It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Macaron Day in Vancouver 2021 is happening like always on March 20th, which just happens to be the first day of spring. Funds will be raised for local causes while these cafes and bakeries showcase their deliciously chewy and sensationally sweet confections.
Macaron Day in Vancouver 2021
Where: Thierry Cafe (1059 Alberni St or 265 E 10th, Vancouver)
Cause: Dear to Chef Thierry’s heart, St. Paul’s changed his life when he was diagnosed with a heart condition known as cardiac hypertrophy. A successful surgery in 2016 turned his health around and has made him eternally thankful for all the care he received from the dedicated team of doctors and nurses. As in years past, partial proceeds of all macaron sales will benefit St. Paul’s Foundation.
Where: Bon Macaron (Unit 4, 1244 Cartwright St, Granville Island and their Victoria location)
Cause: For one day only you will get a $5 discount on their 30 pack of macarons, which will be only $40, with proceeds support BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Where: Mon Paris Pâtisserie (4396 Beresford St, Burnaby)
Cause: This year, owner and pastry chef Elena Krasnova will be donating 50% of proceeds from Mon Paris Pâtisserie’s macaron sales on Saturday, March 20 to Burnaby Family Life, an inclusive and welcoming organization that provides the community with quality social services and programs including counselling, resources, education and child care services.
and more to be announced soon!
Journée internationale du macaron
Macaron Day was founded in France (Journée internationale du macaron) by Pierre Hermé in 2006. It’s a day to celebrate the colours of spring with a bright palette of treats. Macaron Day events will be happening overseas, in New York, and in Toronto. Over the last few years it has become a Vancouver tradition as well.
Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) are meringue-based confections commonly filled with buttercream or jam with a delicate soft and crunchy outer shell. All you need to do is visit a participating “Macaron Day” bakery or cafe on March 20th and you’ll be given a macaron and be invited to make a donation their chosen charity.
Do you know of any more locations? The list will be updated as offerings and specials are announced.
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV to share and tell their stories, like this month’s feature about Education Support at Covenant House:
Education Support at Covenant House Vancouver
As Covenant House Vancouver journeys alongside youth to help them achieve healthy and happy independence, a common step in the process is working with them to achieve their education goals. These can be things like finishing high school, getting an undergraduate degree, completing specific trades or apprenticeship programs, or other similar goals. Covenant House’s Social Workers work with these young people in a variety of different areas of their lives (budgeting, mental health, employment, application processes etc.) to help them get set up for success.
Education in a time of pandemic
Of course, it is important to acknowledge the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on young people trying to achieve their education goals. One major challenge has come in the form of job instability and the effect that has had for students trying to pay for tuition. Many of the youth at Covenant House Vancouver who have jobs do shift work or work in industries where the pandemic has resulted in reduced shift availability, job loss, or outright store closures; leaving these students out of work and unable to pay for schooling.
Another major challenge for these youth comes in the form of the switch to online learning. Social Workers have needed to support youth in feeling comfortable and confident in navigating online classrooms, digital assignments, and the technical stresses and annoyances that are unavoidable online. Along with that comes the added challenge of dealing with unstructured online learning environments.
There’s a reason why “Structure” is one of Covenant House Vancouver’s guiding principles. Having a structured plan can often keep you on track and motivated. But with university and college courses more and more switching to pre-recorded lectures or self-guided course progression, it becomes difficult for some students to stay on track due to lack of structured time. So, of course, Covenant House’s Social Workers are doing their best to accompany youth through these challenges.
Community partnerships for a future of hope
With deep gratitude, Covenant House Vancouver is happy to acknowledge that they’re not alone in supporting youth to achieve their education goals. Their on-going monthly donors provide a sustainable and steady source of funding to allow them to keep their day-to-day programs running. They also have some donors that provide gift-in-kind support, things like laptops, study supplies, and funds for transportation to and from school.
Recently, they’ve started a scholarship program with Sprott Shaw College that allows for recommended candidates at Covenant House Vancouver to enroll in any of their one or two year career-oriented programs with all tuition fees covered. They also have a generous long-time supporter, the SpencerCreo Foundation, that provides scholarships to CHV youth that allow them to attend a school and program of their choice. Generous donors help these young people get a great start to a brighter future without the added worry of taking on student loans from the outset.
If you’d like to support the young people at Covenant House Vancouver, you can become a monthly donor here. You can also learn more about other ways to give.
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver.
Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
In partnership with renowned artist Ola Volo, YWCA Metro Vancouver has unveiled a 42-foot mural, Wall for Women, at the corner of Burrard St and Melville Ave in Downtown Vancouver.
YWCA Wall for Women Mural
The Wall for Women is a permanent gift to the community that depicts the strength of women and shines light on the “shadow pandemic” of intimate partner violence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence against self-identifying women has increased as much as 20-30% in parts of the country and kills a woman every six days.
The mural draws upon Ola’s Kazakh heritage and is full of symbols: the woman rises with newfound strength, a bird of hope rests on her shoulder and her gaze is fixed on the horizon to remind us all of the resilience of women.
“I have painted a lot of murals, but this was the first time integrating QR codes within my art, said Ola. “I loved the challenge and the message is so powerful. I was honoured to help the YWCA bring the idea to life and to be able to directly help the cause with my work.”
The YWCA hopes that this striking mural raises awareness across the region and inspires people to support their services that directly serve women leaving violence. They also hope that anyone who faces violence in their lives finds a sense of hope and strength in this stunning piece of art.
The mural also has QR codes embedded in the design. When you take a photo with your phone, you’ll see statistics about intimate partner violence, and have the option to donate to the YWCA’s newest housing project supporting women who have experienced violence.
The next time you are downtown, please stop to take in the mural, and snap a picture of it! Any gift you give through the Wall for Women goes toward supporting and housing women leaving violence.
Registration opened today for the #HospitalityHustle presented by Odlum Brown Limited. This free province-wide virtual event, a fundraiser for the BC Hospitality Foundation (“BCHF”), is a great way to promote your overall wellbeing and to connect safely with others in the hospitality industry.
Join the Hospitality Hustle
Register as a team or individual for the Hospitality Hustle and set a physical activity goal – anything from walking or running 5km, to playing frisbee with your dog for half an hour – and then post your training videos or photos on social media using the tag #HospitalityHustle.
There are daily prizes randomly drawn and awarded to those who register online and post on social media using #HospitalityHustle. As well, several independent fitness and running stores are extending discounts on merchandise to keep you motivated and safe. On May 30th, 2021, there will be a province-wide virtual event concluding with a virtual dance party.
Your support shows solidarity with owners and workers in the hospitality and tourism industry who are: struggling or have lost their livelihoods; still working hard to keep their business afloat during extraordinary times; providing a takeout option for those who are socially isolating and/or need a night off.
The BCHF is a registered charity that raises funds to support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health condition. In addition, the BCHF offers a scholarship program to foster the development of the next generation of workers and industry leaders.
Related: Get Active for Charity This Summer
In response to surging demand for youth mental health support in the province, London Drugs announced the launch of a new fundraising campaign: BE KIND. On now until and April 1st, 25 cents from Carlton and Papyrus Greeting Cards at London Drugs will go directly to Kids Help Phone.
London Drugs BE KIND Campaign
The BE KIND campaign encourages British Columbians to lift each other up by sending handwritten cards of encouragement, positivity and appreciation to each other. “We are all living in more isolated circumstances,” said Clint Mahlman, London Drugs President and Chief Operating Officer. “Sending uplifting, reassuring and positive handwritten cards to friends, families, and neighbours is one way to improve our overall wellbeing and sense of connection.”
Last year, Kids Help Phone experienced a 102 per cent increase in the number of calls, text and connections from youth in BC. But with many of the charity’s annual donation campaigns impacted by COVID-19, finding new ways to raise funds has been critical amid surging demand for services.
“It takes courage to reach out and it takes a community to stand behind our young people,” said Elena Manica, Director, Community Partnerships, Kids Help Phone. “With thanks to the generous support of London Drugs, Kids Help Phone’s safe and trusted support service is available 24/7 for young people in British Columbia, no matter where they are or what they need, we are here for them.”
For over 31 years, Kids Help Phone has been the only 24/7 mental health support service available to youth in Canada. Young people can text TALK to 686868 any time and receive free and confidential support.
