The Federation’s 2020 Annual Report

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This year’s annual report explores what Altogether better really means. The reason those two words show up so often on our website and our branded materials is that they actually say a lot about our values and the approach we take in our work. We are committed to exemplifying those values in everything we do—being uni ...Read More

Two more steps toward reconciliation and resurgence

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The two of us—Tanya and Rick, your President and Executive Director—have often talked about the winding circuitous routes that led us to where we are today and resulted in us working together at this Federation. One of us (Rick) actually grew up in the American south. When you come from a state that s ...Read More

Remembering what is most important

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You and I and every other British Columbian will be voting for the next provincial government between now and October 24th. This election may look and feel a little different than those in the past, but the fundamental issues that we will be deciding—the options before us and the values that are at play—are very much ...Read More

BC Provincial Election Posters

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Historically, low voter turnout often leads to government decision-making that prioritizes the needs of the elite at the expense of marginalized or vulnerable community members. So The Federation is encouraging our member organizations, their staff, and clients to get out and vote. To help our members spread the word abou ...Read More

Things to remember in tough times

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Between the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, increasing action and attention around racial justice and police violence, and the blanket of smoke resulting from the tragic fires wreaking havoc in California, Oregon, and Washington, I am reminded of the extent to which we are all inextricably connected on this small planet of ...Read More

Funding for Training, Health & Safety

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Back in February, as part of the 2020 provincial budget, we were told that BC’s community social services sector would be receiving funds for training and professional development. We were told that the funding, while one-time-only, would be managed by the sector itself and would include funds specifically earmarked f ...Read More

A commitment to caring

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Over the past few months, in the midst of this giant, challenging mess we all find ourselves in, The Federation team has been talking to our members every week—on calls, and virtual meetings, and weekly check-ins on Thursdays. Hearing our member’s voices has been truly enriching and hopeful. It has been a weird benefit to come ou ...Read More

Projects and Issues Update

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For the past several months, we have focused our attention on supporting you and your organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other important issues and projects we are working on. We understand very well that many of the issues Federation members were struggling with before the public ...Read More

Response Paper: Building BC’s Recovery, Together

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Over the past month, the BC government has been soliciting feedback, ideas, and priorities for our province’s economic recovery. The discussion paper, Building BC’s Recovery, Together, asked key questions like: What do we need to do together to strengthen and improve our health care system? Wha ...Read More

BC Social Care Oral History Project

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All the way back in 2011, The Federation and the United Community Services Coop (now Realize Strategies) partnered on a pilot project to interview social sector leaders and document the oral history of their careers and of the sector at large. We were really excited about the opportunity and even had a potential fund ...Read More