About A Better Life Foundation

A Better Life Foundation (ABLF) is a Vancouver-based nonprofit working in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to improve community well-being through food, connection, and employment opportunities.

We believe food is a conduit to love and community. It’s a way to build dignity and trust, while creating opportunities for people to gain skills and work experience.

About the Token Window

The Token Window is a street-facing meal service at Save On Meats.

Community members receive tokens from local partners, such as housing providers ,outreach teams and regular folks looking to support those in need. The tokens can be redeemed  at the window for a warm meal and a hot coffee. It’s a simple and dignified way to feed people in need in our community, while fostering personal connection.

About the Role

We are hiring a Token Window Manager, a full-time role designed for someone with lived or living experience of mental illness and/or substance use.

In this role, you will help run the Token Window day-to-day and support its reopening and growth.

This role has two main parts:

1. Supervision & Operations

• Schedule, support, and supervise staff
• Track and report on token sales and usage
• Share feedback with the kitchen and management team
• Maintain food safety standards and a clean workspace

2. Community Ambassador

• Build and maintain relationships with local partners
• Coordinate the sale and distribution of tokens
• Help partners understand how the token system works
• Gather feedback to help improve the program

Who This Role Is a Good Fit For

This role could be a good fit if you:

• Have lived or living experience with mental illness and/or substance use, and are ready to take on more responsibility
• Are reliable. You show up, follow through, and take pride in your work
• Feel comfortable working with people while also managing day-to-day tasks like scheduling and tracking
• Are motivated to build your skills, confidence, and work experience

We strongly encourage people with lived or living experience to apply. At A Better Life Foundation, this experience is valued. It helps shape our programs, build relationships, and serve our community with authenticity and care. Preference will be given to applicants who represent the community we serve.

What We’re Looking For

• Preference for lived or living experience of mental illness and/or substance use (stipulated in by the grant funding this position)
• Basic organizational skills, including scheduling, coordination, and tracking
• Comfort with simple reporting, such as tracking, tokens and sales
• Ability to communicate clearly and build relationships
• Reliability, accountability, and willingness to learn
• Experience in kitchens, food service, or community work is helpful, but not required.

You don’t need to have everything figured out. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to take the next step.

Support & What You’ll Gain

This role is designed to be supportive, both inside and outside of work.

You will receive:

• Full-time work (35 hours/week at $25) contract for up to 2 years
• Hands-on leadership experience
• Certifications (FOODSAFE Level 1, WHMIS, First Aid)
• Ongoing mentorship, guidance, and regular check-ins
• Comprehensive benefits, including mental health supports
• Support outside of work through partner organizations when needed
• A chance to build skills and move toward longer-term employment

Why This Role Matters

This role helps bring back a trusted community space and ensures  it runs in a way that meets the needs of the people who rely on it.

It also creates opportunities for others by supporting staff, building relationships, and helping people access nutritious food in a dignified way.

How to Apply

Please contact Chris Ito at chris@abetterlifefoundation.ca or 778-875-3638.

Funding, Technology & Systems Support

Program: Canada Summer Jobs / A Better Life Foundation
Status: Temporary paid position, part-time
Wage: $20-$25/hour
Dates: Spring/Summer 2026
Location: A Better Life Foundation / Save On Meats, Vancouver Downtown Eastside, with some remote/hybrid work possible
Reports to: Executive Director or Director of Engagement

About the Opportunity

A Better Life Foundation is hiring a Grants & AI Research Assistant to help us find funding, improve systems, and use technology more effectively in service of food security and community impact.

This role is for someone who wants to help change the world and believes technology can make good organizations stronger. We are looking for a curious, capable person who already has hands-on experience using AI tools and is ready to show us new ways to work smarter.

This is not a passive research role. The right person will be excited to test tools, build simple workflows, improve how we find grants, and help ABLF use AI responsibly across fundraising, reporting, operations, and storytelling.

Who Can Apply

This position is connected to Canada Summer Jobs. Applicants must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years old at the start of employment
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person with refugee protection in Canada
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number before starting work
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

International students are not eligible under Canada Summer Jobs.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous youth, racialized youth, Black youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, youth with disabilities, and youth with lived experience of poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, or other barriers to employment.

What You’ll Do

The Grants & AI Research Assistant may help with:

• Using AI tools to scan for government, foundation, and corporate grants
• Building and maintaining a grant opportunity dashboard
• Summarizing eligibility, deadlines, funder priorities, and strategic fit
• Drafting early grant content using templates and AI support
• Collecting program data, impact numbers, stories, and environmental metrics
• Supporting budget documents, reporting, and timelines
• Entering information into online grant portals
• Testing simple AI workflows for prospect research, document organization, and reporting
• Documenting workflows so they can be used by future staff or youth
• Suggesting new digital tools, automations, or AI practices that improve ABLF’s work

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for someone who has:

• Real experience using AI tools for research, writing, organization, analysis, or workflow support
• Strong curiosity about technology and social impact
• Good writing, reading, and summarizing skills
• Comfort using Google Docs, Google Sheets, and online research tools
• Ability to organize information clearly
• Enough confidence with AI to teach us something useful
• Good judgement around privacy, accuracy, ethics, and community impact
• Interest in food security, nonprofit work, fundraising, climate, or systems change

Grant-writing experience is helpful but not required. AI fluency, curiosity, judgement, and follow-through are essential.

What You’ll Learn

This role offers the chance to build skills in:

• Grant research and funding strategy
• AI-assisted workflows
• Digital systems and knowledge management
• Nonprofit reporting and impact measurement
• Ethical use of AI in community organizations
• Data gathering and storytelling
• Fundraising operations and donor support

Additional supports may include mentorship from fundraising professionals, AI technologists, nonprofit leaders, and reporting specialists.

Working Environment

This role includes focused computer-based work, research, writing, meetings, and occasional support for events or programs. Some hybrid work may be possible, but the role requires connection to ABLF’s team and community context.

You will be expected to work independently at times, ask clear questions, test ideas, and bring useful recommendations forward.

Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Finding realistic funding opportunities for ABLF
• Keeping grant information organized and useful
• Producing clear summaries, drafts, and research notes
• Building simple AI-supported workflows that save staff time
• Improving how ABLF uses technology responsibly
• Showing initiative and teaching the team something new
• Leaving behind systems that future staff can use

How to Apply

Please apply if this sounds like a good next step. We welcome applicants with lived experience and people who may not have had traditional access to employment opportunities.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+ people, people with lived experience of poverty in all its forms, people receiving income or disability assistance, and people connected to the Downtown Eastside or other communities impacted by systemic barriers.

Please email your interest to info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

Program: Canada Summer Jobs / A Better Life Foundation
Status: Temporary paid position, part-time
Wage: $20-$25/hour
Dates: Spring/Summer 2026
Location: A Better Life Foundation / Save On Meats, Vancouver Downtown Eastside

About the Opportunity

A Better Life Foundation is hiring a Cook to support our community kitchen, food recovery program, and daily meal production.

This is not an entry-level kitchen role. We are looking for someone with real kitchen experience who can step into a busy production environment and provide practical support to our food team.

At ABLF, food is how we build community. Our kitchen turns recovered ingredients into nutritious meals for people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. This role is a chance to earn steady pay, strengthen your culinary skills, and contribute to work rooted in dignity, sustainability, and care.

Who Can Apply

This position is connected to Canada Summer Jobs. Applicants must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years old at the start of employment
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person with refugee protection in Canada
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number before starting work
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

International students are not eligible under Canada Summer Jobs.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous youth, racialized youth, Black youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, youth with disabilities, and youth with lived experience of poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, or other barriers to employment.

What You’ll Do

The Cook may help with:

• Preparing large batches of soups, stews, sauces, proteins, vegetables, starches, and other menu items
• Turning recovered ingredients into safe, nutritious meals
• Supporting daily meal production and packout
• Following recipes, prep lists, and kitchen direction
• Maintaining food safety, cleanliness, and organization
• Receiving, sorting, storing, and using recovered food
• Supporting low-waste kitchen practices
• Working respectfully with kitchen staff, volunteers, and community members
• Helping with Indigenous food programming.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for someone who has:

• At least 2 years of relevant high-volume kitchen experience
• Comfort working in a fast-paced production kitchen
• Basic knife skills and food preparation skills
• Ability to follow kitchen systems, recipes, and instructions
• Reliability, stamina, and a team-first attitude
• Respect for people from many different backgrounds
• Interest in food security, food recovery, or community-based work

FOODSAFE Level 1 is preferred. Community-mindedness and lived experience are valued, but this role requires proven kitchen experience.

What You’ll Learn

This role offers the chance to build skills in:

• High-volume community meal production
• Food recovery and low-waste cooking
• Large-batch prep and packout
• Sustainable kitchen practices
• Teamwork, communication, and reliability
• Community-based food systems

Additional supports may include mentorship, FOODSAFE support, de-escalation and naloxone training, and learning opportunities connected to food recovery, sustainability, and community service.

Working Environment

This is active kitchen work. You may stand for long periods, lift light to moderate items, wash dishes, prep food, work around hot equipment, and move through a busy kitchen.

The kitchen can be warm, noisy, and fast-moving. You will be supported by experienced staff who are used to working with people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Showing up consistently and ready to work
• Supporting the kitchen team during busy production periods
• Preparing food safely and efficiently
• Working respectfully with staff, volunteers, and community members
• Helping turn recovered food into dignified meals
• Leaving with stronger skills, confidence, and future employment experience

How to Apply

Please apply if this sounds like a good next step. We welcome applicants with lived experience and people who may not have had traditional access to employment opportunities.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+ people, people with lived experience of poverty in all its forms, people receiving income or disability assistance, and people connected to the Downtown Eastside or other communities impacted by systemic barriers.

Please email your interest to info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

Plenty of Plates, Partnerships & Community Engagement

Program: Canada Summer Jobs / A Better Life Foundation
Status: Temporary paid position, part-time
Wage: $20-$25/hour
Dates: Spring/Summer 2026
Location: A Better Life Foundation / Save On Meats, Vancouver Downtown Eastside
Reports to: Engagement / Events Lead

About the Opportunity

A Better Life Foundation is hiring an Events Assistant to support Plenty of Plates, corporate volunteer events, community dinners, and partner engagement.

This is a great summer role for someone who enjoys people, hospitality, events, and community. The right person will be warm, confident, organized, and energized by creating a great experience for guests, volunteers, partners, and community members.

This role blends event support, client relations, light sales, volunteer coordination, and hospitality. It is ideal for someone who wants meaningful part-time work while also having space for other summer commitments.

Who Can Apply

This position is connected to Canada Summer Jobs. Applicants must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years old at the start of employment
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person with refugee protection in Canada
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number before starting work
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

International students are not eligible under Canada Summer Jobs.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous youth, racialized youth, Black youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth, youth with disabilities, and youth with lived experience of poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, or other barriers to employment.

What You’ll Do

The Events Assistant may help with:

• Supporting Plenty of Plates events from setup to cleanup
• Welcoming volunteers, guests, partners, and community members
• Helping create a warm, fun, and organized event experience
• Supporting event inquiries, confirmations, and follow-up
• Assisting with partner and client communications
• Preparing menus, recipes, signage, tickets, and feedback forms
• Tracking attendance, feedback, and event details
• Supporting social media, newsletters, and simple event storytelling
• Helping identify and follow up on potential event leads
• Working with kitchen and operations staff to keep events running smoothly

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for someone who is:

• Warm, outgoing, and comfortable talking with new people
• Organized enough to manage details and follow through
• Comfortable in a lively, social environment
• Interested in events, hospitality, sales, partnerships, or community work
• A strong communicator in person, by email, and by phone
• Able to use or learn Google Docs, Google Sheets, Canva, and basic CRM tools
• Respectful, reliable, and good with people from many backgrounds

Formal events experience is helpful but not required. Personality, communication, follow-through, and care matter here.

What You’ll Learn

This role offers the chance to build skills in:

• Event coordination
• Volunteer and guest experience
• Client and partner relations
• Light sales and lead follow-up
• Public-facing communication
• Digital tools, event materials, and basic data tracking
• Community engagement and hospitality

Additional supports may include mentorship, de-escalation and naloxone training, trauma-informed hospitality learning, and exposure to nonprofit engagement and partnership development.

Working Environment

This is active, people-facing work. You may stand, move, set up rooms, greet guests, support volunteers, help with service, and assist during busy events.

The work can be social, fast-moving, and fun. It can also involve supporting people who are having a hard day. You will be supported by staff who understand community-based hospitality and inclusive service.

Success Looks Like

Success in this role means:

• Helping events feel welcoming, organized, and joyful
• Following through on event details and communications
• Making volunteers, partners, and guests feel cared for
• Supporting smooth handoffs between engagement, kitchen, and operations
• Building confidence in events, hospitality, and client relations
• Contributing to ABLF’s mission with energy, warmth, and professionalism

How to Apply

Please apply if this sounds like a good next step. We welcome applicants with lived experience and people who may not have had traditional access to employment opportunities.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+ people, people with lived experience of poverty in all its forms, people receiving income or disability assistance, and people connected to the Downtown Eastside or other communities impacted by systemic barriers.

Please email your interest to info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

Kitchen, Food Recovery & Meal Production

Program: FOOD Works: Food-Based Opportunities for Occupational Development
Status: Temporary paid work experience placement
Wage: $20/hour, part-time
Hours: 200 hours total
Location: A Better Life Foundation / Save On Meats, Vancouver Downtown Eastside
Reports to: Kitchen and Food Operations staff

About the Opportunity

A Better Life Foundation is offering paid work experience placements for people who want to build kitchen skills, gain confidence, and take a meaningful step into the workforce.

This opportunity is designed for people facing barriers to employment, including people with lived experience of poverty, disability, recovery, housing instability, income assistance, or other life circumstances that have made steady work difficult.

You do not need a perfect resume or years of kitchen experience. You do need a willingness to show up, learn, work safely, and be part of a team.

At ABLF, food is how we build community. This placement offers steady pay, practical training, and the chance to contribute to meals that support people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is available to people who meet WEOG eligibility requirements. Eligible participants may include people who receive or qualify for:

• British Columbia Employment and Assistance
• Disability assistance
• Hardship Assistance
• Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment benefits
• Assistance from an eligible Treaty First Nation
• Assistance from a First Nation Administering Authority

What You’ll Do

Participants may help with:

Preparing ingredients and simple recipes

• Sorting, storing, and using recovered food
• Packaging meals for community programs
• Working in our Token Window, serving customers
• Washing dishes and keeping work areas clean
• Supporting daily meal production
• Receiving and organizing food donations
• Supporting food distribution to community partners
• Helping with Indigenous food programming, where appropriate

What You’ll Learn

You will build practical skills that can support future work in kitchens, food service, hospitality, catering, food recovery, or community food programs.

Training may include:

• Basic food preparation
• Kitchen safety and cleanliness
• FOODSAFE practices
• Teamwork and communication
• Time management and reliability
• Food recovery basics
• Following recipes, prep lists, and kitchen instructions
• Receiving feedback and building confidence

Additional supports may include FOODSAFE Level 1, de-escalation and naloxone training, kitchen gear, transit support, and wraparound support where needed.

Who This Is For

This may be a good fit if you:

• Want to get back into the workforce or build first work experience
• Are interested in cooking, food, kitchens, or food recovery
• Can work respectfully with people from many backgrounds
• Are open to learning and receiving support
• Can follow basic instructions and safety practices
• Want to build confidence, routine, and work habits

Kitchen experience is helpful but not required. Lived experience is valued.

Working Environment

This is active, hands-on work. Participants may stand, move, lift light to moderate items, wash dishes, prepare food, and work around kitchen equipment.

The kitchen can be busy, warm, noisy, and fast-moving. You will be supported by experienced staff who are used to working with people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Success Looks Like

By the end of the placement, success may look like:

• Showing up consistently
• Building confidence in a real kitchen workplace
• Learning basic kitchen and food recovery skills
• Working respectfully with staff, peers, volunteers, and guests
• Completing training and work experience hours
• Feeling more prepared for future employment

How to Apply

Please apply if this sounds like a good next step. We welcome applicants with lived experience and people who may not have had traditional access to employment opportunities.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+ people, people with lived experience of poverty in all its forms, people receiving income or disability assistance, and people connected to the Downtown Eastside or other communities impacted by systemic barriers.

Please email your interest to info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

Community Ambassador, Café Window & Service Support

Program: FOOD Works: Food-Based Opportunities for Occupational Development
Status: Temporary paid work experience placement
Hours: 200 hours total, part-time
Wage: $20/hour
Location: A Better Life Foundation / Save On Meats, Vancouver Downtown Eastside
Reports to: Program Manager, with day-to-day support from Community Engagement and Program staff

About the Opportunity

A Better Life Foundation is offering paid work experience placements for people who want to build confidence, gain customer service experience, and take a meaningful step into the workforce.

This opportunity is designed for people facing barriers to employment, including people with lived experience of poverty, disability, recovery, housing instability, income assistance, or other life circumstances that have made steady work difficult.

You do not need a perfect resume or formal customer service experience. You do need a willingness to show up, learn, treat people with respect, and help create a welcoming environment.

At ABLF, food is how we build community. This placement offers steady pay, practical training, and the chance to support guests, volunteers, neighbours, and community partners.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is available to people who meet WEOG eligibility requirements. Eligible participants may include people who receive or qualify for:

• British Columbia Employment and Assistance
• Disability assistance
• Hardship Assistance
• Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment benefits
• Assistance from an eligible Treaty First Nation
• Assistance from a First Nation Administering Authority

What You’ll Do

Participants may help with:

• Greeting guests, volunteers, and community members
• Supporting café window service
• Helping with meal programs and community events
• Setting up and cleaning up before and after programs
• Offering friendly, respectful service
• Helping people feel welcome and included
• Sharing basic program information
• Supporting volunteers during events
• Helping with simple service tasks, supplies, and room setup
• Supporting community outreach and engagement activities

What You’ll Learn

You will build practical skills that can support future work in customer service, hospitality, peer support, outreach, food service, nonprofit programs, or community work.

Training may include:

• Customer service and guest support
• Communication and teamwork
• Event and program setup
• Basic food service support
• Professional workplace habits
• Time management and reliability
• Working with volunteers and community members
• Staying calm and respectful in a busy environment
• Receiving feedback and building confidence

Additional supports may include de-escalation and naloxone training, FOODSAFE Level 1 where useful, transit support, and wraparound support where needed.

Who This Is For

This may be a good fit if you:

• Want to get back into the workforce or build first work experience
• Like working with people
• Are interested in community, hospitality, food service, or peer support
• Can treat guests, staff, volunteers, and neighbours with respect
• Are open to learning and receiving support
• Want to build confidence, routine, and work habits
• Care about making people feel welcome

Formal experience is helpful but not required. Lived experience is valued.

Working Environment

This is active, people-facing work. Participants may stand, move, greet people, help with service, set up rooms, clean up, and support events or meal programs.

The work can be busy and social. At times, it may involve interacting with people who are having a hard day. You will be supported by experienced staff who are used to working with people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Success Looks Like

By the end of the placement, success may look like:

• Showing up consistently
• Building confidence in a people-facing workplace
• Learning basic customer service and community engagement skills
• Working respectfully with staff, peers, volunteers, guests, and neighbours
• Completing training and work experience hours
• Feeling more prepared for future employment

How to Apply

Please apply if this sounds like a good next step. We welcome applicants with lived experience and people who may not have had traditional access to employment opportunities.

We especially encourage applications from Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+ people, people with lived experience of poverty in all its forms, people receiving income or disability assistance, and people connected to the Downtown Eastside or other communities impacted by systemic barriers.

Please email your interest to info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

Compensation: $75,000 annually plus performance bonuses
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Engagement / Outreach Coordinator

Company + Culture

A Better Life Foundation is a registered charity devoted to improving the lives of our community using food as a tool of connection to uplift, improve and nourish the people we serve. All of our programs are centered around the belief that food is love and strive to achieve our vision of delicious, nutritious and dignified food for all.

We’re perpetually growing our capacity and impact, as does the need for the work that we do. We have an ambitious strategic plan that calls for deeper, intentional, sustainable – yet urgent growth. Which this role will be instrumental in achieving.

• Our programs are delivered to well over 100+ organizations and are constantly evolving to meet our communities needs. Our core programs include:
  Our Daily Meal Program – a chef driven meal delivered with continuity, offering a stable platform of support.
• Recovery Program – rescuing ingredients destined for the waste stream and converting them into delicious, ready to eat hot meals.
• Indigenous Food Program – focussed on families and youth, reconnecting indigenous peoples to ingredients native to these lands.
• Plenty of Plates – multiple events per week that bring in volunteers from outside of our community to build connection through restaurant quality service and meals offered to folks in our community facing food insecurity.

This is not easy work but it is a great deal of fun and incredibly rewarding. It requires the dedicated hard work of a team of individuals. We believe that our employees should represent our community and are proud that approximately 75% of our team self-identify as having a barrier to employment. Our team is driven by the conviction that their work makes a tangible difference and their work ethic matches that commitment. We support that commitment by striving for a genuine work life balance, a living wage and overperforming extended benefits. The health and well being of our staff is really, really important to us and that translates beyond our tangible offering and into our culture of support.

Role:

The Director of Engagement builds and sustains the relationships, revenue, and public trust that allow A Better Life Foundation to deliver dignified food access reliably and at scale. Year over year, we’ve been able to achieve incremental growth despite an ever more challenging fundraising environment. The opportunities are abundant and this leadership role is essential to translating those opportunities into impact. This role leads fundraising, donor stewardship, and partnership strategy while ensuring programs like our flagship Plenty of Plates function as both high-impact and high-engagement initiatives introducing more partners to our work and deepening those relationships.

Responsibilities

1. Fundraising & Revenue Leadership
   1. Lead the organization’s fundraising and engagement strategy in collaboration with the Executive Director.
   2. Grow and steward a diversified revenue base including corporate partners, sponsors, funders, and donors.
   3. Use Plenty of Plates as a flagship revenue and relationship-building platform.
2. Donor, Partner & Funder Stewardship
   1. Own and maintain continuity in key donor, sponsor, and partner relationships.
   2. Oversee stewardship systems, reporting, and storytelling to ensure partners and funders feel informed, valued, and connected to impact.
   3. Manage and maintain agreements with funders and community partners.
3. Engagement Programs & Public Presence
   1. Strategic direction for engagement-focused programs and events, owning logistics and execution in collaboration with the Operations team.
   2. Represent ABLF, running and facilitating public facing and program events, with professionalism, warmth, and alignment to values while building relationships with the clients and community.
   3. Ensure engagement activities reinforce dignity, consistency, and trust with communities served.
4. Team Leadership & Systems
   1. Supervise and mentor the Engagement Coordinator.
   2. Ensure reliable systems for donor data, volunteer engagement, reporting, and handoffs with operations.
   3. Work cross-functionally with Operations and Kitchen leaders to align engagement with delivery realities.
5. Strategic Contribution
   1. Contribute to organizational planning, prioritization, and sustainability strategies.
   2. Support the organization’s evolution from opportunity-driven to reliable and scalable engagement practices.
   3. Focuses on donor experience, partner relationships, hosting strategy, and revenue outcomes.

Profile & Experience

• 5+ years leading nonprofit fundraising, engagement, partnerships, events, or fund development.
• Strong relationship-builder with experience stewarding donors and partners over time.
• Comfortable leading and delegating while creating clear authority lines and collaboration; values collaboration and shared systems.
• Experience working alongside operations and program teams in dynamic environments.
• Alignment with ABLF’s values of dignity, respect, and community-centered work.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Revenue and partnerships are structured, predictable, repeatable, and scalable. A strong growth strategy.
• Donors and partners experience consistent stewardship and clear impact communication.
• Engagement systems support program and operations teams.

Support & Compensation:

• Starting salary of $75,000 reviewed annually
• After 3 month probationary period, we’ll work together to map out a 12 month success plan including incentivization
• Comprehensive, above industry standard extended benefits
• 6% (3 weeks) vacation, accruing annually
• Potential for Professional and Personal Development
• Hybrid work environment including on location at Save On Meats (43 West Hastings Street)
• Collaborative and supportive team environment with direct relationship with Leadership, Founder, Board of Directors and a strong network of supportive allies.

How to apply + process:

Applicants who are excited and enthusiastic about contributing to our purpose driven team are warmly encouraged to apply in writing to info@abetterlifefoundation.ca with the subject line: Director of Engagement and a cover letter explaining your connection to this work and how you’d be effective in the role.

Successful applicants will be given the same series of questions for the first interview to prepare and be asked to provide an example of a project (personal or professional) that they managed that they are most proud of.

A short list of those candidates will be invited to join us for half day trials (paid) on site and given a short assignment designed to showcase organizational skills and capacity. Based on that process, final interviews will be conducted before an official offer is made.

Any questions about our organization, position, hiring process, or anything at all can be delivered to the address above.

This position is open to people of any gender, race or culture and of any physical or mental ability. We recognize that we are operating on the unceded and stolen lands of the (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) people, we are working towards decolonizing our operations and strongly encourage people of indigenous ancestry to apply. All applications will be considered.

Applications will close on 5pm Friday, April 3, but interviews will begin to be scheduled immediately.

Thanks for your interest and support of our work!

Location: Vancouver, BC | Compensation: Cook Lead $20–$25/hr | Hybrid PT/FT

About the Program

A Better Life Foundation (ABLF) is launching a dedicated Indigenous Food Program that celebrates the culinary traditions of Turtle Island and reconnects urban Indigenous youth with cultural foodways. Rooted in the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), this program weaves Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to foster healing, food sovereignty, and empowerment.

The Indigenous Cook Lead will bring lived experience and familiarity with traditional ingredients, recipes, and methods that celebrate Turtle Island practices. Working primarily with the ABLF kitchen team — who will support with ordering, logistics, and day-to-day cooking operations — this role will focus on producing Indigenous meals, guiding apprentices, and collaborating respectfully with Knowledge Keepers and advisors to honour teachings and create opportunities for intergenerational learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of Indigenous meals (2x per week) for community partners.
• Mentor apprentice cooks, providing guidance in traditional cooking skills, practices, and values.
• Collaborate with advisors and Knowledge Keepers to ensure meals are culturally relevant and teachings are honoured.
• Develop and adapt recipes that highlight seasonal and traditional ingredients of Turtle Island.
• Support community events and youth-focused learning seminars.
• Ensure food preparation meets ABLF’s standards of safety, hospitality, and dignity.

Qualifications

• Lived experience and deep familiarity with Indigenous food traditions, ingredients, and cooking methods.
• Experience leading in a kitchen — training, teaching, or mentoring others.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; able to coordinate across a team.
• Passion for food sovereignty, youth empowerment, and community healing.
• Food Safe certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Flexibility to work evenings/weekends for community events as needed.

How to Apply

Send us a short note with your name and how to contact you. A resume is welcome, but not required.

• Email: info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

About A Better Life Foundation 

A Better Life Foundation provides critical meals, training, and community support to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Every year, we serve 500,000+ meals, run high-impact employment programs, and create pathways to food justice. Our Indigenous Food Program, developed in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and guided by community knowledge, is grounded in dignity, respect, and inclusivity.

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates, as well as those with lived experience of poverty, colonization, or marginalization. We also welcome applicants with disabilities and are committed to creating an accessible, supportive, and inclusive workplace.

About the Program

A Better Life Foundation (ABLF) is launching a dedicated Indigenous Food Program that celebrates the culinary traditions of Turtle Island and reconnects urban Indigenous youth with cultural foodways. Rooted in the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), this program weaves Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to foster healing, food sovereignty, and empowerment.

The Indigenous Apprentice Cook position is designed for someone who wants to learn, grow, and contribute to the revitalization of Indigenous food traditions. This is an opportunity to work closely with a Cook Lead, Knowledge Keepers, and advisors to prepare meals for community members and youth. Apprentices will gain hands-on kitchen experience while also learning the deeper significance of ingredients, recipes, and methods that connect us to land, culture, and community.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation of Indigenous meals (2x per week) for community partners.
• Learn traditional cooking methods and recipes under the mentorship of the Cook Lead and Knowledge Keepers.
• Help prepare and support community events, youth workshops, and cultural seminars.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming kitchen environment.
• Support ingredient sourcing and food recovery efforts in alignment with program values.

Qualifications

• Interest in learning Indigenous cooking practices and commitment to cultural revitalization.
• Some experience in food preparation or kitchen work (professional or personal).
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Reliability, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.
• Food Safe certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Flexibility to work evenings/weekends for community events as needed.

How to Apply

Send us a short note with your name and how to contact you. A resume is welcome, but not required.

• Email: info@abetterlifefoundation.ca

About A Better Life Foundation 

A Better Life Foundation provides critical meals, training, and community support to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Every year, we serve 500,000+ meals, run high-impact employment programs, and create pathways to food justice. Our Indigenous Food Program, developed in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and guided by community knowledge, is grounded in dignity, respect, and inclusivity.

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates, as well as those with lived experience of poverty, colonization, or marginalization. We also welcome applicants with disabilities and are committed to creating an accessible, supportive, and inclusive workplace.