United for a brighter future

As hundreds of eager volunteers dug in to serve local agencies during the recent Day of Caring, I took a few moments to reflect on how we have grown in collective purpose this past year.

We have re-learned how to be together as a community.

We have reacquainted ourselves with family and neighbours. We have redoubled our efforts to listen well and make meaningful change.

We – all of us – are making a difference.

Check out our newest Impact Report to see some ways that, by working together, we are investing in, advocating for and connecting with the community.

Mark Egbedeyi-Emmanuel, incoming Chair of the 2023 Community Campaign, says it best: positive change happens when “we don’t just sit on the sidelines – we get involved.” And, he adds, “When we all do even a little, it goes a long way in transforming a community.”

It’s good to take a summer pause, to see where we’ve been and where we are.
But that’s a comma in our story, not a period – a quick breath as we build momentum in reducing and preventing poverty locally.

With all our partners, we at United Way are hard at work this summer to meet ongoing challenges while also assessing new ways to serve and mobilize this community.

It’s why summer is anything but slow around here.

Because, when we stand United, we don’t stand still.

Meet the Campaign Chair  – Based in Aylmer, Mark Egbedeyi-Emmanuel has a long history of embracing and championing community causes. Read what motivates the new United Way 2023 Community Campaign Chair, in this Q&A . While you’re at it, check out the for 2023 Campaign Cabinet, all of them United in local love.

ChangeMakers for the win! –– It’s been a year chock-full of inspirational volunteers: community mobilizers, Campaign champions and over-all caring citizens who take action, inspire their colleagues and make a difference where we live and work. Find some familiar faces among this year’s ChangeMakers Awards recipients.

Save the Date(s) –– 3M Harvest Lunch and United Way Community Campaign Launch returns on September 19 in London and September 21 in St. Thomas. And you won’t want to miss TD StairClimb when we’ll be back at Budweiser Gardens on November 2.

Day of Caring –– United Way’s Day of Caring, presented by sponsor Libro Credit Union, made its enthusiastic return on June 8 after a three-year absence. Read all about it here – you may even find photos of yourself or someone you know! 

211 is here for you –– If you need help for you or a loved one, contact 211 to reach a Navigator who can connect you to information, programs and services close to home. It’s free, confidential and available around the clock in more than 150 languages by phone, live chat and email.