COMMUNITY & EVENTS /

Non-Profit Partners

Choices Market is proud to partner with non-profit organizations serving to enhance our communities, our environment and our world. Some of which include:

Boucher Institute ~ Located in New Westminster, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine is Western Canada’s only naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Their graduates are leaders in the field of naturopathic medicine, continuously exhibiting a passionate belief in the value of complementary medicine and a commitment to leading our world toward sustainable health. The school is also home to the Boucher Naturopathic Medical Clinic. The clinic provides first-rate natural health care for the whole family, while giving clinic interns essential hands-on experience in the art and science of practicing naturopathic medicine. Visit them at www.binm.org.

Canadian Celiac Association ~ The Canadian Celiac Association is the national voice for people who are adversely affected by gluten and is dedicated to improving diagnosis and quality of life. To find your local chapter visit www.bcceliac.ca.

Canadian Mental Health Association ~ Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness. In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within scope of the organization. Each year in BC, CMHA helps over 100,000 people of all ages through their range of services and by helping to build a community of hope, support and inclusion for people with mental illness. Visit the CMHA website to learn more about their programs, services and how you can help support the work of CMHA at www.cmha.bc.ca.

CLICK (Contributing to Lives of Inner City Kids) ~ CLICK is a community-based, non-profit foundation that was initiated to help inner city children and youth in Vancouver. CLICK supports kids programs that make a difference! Visit www.clicktokids.ca for more on their great work.

IMPACT Parkinsons ~ IMPACT Parkinson’s was created to make an IMPACT on the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s, and their families and friends, by offering programs that focus on MIND, BODY and SOUL. It is the first of its kind in BC where it offers a variety of Parkinson’s specific programs all in one location – from exercise and socio-cultural activities to speech language therapy and special workshops and events. IMPACT is an incorporated non-profit society. www.impactparkinsons.com

InspireHealth ~ InspireHealth is a not-for-profit supportive cancer care organization approved by the BC Ministry of Health. Since 1997, they have provided programs and services to enhance quality of life, health and well-being of people living with cancer and their families. Their cancer rehabilitation services support and educate people during and after cancer treatment. We offer practical and personalized exercise therapy, stress management, nutrition and counselling services. All of their services, programs, and classes are completely free of charge. No referral required. Visit them at www.inspirehealth.ca

Lights of Hope, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation ~ Lights of Hope is an annual fundraising campaign to support St. Paul’s Hospital. You play an important role because Lights of Hope donations support the greatest needs as they arise throughout St. Paul’s, ensuring they have the funding to meet them. lightsofhope.helpstpauls.com

Megaphone Magazine ~ Megaphone is a magazine sold on the streets of Vancouver and Victoria by homeless and low-income vendors. Vendors buy the magazine for 75 cents and sell it for $2, keeping the profit and earning a sense of pride and dignity. To see the latest issue or to donate, visit www.megaphonemagazine.com.

Movember ~ Men’s health matters. The Movember Foundation sheds light on seldom discussed men’s mental and physical health issues through their Movember Campaign, taking place every November. For instance, did you know that in 2011, men accounted for 75 percent of all suicides in Canada? Were you also aware that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer? These are staggering stats. Luckily, the Movember Foundation is working to change all of this by generating funds that support men affected by prostate and testicular cancer as well as mental health. Find out more at ca.movember.com.

Neighbourhood Houses ~ Scattered all across Metro Vancouver, neighbourhood houses are friendly, inviting places where all community members (regardless of age, race or gender) can come together. They provide programs and facilities that help to nurture healthy, safe communities. Each year with our Holiday Star Campaign and Hamper Programs, Choices Market supports these neighbourhood houses:

• Archway Community Services
• Brittania Community Services Centre
• Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House
• Fraserside Community Services
• Gordon Neighbourhood House
• Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
• Marpole Oakridge Family Place
• North Shore Neighbourhood House
• Semiahmoo Family Place
• The Bridge Youth and Family Services

Ocean Wise ~ Overfishing is the biggest threat our oceans face today. The Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item is the Vancouver Aquarium’s assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. With over 525 Ocean Wise partners across Canada, Ocean Wise makes it easy for consumers to make sustainable seafood choices that ensure the health of our oceans for generations to come. Visit them at ocean.org.

Okanagan Greens Society ~ The Okanagan Greens Society is an award-winning non-profit organization based in Kelowna and supporting projects in British Columbia’s Southern Interior. They are a non-partisan collective of citizens and community advocates that formed in 2005 and officially incorporated as a non-profit society in February 2008. Their mission statement is: “Working together in our community for a healthy environment, happy people and a sustainable local economy.” Okanagan Greens Society achieves their community outreach by producing and partnering in unique events, vibrant celebrations, and specialized media focused on Okanagan environmental, social and economic awareness. Visit them at www.okanagangreens.ca.

Peace Arch Hospital Foundation ~ The mission of Peace Arch Hospital & Community Health Foundation is to raise funds and awareness to enhance the health and wellness of our community. Their passionate and caring team’s number one priority is the prudent stewardship of your gifts and the resulting positive impact on patients and medical staff at Peace Arch Hospital and the entire White Rock/South Surrey community. To learn more visit www.pahfoundation.ca.

Project CHEF (Cooking Healthy Edible Food) ~ Project CHEF is an experiential, curriculum-based school program aimed at children in kindergarten to grade seven that teaches students about healthy food: where it comes from, what it tastes like, how to prepare it and how to enjoy sharing it around a table. To see the successes of Project CHEF visit www.projectchef.ca.

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation ~ Since 1980, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation has partnered with donors to provide the funds essential to ensure that our hospitals and health care teams can deliver BC’s best, most specialized care for adults.

Funds are raised for VGH, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and Vancouver Community Health Services. There are few illnesses or injuries the medical teams at these hospitals cannot treat, no matter how complex or rare. VGH is BC’s only accredited Level 1 Trauma Centre and, together with UBC Hospital and GF Strong, it is the province’s main referral centre. Doctors at the forefront of their specialties care for patients, discover new treatments through internationally acclaimed research, and educate the next generation of health care superstars. With donor support, the Foundation works hard to ensure that excellent care is here when you need it. www.vghfoundation.ca

World Partnership Walk ~ In 1985, a small team of women in Vancouver voluntarily started raising funds and walking to help end global poverty in their own small but meaningful way. They had come from Asia and Africa and wanted to give back to the communities they left behind. They persuaded 1,000 other walkers to join them in the fight against global poverty and raised $55,000 in donations. Since its start 30 years ago, the Walk has raised over $82 million for international development programs and initiatives, making it the largest and most successful event of its kind in Canada! In 2013, they raised over $7 million and drew almost 40,000 people to our Walks across 10 cities across the country. www.worldpartnershipwalk.com