Our Impact
Every day we do our best to be innovative, nimble and responsive to the needs in our communities and interests of our donors.
To tackle the toughest problems our communities face, we must first untangle the challenges and truly understand what’s before us. We then draw the right people to the table to address it, advocate for change, and fundraise for support.
Together we then invest our available resources in smart, strategic ways, to ultimately—move the needle. This is the power of United Way.
Our annual report is a testament to not only the incredible generosity of our donors, the strength of our partnerships and collaborations, the talent and dedication of our team, but also our collective impact.
How we do it
United Way mobilizes the power of caring communities to address the most complex social issues, 365 days per year. But, we don’t do it alone.
By bringing people from different organizations together to solve problems—from businesses, non-profits, governments, and more—we can have an even bigger impact and make our communities measurably better.
WE ADVOCATE
We speak up and advocate for action on issues that directly impact our community—especially for the most vulnerable, whose voices often go unheard.
WE RESEARCH
We use rigorous data analysis and evidence to inform our decisions and understand the diverse challenges our neighbourhoods face.
WE CONVENE
We have the connections and trust within our community to bring together the right people and organizations across all sectors to conquer complex challenges.
WE INVEST
Our expert volunteers evaluate and make recommendations to fund programs, collaborations and initiatives that create measurable, lasting change.
WE FUNDRAISE
Whether through fundraising, leveraging grants or securing other resources, United Way seeks to attract support where it is needed most for the thousands who depend on us.
Our focus areas
United Way East Ontario creates lasting social change through three focus areas:
All That Kids
Can Be
From Poverty to Possibility
Healthy People, Strong Communities
Our outcomes
For a community to be great, it must be great for everyone.
We work with local agency partners, multiple levels of government, people with lived experiences, and thousands of donors to change lives across our region. Through research, consultation and analysis, we identify where our communities need help the most and where our investments will show the greatest results.
United Way is uniquely positioned to deliver on these 18 outcomes:
All That Kids Can Be
- Children are ready to learn
- Children and youth are engaged and active
- Children and youth are successful in school
- Children and youth have access to mental health and addiction supports
- Children and youth in crisis have access to immediate supports
- Children and youth experiencing homelessness receive supports
- Children and youth are resilient
- Children and youth have improved mental health
From Poverty To Possibility
- Newcomers are engaged in the labour market
- People with disabilities are engaged in the labour market
- People in financial crisis receive supports
- Youth are supported in their transition to employment
- Rural residents seeking employment have access to literacy training and skills development (Lanark County only – new this year (2022))
Healthy people, strong communities
- Agencies and coalitions have the capacity to meet community needs
- Adults have access to mental health and addiction supports
- Seniors have improved wellbeing and are less isolated
- Communities and neighbourhoods achieve positive change
- Adults in crisis have access to immediate supports
Community-wide Initiatives
United Way East Ontario brings people together to solve social issues and improve local lives. This work would be impossible without the support of local agencies, corporations, community leaders, and government. When you contribute to or participate in community-wide programs and long-term planning initiatives, you are part of creating lasting social change.
Employment Accessibility Resource Network
Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN) brings together employers, service providers and other stakeholders to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and to promote inclusive and accessible workplaces.
Hire Immigrants Ottawa
Hire Immigrants Ottawa (HIO) brings together employers, immigrant agencies and stakeholders to enhance employers’ ability to access the talents of skilled immigrants in the Ottawa area.
project step
project step is an award-winning drug and substance abuse initiative, which ensures local youth have access to counselling, support, addiction education, and prevention programming.
United for All
Coming together to address the issues of hate, violence and extremism in our community.
Building community wealth
United Way brings together people and organizations from different sectors, industries, businesses, governments, and social services to break down barriers for people who are left behind by existing economic systems, using the tools of community wealth building.
Indigenous Employment Leadership Advisory Table
The Indigenous Employment Advisory Leadership Table (IELAT), in collaboration with the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment service providers, employers, post-secondaries and other key stakeholders to create more culturally inclusive workplaces for Indigenous Peoples.
Helping the most vulnerable press on through COVID-19
Early in the pandemic, we knew there would be people who could not weather the effects of COVID-19 as well as others.
Issues we tackle year-round like poverty, homelessness, social isolation, and mental health are not new, but COVID-19 made them much worse.
Working closely with frontline agencies, all levels of government, and other partners, we identified the greatest needs presented by the pandemic, and organized to achieve the greatest impact.
Join us and make our communities great.
I want to…
help people in crisis.
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support newcomers.
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I want to...
celebrate diversity.
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fuel inclusion.
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I want to…
end hate and violence.
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make sure every kid graduates.
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end youth homelessness.
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show my local love.
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help seniors thrive.
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