About United Way

The COVID-19 emergency is having a profound impact on the lives of all Canadians and we in Durham see and feel the impacts every day. What began as a medical crisis/emergency very rapidly morphed into an economic crisis and what is needed to mitigate the impacts on all of us, is a broad and robust community response. Donor dollars are, and will be, scarce. At the very time that social service supports will be leaned on more heavily than perhaps at any time since the Great Depression many charities and agencies themselves are facing shortfalls and challenges.

The United Way is uniquely positioned to work with our existing agency, program and community partners to help diminish overlap and duplication and to address the areas of greatest need. We are equipped to do so with great agility and provide for rapid deployment of those dollars we have at our disposal.

Our priority is to help those least advantaged.

Fund focus:

Basic needs – access to life’s essentials, such as food, cleaners and hygiene products, or other resources essential to helping the most vulnerable stay healthy

Help for Seniors – to support those who are already vulnerable as they are isolated. Funds raised will support activities such as virtual programming, telephone check- ins, low risk engagement activities, transportation and basic needs product delivery for those who are self-isolating.

Capacity for community services – so that community partners can continue their vital local work. From 211 to food banks and to shelters (to name a few) funds raised will help those organizations maintain services. Funds will also be used to scale up the most important services and programs needed to support a larger or expanded population of need. This includes support for those precariously housed, or suffering from hunger and other vulnerable populations.

Mental Health Support – enabling crisis lines and system navigation services that benefit us all. Funds raised will help these vital programs meet the growing needs for mental health and crisis supports and scale up as needed during this crisis.

Support for Volunteers – There are amazing people rallying to support others – they need our help too. Our funds raised will be used to support the engagement and deployment of volunteers where they are most needed and where other sources of funding may not be available.