Living a healthy life with accessibility to basic needs is a fundamental right and not a luxury: learn how United Way of British Columbia is making the change.

“Imagine starting your day without eating breakfast. This is not just imaginary, but many Canadians face this today with not being able to afford food or other basic amenities, earning a low wage income which is insufficient to buy the basic needs and shelter”.

Most Canadians today are facing harsh living conditions from affording housing, medical expenses, employment services, childcare and other vital services. We at United Way of British Columbia address all these issues and concerns and have come up with projects and initiatives to combat these situations and help Canadians live a healthy life for both the seniors, children and families.

At United Way British Columbia we have projects and initiatives such as food hubs and food hampers that we have come together with the collaboration of the provincial government agencies and other community donors and fundraisers through which we can support the families with food insecurities and other daily necessities like access to fresh water and clothing. In 2023/2024 we have provided food to almost 450,000 individuals and households, seniors and youth to people living in rural and remote communities including the Indigenous people across British Columbia. We are also working closely with the Indigenous people to save and protect their rich culture across British Columbia by supporting and funding their events and other activities to educate the people of their vast culture its importance and their contributions to the country.

We are also investing in long term projects and grants such as the Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF) which is a new waiver program of $3,500 annual learning grant to support education needs and school supplies such as computers, textbooks and other supplies for school use.

From these successful events and projects, we have testimonials of individuals such as Maria who said as quoted “The regional community food hub gave me a hope and a sense of community. It empowered me to feed my family and make a difference in my community”.

At United Way British Columbia our objectives are

• To strengthen community bonding
• Access to food and basic amenities to every household
• Make education accessible to the youth
• Care for the seniors
• Supporting low-income households with financial assistance

How You Can Help

• Become a volunteer and help us in our projects.
• Donate: You can donate and contribute and help change the lives of our communities.
• Partnerships: If you are an organization or a business you can partner with us and raise funds through sponsorships and other charity events.
• Raise awareness of our organization and efforts to reach the wider audience across the province.
• Share and follow our work in our social media pages such as Instagram and X which is @unitedway_bc.

Join the movement today with United Way British Columbia to fight against food insecurities and enrich our youth for a grater future with education, fulfilling healthy nutritional needs and by being supportive and taking care of our seniors.

United Way British Columbia pledges to help people in need across British Columbia.

Community driven projects across British Columbia are pursed to help families and individuals to have basic needs and amenities.

United Way British Columbia is pursing projects across British Columbia to assist the local and its residents in getting access to necessities of livelihood through help from its community members, municipal and government support all though out the year. These projects will take a bold step in addressing food insecurities and health issues for families and individuals in need across the province. Projects such as providing food on a weekly basis through coupons and food packages and food hubs.

Also, another great effort which is the 211 helpline which provides mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, and support for seniors, newcomers and many more. Last year West Kelowna and Thompson Nicola Region were devasted by the critical effects of the wildfire which misplaced numerous families causing loss of their homes and precious belongings. Tragic situations like these were helped by the assistance of the helpline 211 pursued by United Way of British Columbia and according to one caller “211 has been my go-to for the past 6 months – you have saved my life! You’ve helped me get information on transition houses and other information that has been so helpful”.

These projects and initiatives will work with the support and partnerships from local communities such as donors, non-profit businesses and government agencies across the province. Initiative programs like Therapeutic Activation Programs for Seniors (TAPS), Family & Friend Caregiver Supports, and Social Prescribing, will address the needs of both the seniors and caregivers.

“From our response to the worst wildfire season on record, to the continued expansion of programs that support kids, youth, seniors, and families in need, we have been at the forefront of creating positive change” as said by CEO and President United Way British Columbia Michael McKnight. “By committing to leverage data and digital tools, and to continue researching, developing, and testing solutions to help improve even more lives”

About United Way British Columbia

United Way British Columbia is a non-profit organization which as unified provincial organization through its consolidation of resources aims to respond to urgent needs in real time to drive change in the lives of its residents and communities. It serves over 4.5 million British Columbians by delivering resources and support to the people who need it the most in areas such as poverty, mental health and addictions, seniors and children and youth.

Contact Information

Moaz Mohammad

moazmd110@gmail.com

778 512-8389

United Way British Columbia

Key Messages:

• According to United Way British Columbia almost 860,000 British Columbians live in food scarcity, and it wants to work together to change it.
• Provide the youth in school of the 6-12 years with proper nutritious healthy diet to support physical and mental support through the school year.
• Build a respectful connection and communication with the indigenous community supporting its values and culture.
• Help the healthy aging individuals by supporting them to live independently and individually with various activities and support programs.
• Working with residents and communities to foster and build good, stronger and safer relationships with each other.
• Making helpline service available to get help and support faster such as income assistance, counselling, mental health and shelter information.

Target audience:

• Low income earning individuals
• Non-profit organizations
• Indigenous communities
• School Students
• Public health officials
• Senior citizens
• Homeless people seeking shelter and aid
• Addiction and mental health support seeking individuals
• Food banks that provide weekly food coupons and items to people seeking food and other basic needs.
• Single parent that has a one or two kids to take care of.

Channels and tactics to promote the initiative.

• News releases being one of the main channels of promoting the initiative as they featured stories in CFJC Today Kamloops regarding a grant to put in use for cold weather conditions and other events such as Hockey night organized by United Way British Columbia.
• Posters and advertisements: they use their logos in various events for promotional and marketing campaigns which are funded for raising awareness and gaining support of the projects done for the community by United Way British Columbia and involvement as volunteers or participants in the future projects.
• Using social media platforms by encouraging to share their posts by tagging them at @unitedway_bc for Instagram and X as well as collaboration with media infuencers to help in their promotion and spreading of the key message.

Proposed evaluation methods to measure campaign success.

• Their evaluation method as shown in their annual report of 2023/2024 is calculated to achieve success of helping around 7,920 children to achieve success in schools.
• Gave emergence support to people in 29 communities.
• Gave meal and food hampers to over 450,000 individuals and families which is calculated to be ore than 3.2 million meals.
• Over 13,000 registered volunteers joined the organization and made a difference in the communities.
• Helped 537 former youth in care among which 36% were of the Indigenous community for covering basic living expenses and pursuing post-secondary education through Youth Futures Education Fund.

The Omega Sets a New and Better Comeback as Thompson Rivers University’s Student Newspaper

Giving students a better approach to student journalism and storytelling with perspectives that matter.

The omega, the official newspaper for the students at Thompson Rivers University is set to relaunch on April 10^th, 2025. The relaunch of the Omega will be hosted with an event at House of learning room 190, where it will be showcasing the relevance and its significance To the TRU students and the community by delivering news that is informing and engaging. The Omega’s manager Sean Brady and Editor in chief Robert McAlaster will be present among other individuals giving speeches explaining its future growth and legacy.

The relaunch event of The Omega will be held at HOL 190 and will include activities such as a diverse cultural fashion show from different ethnic groups of people from Thompson Rivers University along with refreshments and snacks. The event will start at 4 PM and end at 7:30 PM which includes a 15-minute break. The event is open to all faculty members of at Thompson Rivers University its staff, students and the public and no prior registration is required for it. The event will present the ideas, vision and what The Omega is striving to provide which a voice and informative news to the students at Thompson Rivers University and its community. All the attendees will hear about the newspaper from The Omegas manager Sean Brady and Editor in chief Robert McAlaster reflecting on The Omega’s legacy and future endeavours.

“One crucial matter of fact is that The Omega will always try to have a physical copy and that gives its readers the feel of a newspaper reading and a habit. Also, he states that The Omega’s contributors want to leave a legacy behind them and have it here even after they are gone and encourages news story pitches and get it published from every student at Thompson Rivers University” – Robert McAlaster.

From the beginning The Omega has been and offered a platform for students to raise their voice from any campus related issues and share their compelling stories and ideas. Its aim is to have a presence in both the digital and physical print making sure that Thompson Rivers University students and its community remain engaged and well informed.

Come and attend the event to be informed and understand the power of student storytelling and journalism that The Omega aspires in leaving its legacy.

For more information about the events details please contact

Event coordinator: Moaz Mohammad

Phone: (778) 512-8389

Email: moazmd110@gmail.com

The Omega – Thompson Rivers University

www.theomega.news

Press Release Distribution Strategy

The strategic distribution for a positive impact will include

Local media outlets

1. CFJC Today Kamloops

• Relevance: it’s the primary newspaper of Kamloops and thereby their top news section of the paper will be helpful in spreading the message.

• Key contacts: Dylana Kneeshaw -Reporter

James Peters – News Director

They can help by pitching the idea and vision of The Omega to their readers.

• Castanet Kamloops

• Relevance: it is one of the well-established news outlets in Kamloops and hence can promote The Omega’s information and message

• Key Contacts

Tim Petruk – Editor.

Kristen Holliday – Reporter.

They can help by pitching The Omega’s mission and core values and its unique focus on the student community at Thompson Rivers University as an article in the news sections and by highlighting its impact on and efforts of student journalism.

• TRU student Clubs.

TRU Law club Co-President                  Rachel Koski

Co-President                                             Christopher Gast

They can help by posting and pitching relevant information about new laws in Kamloops and increasing the reach.

TRUSU Sylhet Club

President: Irtija Alam Fahad

General Secretary: Tanjim Hasan Sohan

Volunteer Coordinator: Moaz Mohammad

These individuals will be able contribute stories relevant to diverse cultural backgrounds at TRU

• Social media: Ahsan habib Niloy

                     Nishan Ahmed

                     Sumnath Das Biraz

These three vloggers are students of TRU and with their postings on social media will be a great way to increase reach of The Omega

• TRU’s website and social media networks

Website: www.tru.ca

Instagram: @thopmsonriversu

Twitter (X): @thopmsonriversu