The voice of our community: their experiences, their words.

Before coming to United We Can, I was struggling with alcohol addiction and homelessness. After being laid off and running out of money, I found myself living on the streets, trying to find enough bottles and cans to get by. Most days, I was focused on finding something to eat, feeding my addiction, and finding a safe place to sit or sleep without getting into trouble. I first came to United We Can as a binner. Someone I met on the streets recommended the depot because people were treated with respect, and there was coffee, food, and a better understanding of what people were going through. Returning my refundables gave me a source of income, but more importantly, it gave me dignity. One day, I saw a job posting on the depot door and decided to apply. Getting hired changed my life. Working at United We Can gave me structure, accountability, and the chance to rebuild my self-respect. The support I received from staff and coworkers helped me realize that I was capable of more than I thought. They encouraged me to learn new skills, work in different departments, and take on new responsibilities. Along the way, I also found support to address my addiction, connect with services, and find a place to stay. Over time, I became more confident, more independent, and more compassionate toward others. Having experienced homelessness myself, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges people face and the importance of being treated with dignity. Today, one of the things I am most proud of is being able to support and mentor people who are going through similar struggles. What makes United We Can different is the respect people receive here. Whether someone is returning bottles or working on rebuilding their life, they are treated as a person with value. This organization reminds people that their work matters, that they matter, and that with support and opportunity, positive change is possible. Support and donations help make those success stories possible. I know because I am one of them.

I first came to United We Can while I was struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. I started in the Street and Lane Cleaning Program, but at the time I wasn't always reliable because of what I was going through. After completing detox and treatment, I returned and was given another opportunity to work at the bottle depot. United We Can gave me much more than a job. It gave me structure, purpose, and a reason to keep moving forward. The support I received from people like Vince and Ian helped me rebuild my confidence and create a more stable life. Over the years, I've gained friendships, housing, meaningful work, and the chance to take on greater responsibilities. What makes United We Can different is the people. The leadership genuinely cares, and there's a culture of respect here. Everyone is treated with dignity and given an opportunity to succeed. If you're considering supporting United We Can, I can honestly say it changes lives. Sometimes all a person needs is a chance. United We Can gave me that chance, and it worked.

I'm a full-time single dad, and I first came to United We Can after being referred by a former employee. At the time, I was dealing with serious injuries that made it impossible for me to continue the work I had done before, and I needed a chance to get back on my feet. One thing that stood out right away was the understanding I received. When I had to miss my start date because of an important medical appointment for my child, there was no judgment, just flexibility and support. That made a strong first impression. I started doing casual work cleaning the streets and at the bottle depot. Later on, I moved into a more stable role at the bottle depot. United We Can helped me financially, but just as importantly, it gave me a supportive environment where people didn't give up on me. Over time, I've gained confidence, developed leadership skills, and taken on more responsibility. I'm proud of how far I've come and that I'm now in a position to help others as well. What makes United We Can different is the respect people show one another. Everyone is treated with dignity, and people are given opportunities they might not find elsewhere. If you're considering supporting United We Can, I'd say you have no idea how many people you will be helping in Vancouver every day.

I first heard about United We Can through one of the employees who told me about a job opportunity here. Before that, I had lost my job and was struggling with my mental health and addiction issues. Working at United We Can keeps me active and gives me something to do every day. It makes me feel good about myself and helps me support my partner and make a living. Having responsibilities at work gives me something to be accountable for, and that motivates me to show up and do my best. One thing I appreciate is that people here don't give up on you. Management understands that people face challenges and are willing to work with you. They gave me a chance and trusted me with responsibilities, which helped me build confidence in myself. One of the things I'm most proud of is that I come to work clean and sober. Every hour I'm busy counting bottles and cans is time spent doing something positive. Being part of United We Can gives me a sense of purpose and makes me feel like I'm part of something. If you're thinking about supporting United We Can, I'd say it makes a real difference. The people here are making an effort every day, and your support helps give people the opportunity to keep going.