Sola Skincare is committed to being a company that gives back, supporting people and communities both locally and abroad. Here are some of the organizations we have donated to.
Covenant House
Covenant House helps youth aged 16 to 24 who have fled physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; those who have been forced from their homes; and those who have aged out of foster care. This organization has various programs for youth including Community Support Services, a Crisis Program with beds for youth in crisis where staff and volunteers help them without judgment, as well as Rights of Passage which provides youth with safe, affordable housing and support while they transition to independent living.
We were thrilled to learn that a generous supporter has offered Covenant House the funds for a $100,000 triple matching gift challenge, so our donation was tripled today and we were able to help three times as many young folks because of one generous supporter.
Olivia and family from our community
I am part of a local parent group, called the TCMG (Tri-City Mom Group). The group heard the devastating news from fellow mother Isabelle, that her daughter Olivia had been diagnosed with Stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma in December of 2016. Olivia was 2.5 at the time, and since her diagnosis, she and her family have spent the majority of the time at BC Children's Hospital. Olivia's parents, Isabelle & Scott have both been off work to care for Olivia, and for the new baby boy born in May 2017.
Olivia is facing intense and long treatments, and her family needs help. One of the challenges they are facing is that the treatments Olivia needs, are in the US and in other cities in Canada. They are raising money to help support them in this difficult time. We choose to support them.
If you'd like to support them too, please send an etransfer to: oliviaourlittlefighter@gmail.com and use the password: Olivia
They also have a Go Fund Me account set up here.
Quest Food Exchange
Quest Food Exchange, is a Vancouver-area organization that aims to reduce hunger with dignity, build community, and foster sustainability. Read more about Quest and why we chose to support this organization here.
The Rare Disease Foundation
The Rare Disease foundation is a group of researchers, caregivers, volunteers and families working together to find solutions for children and families affected by rare and undiagnosed diseases.
It's an issue that's close to our hearts because we've had the privilege of getting to know a brave and amazing girl named Charlie. She was diagnosed at six months with a terminal neuromuscular illness called SMA 1 and given less than a year to live. Now 6 years old, Charlie continues to amaze and delight everyone who knows her, and we're happy to help the foundation that supports Charlie and others like her.
Although I've never met Charlie or her mother Cherie in real life yet, I have been following their story for years now as we share a mutual friend. I've been touched by their strength and wanted to do what we could to support them. I asked Cherie which organization she would like for us to donate to on her behalf, and she suggested The Rare Disease Foundation. While not solely raising funds for SMA 1, The Rare Disease Foundation is through BC Children's Hospital and is doing wonderful things for SMA 1. Plus it's local to us and them and we have a soft spot for local.
Keep up to date with Charlie at the Facebook Page created by her lovely mom Cherie, or via her blog.
Local Community Group
We've decided to donate to a local community group 
in the Tri-Cities. This group is full of families from all walks of life. This is a Facebook group, started by a woman named Heather who craved community. She was looking for support from fellow mothers, for conversations, for company. It's amazing how things evolve... This group has grown over the years and now boasts close to 5000 members. Like many groups, it fosters conversations of support, education and information. Families in need, whether unable to stretch that paycheque to get groceries, or facing a health crisis, can reach out to the volunteer admins of this group and let them know they are struggling. This group receives support from small businesses in the community, and from fellow mothers who see a need a want to help. If you're a part of this group you know you can reach out for help if you need to.
Personally, this group has introduced me to many women I now call friends. I've joined a hiking group through this group, which has gotten me outside and on the gorgeous trails in our community. I've regularly donated Sola Skincare goods to raise money in silent auctions to add funds to the pot, which gets allocated to those who need it. I've gotten great recipes, found out about sporting teams and activities for our girls and learned about community events. I've read posts from fellow mothers admitting they need help, their kids are pushing them to the brink, and I often relate to those feelings because let's admit it, parenting is hard work, and we all feel like failures at times.
At Sola, we love giving back, and it's important for us to give back to local people or organizations that are making a difference. This group is making a difference in many lives in our own neighbourhood, so it was the perfect choice for us.
The Pacific Post Partum Support Society
This donation was in direct response to an occurrence that happened in our own community. On October 25th, New Westminster mother Florence Leung went missing. Since her disappearance it's come to light that she had been suffering from Post Partum anxiety/depression. Sadly, the search has come to a tragic end when Florence's body was found.
I know I have friends who have suffered from various degrees of post partum depression. While I was lucky enough to not personally experience it, I have had countless moments in the 8 plus years that I've been a mother where I've felt alone, bored, angry, sad, frustrated, completely overwhelmed... These are normal experiences when your life is turned upside down and you have a human to care for. Motherhood and parenthood is very hard. Being able to get help when you need it, treatment, support, whatever is so necessary, valid and important.
Florence was not alone, and neither are the countless other women who experience some form of post partum depression or anxiety. The Pacific Post Partum Support Society is one that has helped so many mothers in their time of need, so we felt it was a good choice to give back to them this quarter. As a family run company, it's very close to our hearts. If you or anyone you know is feeling any of these feelings of post partum depression or anxiety, please reach out to them. Let them know they are not alone, their feelings are very common and there is help.
Share Family & Community Services
The holidays are a time when people really ramp up the donations, and the places that are often highlighted are local food banks. Share Family & Community Services are a wonderful local organization with specific programs for babies, a dedicated food bank program, as well as Holiday Hampers.
We are so thrilled to be able to support local community initiative's like this one, and we know our donation went to those who needed it the most.