Healthy People, Strong Communities
Ensuring our communities are great for everyone by improving equity, connections and overall well-being.
The issue
United Way understands that residents have a strong connection to where they live—their city, their town, their neighbourhoods, their street—these are the communities that drive change, protect and support, and shape lives and livelihoods. But, we also understand the barriers to success.
1 IN 5 PEOPLE
39%
2X
26% OF SENIORS
33%
1 in 10
Our response
Working in the communities of Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County and Renfrew County, United Way East Ontario is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities for people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances.
We do this by increasing equity, social cohesion and leadership, by reducing isolation, and by ensuring those in crisis have access to the supports they need to succeed. Part of how United Way does this is through initiatives that bring key community stakeholders together to pursue a collective mission. These include:
A community-wide initiative led by United Way and supported by the Government of Ontario that brings together employers, service providers and other partners with the goal of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and promoting inclusive and accessible workplaces.
A United Way-funded initiative that helps residents build skills and confidence to work on making positive changes together. Over the past four years, more than 400 resident leaders and front-line staff have been paired and trained to get neighbours talking and working together on issues where they live. The kinds of skills that the initiative helps develop include engaging other residents, building positive relationships among neighbours, running effective meetings, learning about advocacy and more. Creating the Change We Want sessions are led by neighbourhood leaders and community developers in Ottawa’s priority neighbourhoods.
United Way’s Successful Aging Strategic Council is a partnership between donors, seniors, service providers, organization representatives, business leaders, government, educators and other funders convened to provide leadership, direction and support to United Way in relation to seniors and aging through the development of resources, partnerships, alliances, projects and initiatives within and across sectors.
The outcomes
United Way also partners with local, front-line agencies to deliver vital programs and services that help improve lives, break down barriers, and create opportunities for our region’s most vulnerable people. These include day programs for seniors, 24/7 crisis lines, mental health and addiction supports, and resident-led, community-building initiatives. As part of our commitment to measuring our impact, we track and report how these investments make a difference.
Outcome: Adults in crisis have access to immediate supports
78% of individuals felt supported and had their stress levels reduced
46,862 individuals received crisis supports
Outcome: Seniors have improved wellbeing and are less isolated
62% of seniors reported decreased isolation
1,904 seniors reported decreased isolation
Outcome: Neighbourhoods work together to achieve positive change
7,555 residents came together to engage on issues of shared importance
Outcome: Adults have access to mental health and addiction supports
84% of clients experienced a reduction in stress and anxiety
808 clients experienced a reduction in stress and anxiety
Outcome: Refugees of the Syrian crisis have access to settlement supports (United for Refugees)
1,000+ Refugees received settlement supports
Results (In 2017-18)
A note on numbers: In 2017, the four United Ways of Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark and Renfrew Counties decided to join forces. Today, we operate as one entity: United Way East Ontario. As we evolve and increasingly see and seize opportunities to work cross-regionally, more data will become available to report on the local needs and investment outcomes in all of the communities we serve. For this reason, for now, many of the facts and stats on this page are Ottawa-specific as it represents our largest investment footprint.
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help people in crisis.
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support newcomers.
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celebrate diversity.
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fuel inclusion.
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end hate and violence.
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make sure every kid graduates.
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end youth homelessness.
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show my local love.
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help seniors thrive.
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