United Way nearly 1/3 of way to $30M goal

YorkRegion.com
June 25, 2014
Chris Traber

United Way York Region's historic goal to raise $30 million in three years, set last August, is above 27 per cent towards target, attendees at today’s 38th annual general meeting heard.

Gathered at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge, staff, board members and volunteers were updated by agency CEO Daniele Zanotti and outgoing board chairperson Helen Murray.

United Way’s In Every Neighbourhood campaign, a commitment to provide 325,000 helping hands to move people from crisis to a better life, is on plan, thanks to the support of thousands of donors and more than 200 corporation partners, Zanotti said.

The numbers, he said, tell the tale.

To-date, United Way has provided 120,273 helping hands, helped 19,625 access jobs, housing and food security and assisted 30,591 youth get the skills they need to stay in school and succeed.

Zanotti also said the campaign has helped 70,057 newcomers, seniors and individuals with mental and physical disabilities get supports close to home.

"I've never seen anything like it," he said. "People, companies, community groups, are all rallying behind In Every Neighbourhood.  And we will pursue every partnership, every opportunity, every collaboration to ensure people in neighbourhoods across our region get the help they need, close to home. This is our mandate."

2013 was all about neighbourhoods and building strong communities in York Region, Murray said.

"Thanks to the generosity of more than 14,000 donors, 2,000 volunteers and 200 workplace campaigns, we are creating opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people in York Region," she said

Highlighting the past year, Murray said the agency continued its commitment to Strength Investments, catalytic funding for residents, businesses and faith groups to solve local issues. Last fall, United Way announced Strength Investments for Whitchurch-Stouffville and East Gwillimbury, two of the region's fastest growing municipalities that lack social infrastructure. And in the spring, United Way presented $30,000 in Strength Investments funding for WS YOU 177, a communitywide project that connects youth and seniors to collaborate on local issues in Whitchurch-Stouffville.

An announcement in East Gwillimbury is will be made in the coming months, she said.

To date, United Way has distributed $305,000 to 12 projects, which has leveraged more than $3 million in new revenue for neighbourhoods and communities across our region.

SIDEBAR

United Way 2013-2014 board of directors election results were also shared.

Directors Charles Beer, Jaheed Mamdani and Cheryl Prescod retired from the board.

Elected, for their first three-year terms are Martin Dunstan, Grace Marsh, Tracy McNaught and James Meadows.

Continuing as directors are David Barnes, Barbara Cribbett, Hilda Gan, Lisa Gonsalves, Bo Mocherniak, Kyle Peterson and Elaine Walsh. Heather Mason-Wood, vice-president, Canso Investments Counsel Ltd., was elected chairperson, succeeding Murray, whose two-year term came to an end.

Zanotti also presented the second annual M.B. Spirit Awards, made possible through the generosity of the Bhayana Family Foundation, recognizing the dedication and hard work of United Way staff.
Carmen Clayton received the embracing leadership award.

The living our values/working for success award was presented to Ellen Sooley and Andrea Wong was the recipient of the demonstrating excellence award.

For more information, visit york.unitedway.ca