2020-21
YEAR IN REVIEW
A message from the President and CEO
It was a common refrain in the early days of the pandemic: “We’re all in this together.” But we soon realized the pandemic would strain the social fabric of our communities along fault lines that have been unresolved for generations.
Tens of thousands of local people have relied on us to be alive, healthy and safe over the past year. Many have reached out to a distress line or a food bank for the first time in their lives, and this heightened need will not go away with the first shots of vaccine. In the thick of widespread job losses, working from home while juggling virtual learning and caregiving, loss of loved ones, and countless other challenges, we asked our communities to support United Way’s work. The response was humbling.
Michael Allen
President and CEO
United Way East Ontario
This is a condensed version of the letter that appears in our annual report. Read the full letter.
Together, we are breaking down barriers, improving lives and creating opportunities for people in Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark and Renfrew Counties.
365 days per year—in normal times, and through crises—United Way mobilizes the power of caring communities to address the most complex social issues. But, we don’t do it alone.
The challenges we tackle demand collaboration. By bringing people from different organizations together to solve problems, we can have an even bigger impact and make our communities measurably better.
This online preview of our annual report is just a snapshot of the impact we’ve made together over the past year and how we are tackling the tough problems across our three focus areas:
Every child and youth deserves the chance to have a great life, no matter where they grow up.
We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, a job, and a sense of belonging to their community.
We ensure that all members of our community get the help they need, when they need it.
Our investments across the region
In 2019-20, we invested in:
collaborations and initiatives
programs
community agencies
As a result of these investments:
unique individuals were supported
people volunteered with our agency partners
total volunteer hours
How much we invested in community work in 2019-20:
Ottawa: $5,716,871.92
All That Kids Can Be: $2,355,222
From Poverty to Possibility: $731,428
Healthy People, Strong Communities: $2,630,221.92
Lanark County: $218,920
Renfrew County: $223,416
Prescott-Russell: $150,261
This excludes funds raised and invested through our COVID-19 Response. Please see the COVID-19 Response Impact Report for details on the impact of that work.
All That Kids Can Be
By putting more kids on track to succeed, we can help all youth in our communities reach their full potential.
I like that everyone leaves their judgement at the door, and you can just come and be yourself.
The Issue
For some local kids, growing up isn’t easy. Challenges can begin before a child even steps into school for the first time. All the issues facing children and youth were amplified when the pandemic began.
of school-aged children saw at least one of the following progressively worsen during COVID-19: depression, anxiety, irritability, attention span, hyperactivity and obsessions/compulsions.
children and youth in Ontario have to wait up to two and a half years for mental health treatment.
of front-line providers serving homeless youth in Canada reported youth had experienced a significant increase in feelings of isolation and loneliness.
The Impact of Our Investments
All That Kids Can Be—Investments across our region:
collaborations and initiatives
programs
community agencies
As a result of these investments:
unique individuals were supported
people volunteered with our agency partners
total volunteer hours
Our response, at a glance
Partnering for success:
With our support, the Ottawa Child and Youth Initiative developed the ‘Make a Plan for Safe Return’ project, which provides best practices, training, and resources so that local organizations can feel comfortable providing vibrant and safe programming for kids and their families.
Stepping up for youth:
From the onset of COVID-19, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa and of Lanark County successfully pivoted to virtual mentorship. The relationships built during these virtual mentoring sessions supports the mental health and wellbeing of our region’s vulnerable youth, particularly during times of isolation and stress.
Our Goals for the Future
In 2021 and beyond, we will work with our partners to:
- Improve in-person and remote learning activities that respond to the specific needs of vulnerable youth.
- Increase enhanced after school programming with a focus on literacy and STEAM.
- Increase access to technology to reduce barriers to learning caused by digital inequities.
- Increase crisis and mental health supports for youth experiencing homelessness.
Want to learn more about our impact? Dive into the full All That Kids Can Be section of the report.
Mario is 12 years old and every other week, he looks forward to meal nights at his local youth centre.
From Poverty to Possibility
By helping people achieve financial independence and stability, we can move them from poverty to possibility.
Hot Shoe Productions gave me the chance to have a hands-on opportunity to work on my video shooting and video editing skills.
The Issue
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the financial wellbeing of Indigenous peoples, youth, newcomers, Black and racialized communities, vulnerable women, and people with disabilities.
of racialized populations are unemployed in Canada, compared to 7.3% of non–racialized people.
of Canada’s job losses from February-April 2020 were jobs held by women—many of which were working part-time in low-paid service and care work.
of working age adults with disabilities are employed, compared to 80% of those without disabilities.
of Ontario youth aged 15-24 are unemployed as of February 2021, up 9.8% from February 2020.
The Impact of Our Investments
From Poverty to Possibility—Investments across our region:
collaborations and initiatives
programs
community agencies
As a result of these investments:
unique individuals were supported
people volunteered with our agency partners
total volunteer hours
Our response, at a glance
Equity in employment:
The Employment Accessibility Research Network (EARN) transitioned vital in-person events like learning seminars and career fairs to online platforms so that employers, service providers, and people with disabilities could still meet their employment and hiring goals. A November 2020 event, ‘Ask the Employer!’, allowed jobseekers with disabilities to participate in one-on-one virtual practice interviews with a series of employers.
Hire Immigrants Ottawa (HIO) delivered two key programs, Cross-Cultural Competency Training and Fostering a Workplace Culture of Belonging, to hundreds of employers to support them in creating workplace environments that are diverse, inclusive, and foster a sense belonging.
Our Goals for the Future
In 2021 and beyond, we will work with our partners to:
- Increase access to employment for vulnerable women, youth, people with disabilities, newcomers and Indigenous peoples across East Ontario.
- Convene employer leadership tables to increase labour market participation for under-represented communities.
- Develop new employer tools to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in workplaces.
- Support access to and availability of basic needs, including food, personal protective equipment (PPE), and utilities relief.
Want to learn more about our impact? Dive into the full From Poverty to Possibility section of the report.
Healthy People, Strong Communities
By improving equity, connections and wellbeing for vulnerable groups, our communities can be great for everyone.
David went to three programs a week before the pandemic. It’s lovely to have the staff that have been involved with him, still involved with him virtually.
The Issue
In every community, there are people who face barriers to services or resources, and those who are socially excluded based on their identity, gender, race, age, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ability, or economic status.
1 in 3
caregivers in Canada are distressed, which can include feelings of anger or depression, or the inability to continue with caring activities.
of Ottawa’s Black community who tried to access mental health services felt prejudice or negative attitudes from their service providers.
Canadians in severely food-insecure households are seven times more likely to report moderate or severe anxiety symptoms than those in food-secure households.
The Impact of Our Investments
Healthy People, Strong Communities—Investments across our region:
collaborations and initiatives
programs
community agencies
As a result of these investments:
unique individuals were supported
people volunteered with our agency partners
total volunteer hours
Our response, at a glance
Equity in communities:
In response to a rise in hate crimes and hate speech in Ottawa, United Way launched the United for All coalition in 2019 in partnership with dozens of local organizations. In 2020-2021, the coalition introduced an action plan to align the group’s work against a set of proven strategies to strengthen our communities. In February 2021, more than 100 partners attended a coalition meeting to clarify the role of policing in addressing hate in our communities.
Collaborating for connection, safety and wellbeing:
The Champlain Dementia Network, the Champlain Community Support Network, and United Way formed a partnership to develop the Eastern Ontario Caregiver Strategy. Released in October 2020 and informed by local caregivers, the strategy is designed to provide us and the local social services sector with a common set of objectives, empowering us to better support those in need.
Our Goals for the Future
In 2021 and beyond, we will work with our partners to:
- Increase access to remote and in-person day programs, and caregiver supports for isolated seniors.
- Engage regional leaders to deepen our understanding of the impact that the pandemic is having on the most vulnerable people.
- Increase counselling and supports for people experiencing mental health challenges and problematic substance use, including remote access and in-person counselling and peer supports.
- And work with United Way Centraide Canada to build our capacity to address diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and build region-wide Indigenous collaboration.
Want to learn more about our impact? Dive into the full Healthy People, Strong Communities section of the report.
Local Love in a Global Crisis
To everyone who offered a helping hand during times of great uncertainty, and to those who continue to invest so our communities are supported over the long-term: thank you. Your support empowers us to lift up the people hit hardest by the pandemic and lay the groundwork for a stronger future.
As we continue to address the social challenges of the pandemic, we’ve reported back on how we’ve made a measurable, local difference. New, innovative services have emerged, and core programs have adapted as a result of incredible teamwork at the United Way-led COVID-19 Community Response Table—a fixture in the region that has grown to more than 100 participants.
Our COVID-19 Response Impact Report highlights United Way’s accomplishments in the first year of the pandemic, thanks to our donors and partners.
100% Local Impact
At United Way, we’re committed to 100% local impact. That means every dollar we invest stays in the community where it was raised—where it is needed most and will have the greatest impact. Our annual report, which includes our financial statements, is our way of showing you, our donors and supporters, that we’ve kept that promise.
A Year Unlike Any Other
Our 2020-21: A Year in Review annual report is a look back on a year unlike any other: a year that compelled us to step up and ensure stability for our partner agencies; a year where we lived into our goal of being an impact-first United Way; a year that required our focus on equity and justice to address the root causes of the pandemic’s disproportionate effects.
Last Updated: June 2021
