Your Impact: February 2023

This month’s update comes with some personal news. Many of you are aware that I announced my decision to step down from my role with United Way KFL&A later this year.

I am honoured to have been in this role for the past 24 years – thank you for your support and your faith in my leadership. Together, we have built a United Way that is now one of the Top 100 rated charities in Canada and is #2 among United Ways in the country in terms of $s raised per capita.  Thanks to your support, we’re coming out of the pandemic with great resilience, helping more people and raising more money than ever. The community has collectively worked on innovative solutions to youth homelessness, food insecurity, early years, and compassionate ways to address the growing complexity of addictions, mental health and homelessness.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the organization and leave this United Way with a strong foundation – and upon which to build its future growth and success.

Nonprofit Appreciation Week
This past week marked the second annual Nonprofit Appreciation Week in Ontario, a chance to recognize Ontario’s nonprofit sector and the vital role nonprofits and over 850,000 workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities. You can learn more about it here and check out videos featuring some local familiar faces too!

A shout out to our local staff and volunteers in the nonprofit sector who continued essential services throughout the pandemic to help community members in vulnerable situations. Like all of us, agencies are facing fatigue, working hard to ensure they can continue to serve their program users. They need your support and appreciation, which is what this week was all about. Thank you!

Tampon Tuesday
United Way KFL&A is once again excited to launch the fourth annual Tampon Tuesday collection drive in the region. 
 
Starting March 1 and running until March 31, 2023, community members are encouraged to donate pads, tampons, liners and other menstrual hygiene products. The donation drive aims to fill a gap – these products are among the most requested at shelters and agencies, but the least donated.
 
In 2022, over 134,000 hygiene products were donated and distributed by United Way to agencies and programs throughout KFL&A. Groups and workplaces are encouraged to do their own drives and we are happy to promote your location if you’d like others to drop off there too. It’s as simple as having a drop-off bin, printing off a poster and letting your group or workplace know you are collecting. 
 
You can always drop off product at the United Way office, 417 Bagot Street: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m., or to any of the locations listed on our website www.unitedwaykfla.ca/tampontuesday 
 
Products can also be donated through an Amazon wishlist and monetary donations can be made online. Community members can contact the United Way KFL&A office at 613.542.2674 or at admin@unitedwaykfla.ca and a pickup or drop off can be arranged.
 
Diversity Equity Inclusion – Communities of Practice
We acknowledge that EDII work can be overwhelming. Resources are often scarce, and it can be hard to know where to begin. The United Way has worked with people with experience in this field to create roadmaps, providing guidance to partner agencies on areas of work and actions that correspond to where they are on their own EDII journeys. The roadmaps are not prescriptive, nor are the steps linear. The intent is to provide resources and work together in communities of practice to share and learn from each other.
 
United Way has been meeting with partner agencies to discuss this important topic, identify next steps and have started a series of Diversity Equity Inclusion Community of Practices sessions. 
 
UW is committed to making this journey together with partner agencies – learning from those that are further along and offering encouragement and support to those who are just setting out. Our hope is that the communities of practice will contribute to making our community more welcoming and inclusive. We look forward to learning and growing together.
 
I will continue to keep you updated on this process and the progress that is being made on this important journey in our community.
 
In the News
Wondering what your United Way and the United Way network has been up to in the past month? Here are some media highlights you may want to check out.

United Way encourages KFL&A residents to ‘make the right call’ on 211 Day

Local United Way’s longtime president and CEO to retire Sept. 1

Building a better Ontario can start with this budget
 
Thank you for changing lives and for making a difference in the lives of your friends, family and neighbours through the United Way.

Please feel free to reach out if you would like more information or just want to chat – I can be reached at 613-929-4828 or by email bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca

Take care and stay safe.
Bhavana