05

Community Leadership

Creating capacity and bettering lives in our communities

First West believes in supporting local non-profit and charitable organizations that serve the most vulnerable in our communities. We create capacity in the social sector by leveraging our financial strength and our social vision, Lead Well. Through Lead Well, employees volunteer the wide array of their knowledge and skills to help our communities thrive.

“I’m thrilled that I’m able to use my financial expertise, leadership skills and network to make a difference for kids in need.”

Kevin Lehman, Branch Manager, Envision Financial division and Director, Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society

385 employees
used their leadership abilities and professional skills in 2018 to create capacity for local charities

2,111 days volunteered

First West employees spent 15,831 hours helping those in need and building our local communities in 2018. 6,502 hours were given during work hours, with another 9,329 hours given after work

1,210,422 meals

Feed the Valley and The Full Cupboard—our signature cause programs—generated $403,474 and 13,329 pounds of food, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of meals for British Columbians

66 projects,
2,066 hours

66 projects,
2,066 hours

Our Make a Difference Days encourages employees to volunteer in their communities with local non-profit agencies. We’re boots on the ground, supporting a wide variety of community projects. Since 2007, we’ve taken part in 597 projects and served 10,936 hours.

The First West Foundation

The credit union's companion grant-making charity has been working to create resilient and resourceful communities since 1996.

$675,000 granted

$675,000 granted

from the foundation’s 15 endowments and charitable giving campaign in 2018

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$68,900 pledged

by employees to support Foundation endowments, local United Ways, our Feed the Valley and The Full Cupboard programs and key partner charities in our communities

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Support from the First West Foundation helped scores of local charities deliver programs and services to help build community resilience and resourcefulness

Foundation Growth

 04Economic Impact

06Employee Highlights