Corporate Volunteers Make a Lasting Impact at YWCA Crabtree Corner

Every Wednesday, the YWCA Crabtree Corner Kitchen welcomes corporate volunteers to prepare and serve a warm, nutritious breakfast for the Downtown Eastside community. These weekly breakfasts have become a staple for many in the neighbourhood, offering not just a filling meal but a moment of connection and care.  

On April 9, 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of enthusiastic volunteers from BCLC and Parq Casino, who teamed up to create a memorable morning. BCLC also sponsored Crabtree Corner's food programs in the month of April alongside a generous donation from Parq Casino. The group rolled up their sleeves and got to work, serving nearly 100 guests. Their breakfast spread was both hearty and thoughtful: pancakes with all the fixings (whipped cream, syrup, fresh fruit), eggs, bacon, sausages, individual yogurts and whole fruit to-go. The effort and care they brought to the kitchen was truly appreciated by staff, volunteers and guests alike. 

We spoke with Jordan O’Genski, Manager, Social Purpose & Engagement at BCLC and Angela Brain, CFO at Parq Casino about what inspired their team to get involved and what the experience meant to them. 

What inspired your team to volunteer at Crabtree Corner? 

Jordan: At the heart of BCLC’s social purpose is a commitment to fostering human connection, and that means showing up meaningfully in the communities we serve. Volunteering with Crabtree Corner and supporting its work with women facing complex challenges in the Downtown Eastside, was a real, tangible way to help foster new connections within the community and contribute, even in a small way, to the vital services Crabtree Corner provides in the neighbourhood. 

Angela: Parq Casino appreciates and has regularly supported YWCA’s efforts to make positive change. The hands-on volunteer experience provided an opportunity for Parq Casino and BCLC staff to come together to make a positive impact to a large group of local women while learning about the important social resources that the Crabtree Corner provides in Vancouver. 

Can you share a bit about the experience and any highlights from the day? 

Jordan: The Crabtree team welcomed us with open arms, as we arrived excited and energized for the day. Preparing and serving breakfast gave us the chance to connect many neighbourhood residents, with highlight including the chance to chat with a few of the women — reinforcing that there are few things more impactful than connecting over a warm and nourishing meal.  There was also something special about working side-by-side as a team, sharing a common goal and together, forging new connections and deeper relationships – it’s deeply meaningful!

Angela: It was insightful to learn about the support offered by the YWCA Crabtree Corner, from meals to childcare to transitional accommodation. Meeting the dedicated staff who run the different programs during our tour of the facility added an even deeper appreciation for the impact they have on the community. Crabtree Corner provides a safe and welcoming place for women to connect and support each other.

How did your team feel about preparing and serving breakfast for the community? 

Jordan: Our team was humbled and grateful for the opportunity. Everyone left the day feeling more grounded and connected – to each other and to the community. It also gave us a renewed appreciation for the work organizations like the YWCA do every day. 

Angela: Our team was grateful for the experience to prepare and serve breakfast for the community. We are not all dealt the same hands in life, so when we can come together to share our time and resources with other people, it motivates us to find more opportunities to make a positive difference in our community.

What motivates your team to support community initiatives like this? 

Jordan: We're motivated by the belief that business can and should be a force for good. Supporting initiatives like this helps align our everyday work with our broader social purpose. Being able to contribute to human connection and community well-being fuels a sense of pride in what we do, as employees of BCLC and as members of the wider community.

Angela: Parq Casino’s team members support local organizations like YWCA, that make a visible difference to Vancouver’s residents who have the greatest needs. With BCLC’s financial contribution toward the breakfast ingredients, our combined volunteer power, and Crabtree Corner’s experienced staff, we worked together to serve a healthy breakfast to a large group. It was rewarding to see the smiles and the laughter at the tables as people were connecting during the meal. 

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Jordan: This experience left a lasting, positive impression on all of us. We see partnerships like this as an important part of how we amplify our impact – not just as an organization, but as individual community members. We’re grateful to the YWCA for welcoming us in and look forward to finding new ways to support its vital work. 

Angela: Parq Casino looks forward to continuing to support future volunteer opportunities with YWCA. We would like to invite more of our team members to participate in order to expand awareness about the valuable support and resources that YWCA provides in our own backyard.

We appreciate the partnership that we have with Parq Casino and BCLC. Their commitment to making an impact in the lives of women in our community is helping us to deliver more than just breakfast. At Crabtree Corner, Wednesday mornings are about teamwork, connection and community - values we are proud to say we share with BCLC and Parq Casino.