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Social Services Recovery Task Force

The Social Services Recovery Task Force was started by United Way in May 2020 to explore opportunities for stabilization, collaboration and coordination among agencies in the social services sector in KFL&A. This includes programs for food, homelessness, mental health, counselling and safety from violence in the region.

On March 17, 2020, the provincial government in Ontario ordered a shutdown due to Covid-19. Some essential services and businesses continued, including agencies delivering programs to serve the vulnerable.

Funding has always been unstable for many charities, and the current pandemic has impacted fundraising efforts and events. There is uncertainty and concern that many donors may need to curtail their charitable giving if they are struggling themselves. This crisis has resulted in agencies struggling to cope with increased demand, staffing shortages, and more expensive program delivery.

Charities rose to the challenge in innovative, collaborative, and caring ways. Six months into the pandemic, the taskforce is working on plans for the recovery phase and beyond.

Parallel to this, the Kingston Economic Recovery Task Force was created by Mayor Bryan Paterson to look at economic recovery. To ensure linkage between the two, Mayor Bryan Paterson (City of Kingston), Bhavana Varma (United Way), and Ian Murdoch (Kingston Economic Development) sit on both task forces.

In October 2020, the Social Services Task Force put together an update outlining objectives, progress so far and next steps. Click to view the full report.

“Agencies are partnering together to do things that we tried very hard to do before COVID-19, but now we’re in a place where we absolutely have to do this. It is strengthening the fabric of the social service network in our community. We’re recognizing gaps that we didn’t even know existed as a result of COVID-19.”

- Shawn Quigley Executive Director of Youth Diversion, Social Services Recovery Task Force member

Click here to view an article written by The Kingston Whig Standard about the Social Services Recovery Task Force.

"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jim Parker
"With our United Way funding, we go right to the grocery store or a local supplier and purchase the food that helps a student take advantage of everything school has to offer. You can be confident that your donation to the United Way stays here, in KFL&A and supports students in our community"
Brenda MooreFood Sharing Project
“United Way came in and adopted us and things changed dramatically, we didn’t have people waiting on the step for a bed in the winter. They stay as long as they need to and we help them get into transitional housing. We provide them with structure and help them. Because of United Way we get to help raise these children and I feel honoured and so proud to know them.”
Denise LambKingston Youth Shelter
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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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