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As Rise Up! continues to grow, so do the opportunities to connect, learn, and thrive together! From regional gatherings and provincial events to virtual webinars and learning circles, our events are open to youth volunteers, host organizations, and community partners across BC.
Stay tuned here to explore what’s happening near you and across the province. We’ll share upcoming events, inspiring stories, and ways to deepen your involvement in building more just, thriving, and connected communities.
We recognize that this work takes place across the traditional territories of many diverse Indigenous Nations. With deep respect and gratitude, we honour the lands and waters that sustain our efforts. We are committed to serving our communities in a good way—centering relationships, reciprocity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do.
Interior Regional Gathering 2026
Rise Up! youth in the Interior Region gathered for their annual Regional Gathering in July. This year, we were lucky to spend the day on-site enjoying the beautiful scenery at Helen’s Acres Community Farm. We kicked off the morning connecting over tasty pastries and hearing about the work and mission…
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Rise Up! 2026 Provincial Youth Reflection: Leonard Zheng
This is reposted from Leonard Zheng’s original LinkedIn post with permission. Earlier in March, I had the opportunity to participate in the Rise Up! Provincial Retreat hosted by the Public Health Association of BC on Vancouver Island. Over four days, we explored food systems, environmental stewardship, leadership, and community through…
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Rise Up! Youth Reflection: Mia Lyon-Finnie
Over the past year, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with the Public Health Association of British Columbia’s (PHABC) Rise Up! youth program. Through this volunteer experience, I was able to connect with the amazing team at PHABC, meet other passionate volunteers, and gain deeper insight into food systems…
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BC Youth Survey
PHABC is conducting a survey to better understand real challenges youth (16 to 30) on income assistance face when looking for food systems related work, training, or employment supports. Are you 16 to 30 years old and on income assistance? Take the survey and help us create programs for people…
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Island Regional Gathering 2025
The youth volunteers from our RiseUp! Island Cohort shared some wonderful moments from the Regional Gathering at the Sacred Cedar Centre in Cowichan.
The hosts, Hwiemtun and Lekha, led them through a rich and dynamic afternoon of self-reflection, skill building, and cultural learning. Youth participants got hands on in the…
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Northern Regional Gathering 2025
Last August, the first cohort of Northern Rise Up! youth came together in Terrace for their Regional Gathering. Our guest speaker, Margo Peill, started the day with some critical perspectives on how and why we make Indigenous land acknowledgements, and some lessons she’s learned over the years about meaningful community…
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Interior Regional Gathering 2025
Last fall, our first cohort of Rise Up! volunteers from the Interior Region gathered for a fun-filled day in Vernon starting at the sncəcmałqtn Agricultural Park. Here youth participants connected with each other and learned about the community space and vision for the gardens on site from local food literacy…
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Fraser Regional Gathering 2025
Last September, our first cohort of Rise Up! volunteers from the Fraser region gathered and connected at the Fraser Common Farm in Langley. Throughout the day, they engaged in interactive workshops on diverse food systems topics! This included learning about local plants with Kwantlen First Nation Elder Karen Gabriel and…
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Vancouver Coastal Regional Gathering 2025
We had a great time with the Vancouver Coastal Rise Up! volunteers at Riley Park Community Garden. Cucumbers, Sungold tomatoes and Dragon Tongue beans were ripe and ready for us to harvest! While time in the garden taught us why pollinators, including wasps, are an important piece of our ecosystem.
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Local branch of food security initiative seeks volunteers in northern BC to max out enrollment
This is reposted from the original CFURadio article with permission from Ian Gregg, Newsroom Coordinator. As National Volunteer Week (NVM) runs across the country, Jo van Winkle, coordinator of Public Health Association of BC’s (PHABC’s) Rise Up! program recruits BC’s northern youth into food systems & agricultural projects, strengthening regional…
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Rise Up! 2026 Provincial Youth Reflection: Charmain Schocat
This is reposted from Charmain Schocat’s original LinkedIn post with permission. This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Provincial Retreat with the Rise Up! Program, the youth program my partner and I have been involved with since last year (including presenting at the Northern Food Summit in…
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You are invited to: A Food Systems and Environment Webinar
We are excited to welcome you all to our next Rise Up! Webinar on Food Systems and the Environment on Thursday, February 12th from 6:00-7:00 PM (PST). Food systems have a significant impact on the environment, and as the global population grows, the pressure on these systems will only increase. Climate…
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