About Us
Who We Are
Golden Threads is a collaborative initiative of social services and community agencies, municipal government, health services, business leaders, and caring residents of Golden, British Columbia and its surrounding communities. Our collaboration began in 2023 for the purpose of developing a ‘Common Agenda for Poverty Reduction in Golden and CSRD Area A’, a strategic visioning document that will serve to guide, focus, and maximize our collective impact.
Weaving a stronger community together.
The initiative is directed by a Leadership Roundtable, an action group composed of nonprofit organizations, representatives from local government, and business owners committed to supporting a resilient community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Our focus is to shed light on the untold stories of those living with less in our community, and engage residents in the development of locally-actionable strategies. We have the community willingness, a fantastic collection of committed professionals, big hearted citizens, and multi-sector support.
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
— Meg Wheatley
Our guiding principles
1. Collective Impact
We believe in the power of collective action involving multiple stakeholders to address complex issues of poverty. We prioritize collaboration over competition, seeking synergy among organizations, governments, businesses, and community members to align our efforts, resources, and strategies and maximize our collective impact.
2. Listening
We commit to actively listening to the voices of those affected by poverty and living with close proximity to poverty, valuing their experiences, perspectives, and insights. Through listening, we empower individuals to co-create solutions that are inclusive, respectful and effective. We prioritize community engagement and participatory processes to ensure that our initiatives are responsive and relevant to local needs.
3. Mobilizing Locally
We recognize the importance of local context and community-driven approaches in tackling poverty, while acknowledging systemic challenges. We support grassroots efforts and local leadership, fostering networks and partnerships that amplify community strengths and assets. By addressing what lies within our circles of control and influence, we nurture an empowered community capable of driving lasting change.
4. Multi-sectoral Insight + Lived Experiences
We integrate diverse perspectives, combining professional expertise with the lived experiences of individuals impacted by poverty. We facilitate and participate in cross-sector collaboration, bridging knowledge from research, policy-making, business, and community-based organizations. By embracing diverse insights, we can develop holistic strategies that address the complex and inter-connected factors contributing to poverty.
5. No Data Without Stories and No Stories Without Data
We emphasize the importance of combining quantitative data with qualitative narratives to inform our understanding and advocacy. We use data to measure progress, identify disparities, and inform evidence-based policies and interventions. By grounding our work in both data-driven analysis and compelling stories, we advocate effectively for policy changes and resource allocation.
