Did you know?

More than 100 young leaders have graduated from the Youth Now program.

Each year, over 100 non-profit professionals attend our training opportunities.

Over two dozen non-profit organizations have participated in the Youth Now program.

The CCRR provides nearly 400 child care referrals per year.

On average, the CCRR hosts 30 workshops and training courses each year.

Every year, over 500 child care providers and parents attend CCRR training opportunities.

Every year, RCRG completes over 3,000 grocery orders for local seniors.

Nearly 300 seniors make use of our Better at Home services.

Our volunteer drivers complete more than 1,200 trips annually.

At least 350 people per year find a volunteer position using our Volunteer Match program.

Close to 500 volunteers support RCRG’s programs and services.

Volunteers contribute nearly 23,000 hours to our organization each year.

Each holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund helps more than 2,200 low-income residents.

Every year, the Christmas Fund provides over 600 children with toys, books, and sports equipment.

The Richmond Christmas Fund was first started by Ethel Tibbits, in the 1930s.

The number of Neighbourhood Small Grants we’ve awarded has increased every year since 2014.

Block parties are the most popular type of Neighbourhood Small Grant project.

Every year, the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre serves over 7,300 local women.

The Richmond Women’s Resource Centre currently offers 16 programs and services.

Nearly 60 volunteers support the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre, contributing nearly 2,500 hours per year.

Richmond is home to over 350 registered charities, all of which rely on volunteer support.

There are nearly 13 million volunteers across Canada.

International Volunteer Day is celebrated throughout the world on December 5.

There are 35 volunteer centres in British Columbia.

In 2016, the Foundation awarded 10 grants to non-profit organizations, worth a combined $59,000.

The Foundation manages $6 million in 60 Forever Funds, returning, on average, CPI plus 4%.

Between 2020 and 2022, the Foundation distributed $656,000 in grants, scholarships, charitable disbursements, and Emergency Community Support Funds.

Foundation activities result in the enhancement of our community and residents’ sense of belonging.

ROCA has raised over $21,000 for local charities.

ROCA has performed its Elementary School Concert Series to over 8,000 students.

ROCA provides mentoring and life changing opportunities for aspiring musicians.

The Richmond Arts Coalition was founded in November of 2005.

RAC co-produces the ArtRich exhibition every two years!

RAC highlights Richmond's arts events in a monthly email.

The Richmond Music School is the oldest not-for-profit music school in Richmond.

The Richmond Music School offers affordable music lessons through its diverse programming.

Our students performed 40 hours of music to welcome the Olympic athletes to the 2010 Olympic Games.

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September Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Theresa!

Published August 27, 2026

Theresa Chan has been quietly making a meaningful difference in her community for over a decade. Since 2013, she has been a dedicated RCRG volunteer, supporting residents - especially seniors - by connecting them with essential services, resources, and information. Through her work, she not only provides practical assistance but also helps break down barriers and ensures people feel understood and supported when navigating community programs.

Her involvement began with a strong commitment to helping others and has since grown into four distinct volunteer roles, each offering a different way to support the community through direct service, coordination, and public outreach.

As an Information & Referral Counsellor and Interpreter, Theresa helps seniors navigate systems, access benefits, and connect with community resources. She also bridges language barriers between clients and counsellors, ensuring communication is clear, accurate, and inclusive. Her support often helps clients feel more confident and less overwhelmed when seeking assistance.

She also contributes behind the scenes in our Shop-by-Phone program, helping to maintain smooth operations by entering volunteer hours and organizing service data. Though less visible, this work is essential in ensuring the program runs efficiently and effectively.

During the holiday season, Theresa serves as a Richmond Christmas Fund Translator, helping clients with language barriers to understand the program and its supports. Because of her efforts, individuals feel informed, comfortable, and respected in what might otherwise be a stressful situation.

In addition, through her Outreach role, Theresa represents RCRG at wellness clinics and community events. She shares information about RCRG's services, answers questions from the public, and helps connect individuals to the supports and resources that best meet their needs.

Theresa’s journey into volunteering began after a surgery, when friends encouraged her to get involved with RCRG. What started as a small step soon became a deeply meaningful part of her life. Volunteering helped her rebuild confidence, expand her knowledge, and develop a renewed sense of purpose.

Over time, she gained valuable skills and a deeper understanding of how to support those around her. What she values most is the opportunity to keep learning, meet new people, and stay closely connected to her community. She recognizes that many people are unaware of available resources and sees volunteers as a vital bridge - helping individuals find support and empowering them to share that knowledge with others.

For those considering volunteering, Theresa encourages choosing something that genuinely aligns with your interests, as passion is what sustains long-term involvement. When people care about what they do, even small contributions can grow into something much bigger. She often describes this through a simple image: one candle gives light on its own, but when many are lit together, they create something far brighter and more powerful. In the same way, collective effort builds stronger, more connected communities.

After more than ten years of service, Theresa has seen this idea reflected in real life. The most meaningful part of her journey has been the human connections she has built along the way: warm greetings from people she has helped, familiar faces in the community, and moments that reflect how those small “candles” of support continue to glow long after each interaction ends. For her, these lasting connections are the clearest reminder that even small acts of support can leave a meaningful and enduring impact.