1) The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

According to the United Nations, 2021 saw an unprecedented increase in:

• global hunger
• the prices of food
• the cost of getting it to people in need

Learn more about the UNHCR here >>

1a) Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, especially since the withdrawal of Western forces, there are major issues with starvation and poverty, ongoing terror, human—and in particular women’s rights—and many refugees fleeing the country. Add to that a particularly harsh winter with millions of people displaced from their homes.

According to the United Nations: “More than half the population is struggling to eat, malnutrition is reaching dramatic levels, especially for many children, and over 80 per cent of the people we have surveyed say they have lost their jobs and livelihoods. Millions are living in inadequate shelters with limited access to basic services, including sanitation and health care.” Add to that that: “one million children now facing severe acute malnutrition.”

• Read about the UN launching the largest single country aid appeal ever here >>

1b) Yemen refugees

According to the United Nations, in Yemen there is a: “toxic mix of conflict and economic decline. As a result, half of all Yemeni families are now consuming less food than what is required.”

As is often the case, the Yemen crisis is putting children particularly at risk. The ongoing fighting has led to people not farming/growing crops and the situation is so dire that an entire generation may not reach adulthood as a result of disease and starvation.

Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, has said the UN had been warning since July that Yemen was on the brink of a catastrophic food security crisis. In a statement she said: If the war doesn’t end now, we are nearing an irreversible situation and risk losing an entire generation of Yemen’s young children.

• Read about the impact of the Yemen Crisis on children here >>

2) Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

I’m sure you see it too. Mental health continues to decline in industrialised countries and the pandemic has led to a worsening of mental health for many. However, one small upside to the COVID crisis has been that the importance of mental health is getting more recognition.

One of the largest and oldest voluntary health organizations operating in Canada the CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) helps over 1.3 million Canadians annually provide hope and help to people affected by mental illness. With 10,000 volunteers and 5,000 staff they actively promote mental health, advocate in the media, research and feed into public policy (especially for the homeless and at risk, children and youth).

I love that they take a clear anti-racism stance, stay relevant with current issues, do research and publish reports and more. Lastly, check out their excellent free quarterly magazine called Visions.

4) Covenant House (Vancouver, BC, Canada)

Vancouver is consistently voted one of the best cities to live in the world, yet there is also a huge homelessness and mental health crisis, especially in the ‘Downtown Eastside’. Covenant House helps young people aged 16 to 24 who have fled physical, emotional and sexual abuse; those who have been forced from their homes; and those who have aged out of foster care.

Covenant House is North and Central America’s largest privately funded child and youth care agency, and thankfully they have a branch in Vancouver. In a myriad of ways they help youth avoid and transition away from life on the streets.

You can read their 2021 impact report here >>. Some of the services offered include the Crisis Program, Community Support Services, Integrated Case Management, Housing Support Workers, Pastoral Counsellors and Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Supports. We are proud to support Covenant House.

3) RAVEN Trust

Mission: RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) raises legal defence funds to assist Indigenous Peoples who enforce their rights and title to protect their traditional territories.

RAVEN’S vision is a country that honours the ancestral laws, rights and stewardship values of Indigenous Peoples and their equitable access to the justice system within a thriving natural environment.

Like their namesake, the mythical northwest coast trickster bird Raven, RAVEN takes on challenges that very few are willing to tackle. By doing so, they are reshaping the landscape and transforming the future.

5) Black Youth Helpline

This inspiring organisation evolved from a school project created for youth by youth! After recognizing a need for support, the initial school project grew into a network of volunteers working together to focus on education, health and community development – so far in Winnipeg and Ontario in Canada.

BYH (Black Youth Helpline) is a black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools. They ensure access to needed relevant professional assessment, intervention, services and supports for youth and families, with a focus on understanding and addressing the root cause of problems.

BYH focuses on three (3) key strategic pillars:

1. Education: Help youth stay in school and get an education. With an education all goals are attainable.
2. Health: Our greatest wealth! Nurturing a healthy mind, body and spirit is a core foundation for success.
3. Community: Sharing and caring about others impacts lives and is the greatest gift to humanity and society.

6) Copper Kettle Community Partnership (Salt Spring Island)

Copper Kettle is a fabulous example of a grass-roots community partnership. And it’s extremely local to The Coaching Tools Company.

Copper Kettle is supported solely by Salt Spring Islanders and offers emergency supplies to people without homes or shelter (eg. tents, sleeping  bags, winter clothing and food). They also have a food program to help low and fixed income seniors and families, ensuring they have food and stay healthy.

Recently Copper Kettle was behind the introduction of a laundromat (after the previous one closed), so that people can stay clean and wash their clothes.

Other projects include developing a “Community Garden” for fruit and veggies, maintaining a “Community Woodpile” and offering “Gift Certificates” to people in need for clothing at a local Thrift Store and food at a local supermarket.

This is grass roots activism at its best, helping those in need at source, and we are proud to support the Copper Kettle again this year.

7) Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada

Big Brothers Big Sisters has proudly been providing young Canadians mentors and support for over 100 years.

With the guidance and support of a mentor, many at risk and vulnerable children and youth are given more confidence to achieve their full potential and gain a better understanding of how they influence the lives of others.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children and youth have the inspiration, experiences and guidance they need to achieve more, and give them self-confidence, a sense of belonging, positive health and well-being.