Risebridge wants no one to celebrate the holidays alone in Nanaimo and Oceanside

As the cost of living continues to rise and the number of those unhoused increases, a mid-island non-profit group is making sure no one is alone during the holiday season.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieDecember 12, 2025Nanaimo, Risebridge, Poverty, holidays, unhoused, homelessness

Dress for success: new VIU ‘Career Closet’ offers free professional clothing for students

A new service through Vancouver Island University’s Career Studio is helping students dress for success for interviews, events and presentations.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieDecember 1, 2025Nanaimo, VIU, Vancouver Island University, Career Studio, Poverty

Fresh Start back-to-school event in great need of backpacks for children

As the need for more school backpacks grows, Fresh Start’s charity drive is figuring out what to do as they see a lack of donations compared to previous years.

Lauryn MackenzieAugust 7, 2025Nanaimo, Poverty, Fresh start, chilhood ooverty, back to school, backpacks

Challenging paperwork, poverty advocate group hosts event to assist people with low-income supports

Applying for low-income support can be challenging but a local poverty advocacy group is helping people get through the process.

Lauryn MackenzieFebruary 20, 2025PAN, Pov, Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo, Poverty

Local poverty advocate group connects low-income people with harder-to-find resources

Since its start in December of 2023, Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo has worked to connect low-income people and families with resources that tend to be harder to find.

Lauryn MackenzieNovember 6, 2024Nanaimo, Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo, PAN, Poverty