Change Starts Here
A young mom with two beautiful daughters has the courage to stand up and say, change starts here. She wanted to provide a better life for her children and that meant she needed to change. She walked into a young mom’s program funded by United Way of South Niagara and began a journey that would see her graduate from high school, get a college diploma and secure a full time job.
An anonymous donor is deeply touched by stories he reads and realizes that change starts here. He got up one morning, walked into our United Way office and quietly handed us an envelope with a $10,000 donation in it.
A local businessman opens the paper, is inspired by what he reads and takes action because change starts here. He picks up the phone and offers to help United Way achieve their mission.
The United Way of South Niagara Board and staff see an opportunity, feel the economic impact in the community and realise more than ever that change does start here. We made a commitment to not only change but to transform ourselves and our community for greater impact.
The beginning of a new decade was the beginning of a new way of doing business for United Way of South Niagara. Leading into a new year we took action on our strategic plan to become a pivotal agent of social change. We challenged ourselves to think differently, to reach out to the community in new ways and to push ourselves to a new level of innovation. Driven by the increased needs in our community and limited funding available to meet those needs, a small group of passionate, committed volunteers and staff wholeheartedly accepted the challenge and plunged enthusiastically into a well planned transformation that would ensure we reached out to those who need us most. Being grounded by the fact that our transformation was not all about us, we knew we could not do this alone. We needed the community’s input, our stakeholder’s advice and a very clear idea of what those in need wanted and truly valued.
Our journey began with engaging the community, talking with our partner agencies, communicating with our stakeholders and asking for help. The response has been overwhelming, reassuring us that we are on the right track. Our journey is far from over and every month when we come together we are encouraged and excited about the future we are creating. We continue to fund some of the best programs in South Niagara as we move people from poverty to possibility, build healthy people and strong communities and help kids and families be all that they can be.
As President of the Board, I feel honoured to work with such a talented and committed team of volunteers and staff. My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation go out to everyone who has supported us in our quest to reach our new vision. On behalf of the Board, thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to talk to us, to share your point of view, to help us and to steer us in the right direction. Thank you to every donor who made us a part of their charitable giving.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who accepted our help through the programs and services you had the courage and strength to reach out to. You inspire us to keep doing what we do and drive us to contribute more to those who need us most. For all of us, in so many different ways change starts right here, right now.
Angela Carter, President
Board of Directors