Our Mission
“Poverty Relief Partners is a philanthropy organization based in Vancouver, Canada, founded in January 2024. Our mission is to sponsor and empower the volunteers and organizations who actively assisting impoverished and vulnerable individuals. We strive to break the poverty cycle by offering emotional and spiritual support, essential resources, and access to healthcare, social services, financial assistance, and education.”
Overview
Vancouver, renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, paradoxically grapples with significant social challenges. Among these, homelessness and substance use stand out, marking the city with some of the highest rates in Canada.
According to the 28th Annual BC Child Poverty Report Card released by the First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society in November 2024, the child poverty rate in British Columbia rose sharply in 2022, continuing the alarming trend from the previous year. This increase was closely linked to the withdrawal of government pandemic income supports for families.
The report shows that in 2022, 147,570 children and youth aged 0–17 in BC were living in poverty. This represented 16.7% of all children, or roughly one in six, compared to 14.3% in 2021. The rise meant 21,450 more children were living in poverty than the year before, marking the largest single-year increase in two decades.
In 2025, the Point-in-Time Homeless Count recorded 763 unsheltered individuals in the City of Vancouver and a total of 5,232 people experiencing homelessness across Metro Vancouver. The true extent of the crisis is likely even greater, as many individuals who isolate themselves and do not seek social or health assistance remain uncounted.
This widespread deprivation leaves thousands in Metro Vancouver without access to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, health, and social services. In turn, poverty and homelessness are closely linked to broader systemic challenges, including joblessness, high crime rates, addiction, and mental illness.
How People Fall into Poverty
To understand how individuals become homeless, the Statistics Canada report “Homelessness: How Does It Happen?” published on December 6, 2023, provides insights into the primary factors leading to homelessness. Understanding the reasons behind poverty is crucial rather than merely judging those affected. Their experiences and decisions are often shaped by factors beyond their control, such as abuse, trauma, illness, disability, and social or income inequality. Read the report
The report reveals that financial challenges are the leading cause of homelessness, with 41.8% of respondents citing financial issues as the primary reason. Other significant factors include relationship issues (36.9%) and fleeing abuse (13.3%), with the latter being four times more likely for women than for men. These factors, which lead to stress, can severely impact their mental health, making it difficult for them to improve their situation. When these challenges compound, it becomes increasingly difficult for individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty.
Poverty stems from a lack of resources and opportunities necessary to meet basic human needs. Before intervening or assisting the vulnerable population, it is essential to identify the root causes. This approach fosters hope and empowers individuals to improve their circumstances and reclaim control over their lives.
Please see our Poverty Cycle. This resource delves into the underlying factors perpetuating poverty and offers insights into effective strategies for fostering long-term change.
For general inquiries, email us at info@PovertyReliefPartners.org.