2023 Tools for School Campaign Launches

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Back to school time is always exciting, especially when you have everything you need for learning! But not everyone has that opportunity. United Way Central Alberta and the Outreach Centre present Tools for School, which aims to reduce one known barrier preventing children and youth from successful learning and participation in school. Annually, Tools for School provides backpacks and school supplies to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 whose families have limited resources. While the school supplies included may not exactly match your school’s supply list, they’re a great start.  Through support of community donors and corporate sponsors, we continue to meet the needs of children and youth in our community.

Help Tools for School be a catalyst to bring together education, public and corporate sectors.

Learn how you can help
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Workplace Spotlight

Sanjel staff were up to the challenge!

Sanjel Energy Services Red Deer recently challenged their employees to some friendly competition, encouraging each team to collect the most school supplies.

Not only was this a great team engagement initiative but Sanjel Energy Services was gracious enough to match their employee giving, doubling their impact right here in Central Alberta.

Their generosity led to 73 fully stuffed backpacks for us to provide to families who have limited resources.

Are you up to the challenge?!

Multi-Year Funding Announcement

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United Way Central Alberta Announces Multi-Year Funding to Support 15 Programs Across Central Alberta

Red Deer/June 30, 2023 – United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) is pleased to announce the allocation of $517,500 in multi-year funding to 15 programs across Central Alberta. This funding is part of UWCA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening vital connections that support individuals in need and creating thriving communities where everyone can reach their potential.

UWCA’s updated vision, mission statement, Strategic Plan and Community Impact (CI) Strategy have played significant roles in determining the programs to be supported. In alignment with these new guidelines, UWCA has made strategic adjustments to ensure that the funded programs are better aligned with their vision and mission.

These allocations include an increased commitment to Indigenous-led programming. 23% of the total funding has been directed towards supporting initiatives that specifically address the needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities. This represents a significant increase from 7% in the previous round of funding.

“We are thrilled to provide substantial support to programs that are making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in Central Alberta,” said Chelsea O’Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer at United Way Central Alberta. “By increasing our percentage of investment in Indigenous-led programming, we are taking steps towards our commitment to reconciliation & diversity, equity and inclusion while working towards creating thriving communities where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.”

Below is a comprehensive list of the 15 programs that will benefit from this round of three-year funding. Each program has undergone a rigorous review process and cover a wide range of needs, including education, mental health, poverty alleviation, and community development.

United Way Central Alberta would like to extend its gratitude to the community partners, donors, and volunteers who have generously contributed to making this funding allocation possible. Their continued support plays a vital role in enabling United Way Central Alberta to fulfill its mission of strengthening connections and fostering thriving communities.

 

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe & District: Lacombe and District Mentoring Program
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer and District: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer and District (BBBSRD)
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Olds and Area: Boys and Girls Club Olds and Area Youth Programming
  • Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer & District: BGC Clearwater Out of School Programming
  • Catholic Social Services: Family Counselling
  • Central Alberta’s Safe Harbour Society of Health and Housing: Many Healing Blankets
  • Family Services of Central Alberta: Counselling Services
  • Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society: The Den – Sundre Youth Centre
  • Ponoka Youth Centre: Boys and Girls Club of Wolf Creek Youth Impact Program
  • Red Deer Meals on Wheels: Red Deer Meals on Wheels
  • Shalom Counselling Centre of Alberta: Healthier Families and Individuals Subsidized Counselling
  • Shining Mountains Community Living Services: Counselling Reconciliation through Wellness
  • Town of Drumheller/Drumheller Valley FCSS: Drumheller Youth Programs
  • Town of Drumheller/Drumheller Valley FCSS: Drumheller Home Support Program for older adults – Rural
  • Turning Point Society of Central Alberta: Rural Outreach Program

GenNext Summer Care Kit Drive 2023

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United Way of Central Alberta’s GenNext group is collecting donations to build Summer Care Kits filled with essentials to be provided to people in need across Central Alberta via our partner agencies.  The Summer Care Kit Donation Drive helps raise awareness around community needs throughout Central Alberta while also providing basic needs to local populations.  Thanks to our community partner, Canadian Tire Gas +, we will be hosting a drive thru donation event to help make it easier for you to support your community. Drive thru, drop your donations and say hi to our next generation of community leaders.

Do you have a local business that would like to become one of our proud Donation Drive Drop Locations? Please email fonda@caunitedway.ca for more information. The more local businesses we have participating, the more people we can help!

Proud Donation Drop Locations:

Our GenNext crew want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of those who stopped by with donations, Zed 98.9 Red Deer & Real Country 95.5 for helping get the word out, Canadian Tire Gas+ for hosting us!!!!  We had the privelge of surprising our friends over at Turning Point Society with all the summer essentials collected.  Not only did we get to provide hot ticket items but your monetary contributions allowed us to give over $100 in gift cards for clients.

Campaign Celebration Event presented by Eagle Builders

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On March 6, 2023 community leaders, donors and volunteers gathered to celebrate the 2022 United Way campaign as well as the support, generosity and spirit that makes United Way so important in our community.

2022 was a year of transition for United Way Central Alberta (UWCA). In addition to its traditional fundraising campaign, outreach and community collaboration, UWCA undertook a complete update of its Strategic Plan and Community Impact Strategy to best position itself to improve lives in the region in the next three years of post-pandemic recovery.

These updates ensure United Way Central Alberta can best deliver on our new vision of creating thriving communities where everyone can reach their potential and our new mission of strengthening vital connections that support people in need across our communities.

Despite an extremely challenging economic environment, over $1,608,000 was raised locally over the past year through workplace campaigns and individual donations. These funds will provide much needed resources to our local social sector.

United Way Central Alberta is also delivering $997,000 into the hands of non-profits and charities across our region as part of the federal government Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF).  Applications are currently under review with the funds being delivered to non-profits in our region in July of this year.

Through CSRF applications, UWCA had just under $1 million to give to our region but fielded $2.5 million in requests. That discrepancy between requests and money to deliver speaks to the need in our community.

With multi year community grant applications opening on March 13, 2023, we know we will have more requests than what we have to give.  We see the need and challenges faced by our social sector first hand and they are not taken lightly.  Every effort is being made to ensure that as many dollars as possible will be invested directly into our community and our new Community Impact strategy will ensure we make the greatest impact in the areas of the greatest need.

Our utmost thanks goes out to every workplace, business, or person who donated to United Way this past year.  The impact we have in our region is only possible because of you and all of the hard work and passion you dedicate to United Way.

We are also extremely grateful for our volunteers who make our work possible.  This includes our Campaign Cabinet, Community Impact Council, Board of Directors, DEI Committee, GenNext and our Scotch Committee.  Thank you to each and everyone one of you for choosing to share your time and talent with us.

We hold such appreciation for our United Way Client Ambassadors.  They are some of our bravest and most helpful champions.  United Way funds programs delivered by local agencies.  Our Client Ambassadors are people who have been personally impacted by these programs, and throughout campaign and the whole year, these folks help connect donors to the impact of their dollars.  They share their stories to let people know how the programs, that receive your donations, have helped them and made their lives better.

The evening program also included presenting our 2022 United Way Central Alberta campaign awards.   These awards celebrate the support, generosity and spirit that makes United Way so important in our community. Congratulations to all of our nominees and winners!  We are so thankful for all that you do.

2022 United Way Campaign Award Winners

Award of Excellence

These awards are presented to the 2022 workplace campaigns that raised the most dollars for United Way Central Alberta.

  1. NOVA Chemicals – Joffre
  2. MEGlobal – Prentiss
  3. INEOS Canada Partnership – Joffre

Innovation Award

This award is presented to the organization who used new and innovated ideas to generate big payoffs for the United Way and building a stronger community together.

Winner:  Dow Canada – Prentiss Site

Rising Star Award

This award is presented to the workplace campaign that generated significant increase in donors and dollars over the previous year.

Winner:   INEOS Canada Partnership – Joffre

Outstanding Employee Campaign Chair Award

This award is presented to the ECC that showed innovation, teamwork, and enthusiasm in the promotion and executing of their workplace campaign – achieving stronger than expected results in the workplace.

Winner:  Kayle Yonkman | MEGlobal – Prentiss

Local Love Award

This award is presented to a local organization that demonstrated excellence in the execution of their workplace campaign and support of United Way.

Winner:            Scott Builders Inc.

Education and Engagement Award

This award is presented to the organization or community initiative that increased awareness of community needs and the mission of United Way and the impact donations have on our community.

Winner:            NOVA Chemicals – Joffre

Funded Partnership Award

This award is presented to the United Way Funded Partner that has shown outstanding partnership and collaboration throughout the past year.

Winner:           COSMOS Red Deer

Everyday Hero Award

This award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated excellence in engaging their customers with the impact of United Way and the work of improving local lives.

Winner:            Central Alberta Co-op Ltd.

Community Builder Award

This award recognizes a business that takes action all year round to show their local love to make a positive impact in their community.

Winner:           MNP LLP

Video by Jess Andrykew, TBC Media

Sockey Day in Red Deer 2023

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We would like to thank everyone for your support in United Way of Central Alberta’s Sockey Day in Red Deer, we were honored to spend Family Day with all of you!  This year was another great success in not only raising funds for United Way’s annual campaign but also for creating awareness around community needs throughout Central Alberta while providing a basic need to local populations.  Your support helped us raise over $1,100 this year and more than 1500 pairs of socks were collected to be distributed to local partner agencies.

Thanks again to the Red Deer Rebels for being such great hosts, all our community partners, sock drop locations, volunteers and those who brought sock donations to the game.  United we are stronger!

Proud Sock Drop Locations:

Thank you to our Community Partners who help make this event possible!

 

 

United Way Central Alberta takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in charities and non-profits

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Now more than ever, Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies) are playing a key role in addressing persistent and 7 complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.

United Way Central Alberta is proud to be delivering the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Organizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Applications are now open, and non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and charities must apply by February 21, 2023 at 5:00pm PT. Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply and explore resources for applicants.

Apply Now

United Way of the Alberta Capital Region participe au Fonds de relance des services communautaires, un investissement de 400 millions de dollars dans les organismes de bienfaisance et les organismes à but non lucratif

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Plus que jamais, les organismes de bienfaisance, les organismes sans but lucratif et les corps dirigeants autochtones jouent un rôle de premier plan pour offrir des solutions aux problèmes sociaux persistants et complexes qui affectent les Canadiens et Canadiennes. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires est un investissement de 400 millions de dollars du gouvernement du Canada pour aider ces organismes à s’adapter dans un contexte de relance post-pandémique.

United Way Central Alberta est fière d’administrer le Fonds de relance des services communautaires. Le Fonds est une collaboration entre Centraide United Way Canada, la Croix-Rouge canadienne et Fondations communautaires du 8 Canada pour fournir du financement aux organismes communautaires, incluant les organismes sans but lucratif, les corps dirigeants autochtones et les organismes de bienfaisance enregistrés situés au Canada. Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires est une réponse aux besoins actuels des organismes de bienfaisance et organismes sans but lucratif et les aidera à s’adapter aux effets à long terme de la pandémie.

Les organismes communautaires peuvent désormais soumettre leur demande; la date limite d’admission est le 21 février 2023 à 17 :00 HP. Visitez www.fondsderelancedesservicescommunautaires.ca pour savoir explorer toutes nos ressources et savoir comment préparer et présenter une demande.

Appliquer Maintenant

New Strategic Plan & Community Impact Strategy That Will Guide Us On Our Path Towards Recovery

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United Way of Central Alberta  (UWCA) is working to create communities where everyone has the resources, opportunities and support they need to thrive.  As we continue the work of designing a new way forward into a period of recovery, our intention is to place equity at the centre of how we collaborate to improve lives.  Learn more about the new Strategic Plan & Community Impact Strategy that will guide us on our path towards recovery.

2023-2025 Community Impact Strategy

For more resources & information regarding our new Community Impact Strategy including Eligibility & Guidance to Non-Qualified Donees visit our Funding Opportunities Page.

Learn More

 

11th Annual Scotch Classic Event Recap

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On Thursday, November 17, 2022 the United Way of Central Alberta hosted their 11th Annual Scotch Classic. Over the eleven years, this event has grown into one of Central Alberta’s premier networking events and the only scotch/whisky tasting event in our region. “This event is genuinely unique. We focus on quality scotch to provide true […]

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United Way Central Alberta takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in charities and non-profits

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Now more than ever, charities and non-profits are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profits as they build resilience by making investments in their people, organizations, and program innovation. United Way Central Alberta is proud to be taking part in the Community Services Recovery Fund, a collaboration between United Way Centraide Canada, Canadian Red Cross, and Community Foundations of Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and Registered Charities located across Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what charities and nonprofits need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Service Organizations can apply from January 6, 2023 until February 21, 2023.

Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants, and sign up for upcoming webinars.

 

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Unit 100, 4828 53 Street
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 2E8

phone: 1-403-343-3900
email: info@caunitedway.ca

Charitable BN: 11927 8364 RR0001

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