-5463 (HLP-LINE).
Learn more at https://racistincidenthelpline.ca/

Operated by United Way British Columbia, the Racist Incident Helpline is a free and confidential resource available to anyone in BC who has experienced or witnessed racism and would like support. Our professional call takers listen, provide information about local support services, and direct you on the next steps. Lines are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (PT).

Thanks to your generous support, over 52,000 people were supported by Community Navigators last year at 211 British Columbia, who provided over 136,000 referrals to local programs and services to help with life's basic needs like:

🍎food and shelter
🌿mental health and addictions support
💰legal and financial assistance
❤️support for seniors, newcomers, and much more.

In 2023-24, 211 British Columbia answered over 52,000 calls, made more than 136,000 referrals, and enabled almost 150,000 website database searches for available community supports.

United, we make our communities stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

Learn more about the work of United Way BC in our 2023/2024 Annual Report 👉https://bit.ly/annualreport24uwbc
Check out 211 British Columbia 👉https://bc.211.ca/

Free air conditioners are still available for the people who need them most. Eligible households with annual income up to $105,000 a year can apply: https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates-programs/savings-based-on-income/free-air-conditioner.html. People with a referral from their local health authority do not need to provide proof of income.

This is just one of the actions we're taking to help keep people safe when climate events occur. And it's starting to make a difference. So far 12,000 households have benefited from having cooler air during hot temperatures.

Parts of B.C. might experience higher than normal temperatures in the coming days.

Stay hydrated and DO NOT leave kids and pets in parked cars ❌

Visit Weather.gc.ca for weather alerts ✔️

Take steps to prepare: PreparedBC.ca/ExtremeHeat

United Way BC is committed to supporting communities in addressing the impacts of racism.

Applications are now open for the Anti-Racism Impact Grant. Deadline to apply is July 25 at noon, 2024.

Visit https://uwbc.ca/program/grants/ for our virtual info session, application guide, and form.

This grant is a part of the community support component of the newly launched Racist Incident Helpline, https://racistincidenthelpline.ca/. The helpline and grant will help provide vital community supports for people impacted by hate and racism by fostering connections, offering mental health supports, and building resiliency and empowerment.

United Way BC’s Anti-Racism Impact Grant supports community agencies to bolster local responses and anti-racism programs and initiatives to ensure that individuals and families throughout the province can access safe support from reliable sources.

Join us on Tuesday, June 11 at 1 pm for an information session.

Register: https://uwbc-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvcuihpjouE92tYqaIC7FX0HiSOHPkABBx #/registration

Applications accepted June 17 - July 25 at noon, 2024.

For information and to view the application guide: https://uwbc.ca/program/grants/

Have you experienced racism in BC?
Help is available. Call 1-833-HLP-LINE (1-833-457-5463)

Racism is a painful reality in our communities. United Way British Columbia and the Government of British Columbia are here to support those affected through the launch of the Racist Incident Helpline. The helpline provides free and confidential access to information and safe supports from anywhere in BC, in over 240 languages.

This is a safe space for people to share their stories and receive the support they want and need, as well as a critical tool to help us build more caring and inclusive communities, united against racism.

Learn more at racistincidenthelpline.ca

A new feature on the updated Kelty website is Guides! These include common questions for some of our most popular topics, including ADHD, anxiety and social & emotional development, with more topics to come. Got a question about these topics? Check out the guides: https://keltymentalhealth.ca/

As many British Columbians already deal with wildfires and evacuation alerts, we send our thoughts out to those who are facing a traumatic time.

Emergency Preparedness Week is a time for all of us to consider what we would do in that situation. At United Way British Columbia, our emergency response fund not only helps people during the immediate crisis but remain in communities to support long term recovery. As part of that commitment, we work with partners and governments to develop resources, such as emergency preparedness guides to help seniors, families, and individuals.

The Extreme Weather Preparedness Guide is a way for families and individuals to prepare for an emergency. Funded by Government of British Columbia's Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) this guide provides a handy way to determine what you need to prepare for a crisis.

Download the guide at https://uwbc.ca/emergency-response-resources/

You are not alone.
Many people today are feeling stress and anxiety.

If you need help finding supports and services, dial or text 2-1-1. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7/365.
Visit bc.211.ca

Crisis Centre BC facilitates this online gathering for anyone who has lost a parent, partner, child or sibling to su***de.
Wed, Mar 13, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM PDT
Learn more at https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/su***de-loss/

After a su***de loss, many survivors feel isolated. Finding sameness and belonging are key ingredients needed to help their journey through bereavement. Feeling supported and with the possibility to create new connections is essential.

The gathering provides the opportunity for those who have lost loved ones to su***de to create new connections and to feel supported by a community. Please join us for the upcoming "A Cup of Tea for the Soul" gathering:

When: Wednesday, March 13th, 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM PDT
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Link to register: https://ow.ly/YQoE50QznVO

Thank you❤️ to everyone who helped us raise awareness of the 211 helpline on Feb 11 for !

17 landmarks in British Columbia, with 50+ nationwide, participated in a United Glow by lighting up in red.

To suggest a landmark in your community for next year comment below. 👇

🌐 Learn more about 211 at bc.211.ca

Today, February 11, is !

Landmarks across Canada will glow red tonight to highlight the impact and importance of the 211 helpline in our communities. Over 40 landmarks nationwide are participating, with 15+ in BC!

- Burnaby: City Hall, BC Parkway
- Coquitlam: Lafarge Lake Fountain
- Nanaimo: Bastion
- New Westminster: City Hall
- Port Coquitlam: City Hall
- Port Moody: City Hall
- Vancouver: City Hall, Burrard Street Bridge, BC Place, Canada Place, Vancouver Convention Centre district markers, Olympic Cauldron arms, Bloedel Conservatory, Pacific Coliseum, Science World (Feb 10)
- Victoria: BC Parliament Ceremonial Entrance & Fountains, Confederation Park Fountain & Waterfall
- Whistler: Fitzsimmons Creek Bridge

Thank you to all of our participants!

🔭 View the nationwide list here: https://www.unitedway.ca/blog/211-day-united-glow-locations-3/
🌐 Learn more about 211 British Columbia at https://bc.211.ca/

Sunday, February 11 is 211 Day. Marked annually across Canada, 211 Day aims to raise awareness of the vital role 211 has in our communities.

Everyone struggles sometimes, but nobody has to struggle alone. This is at the core of the 211 helpline where British Columbians can connect with a Resource Navigator to help “navigate” complex social services and find the help they need.

On February 11, locations around British Columbia will show their support by glowing red, including:

- Burnaby: City Hall, BC Parkway
- Coquitlam: Lafarge Lake Fountain
- Nanaimo: Bastion
- Port Coquitlam: City Hall
- Port Moody: City Hall
- Vancouver: City Hall, Burrard Street Bridge, BC Place, Canada Place, Vancouver Convention Centre, Olympic Cauldron arms, Bloedel Conservatory, Pacific Coliseum
- Victoria: BC Parliament, Confederation Park

Dial/Text 2-1-1 or visit bc.211.ca to connect with a 211 Resource Navigator.

🍲 Food
👤 Mental health
💵 Financial assistance
and more.