The Vancouver-based Cause We Care Foundation celebrates the strength and devotion of all mothers, but especially single mothers. Cause We Care empowers single mothers in need by funding programs that support and improve their financial security and well-being. By helping single mothers to unlock their potential, Cause We Care helps them to overcome challenges and create positive change. We spoke with Andrea Thomas Hill, Founder and Board Chair of Cause We Care Foundation, to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Cause We Care Foundation is a Vancouver-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to investing in single mothers so they can achieve economic security and overall well-being.
What began as a small holiday care package drive has grown into a foundation that provides both immediate relief and long-term opportunities for single mothers and their children. In addition to our annual Mother’s Day campaign and Holiday Care Package Drive, we are the lead funder of the YWCA Cause We Care House, which provides shelter and support to 21 single mothers and their children in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Through our Community Grants, we invest in frontline organizations offering supports to single mothers, including housing, childcare, food security, and employment training, and our Single Mothers Support Fund helps women pursue higher education and job training by providing financial assistance for essentials like childcare, groceries, and technology.
To date, Cause We Care has distributed more than 12,000 care packages and over $6.5 million in donations to programs that help single mothers build brighter, more secure futures for themselves and their families.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We see firsthand the challenges that single mothers face. Many are doing everything they can to provide for their families yet still find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Our goal is to break down those barriers by offering meaningful, practical support that helps women move forward with confidence.
When did you start/join it?
Cause We Care was founded almost 20 years ago. It started very organically with a group of mothers sitting around my kitchen table, wanting to make a difference for women and mothers who did not have the same support systems we did.
Our 19th annual Care Package Campaign launches this month (November 2025).
What made you want to get involved?
I was inspired to get involved because I’ve always believed that supporting a mom has a ripple effect. When you give a mother the tools and support she needs, her children benefit too, and that seemed like one of the most meaningful investments you can make.
I wanted to be able to create a support system that could genuinely uplift single mothers. It remains important to me that Cause We Care evaluates and invests in organizations that will make a real and lasting difference in their lives.
What was the situation like when you started?
Single mothers have always been underserved.
There is a lot of stigma and silence around single motherhood and the systemic barriers these women face.
We saw a real gap in resources and support, and that gap has only widened over time.
How has it changed since?
The cost of living has increased dramatically, especially in Vancouver.
Over time, we started to notice a real shift. More women were finding the strength to move forward — they’d come through trauma, and they were ready to take that next step toward independence through education or career training. But for so many, the financial barriers were just too high.
That’s why we launched the Single Mothers Support Fund in 2019. With the help of Universities Canada, we’re able to review applications from women who are motivated and determined but need our help to be successful — whether it’s covering childcare, groceries, a computer, or tutoring — so they can focus on school and build better futures for themselves and their children.
The need is growing fast. Our Single Mothers Support Fund has surged from 9 applicants in 2019 to 81 in 2024, and this year we’re on pace to support over 100 moms in creating brighter futures for their families.
The resilience and strength of these mothers continue to inspire everything we do.
What more needs to be done?
The truth is, in BC almost half of the single-parent families live in poverty, and 80% of those are led by single mothers. There is still so much work to do to support single mothers and their children, especially around the holidays.
For many single mothers, the holidays bring extra stress instead of joy. They are trying to keep the lights on, pay rent, and still make the season special for their kids. Those impossible choices become even harder this time of year.
We want every mother to feel seen, supported, and cared for — to spread a little happiness and help relieve some of the burden. That’s what our annual Holiday Care Package Drive is all about. Each Care Package includes everyday essentials and thoughtful treats as a reminder that someone cares, to help brighten the season.
Each year, we set out to deliver 1,200 Care Packages to families in need across the Lower Mainland — a number we’ve held steady, even as the demand continues to grow. The need is endless, but putting a smile on a family’s face can mean more, sometimes, than anything.
Affordable childcare and housing are still the biggest barriers to independence.
More collaboration between government, business, and community organizations is essential to create sustainable pathways for single mothers to thrive.
How can our readers help?
You can help by joining our Gift a Little Happiness campaign and supporting Cause We Care’s Annual Holiday Care Package Drive.
Every donation, big or small, helps fill a Care Package that will go directly to a single mother and her children during the holidays. We work closely with local businesses to stretch every dollar, securing items at wholesale cost or through donations, so your contribution makes a real impact.
Do you have any events coming up?
On December 10th, our community will gather to assemble and deliver 1200 Care Packages. Visit www.causewecare.org to find out more.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
One local charity we’re proud to support is Mom2Mom. Through our Community Grants Program, we’ve funded their Happy Healthy Children initiative, which helps cover the costs of extracurricular activities for children in single-mother-led families — things like sports fees, art lessons, dance classes, and camps.
In the past year alone, 67 families were able to access this program, funding 122 different activities that bring joy, confidence, and connection to children who might otherwise miss out.
What makes this program so special is how accessible it is — Mom2Mom covers costs directly, without lengthy applications or delays. For many moms, it’s a source of comfort knowing they can say “yes” to opportunities that help their children thrive.
