December 17, 2020
Employees have raised more than $1.1 million for the local community
Victoria, BC – British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Along with investing on behalf of the province’s public sector for the past two decades, BCI’s employees have always contributed to the local community. Since 2000, the corporation has run an annual employee giving program that has raised more than $1.1 million for the United Way of Greater Victoria (United Way).
This year, COVID-19 has required BCI to adapt its workplace giving campaign to be virtual, using innovative solutions to engage employees and create awareness. Its kickoff included a podcast with Mark Breslauer, the United Way’s CEO, about his organization’s response to COVID-19 and the United Way’s new areas of action and signature initiatives: Isolated Seniors – More than Meals program; Families in Need – Little Phoenix Daycare; and Mental Health & Addictions – outreach and counselling services.
United Way is proud of its long-standing partnership with BCI and applauds the generosity its employees have shown through the 20 years.
“With COVID-19, more people are living with uncertainty. There has been a toll on our mental health, our relationships, and our financial security,” said Mark Breslauer, CEO, United Way Greater Victoria. “We are extremely grateful for BCI’s corporate leadership and the generosity its employees have long demonstrated, especially as community needs have never been greater.”
What does a million dollars mean for the community? The contributions of BCI employees have helped fund meals and companionship programs for isolated seniors, counselling services for those struggling with mental health concerns, mentorship programs for youth looking for guidance, parenting programs for new mothers, employment and skill training workshops, financial literacy training, and respite care for family caregivers.
“Our values are more than just words, they’re a way of life. They are the glue that unites us and the principles that guide our company’s actions, and that extends to our local communities,” says Shauna Lukaitis, BCI’s Chief Operating Officer, who has also served as executive sponsor for the corporation’s United Way campaign committee for the past five years. “United Way is dedicated to helping those most vulnerable, especially during this time of uncertainty. BCI staff have truly shown their support over the years by raising over $1.1 million. I can’t express enough how proud I am.”
With support from organizations like BCI, United Way helped over 90,000 individuals across the Greater Victoria Area last year. For more information about the work United Way does or to make a donation, please visit uwgv.ca.
About United Way Greater Victoria
United Way is a trusted leader, influencer and catalyst for change. In response to COVID-19, we are focusing our efforts on urgent community needs such as mental health outreach services and counselling, meals and companionship for isolated seniors, and essentials for families in need. United, we accelerate change to improve the lives of our neighbours who need it most, making our local community stronger. We believe everyone in Greater Victoria should have the opportunity to reach their potential. Our vision is to build a safe and resilient community where happiness and belonging connect us. Last fiscal year United Way raised $4.7 million thanks to over 7,000 donors and over 250 workplaces running employee giving programs.
About British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
With $171.3 billion of managed assets, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is the leading provider of investment management services for British Columbia’s public sector and one of the largest asset managers in Canada.
We invest globally on behalf of British Columbia’s public sector. Our clients include 12 public sector pension plans, three insurance funds, and various special purpose funds. BCI’s investment activities help our clients secure the pensions of nearly 630,000 plan members in our six largest pension plans alone, while 2.5 million British Columbian workers and more than three million drivers depend on our clients’ returns. This year, BCI celebrates the 20th anniversary of investing on behalf of our clients and creating meaningful financial futures for British Columbians.
Media Contact
Heather Skydt
United Way Greater Victoria
Director Marketing and Communications
Mobile: 250-686-3606
Office: 250-984-2269
Ben O’Hara-Byrne
BCI
Sr. Manager, External Stakeholder Engagement
