Community Investments
United Way Elgin Middlesex invests our available resources in smart, strategic ways to move the needle for the most vulnerable people in our communities. Our expert volunteers evaluate and make recommendations to fund programs, collaborations and initiatives that create measurable, lasting change.
See our Emergency Community Support Fund investments.
Community Fund
Agency
Program
Description
Communities served
Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Service
Community interpreter access program
Interpretation services for people in our community with little or no English language skills.
Middlesex & London
Anova
Counselling services
Counselling for women who have experienced sexual violence.
Middlesex & London
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of London & Area
Community-based mentoring
One on one mentoring with a screened, trained adult volunteer for children and youth identified as at-risk.
Middlesex & London
Big Brothers Big Sisters of St Thomas Elgin
Community-based mentoring
One on one mentoring with a screened, trained adult volunteer for children and youth identified as at-risk.
Elgin
School-based mentoring
In-school mentoring with a screened, trained adult volunteer for children and youth identified as at-risk.
Elgin
BGC London
Education program
Academic and financial support to children and youth to ensure success in education.
London
Recreation, social & nutrition program
Fee assistance for low income families to provide membership for camps and after-school programming.
London
Inclusive camping services
Additional staffing support for children and youth with special needs accessing day camp programs.
London
Canadian Hearing Services
Community support services
Support and advocacy for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing so they can access the services they need including employment, counselling and housing.
London
Changing Ways
Caring Dads
Group intervention for men who have abused, neglected, or exposed their children to domestic violence.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Counselling services
Counselling services for men who wish to address issues of domestic violence and learn non-abusive ways of resolving conflict.
Middlesex & London
CMHA Middlesex
Family support
Counselling services for anyone – friend, family member, partner, spouse, co-worker, boss or neighbor – who is concerned about the mental health of another community member.
Middlesex & London
Drop-in programs
Social and recreation programs as well as support with basic needs provided at London Coffee House and My Sisters Place.
London
Support line
Confidential telephone support provided 24/7 for people feeling anxious, isolated, lonely, sad, stressed, or who need someone to talk to.
Middlesex & London
Community Living London
Volunteer services
Volunteer opportunities for people with developmental disabilities as well as other community members.
London
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Community development
Advocacy, systems navigation, and other support for individuals in the Hamilton Road area.
London
Children & youth services
Social and recreation programs for children and youth in the Hamilton Road area.
London
Opening doors & community support
Emergency food and basic needs support for individuals in the Hamilton Road area.
London
Daya Counselling Centre
Counselling services
Subsidized counselling for individuals, couples and families.
Middlesex & London
Eat2Learn
School nutrition program
No-cost snack and lunch programs provided in Elgin and St Thomas schools.
Elgin
Elgin – St Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre
Ignite Youth Centre
A drop-in centre offering social, education and employment supports to youth aged 12-19.
Elgin
Family Service Thames Valley
Internship training program
Advanced clinical training through the provision of supervised psychotherapy and counselling to individuals.
Middlesex & London
Counselling services
Subsidized counselling for individuals, couples and families.
Middlesex & London
Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre
Community development
Advocacy, systems navigation and other support for individuals in the Glen Cairn and Pond Mills area.
London
Children & youth services
Social and recreation programs for children and youth in the Glen Cairn and Pond Mills area.
London
Family & basic needs
Emergency food and basic needs support for individuals in the Glen Cairn and Pond Mills area.
London
Horton Street Seniors Centre
Seniors’ health & wellbeing
Social and recreation programs for low-income seniors aged 55+.
Middlesex & London
Inn Out of the Cold St Thomas-Elgin
Winter homeless shelter
Emergency shelter and meal programs for residents experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity.
Elgin
John Howard Society of London and District
Counselling services
Counselling for individuals, couples and families involved in the criminal justice system.
Middlesex & London
Women’s group
Group counselling to support women who have a loved one involved in the criminal justice system.
Middlesex & London
Boullee, Huron & Kipps Lane project
Social and recreation programs for children living in the Boullee, Huron and Kipps Lane communities.
London
Youth outreach
Specialized services for high-risk youth who are identified as having connection to the criminal justice system.
Middlesex
Learning Disabilities Association – London Region
Services for children, youth & families
Academic and social programs for children and youth with learning disabilities and their families.
Middlesex & London
London Cares Homeless Response Service
Housing stability program
Housing First program serving people experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness.
London
London Intercommunity Health Centre
Women of the World
A peer support program for immigrant women experiencing barriers to integrating into life in Canada.
London
LUSO Community Services
Northeast community development
Advocacy, systems navigation and other support for individuals in Northeast London.
London
Northeast youth support program
Social and recreation programs for children and youth in Northeast London.
London
Shared beginnings – family literacy
A literacy-based playgroup for children ages 0-6 and their parents and/or caregivers in Northeast London.
London
Basic needs & community support
Basic needs, advocacy & other supports for individuals in Northeast London.
London
March of Dimes Canada
Assistive devices program
Assistance to purchase, repair, and maintain a wide variety of mobility or assistive equipment for seniors and adults with disabilities.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Meals on Wheels London
Meal program
Meal delivery service for seniors aged 55+ and adults with disabilities.
London
Transportation program
Wheels for Wellness provides seniors with transportation from their home to any wellness-related appointment.
London
Mennonite Community Services
Volunteer driver program
No-cost rides to essential medical and other appointments for rural residents with low income and/or no access to transportation.
Elgin
Family education & support program
Health, life skills, and English language classes for newcomer women and pre-school readiness for children.
Elgin
Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre
Mutual Aid Parenting Program
Peer support program for parents of young children in London and Middlesex County.
Middlesex & London
Muslim Resource Center for Social Support and Integration
Family & community support service
Inter-cultural family violence prevention and social support services for Arab-speaking and Muslim families.
Middlesex & London
N’Amerind Friendship Centre
Indigenous Families First
Advocacy and wrap-around supports for urban Indigenous families involved in the child welfare system.
London
Pathways Employment Help Centre
Advocacy program
Paralegal support for individuals seeking and/or who have been denied social assistance benefits.
London
Salvation Army Ontario Great Lakes Division
Community Alternatives for Youth
Outreach and wrap-around support for at-risk youth including assistance with housing, basic needs and relationships.
Elgin
SARI Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding
Specialized horseback riding program for people with disabilities designed to enhance physical wellbeing, communication, social skills and independence.
Middlesex & London
Elgin
South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
Healthy communities for all
Basic needs and social/recreation programs for families, children and youth in the White Oaks and Westminster area.
London
Inclusive resident engagement
Advocacy, systems navigation and leadership opportunities for individuals in South London.
London
St. Joseph’s Hospice London Middlesex
Volunteer visitation
Community based emotional support for individuals diagnosed with a life limiting illness and their families and caregivers.
Middlesex & London
St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing
Children’s program
Counselling for children residing at St. Thomas-Elgin Second Stage Housing.
Elgin
Stevenson Children Camp
Summer camp program
Low cost overnight summer camp experiences for children living in poverty.
Middlesex & London
Unity Project
Housing stability program
In-home and in-community support to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
London
Vanier Children’s Services
Focused family therapy & internship training
Counselling services for children and families and clinical training opportunities for students looking to enter the mental health field.
Middlesex & London
West Elgin Community Health Centre
Gift-a-Ride program
No-cost rides to essential medical and other appointments for rural residents with low income and/or no access to transportation.
Elgin
WIL Employment Connections
Immploy mentorship
One on one support for immigrant job seekers connecting with their field of work in Canada.
Middlesex & London
Women’s Rural Resource Centre
Children’s program
Counselling support for children who have experienced and/or witnessed violence and abuse.
Middlesex
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario
Inclusive camping services
Additional staffing support for children and youth with special needs accessing day camp programs.
Middlesex & London
Community School program
In-school interest based clubs that focus on literacy, life skills and physical activity and are targeted at low-income and/or underserved neighbourhoods.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Youth Action Centre
Basic needs and other supports for youth aged 16-24 years experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness and/or precarious housing.
London
Next Wave Youth Centre
A safe space for Middlesex County youth aged 12-20 years to access support with basic needs, housing, employment and education.
Middlesex
YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin
East Elgin children & youth programs
Health and recreation programs for children and youth in rural communities.
Elgin
Harmony House
Supportive and transitional housing for young women aged 16-24 years.
Elgin
West Elgin children & youth programs
Health and recreation programs for children and youth in rural communities.
Elgin
Women’s Residence
Transitional and long-term housing for women in Elgin County and St Thomas.
Elgin
Local Love in a Global Crisis Fund
Agency
Grant amount
Description
Communities served
Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Service
$20,000
Increased demand for Community Interpreter Access Program.
Middlesex & London
Alzheimer Society of London & Middlesex
$11,000
Dementia-friendly activity kits to be delivered to families caring for loved ones with dementia.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Anova (SafeSpace London)
$5,000
Increase hours of operation at SafeSpace providing basic needs and other supports for street-level sex workers.
London
Bethel Baptist Church
$7,500
Funds to meet additional demand for meals and clothing through Clothesline & Lunch To Go program in Strathroy.
Middlesex
Big Brothers Big Sisters of London
$7,050
Technology and staff training to continue delivery of mentoring and case management services on digital platforms.
Middlesex & London
BGC London / Horton St Seniors Centre
$20,000
Technology and staffing support to implement Seniors-Centre-Without-Walls programming via telephone and digital platforms. Activity kits for low-income families in priority neighbourhoods.
London
BGC London
$17,000
Staffing, PPE, and additional cleaning costs to support summer day camps for children.
London
$20,000
Family Night Kits for families with low income to increase family wellness and togetherness while at home due to public health restrictions.
London
Canadian Children’s Optimist Club (Aylmer Optimist Club)
$20,000
Expansion of Good Food Box program in Elgin County to provide access to affordable, healthy food for rural families.
Elgin
Changing Ways
$7,050
PPE for staff and plexiglass barriers to ensure compliance with physical distancing requirements. Laptop computers to provide in-agency access to virtual counselling for their clients who don’t have the appropriate technology in their own home.
London
CMHA Middlesex
$10,000
Additional meals, snacks, harm reduction items and other basic needs for the visitors of My Sisters’ Place and the London Coffeehouse.
London
$15,000
24/7 texting support through Reach Out with specific focus on youth and on women sheltering in place with their abuser.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
$6,700
Meet demand for the Family Support & Bereavement program for services related to COVID-19 deaths; support those grieving loss without the chance to be with family members at end of life.
Middlesex & London
Community Living London
$8,580
Technology for clients to access support and social programming on digital platforms.
London
$19,000
Equipment and small upgrades to facilities to ensure physical distancing.
Middlesex & London
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre
$20,000
Neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
London
Daya Counselling Centre
$20,000
Subsidized counseling for essential workers and social services frontline staff.
Middlesex & London
Elgin St. Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre – Ignite Youth Centre
$14,553
Staffing, technology, and program costs for a virtual farmer’s market, providing volunteer opportunities and skill development to youth in St. Thomas and Elgin.
Elgin
Family & Children’s Services St. Thomas Elgin
$5,000
Activity kits and snacks for families in St. Thomas and Elgin County.
Elgin
Family Service Thames Valley
$20,000
Expanded intake and subsidized counselling service through secure digital platforms. Counselling for callers to CMHA Reach Out crisis line who are referred to FSTV for immediate counselling support.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre
$13,500
Neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
London
John Howard Society of London and District
$19,990
Technology to continue to deliver counselling services on digital platforms and physical distancing measures/barriers for delivery of services in person.
Middlesex & London
London Abused Women’s Centre
$19,894
Support for women and girls experiencing intimate partner abuse and/or being trafficked. Support includes food and other basic needs, shelter and transportation. Technology for virtual counselling; PPE and physical barriers for staff working in-person with clients.
Middlesex & London
London Children’s Museum
$20,000
No cost access to the London Children’s Museum for low income families in London.
London
London Cross Cultural Learner Centre
$4,000
Staffing costs and cleaning supplies for Josephs’ House, a temporary shelter for refugee claimants. Additional laptops for use by residents for social connection and job searching.
London
LUSO Community Services
$20,000
Neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; literacy/activity kits for children and youth from low-income families.
London
Mennonite Community Services
$14,000
Outbound telephone calls and wellbeing checks to low-German speaking seniors. Additional technology and equipment to maintain low-German radio station and the dissemination of information about health and community resources.
Elgin
Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre
$20,000
Children’s Mental Health & Wellness Kits for 125 families (including grocery store & taxi gift cards, books, crafts, games, mental health services resources).
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Northwest London Resource Centre
$20,000
Neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
London
Regional HIV Aids Connection
$6,590
Additional funding to meet increased demand for Wellness Assistance Fund which provides financial support for essential medical treatments.
London
Salvation Army Ontario Great Lakes Division
$6,000
Technology for youth to access support and social programming on digital platforms. Emergency clothing, food and supplies for recreation programs.
Elgin
South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
$20,000
Neighbourhood-based provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
London
Special Olympics Ontario – Elgin Middlesex
$10,000
Sport specific virtual programming for Special Olympics Elgin Middlesex athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
WAYS Mental Health Supports
$20,000
Technology to provide confidential virtual counselling and mental health support to children, youth and families.
Middlesex & London
Wellspring
$3,000
Technology and staff training to continue to deliver programs on digital platforms for individuals undergoing treatment for cancer.
London
West Elgin Community Health Centre
$12,000
Provision of food, hygiene items and other basic needs; including delivery where needed.
London
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario
$7,500
Activity kits for low-income families in the East Carling and Chippewa school communities and in the Lockes and Monsignor Morrison school communities.
Elgin & London
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
$20,000
Additional staffing support; meals, hygiene items and other basic needs for youth accessing service at the Youth Action Centre; PPE and technology support for frontline staff.
Middlesex & London
YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin
$20,000
Bedding & towels, cleaning supplies and other basic needs; including delivery where needed. Technology for staff to provide support and case management on digital platforms. Freezers and refrigerators to store fresh and frozen food supplies for clients.
Elgin
Seniors Response Fund
Funded by the Government of Canada
Agency
Grant amount
Description
Communities served
CMHA Middlesex
$9,782
Outreach telephone calls to seniors requiring additional social support and connection. Volunteers complete a wellness check, provide therapeutic listening and help seniors access additional supports including grocery delivery, Meals on Wheels and virtual social and recreation programming.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Cheshire London
$92,400
Provide basic needs to low income and isolated seniors including food and essential needs through meal and grocery delivery; subsidized transportation for medical and other appointments and the distribution of COVID emergency kits.
Middlesex & London
VON Middlesex-Elgin
$17,600
Provide basic needs to low income and isolated seniors including food and essential needs through meal and grocery delivery; subsidized transportation for medical and other appointments and the distribution of COVID emergency kits.
Elgin
Emergency Community Support Fund
Funded by the Government of Canada
Agency
Grant amount
Description
Communities served
Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Service
$63,250
Increased capacity for the Community Interpreter Access Program, a COVID-19 specific training program for interpreters and professional work opportunities for bilingual immigrants.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Addiction Services Thames Valley (Street Level Women at Risk)
$69,000
Access to technology to facilitate personal and professional supports, including housing stability support, for participants of the Street Level Women at Risk program.
London
Central Community Health Centre
$61,677
The provision of primary care services, harm reduction supplies, and basic needs to people experiencing homelessness through a Mobile Unit.
Elgin
Cheshire London
$81,500
Urgent financial support for groceries, prepared meals, transportation and other basic needs for seniors and adults with disabilities.
Middlesex & London
$51,125
In-home respite supports for caregivers at risk of burnout as a result caring for a family member during the pandemic.
Middlesex & London
$146,250
Provision of COVID-19 kits for low income seniors and adults with disabilities to provide basic needs, social connection, and information resources.
Middlesex & London
Community Living London
$60,000
Technology for clients and staff to access digital programming and provide support through phone and web conferencing.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre
$24,000
Funding to meet increased demand for winter clothing, hygiene items, food hampers and hot meals for low income and precariously housed residents in Hamilton Road neighbourhood.
London
Daya Counselling Centre
$123,046
Subsidized counselling and single session counselling for those experiencing stress, anxiety, and other issues affecting their mental wellness due to the pandemic.
Middlesex & London
Goodwill Industries (Circle London)
$84,700
Technology for low income Londoners to assist with accessing employment, education and social supports through phone, web conferencing and other digital platforms.
London
Hutton House Association for Adults with Disabilities
$60,625
Wellness kits, including art materials and exercise equipment, for persons with disabilities and access to social and recreation program on digital platforms.
London
Inn Out of the Cold St Thomas-Elgin
$58,616
Additional staffing to support day programming, screening for COVID-19 and enhanced food service.
Elgin
John Howard Society of London and District
$150,000
Wrap-around supports including counselling, housing, reintegration supports and basic needs for individuals in London facing homelessness following release from prison during the pandemic.
London
Learning Disabilities Association – London Region
$55,324
Literacy and mental health support for children/youth with learning disabilities to address academic and social-emotional gaps widened by distance learning and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
London Cares Homeless Response Service
$91,750
Basic needs including showering and laundry facilities for people living rough in the City of London.
London
London Cross Cultural Learner Centre
$110,400
The Healthy Pantry program will provide newcomers access to food and information resources.
London
LUSO Community Services
$62,000
Literacy programs, peer support and other supports for residents in northeast London and Argyle neighbourhoods with a focus on seniors, international students and newcomers.
London
$28,350
Funding to meet increased demand for emergency food supplies and other basic needs for low income residents of Northeast London.
London
Mennonite Community Services of Southern Ontario
$30,985
Additional resources including digital platforms, translation and cultural sensitivity training for organizations to increase support for community members including newcomers and Low German speakers.
Elgin
Middlesex-London Health Unit
$50,000
Provision of devices to low-income clients including new moms and people recently diagnosed with HIV to increase access to healthcare services.
Middlesex & London
Muslim Resource Center for Social Support and Integration
$70,072
Counselling and navigational support for Arabic speaking families with children with disabilities seeking community services that are accessible, evidence-based and culturally informed.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Northwest London Resource Centre
$77,000
Mentorship, peer support and other supports for residents in Northwest London with a focus on seniors, international students and newcomers.
London
$20,000
Additional staffing to meet increased demand for emergency food programs for low income residents of Northwest London.
London
Pathways Employment Help Centre
$68,529
Wrap-around support and digital resources for low-income individuals seeking social assistance and benefit programs.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Rainbow Optimist Club SW Ontario (Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation)
$31,275
Education and digital events for rural LGBT2Q+ youth who are socially isolated due to the pandemic.
Elgin & Middlesex
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection
$38,260
Clothing, food and other basic needs for temporary foreign workers who are not able to return to their home country due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Elgin
Salvation Army Centre of Hope
$92,214
Additional staffing to meet increased needs related to facility cleaning and housing stability programs.
London
$68,127
Protective screens to increase capacity of the emergency shelter and food to meet increased demand for food bank services.
London
South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre
$107,000
Outreach, literacy programs and the provision of basic needs for low-income residents of White Oaks and Westminster neighbourhoods.
London
$85,500
Winter boots and clothing distributed through five neighbourhood resource centres to children and youth from low income families who are experiencing increased financial demands due to the pandemic.
London
Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
$33,905
Emergency food hampers for urban indigenous families experiencing new or worsening food insecurity as a result of the pandemic.
London
STEAM Education Centres Incorporated
$71,340
A volunteer program that will refurbish desktop and laptop computers to be distributed to low income individuals.
Elgin
Unity Project
$27,429
PPE and hygiene supplies for emergency shelter and housing stability program participants.
London
VON Middlesex-Elgin
$148,556
Basic needs and transportation for low income seniors and adults with disabilities.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
$58,195
Additional support to meet demand for in-school snack and meal programs at 48 high needs schools in London and Middlesex County.
Middlesex & London
West Elgin Community Health Centre
$50,000
Hot meal and food hamper delivery for isolated and low-income rural residents including seniors. Basic needs support for people experiencing homelessness in Elgin County.
Elgin
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario
$150,000
Technology access and support for low-income Newcomers to participate in online English learning classes.
Elgin & London
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
$58,754
Additional staffing to meet unique programming needs at the youth emergency shelter during the pandemic.
London
YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin
$50,000
Provide support, job coaching, job development and system navigation for at-risk youth aged 15-30 in St. Thomas-Elgin.
Elgin
Donor-directed Grants
Agency
Grant amount
Description
Communities served
Ark Aid Street Mission Inc.
$62,592
Shower and laundry facilities for people experiencing homelessness and funds to meet additional demand for basic needs and meal services.
London
ATN Access for Persons with Disabilities
$57,119
Intensive program to provide information and self management strategies to address increased anxiety and other mental health challenges experienced by people with disabilities during COVID-19.
London
Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area
$50,000
Providing a mentor to a young person who faces adversity giving them access to a life-changing relationship that meets their urgent needs.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
Craigwood Youth Services
$44,464
Training for youth mental health staff in virtual psychotherapy platform and upgrades to IT infrastructure to meet increased demand for web-based services.
Middlesex & London
Leads Employment Services
$50,000
Virtual accessibility for those who have disabilities and no means to reach out or receive support services in managing their well-being.
Elgin, Middlesex & London
St. Joseph’s – Hospice of London
$60,000
Upgraded technology for patients and community clients to better accommodate connection to family and friends at the end-of-life when being in person is not possible.
Middlesex & London
Vanier Children’s Services
$150,000
Provision of crisis services that enhance the mental health and wellness of children, youth, and families in London/Middlesex.
Middlesex & London