Event Date: Thursday, August 10, 2017 | 10-11am
Event Location: Culver City Room, Lethbridge City Hall
United Way’s 75th year is coming to a close and there is a level of excitement and accomplishment as the organization prepares to announce new Funded Partner Agencies for the 2017-2018 year.
On Thursday, August 10, in the Culver City Room at Lethbridge City Hall, United Way will host a celebration to showcase the United Way-funded programs that will have a positive impact on the lives of people and families in Lethbridge and South Western Alberta over the next year.
“This kind of event has not been held in the last five or more years,” said United Way Executive Director Trudy Carrels. “We made some very big changes in one year with a lot of hard work. The goal is to be able to fulfil more funding requests and help more people. I’m proud to say that we’ve done that.”
Due to strict budget controls, and an increase in campaign engagement, United Way has committed to distributing an extra $75,000 over last year. Carrels said the increase will go a long way towards helping people and families.
“We need to focus on making sure organizations have the funds they need to run programs efficiently. When they don’t have to worry about where they’re going to find that money, they can better serve the parents, babies, children, youth adults and seniors who rely on them.”
Collectively, programs funded by United Way impact the lives of over 20,000 people in Lethbridge and South Western Alberta each year.
Dave Lawson, Executive Director at Inclusion Lethbridge said United Way funding is an important part of helping to support over 200 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in creating inclusive lives each year.
“Our organization doesn’t receive sustaining government funding to carry out our work. This is why United Way funds for our Community Navigator program are needed,” he said. “The program helps people with developmental disabilities navigate and understand community and government services. We help them find new ways to make friends, find jobs and be included in the community. This benefits the individual of course, but as importantly, it benefits our community.”
Carrels also said that showcasing organizations and programs is an awareness piece on the path to partnering towards collaborative efforts, which United Way has been championing since earlier this year.
“We had our first Round Table session back in March where leaders from about 25 different organizations across South Western Alberta attended. We focused on key issues and looked at possibilities for working collaboratively and proactively to bring positive change.”
“The more knowledge we have about services that are available, the better equipped we are to make referrals and help people find the help they need. These are steps to building stronger communities for us all.”
On August 10, United Way will welcome 19 Funded Partner Agencies for the 2017-2018 year, an increase of three agencies from the previous year. Donors, companies, volunteers and members of the public are welcome to attend. Online RSVP’s will be open until August 8.