Nira Arora Raising $25K for Options Housing Project
For 50 years, Options Community Services has worked as a registered charity to provide essential social services in Surrey, Delta, White Rock/South Surrey and Langley. Last year alone, with 500+ staff, they offered 80 programs and assisted more than 100,000 people within these communities. Options aids in a variety of ways including: early childhood development, crisis support, employment opportunities and community integration for new immigrants and refugees, transition housing for women fleeing violence, support for the homeless, and affordable housing.
This year marks their 50th Anniversary and with that, they have launched their first-ever capital campaign: 50 Women of Options. We are excited to announce and applaud our very own contributor Nira Arora, who has joined the cause!
Nira shares, “Work hard, play harder – always give back. This is my motto for 2021. So when I was asked to join such an amazing cause, it definitely was something I wanted to be part of. Life is strange, there are many ups and downs but one thing is always consistent – when you help someone, when you can be a shoulder to lean on, when you give back, there it is… the greatest moment of contentment. With that contentment comes a greater desire to continue giving and helping others. And, it’s contagious in the most beautiful way! When you give back, those you have helped want to pay it forward too.”
Raising Funds to Build Hope
There is a growing waitlist of over 2,900 names for social housing and more than 600 people across Surrey alone are experiencing homelessness at any given time. Options Community Services’ has launched a new affordable housing project at 81st Avenue and King George Boulevard, which this campaign will directly fund. With 100 units at well below market rental rates, the build will also include community services such as Early Years, mental health outreach, and family services. With occupancy slated for mid-2023, this project expands Options’ capacity to provide community support and to add affordable housing to the City of Surrey.
Nira’s $25K Fundraising Goal
Nira and the women of the campaign have offered to help by each raising $25,000 in support of this project. This is no small goal, and we applaud Nira for taking on this amazing effort.
“I wouldn’t be able to this without your support - honestly every dollar counts,” shares Nira.
Before becoming the morning show host and Executive Producer for 94.5 Virgin Radio, Nira Arora worked in TV and print broadcasting before making her way to radio. She has been in the morning host position since 2003 and a contributor here at I Like Her Style Vancouver over the past number of years.
Recently, Nira has been able to use her platform to raise awareness about the movements within the community that people are talking about, and she feels so fortunate and blessed that she works for a company that is now prioritizing diversity and allyship.
Nira believes we’ve all learned a lot from the pandemic and that we’re so connected, more than we realized. Although she’s currently in a good place, Nira is a first generation Canadian and understands the pressure and stress that comes with not knowing what you’re going to do the next day. Her dad came to this country with $10 in his pocket and the family had to learn to build everything from scratch. She says people just need a chance, and we have to believe in them.
If even just a few dollars, Nira thanks you from the bottom of your heart for your kindness toward this campaign and the people who will be helped.