After eight weeks of campaigning, the United Way community campaign has reached 50 per cent of its $2 million goal.
In an effort to push towards the final target, a team of volunteers and staff are sharing the stories of how people’s lives are changed through the United Way of Central Alberta.
“The beauty of the community campaign is that everyone can participate because the issues touch each one of us,” said Lars Rogers, 2010 campaign chair.
“We all know someone who has been struggling recently. Through United Way support, friends, family and neighbours can access a program or service that will help them get through the tough times.”
He said that the United Way is the largest source of stable social funding in Central Alberta outside of the government.
“It’s also the most cost-effective way to invest funds back into the community, as United Way support means agencies don’t have to hire fundraising, marketing and communications staff. We do it on behalf of them,” Rogers said, explaining that people canvass the community for contributions.
The United Way supports 32 local agencies.
A news release this week talked about the work four agencies have done to help community members recently.
• Eight clients, between the ages of four and 32, who have been sexually, emotionally or physically abused received short-term individualized counselling.
• Eighteen Big Brother Big Sisters mentors were paired up with 18 young children.
• More than 230 individuals with high-risk behaviours were connected to health and other social services.
And United Way funds have helped prevent 15 people from being evicted from their homes; 30 people find affordable housing; and another 35 individuals received ongoing support to maintain their housing.
“All of this has been done with only $50,000,” Rogers said. “The above results are but a fraction of what local agencies are doing each and every day with funds received through the United Way.”
Make a donation online at www.caunitedway.ca to help the one in three people in the Central Alberta community who need help.