Page 13 - Royal Roads University Thirty First Convocation

CHANCELLOR’S COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD
UNITED WAY OF GREATER VICTORIA
June 14, 2012, 1:30 p.m.
The United Way of Greater Victoria has been empowering people to improve their lives and their community for 75 years. The registered charity connects people with resources to make lasting change on social priorities identified by the people it helps.
Founded in 1937, the registered charity was conceived as a “community chest” to help fund worthy organizations and projects throughout the city. The first round of funding, totalling $63,538, for 23 organizations, supported projects through the Red Cross Society, Friendly Help Welfare Association, Children’s Aid Society and others. It’s a tradition that continues through the United Ways’ current fundraising focuses.
United Way partners with non-profits, donors, organizations and communities to ensure the most vulnerable citizens have access to the supports they need. The programs are focused on building self-reliance at the individual, family, community and organizational level. The United Way places strong emphasis on helping meet a person’s immediate need for food and housing, while supporting long-term strategies to address chronic issues.
To meet this challenge, the United Way invests in three impact areas. The first, “All that kids can be,” supports programs designed to prevent bullying, enhance self-esteem and increase school success. Programs work to support stable family environments, positive peer and adult relationships, safe school and community spaces and participation in extra- curricular activities.
“Healthy people, strong communities” includes programs that help individuals overcome isolation, mental health and addictions issues, and build strong community connections. Programs work to support access to recreation and cultural opportunities, job and life skills, and co-ordinated health and social services.
“From poverty to possibility” includes programs that help individuals develop the skills they need to move out of poverty and become self-sufficient. Programs support access to food, housing, employment and childcare, as well as timely supports for mental health and addiction challenges.
Fundraising is at the core of what the United Way does. With the help of more than 1,000 volunteers in 500 workplaces and individual donors, United Way of Greater Victoria raised $5.9 million in 2011. The organization’s work allows community leaders to work together on the best possible solutions to concerns with regard to health, youth, poverty and more. In 2012, funding will allow 68 community partners to deliver 117 programs and services to those who need it the most.
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