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 Your Impact, May 2023

Good morning!

I’d like to start this update with a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for your generous support! Your contribution plays a vital role in changing lives, right here in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington.

More than ever, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of prioritizing programs that support the most vulnerable.

Over the past year, thanks to your generosity:

  • Seniors, students, families and children accessed food and meal programs.
  • Counselling and programs helped people facing mental health challenges.
  • Supports and shelter were provided for youth, adults and families experiencing homelessness.

Your donation makes all this possible.  Thank you!

Community Impact Report – data, information and facts at your fingertips!

United Ways were created to address local issues, researching and collecting information about the issues facing people in our community, and then investing in critical social programs and collaborative solutions.

To learn more about the impact of your donation, I invite you to take a look at the 2022 Community Impact Report. This report provides information about the programs your contributions have supported, information and data about local issues being tackled, as well as the positive impact of the dollars you generously invested through United Way.

Women United Seeing is Believing Tour

Last week we took members of Women United on a Seeing is Believing Tour focused on youth homelessness and youth services. The tour was generously sponsored by Jane Lapointe, Assante Financial Management Ltd. – Fenlon Division. We toured One Roof Youth Wellness Hub, Rise@149 Transitional housing and concluded the tour at Youth Diversion.

As is always the case with Seeing is Believing Tours, the stories were impactful, some positive like Zack’s of being 16 months sober and using his lived experience of youth homelessness to help youth at One Roof through the Peer Support Program. We toured Rise@149 transitional housing and learned about the supports offered.  We heard the story of a young girl coping with trauma, family conflict and unstable housing.

The stories are impactful and so are the staff and volunteers working with the youth in our community each day to make a difference. They couldn’t do this work without the support of donors like you. On behalf of all who benefit, thank you for continuing to make a difference in the lives of youth in our community.   

You can learn more about Women United here or contact me for more information about how you can get involved.

And if you are interested in joining a Seeing is Believing Tour, there are a couple of bus tours coming up this fall.

Succession Planning

In case you missed it, the United Way KFL&A Board of Directors is pleased to announce that John DiPaolo, United Way’s Vice President of Corporate Services, will step into the role of CEO when I step down on Sept. 1. The selection was announced last week following a two-month search by the board.

I know that I will be leaving the organization in very good hands. John has a great deal of experience, and he will be backed by a dedicated team of volunteers, board and staff. I am confident that this United Way will continue to grow from strength to strength as part of the strong network of community partners that seeks to help people live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging.

Read more about the announcement here.  

In the News

Here are some media highlights you may want to check out.

Youth Wellness Hub celebrates grand opening – In 2020, Kingston Home Base Housing, the backbone organization to One Roof, purchased a former church property to expand services and United Way provided funding to help with the renovations. Last week they celebrated their grand opening! United Way continues to support core services at One Roof through grants to cover the cost of accommodation and staffing. 

United Way KFL&A announce John DiPaolo as new President and CEO
Thanks to the Kingstonist for spreading the news!

Area United Way names new president and chief executive officer
Thanks to the Kingston Whig Standard for spreading the news!

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

 

 

United Way KFL&A names incoming President & CEO

The United Way KFL&A Board of Directors is pleased to announce that John DiPaolo, the agency’s Vice President of Corporate Services, will replace outgoing President and CEO Bhavana Varma when she steps down on Sept. 1. The selection was announced following a two-month search by the board.

Women United

United Way KFL&A is part of a world-wide connection called Women United. Women United brings together like-minded women who want to use their skills, talents and resources to contribute to their community in a significant way. Women United builds on the strong legacy of Women in Leadership in our region with members giving independently to the United Way, or jointly with their spouses or partners.

Community Impact Report

This report provides information about the programs your contributions have supported, information and data about local issues being tackled, as well as the positive impact of the dollars you generously invested through United Way.

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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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