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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Appreciation Week recognizes hard work of frontline non-profit workers 
First ever Non-profit Appreciation Week celebrates 58,000 Ontario’s non-profits and 850,000 dedicated workers

Kingston, ON (Feb 14, 2022) – United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is excited to participate and help celebrate frontline workers during the first ever Non-profit Appreciation Week in Ontario from February 14 – 20, 2022.

This new recognition of Ontario’s nonprofit sector and its nearly 850,000 workers is based on legislation to recognize nonprofit workers and organizations by the Government of Ontario, Bill 9, Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week, 2021 and was championed by MPP Daisy Wai and the Bhayana Family Foundation.

The week celebrates the vital role nonprofits and workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities across Ontario, especially over the past two years during the pandemic.

“In KFL&A our community agencies, staff and volunteers in the non-profit sector have continued essential services throughout the pandemic – and in many cases increased services due to demand – everything from seniors support, meal programs, shelters, mental health supports and so much more to help those most impacted by COVID-19,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “Like all of us, agencies are facing fatigue, working hard to ensure they can continue to serve residents.  They need our support and appreciation, and that is what this week is all about.”

In Ontario, 58,000 nonprofits help to create healthy and thriving communities, with nearly 850,000 nonprofit workers dedicated to serve, connect, and support residents in communities like KFL&A.

According to Raksha M. Bhayana, CEO of the Bhayana Family Foundation, “The staff of non-profits are extraordinary. They are deeply caring, guided by a mission to enhance the quality of life of individuals and communities. Staff in the sector are driven by the best parts of the soul and a passion for social impact. Bill 9 ensures that the sector is honoured for its economic and social contribution to society – making the invisible champions visible.”

United Way KFL&A hopes that community members will take some time during this week to recognize the important work being done each and every day by these agencies and workers. Spread the message on social media using #NonprofitAppreciationWeek.

“Thank you to the Bhayana Family Foundation, MPP Wai and the Province for bringing recognition to this important sector,” added Varma. “As always, I am sure our community will step up to continue supporting and showing their appreciation for these much-needed services this week and beyond.”

For more information about Non-profit Appreciation Week visit https://bhayanafoundation.org/take-action/ and for more information on Ontario’s non-profit sector, visit https://theonn.ca/about-the-sector/

About United Way KFLA
United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington works closely with the community to ensure that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. This vision is realized by building on deep-rooted local community knowledge and relationships to empower people to make an impact.

Led by volunteers, driven by a small professional staff team, the United Way KFL&A provides inspiring opportunities for people to get involved and support issues they care about through volunteering, giving and being advocates for people who are in vulnerable situations.

Stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and look for regular updates on our website at www.unitedwaykfla.ca

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Media Contact:
Mandy Pasch, Director, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca

 

 

Your Impact Newsletter - January 2022

In this month’s update you can read more about how United Way is working with the City of Kingston, Public Health and agency partners through the Kingston Response Group and how United Way is bringing agencies and individuals together to tackle issues like homelessness through the Homelessness Collective Impact Committee (HCIC) – to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community are looked after through this latest wave of the pandemic and winter.

211

211 is Canada’s primary source of information for government and community-based health and social services. The free and confidential service can be accessed 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages, by phone, chat, text, and web.

Volunteer Centre

The United Way Volunteer Centre matches local not-for-profit organizations with volunteers who lend their skills and expertise to local organizations.

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"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jim Parker
"With our United Way funding, we go right to the grocery store or a local supplier and purchase the food that helps a student take advantage of everything school has to offer. You can be confident that your donation to the United Way stays here, in KFL&A and supports students in our community"
Brenda MooreFood Sharing Project
“United Way came in and adopted us and things changed dramatically, we didn’t have people waiting on the step for a bed in the winter. They stay as long as they need to and we help them get into transitional housing. We provide them with structure and help them. Because of United Way we get to help raise these children and I feel honoured and so proud to know them.”
Denise LambKingston Youth Shelter
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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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