The Vision

Ignite the Warmth Society is a grassroots, registered non-profit organization based in traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples dedicated to addressing issues of poverty and homelessness across the Lower Mainland through asset-based community development, youth engagement, and learning exchanges. Our mission is to empower underserved communities and educate youth about the systemic barriers, inequities, and stigma placed upon unhoused communities.

In 2013, we started as a small team of students wanting to involve our schools and communities to supporting those unhoused or facing precarious living situations. What started as a blanket drive evolve and grew with the support of the dedicated people, partners, and mostly students who wanted to see change happen in small, incremental steps.

Our partners have included UBC Learning Exchange, Union Gospel Mission, The Dugoout Drop-in Society, Employ to Empower, The Lookout Housing and Health Society, Elizabeth Fry Society, Richmond Cares Richmond Gives, Save-on-Foods, Canadian Tires, Value Village, Rona, Starbucks, Hootsuite, Kanata Blanket Company and Canadian Springs.