Archway News
Stay up to date on news about Archway programs, events and partnerships with other community organizations.
Inclusive Employer Awards 2019
October is National Disability Employment Awareness month, so it is fitting that the third annual Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards will honour employers who make it a part of their business plan to hire people living with diverse abilities...
Can you Spare 40 Seconds on World Mental Health Day?
October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a day marked by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This year the WHO is focusing on suicide prevention.Suicide PreventionDid...
A Day of Pumpkin Decorating at the Recycling Depot
On Saturday, October 26th, the Abbotsford Mission Recycling Program will be hosting their annual Day of Pumpkin Decorating from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the recycling depot located at 33670 Valley Road in Abbotsford. The free event is held in...
New to Abbotsford? Hop on Board the Newcomers Bus Tour!
New to Abbotsford? Join us on the FREE Newcomers Bus Tour and learn more about life in Abbotsford, local Indigenous history and the attractions and services available in our community. Free lunch provided! This bus tour is designed for: Permanent residents...
Archway to Celebrate 50 Years with Open House
We're celebrating our 50th year anniversary with an open house on Thursday, Sept 19th. The community is invited to tour the site and learn more about the programs currently running, the history of our agency and join in the cake-cutting ceremony at 5pm. “We wanted to...
Adventure Playground Planned for Hoon Park
Archway Community Services is working with the City of Abbotsford to revitalize Hoon Park in Abbotsford. This will be our community’s first natural park playground and will enhance the existing play space currently at Hoon Park. Hoon Park will be transformed into an...
3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament Raises $50,000
We hosted our third annual charity golf tournament on Tuesday, June 25 at Ledgeview Golf Club. The Archway Community Services Jake Virtanen Charity Golf Tournament raised over $50,000 to support Archway programs including those for parents, children, seniors and...
Abbotsford Community Services Changes Name to Archway Community Services
Abbotsford Community Services Changes Name to Archway Community Services We're excited to announce that Abbotsford Community Services will now be known as Archway Community Services! This change will be more inclusive for the clients we serve beyond Abbotsford and...
New Funding for WEAVE Program
Rod Santiago, Archway Executive Director, Shawn Beyes, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Great Vancouver, Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, Henry Braun, Mayor of Abbotsford, Mike Serr, Chief Constable of Abbotsford...
United Way Announces Additional $70,000 to In It Together Anti-Gang Program
United Way of the Lower Mainland is generously providing $70,000 to our gang-prevention program In It Together. The funding was announced as part of the Fraser Valley Community Spirit Awards May 7. Together with $100,000 in support given earlier in the year and funds...
New Funding to Keep Doors Open at In It Together Gang Prevention Program
New funding for the Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) gang prevention program, In It Together, will keep the program running but services will be drastically reduced.Previously there was the equivalent of 14 full-time staff who helped over 1,500 youth and family...
Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards Recognize Diverse Leaders
The 16th annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards were held Thursday in Abbotsford. Since 2003, community members have nominated businesses, programs, initiatives, schools and leaders that build inclusive and diverse communities in Abbotsford, Mission, Langley...
Cultural Diversity Awards – A Retrospective
On March 14th Abbotsford Community Services, in partnership with Chilliwack and Mission Community Services and Langley New Directions English Language School, will mark 16 years of the Cultural Diversity Awards. The 2019 celebration will feature Cecelia Reekie, a...
Christmas Season a Testament to Community Generosity
The 2018 holiday season was a testament to the kindness of so many people in our community. Individuals and businesses rallied around our numerous programs and fundraising initiatives and demonstrated once again why Abbotsford is known as the most generous city in...
Record Breaking Year for Toys for Tots
The sixth annual Toys for Tots Breakfast on November 23rd raised a record-breaking $60,976 and 2,657 toys for children in need over the holidays. The record was achieved in part by a $20,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor.“Once again we’re blown away by the...
50 Years of Christmas Cheer
From 70 families served in 1968 to 573 families served in 2017. We're so thankful for our generous community who has made the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau a success all these years. The Christmas Bureau is a cornerstone of the community here in Abbotsford. Every...
Prospera Supports Youth through Youth Angel Tree Project and Donation
Prospera Credit Union is once again coordinating gifts for disadvantaged youth through the Youth Angel Tree Project. Now in its seventh year, the Youth Angel Tree Project makes wishes come true for local youth. Trees are set up at local Prospera branches featuring...
Communities in Bloom
Thank you to Communities in Bloom Abbotsford for their donation to our Garden Project! They also made our garden a stop on their most recent tour. Did you know that Abbotsford is now a 5 Bloom Community?
Ways to Give Back this Christmas
For many people, the holidays are time of great cheer, while others face loneliness or poverty that is amplified by the joy around them. What's more, lots of us strive for balance during the Christmas season, focusing on both having fun and finding meaning in the...
OAT Clinic Marks 1 Year of Helping Abbotsford Residents with Addictions
The Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Centre, operated by Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) and funded by Fraser Health, officially opened its doors on Nov 7, 2017 and has helped 136 patients so far.Physicians prescribe methadone or suboxone which helps opioid users...
ACS Halloween Roundup
Halloween at ACS has included tricks, treats, clients from our EPIC and Seniors programs, a staff potluck and a troupe of dancing witches! Have fun and be safe if you're going out in Abbotsford tonight! Thank You Abbotsford for welcoming all the Syrian Refugee...
2018 Community Builders’ Awards
We're so fortunate to work with some amazing people and businesses who share our vision for "Justice, opportunities and equitable access for all." Each year we recognize some of the most dedicated individuals and organizations who work tirelessly, passionately and...
A Day of Pumpkin Decorating
Abbotsford Home Depot Supports Programs for Homeless Youth
A big “thank you” to Store Manager Kevin Nutt and the entire team at Home Depot in Abbotsford. In June, their participation in the Orange Door Project raised $5,547 to support ACS programs for homeless youth. Through the initiative, customers could purchase paper...
Newcomers Fair Showcased Services Available in Abbotsford
This event was for everyone from immigrants, to people who have moved to Abbotsford from another city, to those seeking employment services or information on childcare subsidies. The Immigrant Settlement program and AbbotsfordWORKS co-hosted the event and provided job...
Businesses Honoured at 2018 Inclusive Employers Excellence Awards
There was a festive atmosphere at Browns Social House in Abbotsford as several businesses were honoured at the Inclusive Employers Excellence Awards on Wednesday, October 3rd. In addition to the award winners, other business leaders, Mayor Henry Braun, and several...
United Way of the Lower Mainland Commits $100,000 to In It Together Program
VANCOUVER, B.C. – United Way of the Lower Mainland has committed $100,000 to Abbotsford gang-prevention program In It Together, helping keep the program open for local youth. The investment was shared at a joint announcement this morning, organized by United Way of...
Recap: 2018 Annual General Meeting
Our Executive Director, Rod Santiago, likes to think of our Annual General Meeting as a "reunion." Throughout the year, while we're actively participating in our various roles, we don't always get to connect. Once a year, however, ACS staff, leadership, board,...
Attend the Newcomers’ Fair!
We encourage you to join us at our Townline Road location on October 10th for our 2nd annual Newcomers' Fair! Learn more about employment and settlement services, work safety and the community programs that might be of use to you.This event is for everyone from...
Community Grant Aims to Provide More Accessible Counselling to Local Youth
The First West Foundation has awarded Foundry Abbotsford with $15,000 through its Envision Financial Community Endowment. Foundry Abbotsford provides local youth and their families with supports for their mental-health, substance-use, and overall wellness needs. The...
2018 ACS Annual General Meeting
Dear ACS Members, please save the date for the upcoming Annual General Meeting Please join us for light refreshments, a review of agency business from our Board of Directors and presentations from the EPIC and In It Together programs. 20 September 2018 at 5:30 pm...
Annual Seniors’ Picnic in the Park
The Seniors' Picnic in the Park takes place on July 30, 2018, from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Please join us near the Bevan Avenue entrance to Mill Lake! Tickets are just $7 and rides are available if needed. You can pick up tickets at ACS' offices at 2420 Montrose Avenue or...
ACS Hosts 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) hosted our 2nd annual charity golf tournament on June 26th at Ledgeview Golf Club. 120 golfers at the sold-out tournament enjoyed lunch, a round of golf and a dinner with silent and live auctions.“It was an amazing day and we want...
Foundry Grand Opening
Foundry Abbotsford has officially opened its doors, providing local youth and their families with supports for their mental health, substance use and overall wellness needs. “There is nothing more important than ensuring young people get the support they need to take...
Adult English Language Students Honored at Celebration of Learning Awards
On June 19th, over 200 English Language students attended the first annual Celebration of Learning awards ceremony at the Matsqui Auditorium. The adult students are a part of our Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Access2English programs. The LINC...
Orange Door Project Supporting Homeless Youth in Final Week
From now until June 24th, The Home Depot Abbotsford location is raising funds to support homeless youth programs at Abbotsford Community Services (ACS). Customers can purchase paper orange doors for $2 at the till and Home Depot doubles donations for top-performing...
Amazing Community Response to Displaced Farmworkers
In an amazing display of community, Abbotsford residents, organizations, churches, gurdwaras and businesses banded together to help the 75 farmworkers who lost their housing and most of their belongings on Thursday April 26th. “I was amazed at how quickly the...
ACS Staff Recognition
Every year we gather to honour our dedicated staff who have been with ACS for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. This year, we gathered at Zaika Restaurant in Abbotsford to sit down for a meal together, share laughs and memories and celebrate our team. Please join us in...
Recycling Program Creates Green Business Resource Kit
Is your business looking for ways to reduce waste? Our Green Team committee has developed a resource to support local companies looking to reduce their impact on the environment. An initiative of the Abbotsford Community Services Green Team, our newly created Green...
New Beginnings Young Parent Program Graduates Thank Community Partners
On Thursday, May 24th, New Beginnings Young Parent program participants gathered to thank the community partners who helped them graduate in the midst of parenting at the annual Thank You Tea. New Beginnings is a partnership between the Abbotsford School...
New Funding to Help South Asian Females at Risk of Gang Involvement
The provincial government has granted us $75,000 to help South Asian female youth who are at high risk of becoming involved in criminal activity or those who are currently involved in youth crime or gang activity. This initiative will help us to help local South Asian...
In Celebration of International Women’s Day
On Friday, we held our sixth annual Ladies’ Night, bringing together more than 200 immigrant and refugee women for a celebration in honor of International Women’s Day. “Our clients look forward to this event all year,” said Community Connections coordinator Andrea...
$100,000 Donation from Stattonrock to Support Youth Health at Foundry Abbotsford
Stattonrock Design & Build has committed $100,000 over a 10-year period to support Foundry Abbotsford, a soon-to-be-open youth health and wellness centre. Foundry Abbotsford will offer local youth help with everything from finding employment to mental wellness...
Home Depot Donates Time & Tiles for Kitchens
Home Depot’s volunteer force, Team Depot, came to install tile in three Abbotsford Community Services kitchens on April 26th and May 24th. One of the kitchens is part of the children’s activity room which provides a place for children to play while their parents take...
2018 Cultural Diversity Awards
Visit the Cultural Diversity Awards website to submit a nomination and find out more about the next awards night on March 14th, 2019. The 15th Annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards were held on Friday, March 2, 2018 at the Quality Hotel & Conference...
In Recognition of our Amazing Volunteers
April 15-21st, 2018 marks National Volunteer Week - a time when we say a special "thank you" to the (literally, hundreds) of people who donate their valuable time, skills and immense energy to our various programs. From buddies for Syrian refugee families and...
In It Together: Program Coordinator Alison Speaks at National Conference
On Wednesday, March 7th, Alison Gutrath shared the successes of our In It Together program at the Summit on Gun and Gang Violence in Ottawa, hosted by the Ministry of Public Safety. As the community coordinator of In It Together, she works with an integrated team to...
15th Annual Cultural Diversity Awards Honours Local Organizations & Individuals
The 15th annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards were held Friday night at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre in Abbotsford. Since 2003, community members have nominated businesses, programs, initiatives, schools and leaders that work towards building an...
Rally Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth
RALLY TO MARK SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AWARENESS WEEK On Tuesday, March 6th, the Abbotsford Community Action Team (ACAT) will host a public rally to raise awareness of sexual exploitation of children and youth. “We need to be aware that sexual exploitation of our youth is...
A Chance to Start Again: Celebrating One Year at Hearthstone Place
Before Chuck came to Hearthstone Place, he was living under a bridge in Abbotsford. Once an award-winning mechanic, he wanted to “get back to reality” but felt stuck. He didn’t like the attitude on the streets and while he got along with local aid workers and police...
Tax Filing Assistance for Seniors
While nobody looks forward to tax time, for some seniors filing taxes is extra challenging due to fixed incomes or limited computer skills. While their incomes may not be high it's important that they file so can receive all the benefits they are entitled to. Income...