Several Vancity Community Foundation staff and Donor Advised Fund holders recently joined First Call at their 2018 Gala, an annual fundraising dinner. The evening began with a warm and inspirational welcome from Debra Sparrow, a Musqueam artist, weaver, and knowledge keeper. Folk singer, author, and child advocate, Raffi Cavoukian was honoured with the First Call Champion of Child and Youth Rights Award in special recognition of his contributions to awareness of children’s rights and well-being through his Child Honouring movement. Grand Chief Ed John delivered a moving keynote address and shared insights from his special report on Indigenous Child Welfare.

Co-located at Vancity Community Foundation, First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of 100+ provincial and regional organizations that unites members’ voices through public education, community mobilization and public policy advocacy to make sure BC’s children and youth have the rights, opportunities, and resources required to thrive.  This is First Call’s only fundraising event of the year.

• See First Call’s 2017 Annual Activities Report for more information about the incredible work they do.