When an individual makes a Leadership gift of $1,000 or more it represents a very powerful commitment to our community. Leaders guide the way for charitable giving and provide leadership by example to those who make a significant financial contribution to support our community services.
Your Leadership gift is invested directly within your community through United Way’s Community Investment Fund – a network of care that assists people who need it most. In today’s complex world, it often takes more than just one person, agency or program to make a big and lasting difference. United Way brings together human service agencies, business, government, labour, schools, institutions and citizens, to address the immediate needs of our community and to create long-term change.
Your Leadership Gift Makes a Difference
Here is how your Leadership donations are making a difference for people in neighbourhoods throughout our community. The stories below are only three examples, and they go far beyond helping to make lasting change:
Take Dave and Sharon, a typical married couple living in their own home while Dave worked on the ships making a good living. A single mishap left Dave injured, unable to work and the couple on the path to homelessness. At Hope House in Welland they found the resources to put their life back on track, taking them from poverty to possibility. Today they have housing, Sharon is in school, Dave volunteers and much more.
Fred, at 83 is a mentor with Big Brothers who finds balance with his little brothers helping them grow strong and succeed. He has seen their confidence grow through the Big Brothers match program. Fred's work ensures the children grow up strong and healthy - contributing to a healthy community.
Natasha was a teenager when she had her first child. At just 21-years-old with two kids she took her first step toward change. She attended the Young Moms Outreach program through the Adolescent Family Support Services of Niagara. Since taking that first step Natasha has seen major changes in her life and in her kids. The young mom has completed her high school education, is a college graduate and recently began a full-time position as Administrative Assistant, Department of Integrated Planning, Niagara Region. We are delighted that she is this year's Campaign Chair, lending her time and her experiences to help the UWSN start change for others.