Social & Community Services Organizations in Vancouver

UNYA's focus since its inception in 1988 has been to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth (Aboriginal, Metis, Inuit, First Nations, Status, Non-Status) in the urban setting. Our goal is to be a safe place for Indigenous youth to come and find out about programs and services at UNYA and in the broader community. UNYA strives to support Indigenous youth by providing a diverse continuum of advocacy, preventative and support services that respond to their immediate and long-term needs. Today, UNYA delivers 20+ programs, with 175+ volunteers, 100 staff, and more than 300 community partners.

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS) is a non profit charitable organization serving the needs of the urban Aboriginal community. VAFCS's mandate is to provide programs and services in health and welfare, social services, human rights, culture, education, recreation and equality for all genders of Aboriginal People of all age groups. VAFCS's hosts, partners and supports many community events throughout the year with Annual Events such as: Family Day, Aboriginal Day, Kids Back to School Back Pack Program, Elders 1 day Bazaar, VAFCS 2 day Craft Fair, Kids Christmas. VAFCS also seeks volunteers to assist with daily activities for the youth, family and elders programs.

VCBIA (Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area) Society is a community- based not-for-profit organization situated in a rich cultural and historical Chinatown neighbourhood in Vancouver, BC. VCBIA Society enables businesses, promotes vibrancy, and enhances the well-being of the Chinatown Community. VCBIA Society's mandates include but not limited to: develop, encourage, promote, and protect businesses in the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area, make studies of, and advance any project, plan, or other improvement intended to benefit the VCBIA members, promote matters of common concern to businesses and property owners in the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area, represent its members to all levels of government on matters of common concern. We achieve our mission through our commitment to the principles of innovation, integration, and collaboration, by acting with passion and integrity, and by encouraging community stakeholders' involvement that focuses on economic resilience and sustainability.  

TO DEVELOP, encourage and promote business in the Chinatown Business Improvement Area; TO MAKE studies of, and advance any project, plan, or improvement designed to benefit the Chinatown Business Improvement Area; TO COOPERATE with and aid any person, body, group, or association in projects designed to benefit the Chinatown Improvement; TO RAISE revenue to carry out the purposes of the Society; TO PROMOTE matters of common concern and interest to businesses and property owners in the Chinatown Business Improvement Area, and to bring together businesses and property owners in the Chinatown Business Improvement Area for fulfilling the purposes of the Society.

Vancouver Food Runners is a registered Canadian charity working at the intersection of food waste, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability. Using app-based technology, we connect surplus food from local businesses with nonprofit partners serving communities across Metro Vancouver. We’re currently looking for volunteer drivers, known as Food Rescue Heroes, to help transport surplus food from donors to local nonprofits. Using the Vancouver Food Runners app, you can claim rescues that fit your schedule and make a direct impact in your own community. Most rescues take about 30 to 60 minutes and are flexible and self-directed. If you have access to a vehicle and want to help reduce food waste while supporting families in your neighbourhood, we’d love to have you join us. Your time helps ensure good food doesn’t go to waste and instead reaches people who need it most.

We rescue perfectly viable food that is destined for our waste stream and get it into the hands of those who are hungry in our society.  We partner with food retailers, nonprofit organizations and volunteer food runners to bring food directly to those who are experiencing food insecurity.

We offer services to people in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. This includes many different 12 step fellowships that individuals can attend. Information and referral assistance, a homeless outreach program, individual counselling and a volunteer program. We offer these services 7 days a week.

Vancouver Second Mile Society’s (VSMS) mandate is to improve the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities living in SRO (single room occupancy) hotels, rooming houses and low-income housing. We work with seniors living in the downtown south and the downtown eastside to build and strengthen their community by establishing social support systems. We focus on providing program participants with a quiet welcoming space to be and to connect with others.  

The Victoria Community Resources Society (VCRS) is a community living organization supporting individuals with diverse-abilities at home and in the community. The society provides care and strives to remove barriers and overcome obstacles faced by those we serve to ensure the high quality of life we believe all people deserve. VCRS believes that quality of life comes from choice, self-determination and inclusion.We supports individuals to enjoy life to the fullest by honoring their choices, preferences and lifestyles.

A Ride To Care For Cancer Patients The Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society is a not-for-profit organization providing complimentary transportation for lower mainland residents battling cancer. When you are in need of transportation to care we are here to support you with safe, timely and efficient service. We are a registered charity and work to raise the funds necessary to meet expenses associated with meeting cancer patient needs. Our team of volunteer drivers and dispatchers offers peace of mind for patients who may not have the means to drive to and from essential cancer treatments and medical appointments. The physical, emotional and financial burden is lifted knowing our friendly volunteers are only a call away.

At Volunteer Vancouver, we take pride in linking people with local nonprofit community organizations, supporting persons with disabilities, new Canadians, corporations and professionals connect to organizations in and around the city, helping individuals develop skills to advance their careers, and developing knowledge resources that support effective and efficient volunteer capacity.

VoteNowBC is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that provides an online information and discussion platform for BC voters. Our goal is to easily provide BC voters with the information and tools they need to make an informed vote during municipal and provincial elections. We understand the challenges of staying politically informed because we know that  British Columbians have many commitments such as work, family and other day-to-day commitments. VoteNowBC believes that everyone has a right to be politically informed and we aim to eliminate these barriers in order to ensure that everyone can vote for a candidate that best represents their interests.