Dakota Halfpenny, Author at United Way Elgin Middlesex

TD StairClimb TD MC's at FitClub Bootcamps

25 years of Stepping Up for our community

by Dakota Halfpenny on November 5, 2021 Comments Off

Yesterday saw London’s biggest all day party taking place – and COVID-19 couldn’t do anything to stop it. TD StairClimb for United Way, a community wide, annual event running 25 years now, continued its virtual format from last year with hundreds of ‘climbers’ transitioning their ‘Step Up’ activity to a 10-minute stair climbing session hosted by FitClub BootCamps.

And while the event might look a little different than previous years when hundreds of climbers gathered at One London Place to tackle the 472 steps to the top, pandemic gathering restrictions just couldn’t stop local people from participating online from home, the office or even outside!

TD StairClimb is an exciting day that gets people out and moving for our community. This is our 25th year and it’s been so much fun looking back over the great memories we’ve built together.

Kelly Ziegner
President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex

COVID-19 has amplified issues like poverty, mental health and intimate partner violence that were hurting our community even before the pandemic. In our region, one in five children live in poverty and requests for subsidized counselling at Daya Counselling Centre are up 20-25% since the start of the pandemic. For many, it seems that a recovery is taking place – but for many others, these past 18 months have only widened the gap between thriving and just getting by.

The United Way is an important pillar of our community. Anytime we take part in an event like TD StairClimb, make a donation, or volunteer our time, we are giving back to those most in need. Your support, whether participating or donating, makes a huge difference in our community.

Penny Wise
President, 3M Canada

Thousands of community members have taken part in TD StairClimb for United Way since it’s conception in 1996, with over $2.8 million raised for United Way funded programs and services serving people across our region. Over 100,000 people used a United Way funded service last year alone, that’s more than one in five of us getting the support we needed, when we needed it.

Didn’t get a chance to take part but want to help your community? You can still make a donation until November 12, online.

Donate now

In the News: United Way advocates for Living Wage

by Dakota Halfpenny on November 5, 2021 Comments Off

Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre, outdoor market

Any more income in folks’ pockets is good news. But there is still a lot to be done when we look at the precarity of work, paid sick time and the rates for social assistance—all issues that are deeply concerning. The new minimum wage is a start, but it’s not enough to ensure that people are able to thrive in our community.

KELLY ZIEGNER
PRESIDENT & CEO
UNITED WAY ELGIN MIDDLESEX

Ontario’s new minimum wage is a good start, but a living wage that actually takes into account what people need to live, work and participate in their local community, is the goal. United Way’s Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, weighs in with CBC radio’s Chris dela Torre about the difference a living wage makes to ensure people are not just surviving, but thriving. Listen to the clip here here.

To learn more about living wage and the wage calculations across the region visit https://www.ontariolivingwage.ca/

Mom holding daughter looking into the camera

$27. Twenty-seven. Two-seven.

by Dakota Halfpenny on November 4, 2021 Comments Off

Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO United Way Elgin Middlesex

It’s a number that haunts me; when I write the date; when I glance at a clock; when I purchase something that costs $27.

That number was seared in my brain a few years ago, during a meeting with Megan Walker, retired Executive Director of the London Abused Women’s Centre. I had paid her a visit to learn more about the impact of the New Beginnings Loan Fund – a fund that provides interest-free loans of up to $500 to women escaping domestic violence.

She told story after story, of women who had accessed the fund to cover expenses such as moving costs, first and last month’s rent, furniture or personal items. As I scanned the list of past loans, one caught my eye; it was for $27.

Megan confirmed that yes, a woman had accessed the fund for a loan of $27 to cover the cost of cab fare to a local shelter. Think about that for a moment. Imagine having your finances controlled so closely by your abuser, that you can’t pull together a few dollars for fear of retribution. Imagine $27 being all that separates you from safety.

Sometimes people ask me “will my small donation really make a difference?”

$27 was all it took to help her escape.
$27 was all it took to help her start a new life.
$27 changed her life and maybe even saved it.

27. Twenty-seven. Two-seven.

Kelly Ziegner
President & CEO

Donate today

Pressing play on back-to-school

by Dakota Halfpenny on October 22, 2021 Comments Off

The #LoveLove Letter, United Way Elgin Middlesex

local news with impact

We know enduring this pandemic has been hard on everyone, but for families the impact of virtual learning and lockdowns on kids’ mental health has been especially hard.

Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, agrees. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Mackie where he confirmed that the return to school and seeing friends and being able to play with them, even in the conditions of restriction, makes a big difference for kids’ wellbeing and academic success.

Continuing this progress after school is a critical part of the equation, and that’s where United Way funded programs like Ignite Youth Centre come in. Ignite is just one of many drop-in programs United Way currently funds across our region that provide free, safe and inclusive spaces for youth to make social connections, access healthy food and basic needs, and learn alternatives to high-risk behaviours and activities.

Spencer Mederios, a youth engagement co-ordinator at Ignite, says that when the pandemic hit they had to figure out on the fly how to do virtual programming. It was all new for them but pretty soon virtual movie nights and online chat groups took hold and the kids were feeling that sense of connection again. This summer, Ignite started welcoming kids back in person. It’s been a pretty awesome journey—you can see for yourself here.

Hearing kids laugh and play when I walk past the local school in my neighbourhood brightens my day. And knowing that children and youth have safe spaces where they can connect and feel like they belong is one more important step on our community recovery.

Thank you for improving lives locally,

P.S. Do you need help for you or a loved one? Call 211 anytime 24/7 to get connected to supports close to home.

Donate today

Ignite Youth Centre – Staff at Ignite Youth Centre in St. Thomas recognized early in the first COVID-19 shut-down that they needed a new way to help youth in the community. The Centre—which serves nearly 500 Elgin County adolescents yearly through its free programs and vibrant drop-in centre in downtown St. Thomas—shifted to virtual activities quickly.

Hey St. Thomas, it’s Love Local Week – United Way is painting the town red with a little help from the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation and local businesses. Head downtown Oct. 18-22 and look for the United Way decal at participating businesses to get your Shop Local, Love Local passport. Collect five stamps from participating businesses (no purchase necessary) and you’re automatically entered in a draw to win fiercely local gift basket filled with goodies. Local businesses are also generously donating a portion of their sales to United Way.

Stepping up for our community – The staff team at South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre are busy polishing their step-class moves in preparation for the virtual TD Bank StairClimb for United Way happening on Nov. 4. You can pledge South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Luso Community Services and many other United Way agency teams as they raise money for local United Way funded programs.

In the News: London Community Recovery Network launches pandemic recovery framework

by Dakota Halfpenny on October 14, 2021 Comments Off

This framework is setting a foundation, and it’s also providing direction to any organization, including ours, that sees themselves as having a role in recovery from the pandemic. We don’t have to wait until collectively, those actions or implementation plans are solidified. We can get to work in our own sphere of influence.

SARA MIDDLETON
DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY IMPACT
UNITED WAY ELGIN MIDDLESEX

A framework released today by the London Community Recovery Network highlights three targets for our community’s successful recovery from the pandemic: investing in people, driving prosperity, and fostering community. United Way’s Sara Middleton, Director of Community Impact, weighs in with London Free Press reporters Megan Stacey and Randy Richmond. Read the full story here.

Read the report

Stay informed

Updated! 3M Harvest Lunch supports 3,606 people through local food programs

by Dakota Halfpenny on September 30, 2021 Comments Off

3M Harvest Lunch wrap story banner, 3M volunteer handing food to participant

Our community did it again! While we couldn’t be together for the 3M Harvest Lunch and United Way Campaign Launch, that didn’t stop us from serving an incredible 3,000 meals to local people living in our community.

United Way and 3M’s community-wide tradition of coming together to share a meal while launching the annual United Way fundraising campaign happened virtually again this year. Last year, because of COVID-19 safety restrictions, the lunch pivoted to a virtual ‘pay it forward’ event where every ticket purchased bought a meal for a neighbour in need in our community.

3M and our employees are committed to building strong, vibrant communities across the country. With non-profit partners such as United Way, we help people in our local communities meet basic needs such as healthy food, safe shelter, and access to critical mental health services.

Penny Wise
President, 3M Canada

Meals were distributed during 3M Harvest Lunch week Sept. 20 – 24 through United Way’s partner agencies including Women’s Rural Resource Centre and Next Wave Youth Centre in Strathroy, YWCA St. Thomas Elgin in St. Thomas, and South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre and Horton Street Seniors Centre in London. Meal deliveries will continue for 3 weeks.

“For many people who were already experiencing poverty, hunger and mental illness before the pandemic hit, these past 18 months have widened the gap between thriving and just getting by,” says Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex. “Others are experiencing challenges for the first time—job loss and precarious work, the deep impact of virtual learning on kids’ mental health, and the impact of many months of social isolation.”

“As we come out of this crisis, we need to make sure no one is left behind,” Ziegner continues.

The highlight of the week-long online event was a special presentation hosted by Pure Country Radio’s Dave and Rachel. They were joined by Penny Wise, President, 3M Canada, and United Way 2021 Campaign Chair, Lindsay Rice, Executive Director, YWCA Elgin-St. Thomas and Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex as they discussed the launch of the United Way 2021 Campaign and the need in our community as we drive toward a recovery that includes everyone.

Ticket purchases from the event are also providing funding to additional programs through the United Way Community Fund at local agencies operating in our region like LUSO Community Services, Anova and Meals on Wheels in London, Inn Out of the Cold in St. Thomas and Women’s Rural Resource Centre in Strathroy. See the full list of the programs and services United Way funds.

All meals were purchased from locally owned and operated businesses and delivered safely through United Way’s partner agencies working in the community. Participating businesses include local favourites: Catering by James Meadows, Bifana Boys, Big Daddy Bacon, Big Fat Food Truck and Roy’s Family Restaurant.

There is still time to buy a ticket and pay it forward! Get yours now until October 1st!

Buy a meal now

Amazing things can happen when we unite in local love

by Dakota Halfpenny on September 29, 2021 Comments Off

local news with impact

Can you believe it’s the end of September already? Me either. And what a month it has been: the kids went back to school, we had a federal election, and here at United Way, we launched our annual fundraising campaign which is so critically important for our region.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned these past 18 months, it’s that our community can do amazing things when we unite in local love.

Throughout the first year of the pandemic, your donations helped United Way agency partners scale up and deliver programs safely. Your support helped us advocate to address systemic inequality and start planning for a fair and equitable recovery. Your commitment helped us sustain a vital social safety net that thousands of local people—our friends, neighbours and family—depend on every year.

Looking ahead, hope is on the horizon, and United Way is still working hard to ensure a future even brighter than before the pandemic started. But to make it happen we need our entire community, including you, to unite in local love.

This year we’re mobilizing the community to fight deepening poverty and issues like inequity, mental illness and intimate partner violence—issues that were already unignorable before the pandemic hit.

We have an opportunity now to make sure no one is left behind. Join the recovery and, together, we can build that brighter future: a community where everyone matters.

Thank you for improving lives locally,

P.S. Do you need help for you or a loved one? Call 211 anytime 24/7 to get connected to supports close to home.

Donate today

What a year! Let’s do it again – Our community is known for its caring and compassion, and last year was no exception. Learn what happened when we united in local love across Elgin Middlesex, and why we need to do it again this year.

In the News –– We have some pretty incredible volunteers at United Way. Meet Penny Wise and Michelle Foote, our 2021 Campaign Chair and our 2021 Agency Partnerships and Investments Committee Chair.

Guest blog: Kelly Ziegner on 3M Science Centre

by Dakota Halfpenny on September 21, 2021 Comments Off

Together we can make a difference against poverty

Kelly Ziegner
President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex

Every Canadian community is affected by poverty.

Poverty is an uncomfortable aspect of society that most of us have come to accept. But for 3.3 million Canadians who live in poverty every day and struggle to pay rent, find work, and feed their children, ₁ the reality is unignorable. That’s why United Ways and Centraides across Canada work to give everyone a fair shot at a good life

The metropolitan area of London, Ontario, where United Way Elgin Middlesex operates, is no exception. In the London area, one in five children lives in poverty. ₂Different segments within the local population are disproportionately affected by poverty. This includes seniors (over the age of 65), children and youth who are part of lone-parent families, Indigenous people, visible minorities, and both recent and established immigrants. ₃

It is possible to ease the effects of poverty and improve lives, but that success depends on our collective action – by individuals, governments, non-profits and corporations.

Last year United Way Elgin Middlesex engaged nearly 20,000 donors and volunteers to help sustain a vital social safety net that provides thousands of people—our friends, neighbours, and colleagues—with much needed support year-round.

United Way: our partnership with 3M to improve Canadian communities.

For years, 3M has supported United Way through cash donations and employee volunteers. In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3M donated $5.4 million USD to the United Way’s Worldwide COVID-19 Community Response & Recovery fund – $150,000 USD of which supported United Ways and Centraides in Canada. And in March 2020, 3M Canada stepped up to make a lead corporate donation of $50,000 CAD, starting our local pandemic response fund.

This global and local support has enabled United Way Centraides to mobilize direct help for vulnerable people affected by the pandemic.

By the end of the year, over $1 million from United Way Elgin Middlesex’s Local Love in a Global Crisis fund was working in the community, along with $4.6 million from our annual Community Fund. These grants helped to keep essential programs and services running, as well as scaling up the most critical programs with new technology to replace in-person services. Where in-person services were still required, the grants helped provide PPE to allow services to operate safely. ₄

3M and our employees are committed to building strong, vibrant communities across the country. With non-profit partners such as United Way, we help people in our local communities meet basic needs such as healthy food, safe shelter, and access to critical mental health services.

Penny Wise, President,
3M Canada

Every year, 3M Canada and its employees help launch our local fundraising campaign at 3M Harvest Lunch and United Way Campaign Launch. A 3M sponsored employee works with us full-time each fall to help raise funds and support workplace campaigns across our community. And many 3M employees make regular payroll donations to their local United Way or Centraide organizations across Canada.

My experience as sponsored employee gave me hope. If it wasn’t for these programs and organizations, people would be in far worse situations. If you have the opportunity to volunteer, do it, don’t even think twice. It will change your perspective.

Diane Piedade,
Events, Hospitality and Corporate Partnerships Manager,
3M Canada

Since 2000, global poverty rates have been cut by more than half. Canada now has the lowest poverty rate in our history and a federal poverty reduction strategy aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ₅ Progress is being made, but, there is still much more work to be done.

I ask you to be a changemaker in your community. Consider getting involved by donating to or volunteering with your local United Way or Centraide.

Through personal and collective action, we will continue to improve lives locally and build communities where everyone matters.

Kelly is a 3M-sponsored contributor. The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author.

This post was originally published on 3M’s Science Centre blog:
https://sciencecentre.3mcanada.ca/articles/together-we-can-make-a-difference-against-poverty-uw

References.
1. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/11-627-M2020018
2. United Way Elgin Middlesex. https://unitedwayem.ca/whatwedo/moving-people-from-poverty-to-possibility/
3. London Poverty Trends 2020. https://www.londoncyn.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/191218046-COL-Poverty-Trends-Report-EMAIL-WEB.pdf
4. United Way 2020-2021 Impact Report. https://unitedwayem.ca/2020-21-impact-report/
5. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/poverty/

United Way launches open call for funding applications

by Dakota Halfpenny on September 13, 2021 Comments Off

Our new funding model strengthens our commitment to addressing poverty by increasing opportunities to organizations and programs led by, focused on and/or serving equity-seeking populations who are disproportionately affected by social challenges in our region.

Kelly Ziegner
President & CEO,
United Way Elgin Middlesex

United Way has recently revised its Community Fund model to continue to prioritize poverty reduction and prevention, and open up funding opportunities to additional organizations and programs that address our region’s most pressing social issues.

“United Way has always invested in programs that address poverty,” says Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex. “Our new funding model strengthens that commitment by increasing opportunities to organizations and programs led by, focused on and/or serving equity-seeking populations who are disproportionately affected by social challenges in our region.”

Funds raised during the United Way 2021 Campaign will be allocated using the new funding model to help people living in poverty or at risk of living in poverty. All donations to United Way stay 100% local, always.

United Way Elgin Middlesex is the largest non-government funder of social services in London, St. Thomas and Strathroy and other communities in Elgin and Middlesex counties. Last year, over $4.6 million dollars was  granted through the Community Fund  to sustain a vital network of essential programs and services that thousands of local people—our friends, neighbours and family—depend on every year.

As part of United Way’s ongoing work to dismantle systems of racism and oppression in our region, the revised Community Fund model is intended to be more inclusive and is open to all registered charities meeting the program criteria.

“This important transition for our organization reflects our commitment to evolving our own practices and taking steps to ensure an equitable and inclusive future for all,” says Sara Middleton, Director, Community Impact, United Way Elgin Middlesex.

Yesterday’s announcement marks the launch of the United Way Community Fund Program funding stream. This stream will provide grants of up to $300,000 annually for two years for evidence-based poverty reduction and prevention programs and services serving equity-seeking populations in Elgin and Middlesex.

Funding applications are due by 12:00pm Friday October 1, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified before March 31, 2022, pending a rigorous review process by community volunteers and United Way staff, resulting in funding decisions to be made by United Way’s Board of Directors.

Organizations must be operating programs in Elgin or Middlesex County, including the cities of London, St. Thomas and Strathroy, to be eligible for grants from the United Way Community Fund. Two additional funding streams, Project funding and Core Agency funding, are expected to launch in 2022 or later.

Program funding stream now open.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU
Overview
Program funding guidelines
Round 1 Applicant guide
Frequently asked questions
Annual program budget template
UWEM Measurement framework

Apply Online Now

Round 1 application deadline: October 1 at 12:00pm

Bringing everyone to the table for 3M Harvest Lunch week

by Dakota Halfpenny on August 27, 2021 Comments Off

For just $10 you can pay-it-forward and buy a meal for a member of your community. When you buy a ticket for 3M Harvest Lunch and United Way Campaign Launch, you are showing your local love. Join 3M and United Way Elgin Middlesex as they work to surpass their goal of providing 2,000 meals for our neighbours in need.

As one of United Way’s longest-standing events, the 3M Harvest Lunch and Campaign Launch traditionally sees thousands of people each year come out to Budweiser Gardens to help their neighbours and launch the United Way Campaign. Last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, United Way transformed it’s traditional in-person event into an opportunity for supporters to pay-it-forward with their ticket purchase which would buy a meal for someone in our community rather than for themselves. That format continues this year and we hope you will consider paying it forward too!

Every 3M Harvest Lunch ticket purchased will provide a meal to a member of our community. Meals will be distributed through United Way’s partner agencies including: Women’s Rural Resource Centre and Next Wave Youth Centre in Strathroy, YWCA St. Thomas Elgin in St. Thomas, and South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre and Horton Street Seniors Centre in London.

Follow the action on social media @unitedwayemca and join September 20 to September 24 as we celebrate 3M Harvest Lunch and the United Way Campaign Launch all week long.

Every meal will be purchased from locally owned and operated businesses and delivered safely to our neighbours in need through our partner agencies working in the community.

Join in and wrap up the week with a special presentation presented by Pure Country’s Dave and Rachel on September 23 at 12:00pm on our socials @unitedwayemca. We will be hearing from, Penny Wise, President, 3M Canada, United Way 2021 Campaign Chair, Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex, Lindsay Rice, Executive Director, YWCA and Diane Piedade, Events, Hospitality and Corporate Partnerships Manger, 3M Canada, as they discuss the upcoming campaign and the needs our community is facing as we move into our recovery.

Buy a meal for our community

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