Burnaby City Halls, as well as the BC Barkway, will be lit up in red tomorrow, Feb. 11.
But it’s not a stunt ahead of Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.
The crimson illumination is to help raise awareness about the 2-1-1 Helpline service that is supported by United Way British Columbia.
Julia Wu, the operations manager for Helpline services, said 2-1-1 is a valuable resource for people looking for information and support before a crisis emerges.
“Asking for help can be difficult, even more so when you’re not sure what’s needed or where to start,” she said in a news release.
“It’s about wayfinding and we want to help light the path.”
According to the United Way, calls to the Helpline have increased 19 per cent since April 2023, and referrals to other agencies are up 30 per cent.
Callers inquire about financial assistance, housing and health issues, as well as human rights, employment and citizenship and immigration.
But guidance is also available on a myriad of topics like transportation, disabilities, legal and advocacy issues, victim services and addiction.
The landmarks in Burnaby are among 15 across B.C. and 40 across Canada that will be lit in red, including the fountain at Coquitlam's Lafarge Lake, BC Place, the arms of the Olympic cauldron and the B.C. Legislature.
