Keep doing what you’re doing – it’s working.”
Melissa
Women’s Advisory Group, Street Level Women at Risk
Every October, United Way brings together some of our most committed donors to thank them for their leadership by showing them the impact of the work they support. Milestone donors receive pins to commemorate their long-standing commitment.
At the “United for Strategic Impact” gathering, this year’s Community Campaign Chair Kristen Korhonen reflected on meeting attendees who have been donating to United Way for an astounding 30 years or more:
Some of the people in our cabinet are newer to United Way, or even new to being involved with charitable giving. It is so inspiring to think that the people we are recruiting to help us with this year’s campaign could still be supporting 10, 20 or even 30 years from now. I know you all have your own reasons for giving. And yet all of you have chosen to support United Way for so long. It is a great testament to the work United Way does, year after year.”
Donor support allows United Way to reduce the impact of poverty lovally, through 44 funded programs and services. The evening featured stories and converations with members and partners of one such United Way funded program, Street Level Women at Risk (SLWAR).
Kelly Ziegner, President and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex, listed the many ways in which SLWAR aligns closely with United Way’s funding priorities:
Their work is with some of the most vulnerable people in our community: women who are not only unhoused, but also involved in survival sex work. But it’s not just what they do – it’s how they do it. SLWAR is working to answer immediate needs and to find long-term solutions. SLWAR works through collaboration with many other agencies. Their services rely heavily on the guidance of women with direct lived experience.”
Melissa from SLWAR described how the program’s “wraparound” approach allowed her to get clean and forge a successful, independent life for herself after many failed attempts. In a roundtable discussion that included current and former staff and community partners of SLWAR, Kelly Ziegner asked about that approach. “I really think having the guidance of these women with lived experertise is a huge part of main reason we’ve been successful,” said Jaclyn Seer, Director of Supportive Housing with CMHATV. Another key to the program’s success has been persistence. According to Sergeant Luanne Devine, Persons At Risk Coordinator, London Police Service, “It can take a long time to build trust, but it’s worth it. We need to.”
United Way is greaful for the support of ur many donors, and for the sponsors who make this evening possible: McCormick Canada, Cohen Highley, and Violet’s of Strathroy.
One of McCormick’s core principles is to respect and value every person. It is a principle that extends into the broader community, and it’s one of the many reasons McCormick feels so strongly about partnering with United Way Elgin Middlesex.”
See all event photos on our Facebook page.
Topics : Campaign, Major Gift
