Community Video Winners Tackle United Way Themes

A Vancouver high school student’s poignant but simple video about bullying related to sexual orientation, Reach Out, has won first prize in the youth category of United Way of the Lower Mainland’s Care to Change competition. People were asked to make change-making videos focusing on issues facing the Lower Mainland including childhood poverty, bullying, and seniors’ social isolation.

Bullying was the most prevalent topic addressed by youth in videos submitted to United Way, in fact, all three winning videos in the youth category focused on bullying.  The winner’s video in the adult category, Dancing Dreams, and the viewer’s choice award winning video, A Way to Connect, both focused on senior’s isolation.

192 adults and youth around the province submitted a total of 60 videos to United Way of the Lower Mainland’s second annual Care to Change video competition.

“It takes a lot of talented people working together to make award-winning film or television. But for new video production teams to create a video with heart, one that inspires community action like these winners, now that’s a real feat!,” said Catherine Warren, Board Member of United Way of the Lower Mainland, and Chair of the Care to Change judging committee. “These captivating videos have the power to make us view our community through a different lens, to have compassion for our neighbours, to advocate and to donate. We each have a lot to give right here in Metro Vancouver.”

Youth winner Linnea Ritland (right) and UWLM Board Member and judge Catherine Warren

View United Way’s Red Carpet and Gala Event photos.

This is an excerpt from a press release by the United Way in the Lower Mainland. Click here for the full release and list of winners.

Update: Click here and look for the “Care to Change: Reach Out” Linnea Ritland on CTV Morning Live. You will find the the video is on the right of the main video player. 

Update #2: Youth winner, Linnea Ritland, wrote this incredibly humble and thoughtful blog.