Global movement. Local impact.
Locally, United Way East Ontario’s Women United is a network of 943 donors and 138 members who are dedicated to leveraging their time, talents, and funds to empower women in our communities to build strong, independent lives. Members, depending on their giving level, have opportunities to review proposals, participate in the investment process, consult on major governance decision-making, act as a steering member of programs, and more.
In our region, Women United makes a difference in these four areas:
- Addressing gender-based violence
- Empowering women in leadership
- Supporting young mothers and their children
- Building an equitable economic recovery
Success story: Cathy Hamilton
The following is an excerpt from a Capital Current article, published March 7, 2022.
![Volunteers at the Clementine Towers food pantry stand next to fresh produce. [Photo © Rachel Gills]](https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image002-1200x675-1-1024x576.jpg)
At Clementine Towers in Billings Bridge-Alta Vista, a stone’s throw from Bank Street and around the corner from the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, food security is a problem. The nearest community food program is the Heron Emergency Food Centre, a two-kilometre walk or an 11-minute bus ride.
That’s why building resident Cathy Hamilton started the Clementine Towers food pantry in September 2021. Hamilton, a volunteer tenant leader in her 60s, participated in the Ottawa-based Creating the Change We Want program and launched the food pantry to help address food insecurity in her building.
“I thought it would be a good idea if I could get some food and bring it right here for [other residents]. It’s work for me—a lot of work—but I want to do it because I see it’s making a difference in the lives of some of the seniors.”
The United Way and Women United–supported Creating the Change We Want (CCWW) program helps neighbourhood residents like Cathy build skills and confidence to work on making positive changes in their neighbourhoods. Often times, after going through CCWW workshops and training sessions, graduates use what they’ve learned and go on to apply for Women United Community Action Grants in order to better their communities.
Making a difference
As a collective, Women United invests in two distinct areas:
- Community Action Grants supporting small, grassroots initiatives in our region’s most vulnerable neighbourhoods. These grants support women living in these areas to become leaders and changemakers, identifying and executing on small initiatives for the betterment of their communities.
- United Way’s Community Fund to bolster the organization’s impact agenda, helping to improve the lives of women across our region.
In 2021, Women United invested $99,716 into:
Community Action Grants supported: 6 programs, 6 agencies, 897 people. In 2021, Community Action Grants supported many activities, including:
- Community gardens to support food security and promote community engagement
- ‘Honour our Superhero’ breakfast for parents, specifically mothers, who have taken on more stressful roles during the pandemic.
- Virtual gatherings and resident-led workshops to empower residents—many of which are newcomer women—to engage in their community, form relationships, share resources, and learn new skills.
- Programming to reduce feelings of isolation and address the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health for racialized communities.
- One-on-one peer support, workshops, and social meet-ups to support the mental wellbeing of racialized youth.
United Way Community Fund supported: 6 programs, 6 agencies, 1,479 people. In 2021, the United Way Community Fund supported many activities, including:
- Programs that support young mothers and their children in at-risk neighbourhoods and rural communities.
- Skills training that help marginalized populations, particularly newcomer women, break down barriers and enter the Canadian labour market.
- Workshops on women empowerment that boosts confidence and inspires leadership among young Francophone girls in Prescott-Russell.
- A training series to help residents in low-income communities feel empowered to take on leadership roles and address community issues.
- Holistic mental health and addictions counselling to support the mental wellbeing of Indigenous women and youth.
Witnessing the power of local love
Euphrasie Emedi, a Community Developer at South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre, shared her perspective on the power of Community Action Grants.
“Women United Community Action Grants are really a powerful asset for our communities. It may seem like very little money, but it's not little at all because it makes a difference. Because the people that we serve in our communities, it’s a population that’s really, really vulnerable.”
“Especially in this time of COVID, the Women United grants helped to access fresh food,” added Euphrasie. “In the beginning, thanks to United Way, we started with one community garden plot, then we went to two. Then the Women United grant we received in 2021 brought in two more.”
“It was very satisfactory for our women especially, because most of them are the ones who worked in the gardens. There was capacity building, skills building, knowing how to interact with the soil, touching the earth … it was so beautiful. There were seniors and children working together, laughing, talking, and even having meetings at the gardens,” she said.
For the first time, Women United’s Community Action Grants call for proposals was open across East Ontario and a record breaking amount of proposals were submitted! A group of eight Women United members volunteered their time, experience, and knowledge to assess and approve grassroot initiatives that will directly impact our communities.
Community gardens to help with food insecurity, a sports program to help young girls find a sense of belonging, an art project that creates a safe space for Indigenous women fleeing violence—these are just a few examples of the activities that community leaders are implementing to create lasting change.
Susan Barrett, one of the Women United members who participated in 2022’s Community Action Grant assessment process, shared a heartwarming testimonial about her experience:
“It was a privilege to be a part of the Community Action Grant Assessment evaluation team. The opportunity to explore the creativity and heartbeat of grassroots organizations through not only my eyes, but through the lens of other Women United advocates was enlightening. The knowledge and insight of the Community Investment Team supporting the process was invaluable and amplified the importance of these much sought after funds. These grants will truly make a difference to communities in all corners of East Ontario.”
A partnership that fuels change
Accenture has been a long-time supporter of United Way through various programs, initiatives, sponsorship and engagement opportunities. In 2021, Accenture joined Women United as a title program sponsor for the next three years—demonstrating their commitment to making a difference for women in our region.
