Catherine Atyeo

Catherine co-founded CLICK in 2001 with Alva Jenson, a former inner city teacher and consultant at the Vancouver School Board. Catherine was a single mother for many years and raised her two sons in the inner city. She observed first-hand the struggles of working poor families, and the effects of poverty on their children’s opportunities and self-esteem.

Serving as CLICK’s president for 10 years, Catherine is passionate about making Vancouverites aware of the plight of local children living in poverty. She has seen how programs supported by CLICK make a real difference in the lives of inner city kids, and has deep admiration for the mentors and angels that touch the lives of these children every day. In 2017, Catherine was a YWCA Women of Distinction Awards nominee for her work with CLICK.

Catherine has worked for almost 35 years in print and broadcast journalism, as well as in communications in the private sector and government. Her volunteer experience includes working on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside; assisting immigrants and refugees to integrate into the Lower Mainland; and serving on committees in housing cooperatives.

Catherine and her partner have four children who’ve all flown the coop but come back often. Her interests include running, hiking, gardening and choral singing. She has lived in six different Vancouver neighborhoods and loves to set off from her current residence near Main Street to explore the city on her bike.