I was first introduced to Cause We Care Foundation through Michelle Jankovich, a founding board member whose passion for supporting single mothers and their children was contagious. We met at a dinner party years ago and immediately connected—her energy and enthusiasm about Cause We Care inspired me to get involved. I’ve always believed that everyone deserves the chance to reach their full potential, yet too often circumstances beyond one’s control make that impossible. Growing up in a small Okanagan town in the 80s, likely many, my family faced its share of challenges, but I remain deeply grateful for the life my parents created for me. That gratitude has shaped who I am today and fuels my desire to give back—to extend a helping hand to those who haven’t had the same opportunities but deserve every chance to thrive. For me, being part of Cause We Care is about more than lending a hand to mothers and children who deserve to know they can reach their greatest potential.
I have so many fond memories of volunteering with CWC, but one that stands out is when Michelle invited me and a few colleagues to help pack Mother’s Day care packages at Xpe’y School. Not only did we assemble the packages, we also had the fun (and slightly nerve-wracking!) task of driving the big cube van to deliver them to schools and front-line organizations supporting single mothers and their children. For me, that first experience was especially meaningful knowing these small gestures help mothers feel valued, seen, and celebrated on days that can otherwise be difficult. Over the years, I have joined many care package drives and always found it inspiring to see so many other volunteers helping and local organizations contributing care package items. It feels good to roll up our sleeves, pack, and deliver something that brings a little joy to a deserving family.
To me, corporate philanthropy is about standing alongside our communities and helping meet real needs—whether that’s supporting education, healthcare, food security, or local programs. I am grateful for the way CC&L Private Capital, through the leadership team and the CC&L Foundation, has supported me in volunteering and donating to Cause We Care over the years. CC&L Financial Group embodies a shared commitment to building positive impact in the places we call home and over the years the CC&L Foundation has donated over $17 million across 730 diverse community not-for-profit organizations.
Many years ago someone shared the idea of having ‘ generous assumptions’, having generous assumptions about someone’s intentions or behavior can help us embrace a more compassionate perspective in all aspects of our lives…I try to practice this often – especially when driving in traffic!
