Your Impact Newsletter, January 2023 – Some highlights from 2022
Hope you are having a great start to the new year. As with each new year, it’s an exciting time for new beginnings, as well as a chance to reflect on the previous year. 2022 may have been a year of challenges for so many, but there were so many very positive initiatives. Here are just five highlights of 2022, all made possible with your support!
Five Highlights from 2022
Community Food Redistribution Warehouse (CFRW)
“It really was a dream and if we hadn’t had the City and United Way as partners and part of the conversation every step of the way it wouldn`t have happened. A really important part of the dream of this space was the word community; it took community to put it together, it took community to build it and it is going to make our community stronger.” Project Coordinator, CFRW
Work on the CFRW started during the pandemic, and in 2022, all of the planning, ideas and collaboration became a reality. The building was completed, organizations used the space to pack food boxes, accept large scale food donations (like hundreds of pounds of potatoes), share food donations to prep meals for local food program, host events, workshops, and so much more. United Way of KFL&A was instrumental in facilitating the creation of the concept and the implementation plan to make it a reality, with the support of agencies, community partners and funding partners.
You can watch a video here and learn about the amazing community collaboration that made this project possible.
Successful Donation Drives
“Financial stress impacts a family unit in ways that can’t always be counted, but it is so important to recognize how impactful having good winter coats can be. Knowing your family is warm during the coldest days creates a positivity that can’t be tracked until we look at how negative the impact is on individuals who can’t afford one. The winter coat drive is such an incredibly important program – our community needs it.” Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington
As in years past, United Way KFL&A ran three major donation drives in 2022 – Tampon Tuesday, the Backpack Program and Coats for Community. Each of these drives work to provide items that are often costly for community members and are in high demand at shelters, meal programs and other social service programs. Agencies in the community distribute these items after each drive to community members in need.
Thanks to your support:
Portable OutReach Care Hub (PORCH)
“Many of the individuals accessing care through PORCH don’t have a family doctor or healthcare anywhere so it is vital for them to be seen and build that relationship. A lot of clients and marginalized individuals don’t trust very easily and it can be difficult and slow to build relationships, but once it is built it is beautiful to see who they are and be able to help them. There are so many barriers for these individuals and it is great to be able to remove some of them.” Community Liaison, Kingston Community Health Centre and PORCH
In July of 2022, United Way KFL&A and Kingston Community Health Centres announced the launch of the new Portable OutReach Care Hub (PORCH). The retrofitted mobile Recreational Vehicle (RV) seeks to provide mobile health and social service supports for vulnerable individuals in the community seeking wellness services. Since them many individuals have received support from PORCH and the project continues to look for locations and areas to expand services and continue supporting vulnerable community members where they are. You can learn more by watching this video.
A Great Start for Families: Kahwà:tsire Ronwatiyenawá:se Centre
“The Kahwà:tsire Ronwatiyenawá:se Centre places an importance on inclusivity, creating culturally safe spaces and the development of sustainable wholistic Indigenous-led programs and services for the region. This project will directly provide Indigenous Peoples access to cultural services and Indigenous supports that are integral to their wellbeing.” Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team member
In October of 2022, a much needed community support service centre opened. Designed from the community’s request, this initiative is a collaborative pilot initiative between United Way KFL&A, City of Kingston, and Family and Children’s Services, focusing on prevention and transformation of the child welfare system, wrapping support and services around families with young children (0-6).
A Great Start for Families – Kahwà:tsire Ronwatiyenawá:se Centre is now a one-stop space to receive a wide range of supports, giving families with young children access to a number of service providers in one location. The Mohawk name, which was created by Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest (KILN), is particularly important to the Centre, as it recognizes the over-representation of Indigenous children receiving residential support through child welfare.
The space continues to grow and expand and change as feedback from the community is given and United Way is proud to be a part of this much needed collaborative service hub.
Charity Intelligence Top 100 Charity of 2022
“United Way KFL&A is honoured to be recognized by Charity Intelligence in this way and by making the top 100 list again,” said Patrick Legresley, Treasurer, Board of Directors of United Way KFL&A. “This achievement reflects the commitment of the board, staff and volunteers to be transparent and accountable to the community and donors in KFL&A. Thank you to Charity Intelligence for this recognition.”
In October of 2022, United Way KFL&A was excited to announce that it had once again made the Top 100 Charities in Canada List for 2022 according to rankings from Charity Intelligence, a position held for the past four years.
“These are charities we have analysed and vetted so you can give with greater confidence. Out of all of Canada’s largest charities, these Top 100 highest-rated charities are the elite,” says the organization.
In addition to making the list, United Way KFL&A received a five-star ranking, an A- in results reporting and a checkmark + rating in financial transparency.
THANK YOU!!
Thank you for making these initiatives possible, for changing lives and for making a difference in the lives of your friends, family and neighbours through the United Way.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like more information or just want to chat – I can be reached at 613-929-4828 or by email bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
Take care and stay safe.
Bhavana
