Creating real, lasting change
United Way works so that every person in every community across our region has a fair shot at their best life. As the largest non-government funder of social services in Elgin and Middlesex counties, we tackle issues linked to poverty and social exclusion by investing in strategic leadership, advocacy and programs proven to get results. Donations stay 100% local, always.
Our vision
A community where everyone matters.
All people are important and deserve a good quality of life. All people have the potential to need help and the potential to help. ‘Success’ and ‘quality of life’ mean different things to different people but we’re driven by the ultimate goal to have our community made up of people enjoying a good life and helping others to achieve the same.
Our mission
To improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action.
The most important thing United Way can do for our community is to use our reputation, relationships and expertise to bring together our community’s resources of people, time, talent, relationships, expertise, technology, money and more. By channeling our community’s power behind solid strategies we can achieve lasting changes in the social conditions of individuals, families and our community.
Check out our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
Our core values
Demonstrate trust, integrity, respect, inclusivity and transparency
Energize and inspire volunteerism and volunteer leadership
Endorse innovation, partnerships and collective action
Provide non-partisan leadership
Embrace diversity
United Way creates real, lasting change
Locally driven and governed, United Way is a non-partisan, registered charity dedicated to preventing and reducing poverty; to improving the quality of life of all people in our community and helping individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities reach their full potential.
United Way is a leader in understanding the root causes of social issues and bringing together people and resources to find lasting solutions. United Way is creating real change in people’s lives – meaningful, positive, lasting change. Not just for today, but for the long term. And that means a better community for us all. Inspiring people to come together, we have the power to make a real difference, in people’s lives and in our community.
Together, we improve lives locally.
UWEM is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and to supporting the recommendations of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We view reconciliation as an opportunity to honour and elevate our commitment to Indigenous Peoples living in our region.
We acknowledge that our community is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron. We would like to recognize the three First Nations communities in this area: the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee-Delaware Nation. Today, Elgin and Middlesex Counties are home to Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, including a growing urban Indigenous population.
We recognize the deep connection and the long-standing relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land of Southwest Ontario and of London and acknowledge that this is sacred land upon which we are privileged to live and work.
We also recognize that this land was taken from the Indigenous Peoples who originally lived here and who were stewards of this land for centuries. United Way Elgin Middlesex recognizes the inequities connected to colonization and is committed to an ongoing journey of listening, learning, and working towards creating an equitable and just community for all.