60 years of impact - United Way / Centraide Windsor Essex County

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6 2007 Annual Report 60 Years of Impact 1970s 1970s Began work in neighbourhoods with citizens groups to meet needs and change social conditions. In collaboration with local citizens, established community service hubs in Amherstburg, Belle River and Town of Essex 1973 Chrysler Canada, Ford Motor Company, General Motors of Canada and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd., Windsor’s largest employers, came together to share the role of lead company on a rotating basis for the United Way Annual Campaign. 1977 A study of the transportation needs of persons with physical disabilities led to the implementation of Handi- Transit which is still providing transit today. 1977 In partnership with Windsor and District Labour Council, introduced the Charles Brooks Award which is now presented on an annual basis in recognition of a trade unionist for outstanding contribution in voluntary service to the community. Impact 2007 Unemployment – A Community’s Response In response to the record levels of unemployment in Windsor-Essex in 2007, United Way, in partnership with the City of Windsor and the County of Essex, brought agencies and service providers together to identify the services available to people effected by changes in our economy, the gaps in services, and the steps necessary to close the gaps. Agencies identified that many of the services are overburdened with demand. Additionally, there are a number of gaps in those services and there is need for increased coordination and awareness about what is available. A report summarizing the findings entitled It takes a Community outlined more than one hundred gaps and issues, as identified by participants along with recommendations. The report is available on the United Way’s web site at www.weareunited.com It takes a Community provides a solid foundation of data, knowledge and insight, but the message from participants at the forum was clear: all stakeholders—including employers, government, and service providers—need to work together to meet the needs of the unemployed person in our community. A single source of access to information on services was identified as a serious gap. In response, United Way developed a directory of supports and services available in Windsor and Essex County for people affected by unemployment and underemployment. The directory is also available on-line (www.weareunited.com) and lists available services under four broad categories, employment / career supports, education / training supports, financial supports and community supports. An employment Action Committee was created as a result of this Forum. The Charities File Project The number one reason charities lose their charitable status is because they do not file their annual return. In order to address this locally, United Way partnered with Canada Revenue Agency through the Canadian Federation of Voluntary Networks and the Center for Voluntary Sector Research and Development to deliver The Charities File Workshops, which included Ten Practices for Managing Your Charitable Status and Training and Resources to Complete the T3010A. Participants, including staff and Directors of local charities, benefited from the opportunity to learn about good practices in related governance, operations and reporting. Earlier in 2007 United Way participated in the National Review Committee for this initiative and had the opportunity to pilot the new workshop in November. Participants reported an increase in awareness about their roles as staff or governance volunteers, as well as increased capacity to meet the obligations of charitable status. Labour Programs & Services – Union Counselling Program In 1974 Windsor and Essex County faced difficult times. 4,000 layoffs in the auto sector made it obvious that many people were going to need help and it made sense to provide that help in the workplace. The partnership with labour is based on the shared belief in the importance of having a strong and caring community. We work together to raise dollars for important community programs but also to provide programs to workers including the Union Counselling Training Program. The Union Counselling Training Program was introduced with a goal of connecting workers and their families with community resources. This program continues today, and each year workplace volunteers are trained.
Impact 2007 Leadership Windsor/ Essex Advisory Committee Lindsay Boyd A. Lewis Campbell Warren Chant Pearl Davies Michael Duben Mitch Fields Mary Jean Gallagher Sheila Geddes Amanda Gellman Brian Gregg Jim Grundy Craig Hilton Carolyn Miljan Bob Renaud Diane Soucie Kathleen Thomas Gianluigi Urso Adrian Vido Don Willson Sheila Wisdom Jim Yanchula The training goal is three-pronged: ◆ developing communication and helping skills ◆ understanding the services available in the community ◆ providing information on a variety of issues that people deal with, such as addictions, bereavement, suicide and stress. In Windsor we have worked with a National Committee to develop advanced curriculum and we are now ready to pilot a Level 2 Union Counselling Training Program. United Way joins with a variety of community partners with the similar goal of assisting people in the workplace such as the Windsor and District Employee Assistance Program Council and the Health Action Workplace Committee. In 2007 United Way developed a day long training program for Peer Counsellors working in Adjustment Centres. Over fifty Adjustment Peer Counsellors received training on how to find services relevant to people and their families in transition due to job loss. An emphasis is placed on not only services to assist with job related issues but also to understand some of the other issues that may surface and services available in our community. Growing Up and Growing Ready – ABC Literacy In 2007, United Way, the City of Windsor Children’s Services, and the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Education partnered on a unique pilot project. The After School Building Character and Literacy (ABC Literacy) Project is a cutting edge approach to addressing a root cause of socioeconomic problems in Windsor-Essex. The Project teaches kids problem solving skills while increasing their literacy levels. After school daycare providers were trained in both literacy curriculum and “Tribes” — a community building approach for working with kids. The Project is currently in a pilot phase with seven after school childcare sites throughout the region participating. Evaluation results tracking both increases in literacy and improvements in daycare environments will provide the foundation for demonstrating the project’s effectiveness. ABC Literacy is made possible thanks to the generous gift of $10,000 from Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone P.L.C. ‘Tis the Season - Holiday Sharing Guide The Holiday Sharing Guide lists gift and toy drives, food drives, community holiday meals and food basket programs. It is a resource for families and individuals in need, and is also used by organizations that serve people in need. Additionally, many workplaces and individuals in Windsor and Essex County use the guide to organize their own caring and sharing projects. In 2007, United Way / Centraide Windsor-Essex County assumed responsibility for producing the “Annual Community Holiday Sharing Guide” It’s About Leadership – Leadership Windsor Essex In 2001, United Way was the catalyst for the launch of Leadership-Windsor-Essex. Each year since 2001, individuals from the public, private and not-for-profit organizations sector have taken part in a 10 month training program designed to promote and encourage outstanding community leadership by developing the leadership capabilities of citizens who care about the community – those who understand its strengths and weaknesses and who are willing to make a personal investment to improve a community’s quality of life. The program enjoys broad support from business and public sector organizations. As of the end of 2007 there are 138 graduates. 7 United Way – 60 Years of Impact
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60 years of impact - United Way / Centraide Windsor Essex County

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