January 20, 2009

United Way announces 2009/10 Community Investments

After reaching 100.8% of the 2008 campaign goal of $1,875,000, the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Board of Directors have approved the 2009/10 Community Investments to the organizations 27 Funded Agencies who provide 50 programs and services in our community.

The United Way is happy to announce that six of the programs and services will see a funding increase as well as the addition of two new United Way Funded programs.  The United Way funding process is an in depth, three step local process involving three different groups of volunteers; The Panel Review Members, Community Investment Committee Members, and the Board of Directors.   

The programs receiving an increase include the Canadian Red Cross Transportation Service, Ontario March of Dimes Assistive Devices, Stroke Recovery Association, Women’s Interval Home Residential program and Lifeskills program and the Canadian Mental Health Preventative Education program.  All other programs and services will see their funding remain at last year’s level with the exception of one, which received a 3% decrease.  The two new programs to United Way funding are the Meals on Wheels program provided by the Canadian Red Cross and the Kids’ Circle program provided by the Victorian Order of Nurses.      

“The decisions are never easy to make” said Community Investment Chairperson, Pam Gallant, “but with a successful campaign and measurable outcomes and impacts provided by the funded programs, this round was one of our easier ones.”      

“This year’s Community Investment decisions went through many discussions at all three levels,” said Gallant.  “Local volunteers involved with the Panel Reviews and the Community Investment Committee worked very hard and put many hours into the process.  There are a number of criteria volunteers look at when making recommendations,” she said.  “They look at what outcomes and impacts the program has on clients, their families and our community, the financial responsibility of the agency, the effectiveness and efficiency of the program, the demographics of our community, and the number of funding priorities the program hits.  All of these volunteers deserve a big thank you.”

Consistent to the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton’s reputation of being responsive to our community needs, Gallant also announced three other investments in our community.

The first one being a Venture Grant of $16,000 to the White Cane Centre.  The agency assists those with low vision or blindness to get information on vision services and support in our community.  The White Cane Centre works very closely with the CNIB, a United Way Funded Agency.  Although CNIB provides services to residents in Sarnia-Lambton, they do not have an office here.  The White Cane Club provides a visual presence in our community and frequently refers clients in need of CNIB services to the Agency.  CNIB hold their monthly Low Vision Clinics at the White Cane Centre as well.   

The second Venture Grant in the amount of $30,000 was awarded to Autism Ontario Sarnia-Lambton for their Student Training in Autism Resource (STAR) program.  This program is designed for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or awaiting diagnosis  and receiving no services, higher functioning individuals with ASD who need a social skills program and individuals with ASD who are finished school and do not fit the model of supported work day programs and are sitting at home with nothing to do.  This program will be a hands on model that will identify the individual needs of each student, creating their own unique program plan.  As part of the program parents will have to attend an Autism training workshop and then will spend an identified number of hours in the program working with their own child with the expertise and support of trained staff.  This program will give educators, support workers and parents the support and training necessary to ensure that the ASD person’s program consistency is first and foremost the focus, and ensure they are learning to their fullest potential.    

The third community investment is a partnership between Union Gas, United Way and the Salvation Army.  Union Gas has provided $7,500.00 to the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton for a program known as the ‘Winter Warmth Program’.  This fund provides emergency financial assistance for families struggling to pay their gas bill and also focuses on energy conservation to assist these households in lowering their energy costs.  Families and individuals needing one-time financial assistance to pay their heating bills can contact the Salvation Army (the intake Agency) for more information. 

Overall, the 2008 United Way Campaign officially raised $1,890,000.   

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For further information, please contact:

Dave Brown, Executive Director (519) 336-5452 Ext. 7 or email dave@theunitedway.on.ca

Pam Gallant, Volunteer Community Investment Chair (519) 383-7004