United Ways – Centraides work with their staff, volunteers and often other partners (i.e. community, government, labour, business) to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in their communities. United Ways – Centraides work with their community members to deliver programs that help people overcome hardship, such as poverty; with the support of donors, they raise funds to be invested into their communities in order to create opportunities for people to make a better life; they convene partners and stakeholders to work together to find solutions to social problems, such as neighbourhood violence. United Ways – Centraides work in different ways to address the needs of their communities.
Read through the stories below to find out how United Ways – Centraides are creating measurable, lasting change in their communities.
The United Way serving KFL&A Publishes a Report Addressing Homelessness in the Community The United Way serving Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) published a landmark report in 2009 focussed on homelessness and affordable housing in the community of Kingston, Ontario. Using data from a number of local, provincial and national sources, including the City of Kingston, the Government of Canada, and the Province of Ontario, among others, and using research from an extensive community consultation, the report identifies steps that the community needs to take in order to alleviate and reduce homelessness in Kingston. Titled, A Place First: A Community Plan on Homelessness and Housing in Kingston, this report represents a collaborative community effort developed and led by United Way serving KFL&A staff and volunteers.
United Way – Centraide Campaigns Are in Full Swing!Campaign kick-off events are well underway at United Ways - Centraides throughout Canada. Typically in early fall, United Ways – Centraides launch their annual fundraising campaign to raise much-needed funds to support valuable community organizations and initiatives.
An Island UnitedAfter two years of planning, negotiating and working together on meaningful change, United Way of Canada – Centraide Canada is happy to announce the finalized merger of three local United Ways situated on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. United Way Comox Valley, United Way Campbell River and United Way Central Island (formally Nanaimo) have teamed up under one roof with the goal of making United Way services in their communities more accessible, professional and cost-efficient, and strengthening the United Way brand overall.
United Way Responds to the Downturn in the Forest IndustryAlmost 10,000 British Columbia forest sector workers are out of jobs as sawmills respond to the collapsed lumber demand in the U.S. by cutting production and sending people home. From Fort Nelson to Vancouver Island, mills are closing their doors, cutting back on shifts, operating sporadically or implementing job-sharing to get their costs down.
Measuring Up the NorthRecognizing the need to create livable, age-friendly, disability-friendly, universally designed, inclusive communities that benefit all citizens and visitors, United Way of Northern British Columbia has partnered with North Central Municipal Association (NCMA), the BC Paraplegic Association and other funders in an innovative initiative called “Measuring up the North”.
Getting Youth Engaged in their CommunityRecognizing that youth are the leaders of tomorrow, Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way formed a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in 2007, made up of youth under the age of 29. Together in 2009, Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way and the YAC are continuing work on three initiatives centered on recognizing, inspiring, and supporting youth who are looking for opportunities to make positive contributions to their community.
Emmett is a real team playerEmmett Fuerst is a typical 12-year-old boy. He has a passion for video games and aspires to one day design them for a living; he loves hockey and Sidney Crosby; and he wants very much to fit in with his peers – which hasn’t always been easy.
Who you gonna call? In Ottawa 211, naturally!More than 5,000 people called in to Ottawa 211 between September and December 2008. Ottawa’s new information and referral service connects callers to a range of social, government and health service programs and made its official début on September 19 after a six-month trial run.
Labour Partners Provide Tremendous Support to United Way - CentraideThe General Motors Transmission Plant (GM) and CAW Local 1973 in Windsor, Ontario put its United Way - Centraide (UW-C) campaign into overdrive this year. Despite the difficult reality of an upcoming plant closure in 2010, a committed team of canvassers managed to increase giving.
Marlene’s StoryA poster containing the Circle of Courage hangs in the Partners for Kids (PFK) room at Parkdale School. A room that sees everything from children reading, using computers, playing games, interacting with their friends in social clubs and spending time with their mentors.
Neera finds new hope It takes seven to 10 years for a newcomer to fully integrate into Canadian life. Neera Joshi and her two children immigrated to Canada from India three years ago and the journey has been full of unexpected challenges. In addition to Neera’s struggle to find full-time employment, the family experiences social, emotional and financial stressors. India Rainbow Community Services of Peel, a United Way-funded agency, provides counselling for the family, as well as resume and job search training for Neera.