At YVR, our purpose is to serve our community, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a greater need than ever to lend support. That’s why this year, we’re doing what we can to help local organizations who need it. Join us for our 12 Days of Giving, where each day we'll put the spotlight on an amazing cause that we’re supporting, and that you can support too.
Day 11 – Covenant House
Covenant House connects with homeless youth in Vancouver, providing safety and compassion to a vulnerable group. Providing mental health support, assistance with finding employment, their commitment and understanding of diversity, and their continuum of care philosophy, many youth have benefitted from Covenant House. On top of that, by working extra hard to maintain a clean, and safe environment, Covenant House has been able to continue providing an important place for many young people through COVID.
Please visit their website to learn more about Covenant House, covenanthouse.org
Day 10 – Camp Kerry
(Photo from 2019)
Camp Kerry have been providing bereavement care, education, support and counselling to people who are grieving. This year, with COVID, many people haven’t been able to be next to loved ones during their time in hospital, or been able to connect with family in-person, while dealing with the death of a loved one. Camp Kerry has risen to this new challenge by continuing to provide support for people online, as well as providing support for health care workers during these challenging times.
Please visit their website to learn more about Camp Kerry: campkerrysociety.org.
Day 9 – Hogan's Alley
This year, we saw an important movement towards anti-racism. Back in June we made commitments towards this important issue, which you can read about here: Anti-Racism Statement.
As part of our commitment, we’re proud to be supporting Hogan’s Alley Society, a non-profit organization that is committed to preserving Black history in Vancouver, as well as building a better future for racialized and marginalized communities.
We encourage you to visit hogansalleysociety.org to learn more.
Day 8 – Indigenous LIFT Collective
For Day 8 of our 12 Days of Giving, we’re excited to highlight the Indigenous LIFT Collective. Founded by Teara Fraser, who you may know as the person behind Iskwew Air, LIFT Collective brings together Indigenous entrepreneurs who identify as women, to help each other thrive. With COVID’s effects on small businesses, we commend LIFT Collective for connecting and building a strong community.
To learn more about Indigenous LIFT Collective, please visit liftcollective.ca.
Day 7 – Hope Air
Hope Air provides travel and accommodation support for Canadians in need of medical care far from home. Last year alone, Hope Air helped arrange 13,097 travel arrangements, many of which came through YVR. Connecting people and communities is at the core of what we do, which is why we believe in helping Hope Air connect people with healthcare.
To learn more, please visit HopeAir.ca.
Day 6 – Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives
This year has been especially difficult for seniors in our community. Not being able to have visitors, or feeling unsafe going outside has left many feeling isolated. That’s why we’re happy to be supporting Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives and their Seniors Community Support Services. Volunteers have been doing virtual visits, grocery shopping and delivery, and much more to help seniors feel safe and connected. Since March, over 3,750 grocery deliveries have been made as well as 469 virtual visits.
To learn more about Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, please visit: rcrg.org/
Day 5 – Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC
For day 5 we want to bring attention to the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC who provides 24/7 phone and online services to anyone who needs it. With an increase in calls since March, it’s important that we make sure everyone has somewhere to call if they need.
Please reach out to them if you ever need help: 1-800-784-2433
To learn more about their programs and how you can help, please visit crisiscentre.bc.ca/
Day 4 – Power To Be
Check out this video we made a couple years back with Power to Be!
Today we’re featuring our friends over at Power to Be, who's mandate is to remove barriers and create access to nature. While many of us have the ability to go outside whenever we need to escape the feeling of being trapped indoors, for many, connecting with the outdoors isn’t as easy. During COVID, Power To Be has been making sure that people feel connected by doing check-ins with their participants, virtual programming, safe in-person programs, as well as lending their staff, equipment, and vehicles to help other community groups in need. Connecting with nature is as important as ever, and that’s why we’re proud to be supporting Power to Be.
To find out how you can support, please visit: PowerToBe.ca
Day 3 – Canucks Autism Network

Canucks Autism Network is an incredible organization that helps families living with autism. From sports and educational programming to experiential tours, to building awareness and acceptance in the community, they continue to support this community through virtual programming and have implemented a comprehensive safety plan so they can resume in-person activities. In a community where socialization and connection is integral to personal development, we’re proud of the work CAN is doing to support families and individuals living with autism.
Our partnership with CAN began in 2014 with the aim of decreasing anxiety associated with air travel and building confidence for future travel success. With CAN, we have developed the autism accessibility program which includes a resource kit that helps travellers with autism prepare for flight and the YVR & CAN Autism Accessibility Tour which been delivered to hundreds of individuals, many of whom have since travelled successfully. We have also introduced the YVR Autism Access Sticker, a self-identification tool for individuals living with autism that can be placed on boarding passes. The sticker ensures an expedited airport process through screening and customs and better communicates the specific needs of passengers to airport employees.
For more information about Canucks Autism Network, please visit canucksautism.ca.
To learn more about autism accessibility at YVR, please visit yvr.ca/autism.
Day 2 – Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility
For Day 2, we’re featuring Wavefront Centre! Wavefront Centre is Western Canada’s hub for reducing communication barriers by providing access and inclusion for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community have encountered even more barriers to social connection. That is why we’re supporting Wavefront’s Better and Home and Lend an Ear programs. Wavefront Centre’s Better at Home program identifies isolated Deaf and Hard of Hearing Seniors in the Lower Mainland to provide them with volunteer outreach services at home. The Lend an Ear Program helps people receive a refurbished hearing aid, a hearing test, an earmold, and a one-year repair service for only $140.
To learn more about the amazing things Wavefront Centre is doing to help people stay connected, please visit WavefrontCentre.ca.
Day 1 – Quest Food Exchange

We’re kicking off Day 1 of the 12 Days of giving with our annual Holiday Hamper Drive with Quest Food Exchange. Like in previous years, the whole airport community came together to donate hampers filled with a complete holiday meal for families in our community. Quest will work with local social service agencies to bring these meals and holiday cheer around the Lower Mainland. Today we raised 429 meals for families in our community! During a year that has been tough for many, we’re proud of our community for coming together for such an important cause.
To learn more about Quest and how you can support, please visit: QuestOutreach.org