Dakota Halfpenny, Author at United Way Elgin Middlesex

Tanya, YWCA-St. Thomas-Elgin program participant

Humans of United Way – ‘I’m a person, I’ve got a name’

by Dakota Halfpenny on March 3, 2023 Comments Off

Homelessness can happen to anyone. I’m the perfect example. I worked full-time for years, had a house, had a marriage. Everything was fine – until it just wasn’t fine. I suffered a bit of an emotional breakdown and that’s what led me to homelessness.

Coming home to the YWCA’s housing stability program – where I had a safety net, my own room, privacy, food – that was a blessing. Everybody was welcoming. The staff are great. The girls that live here were instant friendships and instant supports as well.

Here, I’m a person, I’ve got a name. Everybody knows your story and they can tell when you’re having a bad day. I celebrated my birthday here and it was a terrible day. I found out, online, that my mom had died that day. I fell apart. And the girls were great. They brought joy to that day for me.

My next step, now that I’ve found a part-time job, is to slowly, hopefully, try to save some money to be independent in my own apartment once again. But I realize that’s not something that’s going to happen overnight either. That’s one thing that’s amazing about this place, too. I don’t feel pressured like, ‘you have 60 days to find a job and get the heck out.’ I know they don’t want you to live here forever – they want to see us all succeed on our own – but we have that time.

I’ve definitely seen personal growth for me, so that’s probably the best thing I’ve gotten out of here thus far. I’m proud that I’m working on just improving myself. I’m proud that I’m talking to the right supports. I’m proud that I have gotten myself together enough to get a job, a good job. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve made. I’m proud of the strength I didn’t know I had.

Donate now

YWCA – St. Thomas-Elgin Supportive Housing for Adults is one of more than 50 local programs and services supported by United Way Elgin Middlesex, the region’s largest non-government funder of social services.

If you or someone you know is looking for basic needs, housing supports or other community-based services in your area, contact @211Ontario to be connected with local resources that can help.

United Way is #PurpleAndProud of Western U partnerships

by Dakota Halfpenny on February 27, 2023 Comments Off

Western University super-fans often describe themselves as purple-and-proud – but they’re also imbued with a generous glow of United Way red.

“The Western University community is among the largest donors to United Way every year, and Western is perennially one of the top university campaigns in the country,” said Kelly Ziegner, United Way Elgin Middlesex president and CEO and Western alum (BA’95).

“Equally important, staff, faculty, students, alumni and retirees consistently step up to give their time and research expertise. All that is a sign of genuine commitment to London and region.”

The university’s partnerships with United Way stretch back several decades and include significant monetary donations and countless hours of volunteer time, said Ziegner.

She said the university’s celebration of its founding on March 2 also serves as a reminder of the important role Western students, staff, faculty, alumni and retirees play beyond campus.

Contributions exceed $15M

The Western community’s contributions in the past three decades – including this year’s tally of $612,568 – have now topped $15.4 million.

And that represents just some of the generosity Western has exhibited through the years.

Every year, Ziegner said, Western folks contribute in so many other important ways:

Administrators and faculty who spend hours above and beyond their regular work to organize on-campus campaign events.
Participants in Student StairClimb. Staff who bake pies and organize department raffles and take part in the annual Day of Caring at local agencies.
Sponsored employees who are seconded to United Way by Western to inspire others to give back to their community.
Alumni who serve on Campaign cabinet and retirees who continue to offer support long after their working years are done.
Staff who serve on the board, including current chair Eric Mallory (Western’s associate vice-president, finance) and vice-chair Maly Bun-Lebert (manager of the Western-based Centre of Research & Education on Violence against Women and Children).

Time, talents, expertise

United Way has also benefited from Western researchers and student leaders who share their insights and perspectives in outreach to the community.

That includes the Ivey Community Consulting Project and valuable ongoing work towards equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), with guidance from Western’s Black Leadership University Experience (BLUE) program.

Through the BLUE program, Jessica Brown, a fourth-year medical science student, is helping United Way connect with a more diverse range of community agencies who might need funding opportunities. She is also helping develop and refine best practices in internal and external communications.

“We want to ensure that we’re speaking appropriately and to the best of our ability with our diverse communities,” Brown said. “And while this partnership helps United Way bring an equity lens to its work, it also allows me to develop skills of collaboration that I might not otherwise have developed.”

Powerhouse in the community

Ziegner noted that the strong relationship between Western and community-wide causes “hails back many decades, when folks from the university went door-to-door asking for support for what was then called Community Chest and then United Appeal.”

The 1969 United Appeal at Western, for example, launched with a goal of raising $48,000 (they ultimately raised $49,000) in a campaign that featured a televised concert by London-born country-music legend Tommy Hunter and his new recording Walk With Your Neighbor.

“We all know Western is a powerhouse in academics, research, sports and student experience, and Western Day honours that legacy and newer traditions. The day also gives us an opportunity to reflect on just how consistently Western has been committed – and remains committed – to working together across the region to build communities where everyone matters,” Ziegner said.

Applications are now closed

by Dakota Halfpenny on February 20, 2023 Comments Off

United Way Elgin Middlesex invites applications for Community Services Recovery Fund grants

Now more than ever, charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400-million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they build resilience by making investments in their people, organizations, and program innovation.

United Way Elgin Middlesex is proud to be taking part in the Community Services Recovery Fund, a collaboration between United Way Centraide Canada, Canadian Red Cross, and Community Foundations of Canada to provide funding to community service organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous governing bodies, and registered charities located across Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what charities and non-profits need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community service organizations can apply from January 6, 2023 until February 21, 2023. Visit https://unitedwayem.ca/csrf to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and sign up for upcoming webinars.

United Way Elgin Middlesex participe au Fonds de relance des services communautaires, un investissement de 400 millions de dollars dans les organismes de bienfaisance et les organismes à but non lucratif

Plus que jamais, les organismes de bienfaisance et les organismes à but non lucratif jouent un rôle de premier plan pour offrir des solutions aux problèmes sociaux persistants et complexes qui affectent les Canadiens et Canadiennes. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires est un investissement de 400 millions de dollars du gouvernement du Canada pour aider les organismes de bienfaisance et les organismes à but non lucratifà bâtir leur résilience en.

United Way Elgin Middlesex est fier de participer au Fonds de relance des services communautaires, une collaboration entre Centraide United Way Canada, la Croix-Rouge canadienne et les Fondations communautaires du Canada pour fournir du financement aux organismes communautaires, incluant les organismes à but non lucratif, les corps dirigeants autochtones et les organismes de bienfaisance enregistrés situés partout au Canada. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires est une réponse aux besoins actuels des organismes de bienfaisance et organismes à but non lucratif. Il les aidera à s’adapter aux effets à long terme de la pandémie de COVID-19.

Les organismes de services communautaires peuvent soumettre leur demande entre le 6janvier et le 21février 2023. Visitez https://unitedwayem.ca/csrf/ savoir comment présenter une demande, découvrir des ressources pour les demandeurs et s’inscrire à des webinaires.

February 11 is 211 Day! Remember, you're not alone. Help starts with 211.

Calls to 2-1-1 info line surge this year

by Dakota Halfpenny on February 10, 2023 Comments Off

Local queries to Canada’s 2-1-1 information hotline have soared so far in 2023 – with call volume 24-per-cent higher than this time last year, and more callers than ever with multiple needs.

Housing, health and mental health/addiction needs together account for almost half the inquiries.

Across Canada, the picture is similar, with double-digit increases year-over-year in the number of people seeking guidance to find basics such as food, housing and help with government assistance programs.

Some of the increase can be attributed to more widespread knowledge about 2-1-1, which is free and available 24/7, said Kelly Ziegner, president and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex.

But tough economic times and fall-out from the pandemic are also responsible for the surge.

More calls, more needs

“The past few years have amplified where our vulnerabilities lie as a community,” Ziegner said.

“When the pandemic first hit, 2-1-1 became a go-to source of information for questions like where to find emergency meals during lockdowns and how to navigate applications for income benefits. Now we’re seeing more calls, and from more people who have several needs at the same time: Where to find housing, food banks and a hot community meal. Where to plug into addiction resources for themselves or someone they love and where to find mental-health support.

“I’m encouraged that people are finding supports via 2-1-1 because that’s exactly what it’s there for. But I think it’s also a signal that systems are creaking under the weight of some really complex community issues – such as poverty and housing insecurity – and that requires some longer-term solutions from all of us.”

All about 211

2-1-1 acts as a front-door to non-emergency support – an information line designed to connect each person to the government and community programs and services they need..
2-1-1 service is accessible 365 days a year in more than 150 languages.
When you dial 2-1-1, or connect online, you are connected to a trained professional who will  listen to you and help you find the right information and supports near you.  The service is free and confidential.
Phone or text 2-1-1 or chat online at https://211ontario.ca.

2-1-1 is co-founded and co-funded by United Way Centraide Canada and its member agencies across Canada, including United Way Elgin Middlesex.

February 11 (or 2/11 on the calendar) has been designated 2-1-1 Day across the country to remind Canadians help is just three numbers or a couple of clicks away.

Locally, about 3,500 people sought and received guidance from 2-1-1 in 2022.

And in January this year alone, about 360 people in London and in Elgin and Middlesex counties contacted 2-1-1 for information. About one in four of them sought help with more than one need.

By contrast, about 290 local people contacted 2-1-1 in January 2022. About one in 10 of them had more than one need.

The numbers equate to a 24-per-cent increase in calls and a 35-per-cent increase in callers’ needs.

While it’s too early to say it’s a trend, Ziegner noted the numbers in the first month of this year are comparable to those in November and December, when inquiries are usually at peak volume.

“Inflation, housing cost and availability, unemployment and ill health are all taking their toll on people in this region,” Ziegner said. “Three years ago, housing didn’t even crack the top-five list of calls locally, and now it’s one of the most common inquiries.”

National calls also surge

On average, about 260,000 Canadians make contact with 2-1-1 each year and that number soared to six million calls, texts and chats in the first 16 months of the pandemic, said United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC).

In the first six months of 2022, callers looking for counselling services increased by 34 per cent nationally. compared with the same period in 2021.

Calls for food and housing concerns each increased by 19 per cent during that same time period..

Needs for counselling services increased by 34 per cent during the same time period.

This year, the current economic downturn, higher energy and grocery costs have combined with the pandemic to put many people in the position of needing support for the first time in their lives, noted UWCC.

The 2-1-1 data collected locally and nationally also serves to help decision-makers figure out where more provincial and municipal social supports are needed now and help forecast future need.

211 navigator helping people people in the community

Phone or text 2-1-1 or chat online at https://211ontario.ca

Advocacy in Action, Local United Way joins advocacy for equitable Ontario budget

United Way Elgin Middlesex calls for equitable Ontario budget

by Dakota Halfpenny on February 7, 2023 Comments Off

Ontario United Ways 2023 Pre-Budget Submission
to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

United Way Elgin Middlesex has endorsed a pre-budget statement that asks the provincial government to “[build] a foundation for the equitable prosperity of all Ontarians.”

The brief recommends a spending plan that prioritizes investments in:

the community services sector
safe, affordable, and accessible housing options
greater income security and equitable access to employment supports and opportunities
inclusive, connected and equitable communities

The province plans to present its budget by March 31.

United Way Elgin Middlesex is one of 23 United Way partners to endorse the brief, which was prepared and presented by United Way Greater Toronto during pre-budget consultations. See below for the full list of partners¹.

Introduction

Ontario’s 2023 Budget comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the province. While confronting record inflation, food insecurity, a critical lack of affordable housing, escalating mental health and addiction-related needs, and a greater complexity and demand for community services, the province is growing and revitalizing at a rapid rate. Growth brings opportunity as investments can do double duty, enhancing health and social outcomes while supporting equitable and inclusive growth.

With the Ontario government’s commitment to growth and prosperity, unprecedented investment in large-scale and transit-oriented development, and its focus on employment and skills training, housing and health infrastructure, United Ways across Ontario are positioned to support government to maximize the impact of its investments by ensuring that everyone has access to the programs, services, and opportunities they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Ways bring deep knowledge of local issues and opportunities, strong community capital, and innovative cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building lasting solutions to Ontario’s significant social and economic challenges.

If implemented, our recommendations to government help ensure that the 2023 Budget builds a foundation for the equitable prosperity of all Ontarians, maximizing resources and public dollars for multiple economic and social benefits. In that spirit, Ontario United Ways urge government to:

Invest in the community services sector to enable the delivery of critical services that meet the unique needs of diverse communities across the province including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; women; seniors; people living with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Invest in safe, affordable and accessible housing options to protect the health and well-being of lower-income Ontarians and build a strong housing ecosystem and economy.
Provide greater income security and equitable access to employment supports and opportunities to ensure that all people have the means to live and prosper in Ontario.
Create inclusive, connected, and equitable communities that support the health and well-being of all residents.

Recommendations

1. Invest in the community services sector to enable the delivery of critical services that meet the unique needs of diverse communities across the province including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; women; seniors; people living with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

There can no longer be any doubt as to the vital role the community services sector plays in providing essential services and supports to Ontarians, especially in the face of increasingly complex and enduring social issues. From mental health and addictions services; affordable, transitional, and supportive housing; employment and skills building; childcare; food security; addressing race, gender and faith-based violence; settlement services; and building social connection for seniors and others, community services are critical to our social and economic fabric and collective prosperity.

However, the sector has reached a breaking point². Staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, adapting service delivery to ensure that thousands of Ontarians can access critical programs and services needed to survive. Funding deficits, an unprecedented need for services, significant challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, and a toll on the mental health of frontline workers themselves are eroding the stability and sustainability of Ontario’s vital community services infrastructure. Many workers in the sector – predominantly female and racialized – are precariously employed, receiving lower wages than their private and public sector counterparts. Volunteerism and charitable giving are also steadily declining^{3 4}, putting further strain on the sector as it fills the gaps to respond to a growing mental health, addictions, and housing crisis.

There is an urgent need to collaboratively identify public policy solutions to mitigate current challenges and establish a sustainable model that will effectively support the sector many Ontarians increasingly depend on today and into in the future. We want to work with government to:

Transition to stable, flexible, long-term operational funding, adjusted for inflation, that reflects the full cost of delivering services and programs, allows for competitive wages, reduces administrative burden, and can be adjusted to respond to changing community needs.
Support the development of a sector-wide labour force strategy and workforce development plan that will attract, retain and train workers while reducing precarious work conditions and delivering wage parity.
Invest in new and innovative approaches to funding and service delivery in rural and remote communities, including those that address the housing and mental health and addictions crises and respond to the unique needs of equity-deserving groups.
Partner with the sector to explore possible strategies to support the recovery of volunteerism and charitable giving in the province.
Establish a permanent home within government for the social services sector to streamline policy and program coordination across Ministries and sector partners.

2. Invest in the community services sector to enable the delivery of critical services that meet the unique needs of diverse communities across the province including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; women; seniors; people living with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

A safe, affordable, and accessible home is the first step in ensuring a stable life, foundational for people to access employment, educational opportunities, adequate food, and other support. Yet across Ontario, people face critical barriers to housing, particularly low-income individuals and families. One third of all Ontario households are renters⁵, with almost a quarter paying rents that are unaffordable⁶. Housing unaffordability is also associated with poorer physical and mental health outcomes⁷ which in addition to the impact on individual well-being, increases pressure on other provincial programs and services.

The province’s More Homes Built Faster Act (2022) was enacted to address Ontario’s housing crisis with a plan to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years. We welcome government’s commitment to increasing housing supply and addressing housing-related needs across the province. While supply is critically important, a full suite of options is required, however, to protect and deliver the range of affordable, accessible, transitional and supportive housing options that lower-income and at-risk Ontarians need. Beyond individual and shared social benefits, investing in affordable housing has a positive effect on the economy – for every $10 invested in housing and related supports for chronically homeless individuals, there is a cost savings of up to $20 within healthcare, justice, shelter, and social assistance⁸. To achieve the goal of providing a range of safe, affordable and accessible housing options to protect lower-income Ontarians and strengthen the housing ecosystem, we urge the provincial government to:

Expand and protect the necessary range of affordable and accessible housing options in rural and urban areas through investment in affordable and deeply affordable housing – where affordable is defined as no more than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income – and through effective rent control policies that protect long-term affordability.
Increase investments in integrated transitional and supportive housing to provide a wide range of culturally responsive and relevant wraparound services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, Black and racialized communities, and other populations such as 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabilities, those experiencing mental health illnesses, addictions, and survivors of domestic violence.
Increase support to municipalities for investment in repair and renewal of existing naturally occurring affordable housing, including aging towers.
Enable community-based non-profit organizations to acquire, preserve and revitalize existing affordable rental stock by increasing access to financing through both private and provincial lenders including Infrastructure Ontario and the Housing Investment Corporation, and dedicated capital funding strategies to ensure sustainable investment in community housing renewal.

3. Provide greater income security and equitable employment to ensure that all people have the means to live and prosper in Ontario.

Rising costs coupled with the highest rates of inflation in 40 years are putting immense financial pressure on Ontarians. Across the province people are struggling to make ends meet, with some earning well below what is needed to afford even the most basic necessities for themselves and their families. A 2021 survey showed that 2 in 3 food bank visitors in Ontario have less than $100 left after paying their housing costs each month⁹. For people living on social assistance or disability supports the reality is even bleaker as they earn less than 50% of what they need to live¹⁰.

Recent increases to minimum wage and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and reduced ODSP clawbacks are welcomed steps in the right direction but are not enough to meaningfully address the affordability crisis, or to lift people out of poverty. Increasing minimum wage, ODSP, and Ontario Works (OW) rates to livable levels would not only provide immediate relief for lower-income earners, but it would also benefit businesses, boost worker health and well-being, and create a positive multiplier effect in local economies¹¹.

Precarious work, characterized by low wages, instability and limited access to benefits and support is also rising, leaving many workers without the means to stay healthy, productive, and employed. The government’s consideration of a portable benefits program could help mitigate the detrimental effects of this type of work, but efforts to provide equal rights and protections to all workers and identify clear pathways to more stable, better paying jobs must continue in order to support and attract the workers needed to maintain a strong economy.

In addition to the trades, infrastructure investments can provide pathways to professional, administrative, and technical jobs, and better economic opportunities for residents from historically disenfranchised communities who have not benefited from previous development. Tools such as Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) can create targeted employment, training, and apprenticeship opportunities, new procurement pathways for local small businesses and suppliers, and improved neighbourhood amenities for residents. To ensure that all Ontarians have the means to live, obtain secure, well-paying jobs, and benefit from economic investments in their communities, we recommend that government:

Increase minimum wage, ODSP and OW rates to align with living wages and index them to inflation.
Reduce precarious work conditions by:
- Enhancing legislation to eliminate employee misclassification.
- Increasing the number of provincial legislated sick days.
- Continuing to invest in creating new, affordable licensed child care spaces.
- Implementing a portable benefits program that provides access to affordable health and wellness benefits for all workers and their families.
Continue to invest in creating pathways to stable employment with a focus on accessible skills training and culturally appropriate wraparound supports for people experiencing multiple barriers to employment (e.g., those transitioning from social assistance to sustained employment, Indigenous and racialized people, newcomers and refugees, people living with mental illness, and people who have disabilities).
Require mandatory CBAs for all major infrastructure projects with specific, measurable targets to provide local economic benefits to residents (e.g., employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities, support for entrepreneurs, social enterprise, and local suppliers, funding for new community spaces).

4. Create inclusive, connected, equitable communities that support the health and well-being of all residents.

Every Ontarian deserves a safe place to live with access to the services and opportunities that build the foundation for a good life. Yet, in many rural and remote communities, the continued absence of affordable and accessible transit and broadband internet and cellular service means residents cannot access the basic services they require to maintain their health and wellbeing. In urban and rural areas, residents struggle to find affordable housing, accessible community amenities or decent employment opportunities close to home.

Investments in reducing barriers to services and strengthening physical and social infrastructure can pay dividends, leading to better health outcomes for residents, lower crime rates, stronger economic growth, and greater social capital^{12 13}. Layering equity principles and targets into planning, local growth and development can also spur positive neighbourhood change by both addressing existing inequities and preventing creation of new inequities leading to stronger long-term growth and economic well-being¹⁴.

Many communities are reporting increases in violence targeted at equity-deserving groups and individuals experiencing vulnerabilities. As government acknowledged in its 2021 Anti-Racism Strategic Plan annual progress report, incidents of anti-Indigenous, anti-Black and anti-Asian racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism are on the rise. Gender-based violence continues to be prevalent, with more than 4 in 10 women experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes¹⁵. The province has shown strong leadership in mandating the development of municipal Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) plans to proactively address locally identified risks to community safety and well-being. To further support inclusive, connected, and equitable communities in Ontario, we recommend that government:

Engage residents, people with lived and living experience, community leaders and agencies in meaningful consultations to develop innovative solutions to local issues, using collaborative approaches such as the FOCUS Toronto model.
Accelerate the provincial Anti-Racism Strategic plan, increasing funding for anti-hate and anti-racism public education, relationship building, and support for victims of hate.
Ensure access to safe, reliable, and affordable transit, in rural, remote, and urban areas, that reduces the province’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Continue to expand broadband and cellular service in rural communities through investments in infrastructure, similar to those recently announced for Middlesex County.
Support and fund the implementation of CSWB plans across Ontario.

Conclusion

Access to vital services, affordable homes, livable incomes, good jobs, and safer, more equitable and sustainable neighborhoods are the building blocks of a healthy and prosperous Ontario. United Ways across the province are ready to work with government, our corporate and community partners, residents, and communities to ensure that everyone has the means to seize the opportunities for a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Endorsing partners
United Way Bruce Grey
United Way Centraide North East Ontario
United Way Centraide Simcoe Muskoka
United Way/Centraide Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry
United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County
United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes
United Way of Durham Region
United Way East Ontario
United Way Elgin Middlesex
United Way Greater Toronto
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin
United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk
United Way Halton & Hamilton
United Way Hastings and Prince Edward
United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington
United Way Leeds & Grenville
United Way Niagara
United Way Northumberland
United Way Oxford
United Way Perth-Huron
United Way Peterborough & District
United Way Waterloo Region Communities
United Way Thunder Bay

Resources

Full list of endorsements above
See, for example, Ontario Nonprofit Network (2021). COVID-19: State of the Ontario Nonprofit Sector One Year Later.
Ibid.
Canada Helps (2022). The Giving Report 2022.
Statistics Canada (2022, July 21). Table 46-10-0059-01 Housing suitability and dwelling condition, by tenure including social and affordable housing.
Statistics Canada (2022, July 21). Table 46-10-0065-01 Core housing need, by tenure including first-time homebuyer and social and affordable housing status.
Leon, S., & Iveniuk, J. (2021). Widening inequities: Long-term housing affordability in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area 1991-2016.
Gaetz et al, S., Gulliver, T., & Richter, T. (2014). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2014.
Feed Ontario. (2021). Hunger Report 2021: How The Pandemic Accelerated the Income and Affordability Crisis in Ontario.
Coleman, A., & Shaban, R. (2022). Calculating Ontario’s Living Wages November 2022.
Barford, A., Gilbert, R., Beales, A., Zorila, M., & Nelson, J. 2022. The case for living wages: How paying living wages improves business performance and tackles poverty. Business Fights Poverty, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership & Shift.
Kingsley, B., Morley, K., Das, S., Mayan, M., & Wallace, E. (2021). Attempting to address conditions of poverty through an inclusive economic approach in Alberta. Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research, 12(S1), 46–64.; Ross, L., Wood, S., Burgy, D., Eley, C., Guerra, M., Howard, T., Ledesma, E., Mitra, A., Ochoa, M., Perkins, A., Stowell, C., & Vazquez, M. (2019). Planning for equity policy guide. American Planning Association.; Taylor, A., & Zuberi, D. (2017). (Re)generating inclusive cities: Poverty and planning in urban North America. Taylor and Francis.
Early Action Task Force and Community Links (2020). Being in a Good Place: Investing in Social Infrastructure.
Ross, L., Wood, S., Burgy, D., Eley, C., Guerra, M., Howard, T., Ledesma, E., Mitra, A., Ochoa, M., Perkins, A., Stowell, C., & Vazquez, M. (2019). Planning for equity policy guide. American Planning Association.
Cotter, A. (2021). Intimate partner violence in Canada, 2018: An overview.

2022-23 Labour Appreciation Award Winners

ReUnited in Solidarity and #LocalLove

by Dakota Halfpenny on January 27, 2023 Comments Off

Labour friends and allies are often first to answer when community calls.

On Thursday evening, United Way Elgin Middlesex honoured some of this region’s best of the best of advocacy and action during the Labour Appreciation Awards Night, celebrating the people who inspired hope and mobilized change this past year.

They include folks like Steve Holmes, a long-time member of ATU Local 741, who spends most of his retirement days preparing breakfasts for neighbours in need, organizing city-wide seniors’ sports leagues and advocating for worker rights.

Holmes was surprised to be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer work and advocacy and, after being celebrated for his more than four decades of service, he deflected the accolades to his fellow community advocates and activists. Reflecting on the years of service and labour action, he said, “When I look back I think, ‘We did all that?!’ ”

Labour and United Way share the same commitment to community, he added. “They see what needs to be done and then find a way to get it done.”

“In a pandemic year that has tested our capacity to connect meaningfully with our neighbours, these hard-working folks have gone above and beyond to help build a place where everyone belongs. They have stepped up, stepped out and did good – at a time when it might have been easier to sit back, sit out and let others take the lead.”

Kelly Ziegner, President and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex

Check out the full list and a short description of winners.

Their work ranged from organizing toy drives for low-income families at Christmas, to restoring a city landmark. Some advocated for gender parity in the workplace while others cultivated social justice among high-schoolers, and one award-winner even tutored students from the porch steps during COVID shutdowns.

“In a pandemic year that has tested our capacity to connect meaningfully with our neighbours, these hard-working folks have gone above and beyond to help build a place where everyone belongs,” said Kelly Ziegner, president and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex.

“They have stepped up, stepped out and did good – at a time when it might have been easier to sit back, sit out and let others take the lead.”

In total, the event recognized nine individuals, along with three union locals, and a partnership led by OPSEU Local 159 at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

“They’re people who volunteer with no fanfare and no expectation of any reward, beyond the satisfaction of knowing their efforts make a positive difference,” said Sue Fairweather, chair of Labour United. “They, and everyone who makes our community a better place, are boots-on-the-ground local heroes.”

Guests heard from keynote speaker Lindsay Rice, executive director of YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, about how the agency wraps supports around women experiencing homelessness or abuse.

“A healthy community is one that that nurtures the whole person, free from violence, racism and other abuses of power. It’s difficult work – and infinitely rewarding – to help a woman journey from an unsafe home or no home at all, to a place of safety and belonging,” Rice said.

The Labour community’s commitment to supporting a safe environment for women is evident in its ongoing support of the New Beginnings Loan Fund

This micro-loan program, funded by United Way Elgin Middlesex, saves lives by providing women the means to escape violence in their homes and make a new, safe start. Loans of up to $500 cover women’s costs of moving or storage, home repairs, rent, home security, transportation, legal expenses or basic needs for their children. Loan repayments are returned to the fund to benefit other women who may need help in the future.

A Labour United 50/50 draw Thursday night in support of New Beginnings generated $500 for the fund and $500 for the holder of the ticket #99000007004.

Guests also heard from local singer-songwriter Aaron Allen, whose talent for country-rock storytelling earned him CMA Ontario male artist of the year in 2021.

Humans of United Way – Mario’s story

by Dakota Halfpenny on January 16, 2023 Comments Off

The first time I came to The London Coffee House was about seven or eight years ago. I lived with somebody who was really moody and he was having a bad day. And I thought, ‘well, the Coffee House has moved down to Hamilton Road and I hear they’re having chili.’ So, I came by walked past it two or three times, then I ran into Krista who works here. She said, ‘oh, we still have some,’ and she bought me a bowl of chili and we talked. Pretty soon, the Coffee House became like a second home to me.

I used to work as a chef at a restaurant. At the time, I was losing my sight bit by bit because of glaucoma and then they said it wasn’t safe for me to do that anymore. I went from being a chef to being a nobody.

Losing my sight was difficult. But the hardest part for me was adjusting. I was struggling and I felt like giving up. I’ve had people knock the cane out of my hand, I’ve had people push me, bump me. For a long time, I honestly started to feel like people really didn’t have any caring in them.

I was told a lot that I couldn’t do things anymore because of my sight. Once I started coming here, I was told anything’s possible – and I believe that. Because of this organization, I am a somebody. The staff talks to us and makes us feel we’re safe. There’s no one who’s going to hurt me. Coming to Coffee House made me realize there are people who care. When I was struggling and felt like giving up, they were the inspiration to keep me going. They’ve been there for me in so many ways. I love them all and, honestly, I’d give my heart for them.

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United Way Elgin Middlesex supports 41 local agencies that reduce and prevent poverty, address basic needs, and provide housing stability and homelessness prevention.

If you or someone you know is looking for basic-needs supports in your area, contact @211Ontario to be connected with local resources that can help.

$3M in federal grants available for local pandemic recovery

by Dakota Halfpenny on January 10, 2023 Comments Off

United Way Elgin Middlesex and London Community Foundation to shepherd granting process

January 10. 2023 – Local charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies are invited to apply immediately for approximately $3 million in federal grants to help them adapt, modernize and better support pandemic recovery among people they serve.

United Way Elgin Middlesex, London Community Foundation and the Canadian Red Cross have been selected as trusted partners with the federal government in shepherding organizations through the application and granting process for the local share of the $400-million federal Community Services Recovery Fund.

United Way Elgin Middlesex will distribute approximately $1.75 million to help eligible applicants adapt programs for current or emerging needs in London and in Elgin and Middlesex counties, while London Community Foundation will distribute about $1.25 million for organizations’ infrastructure needs.

Since the early phases of the pandemic, charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies have struggled with increased demand for their services. In addition, many are experiencing reduced revenues, declines in charitable giving due to the rising cost of living, and a greater need to make use of digital tools as part of adapting and modernizing their operations.

Funding from the Community Services Recovery Fund will enable charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies in London, Elgin and Middlesex counties and in local First Nations communities to invest in people, systems and processes, and redesigned programs and services that:

adapt how they deliver services to support the needs of their staff and volunteers;
buy equipment such as computers and software;
create new ways of working, such as developing new fundraising approaches;
provide support for staff and volunteers, such as staff training, supports for mental health and wellbeing; and
develop plans to receive funding from diverse sources.

As a result of investments provided by the Community Services Recovery Fund, charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies will be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility and sustainability of the services they provide.

The open call for applications launched on January 6, 2023 with an announcement from Karina Gould, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Applications close on February 21, 2023. Funded projects begin on May 1, 2023.

For more information, visit https://unitedwayem.ca/csrf/, www.lcf.on.ca/csrf or www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca

“This region has experienced tremendous change in the past three years as agencies grapple with increasingly complex community needs and, at the same time, struggle to find the resources to adapt and modernize their services. This Community Services Recovery Fund will help non-profits and charitable organizations serve people better. United Way Elgin Middlesex is proud to work alongside London Community Foundation and their peers in Aylmer and Elgin-St. Thomas to shepherd this investment – and to help this entire community emerge from the pandemic stronger than we were.”

” Kelly Ziegner, president and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex

“Charities and non-profits are at the forefront of addressing communities’ needs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many of them are struggling to recover and adapt their services to the changing needs in the City of London, County of Middlesex, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware Nation region. The Community Services Recovery Fund will give organizations the support they need to serve these communities.”

Lori Runciman, director of grants, London Community Foundation

“The Government is supporting the long-term COVID-19 pandemic recovery in communities across Canada through this historic fund. This transformational investment with the National Funders supports a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities at the community level. The Community Services Recovery Fund will strengthen the ability of community service organizations, including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, to deliver services and resources where they will have the most impact.”

Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

To arrange interviews with Kelly Ziegner, president and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex, contact Debora Van Brenk, United Way communications officer, at dvanbrenk@unitedwayem.ca or 519-318-0657

To arrange interviews with Lori Runciman, director of grants, London Community Foundation, contact Vanessa Dolishny, London Community Foundation director of communications, at vanessa@lcf.ca or 519-667-1600 x 107

3 millions de dollars en subventions du gouvernement fédéral disponibles pour la relance locale après la pandémie :

United Way Elgin Middlesex et la London Community Foundation dirigeront le processus d’attribution des subventions

Le 10 janvier 2023 – Les organismes de bienfaisance, les corps dirigeants autochtones et les organismes sans but lucratif locaux sont invités à présenter immédiatement une demande dans le cadre des subventions du gouvernement fédéral totalisant environ 3 millions de dollars visant à les aider à s’adapter et à se moderniser afin de mieux pouvoir soutenir la relance après la pandémie chez les personnes qu’ils aident.

United Way Elgin Middlesex, la London Community Foundation et la Croix-Rouge canadienne ont été choisis comme partenaires de confiance du gouvernement fédéral pour guider les organisations dans le processus de demande et d’octroi de la part locale des 400 millions de dollars du Fonds de relance des services communautaires.

United Way Elgin Middlesex distribuera environ 1,75 million de dollars pour aider les demandeurs admissibles à adapter leurs programmes aux besoins actuels ou émergents à London et dans les comtés d’Elgin et de Middlesex, tandis que la London Community Foundation distribuera environ 1,25 million de dollars pour les besoins en infrastructure des organisations.

Depuis le début de la pandémie, les organismes de bienfaisance, les corps dirigeants autochtones et les organismes sans but lucratif sont confrontés à une demande accrue de leurs services, à une réduction de leurs revenus, à une diminution des dons de charité en raison de l’augmentation du coût de la vie, et à un besoin accru d’utiliser des outils numériques pour adapter et moderniser leurs activités.

Le financement provenant du Fonds de relance des services communautaires permettra aux organismes de bienfaisance et sans but lucratif ainsi qu’aux corps dirigeants autochtones des comtés de London, d’Elgin et de Middlesex, ainsi qu’aux communautés locales des Premières Nations d’investir dans les personnes, les systèmes et les processus, ainsi que dans les programmes et services repensés qui visent à :

adapter leur mode de prestation des services pour répondre aux besoins du personnel et des bénévoles;
acheter du matériel, comme des ordinateurs et des logiciels;
créer de nouvelles façons de travailler, comme de nouvelles approches de collecte de fonds;
offrir un soutien au personnel et aux bénévoles, par exemple de la formation, des mesures de soutien en santé mentale et des mesures favorisant le bien-être;
élaborer des plans en vue de recevoir du financement de diverses sources.

Grâce aux fonds fournis par le Fonds de relance des services communautaires, les organismes de bienfaisance et sans but lucratif ainsi que les corps dirigeants autochtones seront mieux outillés pour améliorer l’efficacité, l’accessibilité et la durabilité des services communautaires qu’ils fournissent.

L’appel de candidatures ouvert a été lancé le 6 janvier 2023 avec une annonce de Karina Gould, ministre fédérale de la Famille, des Enfants et du Développement social. La date limite pour présenter une candidature est le 21 février 2023. Les projets financés commenceront le 1^er mai 2023.

Pour en savoir davantage, visitez https://unitedwayem.ca/csrf/, www.lcf.on.ca/csrf ou www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca.

« Cette région a connu d’énormes changements au cours des trois dernières années, alors que les organismes doivent composer avec des besoins communautaires de plus en plus complexes tout en ayant de la difficulté à trouver les ressources nécessaires pour adapter et moderniser leurs services. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires aidera les organismes sans but lucratif et les organisations caritatives à mieux servir les gens. United Way Elgin Middlesex est fier de travailler aux côtés de la London Community Foundation et de ses pairs d’Aylmer et d’Elgin-St. Thomas pour diriger cet investissement et aider toute cette collectivité à sortir de la pandémie plus forte qu’elle était auparavant. »

Kelly Ziegner, présidente et directrice générale de United Way Elgin Middlesex.

« Les organismes de bienfaisance et sans but lucratif sont en première ligne pour répondre aux besoins des communautés, en particulier pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Cependant, bon nombre d’entre eux ont de la difficulté à se relever et à adapter leurs services aux besoins changeants de la population de la ville de London, du comté de Middlesex, de la Première Nation des Chippewas de la Thames, de la Nation Oneida de la Thames et de la région de la Nation Munsee-Delaware. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires fournira aux organismes le soutien dont ils ont besoin pour servir ces communautés. »

Lori Runciman, directrice des subventions, London Community Foundation

« Grâce à ce fonds historique, le gouvernement soutient la relance à long terme dans les collectivités de tout le Canada à la suite de la pandémie de COVID-19. Cet investissement transformateur concrétisé en collaboration avec les financeurs nationaux appuie un modèle de croissance économique plus inclusif qui crée des possibilités à l’échelle communautaire. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires renforcera la capacité des organismes de services communautaires, y compris les organismes de bienfaisance, les organismes sans but lucratif et les corps dirigeants autochtones, à offrir des services et des ressources là où ils auront le plus de répercussions positives. »

La ministre de la Famille, des Enfants et du Développement social, Karina Gould

Pour interviewer Kelly Ziegner, présidente et directrice générale de United Way Elgin Middlesex, contactez Debora Van Brenk, chargée de communication; dvanbrenk@unitedwayem.ca ou 519-318-0657

Pour interviewer Lori Runciman, directrice des subventions de London Community Foundation, contactez Vanessa Dolishny, directrice de la communication: vanessa@lcf.ca ou 519-667-1600 x 107

Retain, expand affordable housing options, United Ways advocate

by Dakota Halfpenny on December 14, 2022 Comments Off

Ontario United Ways call on Ontario government to keep existing affordable rentals, while expanding options for more units.

United Ways across Ontario are cautioning the provincial government that that the More Homes Built Faster Act 2022 could unintentionally magnify housing shortages and unaffordability.

And they’re advocating that the province take steps to ensure existing rental spaces be preserved and renewed.

The legislation was introduced to increase affordable housing in Ontario by giving municipalities added authority over demolition and conversion of private rental units.

But it may have the unintended opposite impact, says a written submission jointly made to the province by United Ways across Ontario and Tower Renewal Partnership and Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership.

“Older apartment buildings offering relatively affordable rents would be prime candidates for demolition and redevelopment, potentially deepening the affordability crisis by displacing thousands of low-income Ontarians struggling to make ends meet,” says the submission.

“With no other affordable housing options, this change could result in immediate housing instability for thousands of renter households throughout Ontario. And with affordable housing options ever more out of reach for low-income families, broader social and systemic inequities—including poverty and discrimination—are re-enforced and magnified,” the submission adds.

They recommend the province take further steps to preserve and renew existing affordable rental stock so that low-income Ontarians can remain safely and securely housed, including:

Consult with municipalities to develop regulations that ensure municipalities can continue to require replacement rental housing and support tenants.
Preserve Ontario’s affordable rental housing stock by supporting mechanisms that enable community-based non-profit organizations to acquire and preserve existing affordable rental stock.
Work with municipalities, community agencies, residents and building owners to explore opportunities to leverage development capacity of existing rental housing sites, including those that have capacity for new housing and mixed-use development by supporting mixed-use intensification.

“When London grapples with a 6,000-family waitlist for affordable public housing, and when local apartment vacancies are virtually zero for people experiencing poverty, it’s especially important to preserve the rental housing we do have.”

Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex

“Housing affordability solutions require collaboration among all levels of government, the not-for-profit and corporate sectors, as well as meaningful consultation with persons with lived experience … We look forward to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the Province of Ontario to preserve and renew existing affordable rental stock so that all Ontarians are safely and securely housed,” the submission concludes.

As a non-partisan agency, United Way Elgin Middlesex works with all governments to address poverty, provide basic needs and work towards housing stability for all, noted president and CEO Kelly Ziegner.

“We’re advocates, connectors and funders – and every day, we see the impact housing unaffordability has on people who struggle the most,” Ziegner said.

“When London grapples with a 6,000-family waitlist for affordable public housing, and when local apartment vacancies are virtually zero for people experiencing poverty, it’s especially important to preserve the rental housing we do have,” Ziegner said.

“We’re asking the Premier to build safeguards into the More Homes Built Faster Act 2022 that keep existing affordable housing options today, while creating additional new affordable housing options for the future.”

The submission to the province notes that secure housing is a social determinant of individual and population health, while preventing additional strain on other systems including health care and the economy. “There is economic value in keeping people housed – we know that for every $10 invested in housing and related housing supports there is a cost savings of up to $20 within healthcare, justice, shelter and social assistance,” the submission notes.

“The government’s demonstrated support for working class, low-income residents during the pandemic would be significantly undermined by legislation that removes those fundamental protections Ontarians will depend on in the current economic challenges,” it concludes.

Kadeen Mowatt, 3M Canada 2022 Sponsored Employee

In the News: Inspired to improve lives: my first-hand experience with the United Way

by Dakota Halfpenny on November 29, 2022 Comments Off

Photo courtesy of the 3M Canada website.

“We’re all facing inflationary pressures, but when you’re living with poverty or low income, there’s more month than money for far too many families and individuals in our community. That means they are faced with impossible choices: do I pay my rent, or do I buy groceries? do I buy school supplies for my kids, or do I pay the hydro bill?”

KELLY ZIEGNER
PRESIDENT & CEO
UNITED WAY ELGIN MIDDLESEX

Kadeen Mowatt shares her United Way story in a 3M Canada blog and calls being a sponsored employee ‘an eye-opening experience, and one that has brought me into closer connection with my community.

To learn more about Kadeen’s story and her journey with us the last 4 months, visit the 3M Canada website.