Mid-Year Newsletter and Updates
We want to start by saying a heartfelt thank you for your continued support of Access Youth. Because of our incredible community, partners, and supporters, we’ve been able to expand our reach, grow our programs, and create meaningful opportunities for young people. As we head into the summer months, we’re excited for what’s ahead. From new programming to community events, we’re looking forward to continuing this important work together.
As we wrap up the spring season, we’re excited to share a look back at the past few months. From impactful partnerships and successful fundraising efforts to community events and program milestones, it’s been a busy and rewarding time.
Here’s a spring overview highlighting just some of the amazing work made possible with your support.
March Highlights
March was busy with outreach, events, and generous community support.
- Volunteered at Vancouver Canucks 50/50, raising $900
- Received funding from PoMo Arts from their Blackberry Winter Arts Market
- Opened services in the new Foundry TriCities
- Participated in Festival du Bois
- Attended the Glen Eagle Volunteer Fair
- Attended an SD43 Social Media Cyberbullying and Awareness session
at Centennial Secondary School - Received the proceeds from Pomme Natural Market’s Karma Cookies sales
- Hosted Spring Break Art Journaling at Foundry
- Participated in the Pinetree Youth Resource Expo on March 11th
- Partnered with Cassandra Cake Co. during the Hot Chocolate Festival to support Naloxone & Access Youth
April Highlights
April was all about community engagement and celebrating partnerships.
- Hosted a BBQ Fundraiser at Coquitlam KMS Tools
- Received funding from the BC Gaming Grant
- Celebrated completion of a 3-year federal grant project:
“Building Safer Communities” (Art Journaling program via City of Coquitlam) - Attended Port Coquitlam Volunteer Appreciation Day
- Received support from Coquitlam Sunrise Rotary Club
May Highlights
May has been an incredible month filled with funding wins, community events, and exciting programming.
-
Received two Canada Summer Job Grantsfrom the Government of Canada
-
Received funding from Coquitlam Foundation towards two summer Art Journalling group programs
- Participated in the Port Coquitlam May Day Parade
- Served hot dogs at the Amanda Todd Foundation Golf Tournament
- Successfully presented and won funding from 100 Women Who Care
- Received funding from theRotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centenial
June Highlights
June has been an exciting and eventful month for our team, filled with fundraising, Pride celebrations, and a fresh new look for our website.
- Our first Canada Summer Jobs Grant student, Saĵa, has been hard at work updating our website, social media, and newsletter, while also supporting fundraising, Outreach, and Youth Gour-Made. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this opportunity and look forward to welcoming our next student in July.
- We wrapped up our 2025/26 Art Journaling year — thank you to everyone who participated.
- Home Depot Port Coquitlam had us for their Orange Door Campaign, which raised roughly $7,200 towards ending youth homelessness for Access Youth. Thank you!
- Attended the opening day of the Port Coquitlam Farmers Market on June 4th to raise community awareness.
- Joined the Coquitlam Youth Pride BBQ at Poirier Youth Centre on June 12th.
- Held a hot dog fundraiser at the June Downtown PoCo Friday Nights event, raising over $1,000 for youth in our community.
📢Save the Date:
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is coming up soon — date TBD.
Volunteer Spotlight: Ryan Uliana
Driven by a passion for giving back and addressing food insecurity in the community, Ryan Uliana began volunteering with Access Youth about a year and a half ago. Today, he plays a vital role in our Youth Gour-Made program as a dedicated volunteer driver.
Each week, Ryan delivers meal kits to approximately 25 youth and their families, helping provide nutritious meals to 80-100 people. His reliability and commitment ensure that food reaches those who need it most.
Originally from Haida Gwaii, Ryan moved to the Lower Mainland in early adulthood and now works designing, installing, and maintaining large-scale printers in lumber mills. Outside of work, he enjoys playing Ultimate and Dungeons & Dragons.
Ryan is not only a valued volunteer but also a kind, loyal friend and a great neighbour. We’re grateful for the care and consistency he brings to our community every week. Thank you Ryan!
Program Spotlight: Project Reach Out (the Bus)
Project ReachOut (PRO) — also known as “The Bus” — is an award-winning mobile youth outreach program serving the Tri-Cities since 2004. Using a modified shuttle bus, we connect with youth where they already gather — skate parks, malls, schools, and more — bringing support directly to them.
PRO provides food, clothing, hygiene items, and essential
resources, including harm reduction supplies, naloxone, and sexual health supports. Our Outreach Workers also offer counselling, education, conflict resolution, referrals, and in-the-moment support in a safe, LGBTQ2S+ friendly space.
We focus on building trust first, because relationships are the catalyst for change. By meeting youth where they are, we create meaningful connections and offer a vital first point of contact for those facing isolation, homelessness, or risks related to exploitation, gang involvement, or substance use.
With nearly 40,000 connections made, PRO is a consistent and visible presence in the community, helping youth access support, build resilience, and move toward their goals.
Who it’s for: Youth ages 12-24 who need connection, support, or resources.
We meet youth where they are, so they can get where they want to go.
Right now, due to limited funding, we’re only able to run our outreach bus once a week. But with your support, we can change that.
By sponsoring a night for $750, you help bring the bus out into the Tri-Cities community, creating safe and welcoming spaces where young people can connect, access resources, and receive the support they need.
Every additional night means:
- 🍎 Snacks and essentials for youth who need them
- 🧼 Hygiene supplies to support health, dignity, and well-being
- ❤️ Harm reduction supplies and education to help keep youth safe
- 💬 A safe place to talk, be heard, and feel seen
Your sponsorship brings care, support, and resources directly to young people, right where they are, when they need it most.
.
Thank You Funders
We are deeply grateful for all of our funding partners who help keep Access Youth moving forward.
- BC Gaming Grant – $59,500
- Home Depot Foundation: $7,200
- Thank you so much to the Spring Orange Door Campaign for your continued support of Access Youth!
- Cassandra Cake Co. – $256
- Thank you for supporting Access Youth with the Hot Chocolate Festival
- Coquitlam Foundation – $3,500
- Thank you for your continued support of Art Journaling
- Coquitlam Legion 263 – $2,000
- Thank you for your continued support of Access Youth
- Coquitlam Sunrise Rotary – $7,000
- Thank you for your continued support of Access Youth
- Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam Centenial – $5,000
- Thank you for your continued support of Access Youth
- Pomme Natural Market – $1,220
- Thank you to everyone who purchased Karma Cookies and supported Access Youth
- Pomo Arts – $1,460.32
- Thank you so much for your support of Access Youth!
- Vancouver Canucks 50/50 – $900
- Thank you for letting us come to the game and help sell 50/50 tickets.
- KMS Tools Coquitlam – $933.52
- Thank you for letting us host a BBQ Fundraiser at KMS and donating the hot dogs
- 100 Women Who Care – $14,000
- Canada Summer Jobs Grant – $11,625
- Thank you Government of Canada for providing us with two Summer job Grants, allowing us to employ two students in the Tri-Cities this summer.
Thank you funding partners!
Make a Donation today to help support youth in the Tri-Cities!