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Thrifty’s Smile Card

Are you a Thrifty Foods Shopper? If you are, please consider loading a Smile Card pre-assigned to Umbrella. Thrifty Foods will then donate 5% of what you spend to Umbrella. If you are interested in receiving your own Smile Card, please send us an email at wecanhelp@umb...
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Brickyard Pizza Fundraiser

Brickyard Pizza had their second annual fundraiser for Umbrella on June 17. Not only do they donate a portion of their pizza and art sales to Umbrella, but the incredibly talented Natalia (pictured below with Umbrella's Evan) offered to donate 100% of the sales of her pa...
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Umbrella’s AGM

Tonight was Umbrella's Annual General Meeting. We had a great turnout from the community and after our very short business meeting, we got a chance to socialize. A huge thank you to everyone that attended and to our board and staff. We are full of gratitude. Pic...
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Vital Youth Award

Last fall, Evan and Sharlene were invited by the youth philanthropy class at Frances Kelsey Secondary, to talk about Umbrella, the clients we serve and share our experiences. The class had invited several organizations and had the difficult task of selecting who would re...
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Yoga and Connection

Our good friends at She Recovers are hosting a Yoga and Connection event on June 17 here in Victoria. If you aren't familiar with She Recovers, please have a look at their intentions and guiding principles. For more information about this upcoming event, exciting retreat...
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Community Collaboration

Last week, at the Songhees Wellness Centre, AVI hosted a community collaboration to discuss the overdose crisis. The forum consisted of people with lived experience, family members and service providers from Victoria. In addition to breakout groups, there was a panel of ...
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Balancing our Minds Conference

Yesterday, Evan and Conor from Umbrella joined youth from all over the island at the Balancing our Minds Conference at Bear Mountain Arena. The youth were very engaging, curious and interested in Umbrella and addiction. Many great conversation and interactions were had!...
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MHSU Advisory Committee 2nd annual awards

Kindness and compassion are ageless and secular. That’s what Island Health’s Mental Health Substance Use (MHSU) Advisory Committee discovered when considering nominations for its awards program. Both of this year’s recipients responded with dignity and fairness to the...
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This is why we do the work we do…

Today, a young girl gave us this card she made. We had helped her dad a few years ago. A genuine and heartfelt reminder to never give up on anyone. Ever.
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Happy Administrative Professionals Day

Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and Umbrella happens to have THE BEST admin person working with us. Bronwyn is a true gift to the team, clients and the community. She is the backbone of our organization and she keeps all of us on track. We are grateful to have ...