10 Things You Didn’t Know About… Cause We Care founder Andrea Thomas Hill

From left: Cause We Care Foundation board member Tanis Goldman, general manager Caroline Woodcock, committee member Amanda Solomon-Guthrie and founder Andrea Thomas Hill

Like why she admires female lions

Andrea Thomas Hill, who moved from Toronto to Vancouver in 1999, sat on the board of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC Chapter, for several years before shifting her attention to the citys single mothers and children living in poverty. The mother of two, who founded the Cause We Care Foundation in 2007, has distributed tens of thousands of care packages at Christmas and on Mother’s Day to families in need, funded after-school programs and helped build YWCA Cause We Care House on East Hastings in Vancouver. Earlier this year, Cause We Care launched the new Single Mothers Support Fund—a pilot program to provide essential financial support to mothers in education or job training programs, a vital step toward achieving economic independence.

The holidays are an important time for Cause We Care, which is in the midst of its fundraising campaign and will host the Holiday Care Package Drive on December 5. 

What is your favourite spot in B.C.?

I love being on and looking out at the mountains in Whistler. So massive, beautiful and untouched.

Where did you go on your last vacation?

In September I was in London for the Frieze Art Fair and then Venice to see the Biennale—first time for both. The Biennale was one of the most interesting things I’ve experienced, as different countries create these incredible installations, and the museums in the city all feature the most amazing pieces of art.

Favourite restaurant/bar?

I don’t think there is one restaurant in Vancouver that checks every box for me. For food, Hawksworth Restaurant; atmosphere, Autostrada Osteria; and decor, St. Lawrence. As for bars, I love Bar Oso in Whistler. Outside of Canada, I love Cosme in New York City for excellent Mexican.

What is your most memorable podcast, film or book?

I recently listened to a podcast with Malcom Gladwell discussing his new book Talking to Strangers. I found his perspective incredibly enlightening and thought-provoking.

What is your morning routine?

I should say yoga followed by meditation since I recently went to a course on the Art of Living, which emphasizes how useful and important it is to start your day this way. But in reality, I make myself a coffee, make breakfast for my son at 5:30 a.m. and then drive him to hockey.

Hobby?

Flower arranging and working in my vegetable garden in the summer in the Okanagan.

Best advice ever received?

Treat people the way you want to be treated.

Your worst job ever?

My first job in advertising when I was 17 and worked in a very small firm in the summer from noon to 8 p.m. The hours were fine, as was the work, but I also had the task of keeping the washroom clean. At least I knew there was nowhere to go but up.

What is your favourite quote?

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

She has a number that resonate with me. I love how profound, strong and vocal she was at a time when that was not the norm for women.

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

Probably a lioness, as they are social, strong, loyal, the primary hunter and protective of their young.