Victoria Leadership Awards
The eighth annual Victoria Leadership Awards gala took place at the Fairmont Empress. United Way of Greater Victoria is a proud partner in the awards along with Leadership Victoria, the University of Victoria, the Rotary Clubs of Greater Victoria, and the Victoria Foundation. To read the media reports click here for the Times Colonist, click here for Victoria News, and click here for CTV.
United Way Celebrates 75 years and Invests close to 5 Million in our Community
United Way Celebrates 75 years and Invests close to 5 Million in our Community
A woman who struggles with mental illness will get support to learn employment skills at the Beacon Community Services Thrift Shop. Low income youth in the Blanshard Youth Crew Program will discover that being part of a team that serves their neighbourhood will help them develop a positive attitude, increase their self-esteem, and prepare them for the future. Isolated seniors on Galiano Island will work side by side with community children in a garden and orchard program that grows healthy crops to feed people in need. In 2012, United Way of Greater Victoria is investing close to $5 million into programs that are getting to the root of challenging social issues and changing lives for the better.
“The programs the United Way is investing in make a huge difference in the Greater Victoria Area. Our community partners provide a vast array of services supporting the most vulnerable people in our community. Unfortunately the requests out weigh the dollars available, nearly two to one” said Chuck Schactman, Co- Chair of the Impact Council that is responsible for reviewing requests for funding.
This year, United Way is funding 68 community partners who deliver 117 programs in Greater Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands. The United Way focuses investments in three strategic areas. Funding to the impact area of ‘all that kids can be’ provides children and youth with the support and opportunities they need to be ready for grade one, finish high school and forge strong positive relationships. Giving support, education and skills training to people struggling with mental health, addictions, or disabilities is building ‘healthy people, strong communities’. And helping people find jobs and secure safe housing is lifting them ‘from poverty to possibility’. “We know our funding contributes to the bigger picture of a stronger, more caring and inclusive community” said United Way CEO, Linda Hughes. Although the United Way is somewhat short on achieving this year’s goal – 94% of the 6.3 million dollar goal was raised – the organization is totally committed to the approved programs and looks forward to very positive outcomes for children, families, adults in need and seniors.
United Way of Greater Victoria celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2012. One of the highlights of the year will be the establishment of new partnerships to enhance leadership, innovation and community building. Community celebrations will be held with two municipalities that are also celebrating anniversaries – the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt. The Pacific Capital Commission and Coast Capital Savings will join the United Way in new ventures and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the three school districts are collaborating on a youth art exhibit based on the theme of ‘Change starts here’. And throughout 2012, a speaker series will be presented in collaboration with the University of Victoria, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Greater Victoria Public Library, and Leadership Victoria. More information about the 75th celebrations, activities, and a historical timeline will be available in the coming weeks at www.uwgv.ca/75th.
UWGV Funded Project – Queens Manor Tour
All the funding partners got together with the media on February 9 to tour Queens Manor – a great example that collaboration on projects can get things done. Check out the photo gallery below:
check out the media story on the project, click on the link. Times Colonist
A Small Donation Can Make a Big Change.
United Way of Greater Victoria funds programs that helps kids be all that they can be.
A small amount can go a long way in somebody’s life. In our community impact area of All that kids can be., just $2 a pay cheque, $52 a year buys a backpack full of school supplies for a child living in poverty. Or the same amount will buy activity passes for 16 girls struggling with low self-esteem to improve their self-confidence, friendships and fitness. What might seem as a small thing is huge to the people who need the most help.
Change starts here.
There’s No Deadline to Donating!
Many people give to United Way in the fall as part of our annual campaign. But what you may not know is that we accept donations all year round, in many different ways.
It may not always visible, but the need is great in our community. This year, United Way received twice the amount of funding applications from our community partners who deliver the front line programs and services, this tells us that our partners are seeing more and more demand for their services.
If you haven’t given yet to your community through United Way, it is never too late to donate! Give us a call at 250-385-6708 or through the mail, 1144 Fort Street, Victoria BC, V8V 3K8, or hit the donate button on this site!
The Early Years Awards
The Early Years Awards celebrates the businesses and organizations that make a difference in the lives of families with children. It’s easy. It’s free. And it’s the right thing to do. For more information, click here.
Donations Change Lives, Give to United Way.
Many people ask us who does United Way help? We can tell you thousands of the most vulnerable people in our community. Funding to community partners is getting to the people who the need support and a hand up to change their lives for the better.
Last year, our community partners reported that 6,800 people struggling with mental health and addiction issues were provided with outreach support and treatment programs helping them to recognize and make choices that lead to healthier lives.
Change starts here!
United Way Campaign short $600,000.
As their annual campaign is ready to wrap up, United Way is struggling to meet its fundraising goal.
A week and a half before United Way of Greater Victoria is to announce its final total; CEO Linda Hughes identified a $600,000 shortfall. A $6.3 million goal was set to meet increasing challenges in the community and growing demands at United Way funded agencies across the Capital Region.
“Many donors in our community have responded and we are very close,” Greg Conner, Community Campaign Cabinet Chair says. Conner acknowledged the generosity of donors to date but appeals to individuals or companies who have not yet contributed, to help bridge the gap in support of the people in our community who benefit from United Way funded programs. “United Way is about a hand up, not a hand out, and so every dollar raised is critically important in making a difference to people in need”.
Hughes encourages supporters to help United Way hit the target by Jan. 25, when the campaign officially ends and the final tally is announced. Concern about personal financial investments, uncertain global markets and frozen wages has contributed to this year’s shortfall. “The economic trends affecting our city are national, and many United Ways and other charities across the country are feeling the pinch” she said. “We understand people’s concern about the economic climate but we hope they will step up and invest in the future of some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.”
For more information about the United Way of Greater Victoria or to give, please visit our website; www.uwgv.ca or contact us at 250-385-6708. Thank you for your generosity in making our community a vibrant place for everyone.
A Christmas Poem, No Gift is too Small.
“Twas the week before Christmas;
and I sat here and thought;
there are donors still out there;
who cannot have forgot;
The people who need us;
and count on this support;
with funding that’s given;
from our office on Fort.
With the need higher than ever;
every dollar truly counts;
from the individual donors;
to the workplace accounts.
If you haven’t yet donated;
there is still opportunity
to give and make a difference;
to so many in our community.
So give what you can;
but don’t not give at all;
because a gift is a gift;
and there’s no gift too small!”
~Simone Rowlinson, Campaign Associate
Staff and Students from School District #61 Step Up for their Community!
Congratulations go out to staff and students in School District #61 for their participation, enthusiasm and spirit of charitable giving!!
Arbutus Middle School, Eagle View and Hillcrest Elementary Schools all surpassed their 2010 campaign totals. Great job!
Outstanding increases were seen in 2011 campaigns at Mount Douglas Secondary (181%) and Sir James Douglas Elementary (286%).
Sincere thanks to the Leadership of Vice Principal Maureen Munro and her Continuing Education team at SJ Willis with support from the Alternate Education staff. Special recognition to new staff member Amanda Pawlowski who coordinated a fantastic silent auction and to Sarah Thornber who assisted her Foods & Nutrition students with a soup sale project to raise funds for United Way. These amazing efforts resulted in a181% increase in 2011 donations. We are so grateful for your involvement each year.
Welcome back to our annual United Way campaign to the following schools: Campus View Elementary, Colquitz Middle School, Monterey Middle School, Strawberry Vale Elementary and Sundance Elementary.
Thank you all for supporting our community campaign. Your efforts are most appreciated!
Robin Rushton, Loaned Representative sponsored by United Way.
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