Stories

Words Laara Losier, Program Coordinator, Backpack Buddies South Island Across B.C., families are struggling. One in five families are facing food insecurity – relying on school meal programs to feed their children and worried about whether they’ll have enough food to stretch through the weekend. Luckily, Backpack Buddies is here to help. Founded when mother-daughter

Words Jo Barnes Photos Kathryn Alvarez Photography It’s not unknown for a farmer to switch from growing apples to growing other crops such as flowers. But to transition from Apple Inc. in Silicon Valley to a flower farm in Saanich, well, that is a little less common. While Ariel Rubin has always had a garden

Words Stephanie Staples Photos Sarah Hartley Photography It had been at least 40 years since I sat behind a sewing machine. Memories of my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Irwin, filled my head and crooked seams and broken dreams came tumbling down into my memory bank. Those were the days when only girls were allowed to

Words Ashley Morris  Photo NILTUO Child & Family Services Society Effective January 1, 2025, I am pleased to announce that I have stepped into the role of Executive Director. Transitioning from Director of Practice, and Acting Executive Director when needed, and continuing the momentum of my predecessor, Katharina Stocker, I will continue to lead the