The largest non-government funder of social services in London and Middlesex County, United Way creates real, lasting change to improve the quality of life in our communities. United Way identifies and understands the root causes of social issues; brings together research, experts and resources; initiates and invests in the most needed and proven programs; and develops leaders and skills to strengthen the non-profit sector.
When able, United Way provides strategic funding to projects outside of our regular, annual funding of community services that aim to address new and emerging issues. For more information contact Kelly McManus.
Carrying out important services that help fulfill United Way's mission, these are the organizations and services receiving United Way funding for 2010/11 as announced on February 27, 2011 :
Across Languages
515 Richmond Street, Unit 3, London, ON N6A 5N4
519-642-7247
Across Languages Translation and Interpretation Service exists to eliminate language barriers to communication between people of diverse languages and cultures. It strives to ensure that communication across language barriers is effective, giving all people equal opportunity to access and participate in societal processes, services and institutions. United Way supports Across Languages' Community Interpreter Access Program. This program provides interpretation services to low-income, at-risk non-English speaking immigrants and refugees for health, legal, education and social services from professionals and agencies who cannot or will not provide or pay for trained, impartial, ethical interpreters. Often, these are situations which involve significant risk to the health, income or legal status of the non-English speaker.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area
406 Oxford Street East, London, ON N5Y 3H4
519-438-7065
United Way provides funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area which is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the self-esteem and enrich the lives of children and youth through multi-faceted mentoring programs. Newly integrated, the organization will match a child with an adult volunteer in the belief that an opportunity for friendship, communication, moral support and new experiences will engender in a child a sense of well-being, of personal and social responsibility and healthy maturity.
Boys' and Girls' Club of London
184 Horton Street, London, ON N6B 1K8
519-434-9114
United Way provides funding to the Boys' & Girls' Club of London, a non-profit recreational facility that provides activities for children whenever school is out. Services are planned to provide fun with a purpose, offering recreation, social interaction and educational programs to build confidence, independence, self-esteem and self-respect for individuals and families in need. The Club deals directly with the disadvantaged youth of our community and gives children and teens of all abilities a place where they can learn and play away from the worries of the street.
Canadian Hearing Society
181 Wellington Street, London, ON N6B 2K9
519-667-3325
The Canadian Hearing Society envisions a society where people are respected, have full access to communication and are able to participate without social, economic or emotional barriers. United Way provides funding to two of the Society's program areas: Hearing Care Counselling Program and Community Education and Advocacy. These programs help individuals who are deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing to carry out daily activities independently and with reduced communication barriers and increase their social, health and employment accessibility through community education and advocacy.
Canadian Mental Health Association
648 Huron Street, London, ON N5Y 4J8
519-434-9191
The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a range of services that promote emotional and mental well-being. United Way funds the Mental Health Education and Promotion program. This program includes education and information on all aspects of mental health and mental illness including a resource library; presentations and workshops on topics such as suicide intervention, bereavement training, stress management, understanding mental illness and depression in the workplace; support to family and friends who are providing support to people with mental illnesses and to individuals grieving the death of a loved one to suicide; a self-help resource centre and other supports to help community members or groups with their own events and initiatives on mental health.
Changing Ways
825 Bradley Avenue, London, ON N6E 3C2
519-438-9869
Changing Ways helps men to eliminate their abusive and violent behaviour in their primary and intimate relationships. United Way funding allows men who are seeking help voluntarily (i.e. non-mandated) to access research-based programs that provide counselling to men who have been or have the potential to become abusive. Changing Ways tries to stop the cycle of abuse by teaching men to replace their abusive behaviours with values and skills that help them cope without threatening others. United Way supported the development of Changing Ways' Caring Dads program - now an internationally recognized and replicated model.
CNIB
749 Baseline Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6
519-685-8420
CNIB provides the services and support necessary for people to enjoy a good quality of life while living with vision loss. United Way funding assists with the costs of providing rehabilitation training, counselling, daily living and communication skills, access to Braille, talking books and free information and speakers. In addition, United Way funding supports services for deaf-blind clients and the early intervention program for pre-school aged children who are blind or visually impaired.
Community Living London
190 Adelaide Street South, London, ON N5Z 3L1
519-686-3000
Community Living London supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. United Way provides funding to three program areas: Volunteer Services provides recruitment, training and appreciation, as well as the opportunity for volunteers to contribute to one-to-one friends (like the popular Best Buddies program); Inclusive Camping offers high-needs children and youth a supported, safe summer camping experience; and Teach and Play Toy Lending Library provides specialized toys for developmentally challenged children to learn new skills in a family-oriented educational environment.
Community Schools Program/YMCA of Western Ontario
382 Waterloo Street, London, ON N6B 2N8
519-667-3306
United Way funding supports the Y's Community Schools Program, which is a literacy based programs for children and families. In partnership with the school boards, the child-focused program promotes literacy and physical activity and develops social skills in children and their families through a variety of before, during and after-school activities. Recognizing the challenges faced by many families, in particular newcomers and those with low-income, the program acts to reduce feelings of isolation, offer practical and educational support and target neighbourhoods with significant economic challenges.
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre
550 Hamilton Road, London, ON N5Z 1S4
519-642-7630
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre is a neighbourhood organization which brings people together to plan, develop and provide services that support and nurture the well-being of residents in the Hamilton Road community. United Way provides funding to support three program areas. Community Development Services encompasses dozens of projects to provide information, referrals and support to build the capacity of community members and the community as a whole. Youth Services includes programs to build self-esteem, leadership and career skills and healthy lifestyles and interactions. Community Outreach and Basic Needs Services provides emergency supports and outreach to low income residents and gives them the opportunity to be connected to further programs and services which will help them become healthier individuals and families. These include basic needs such as baby food and diaper bank, emergency food and clothing exchange, hamper and toy drive, THAW program and Health Access Vouchers.
Daya Counselling Centre (formerly London Interfaith Counselling Centre)
141 Dundas Street, 6th Floor, London, ON N6A 1G3
519-434-0077
Daya Counselling Centre helps people achieve their full potential by providing counselling and education programs that respect their human and spiritual nature. United Way funding provides subsidized counselling and support services to low-income individuals, couples and families, giving them the opportunity to receive quality, professional therapy not otherwise available to those with financial limitations.
Epilepsy Support Centre
234 Riverside Drive, London, ON N6H 1E6
519-433-4073
United Way provides funding to the Epilepsy Support Centre for its support and education and outreach programs for people living with epilepsy, their families, friends, schools, employers, health care providers and the community at large. The centre has monthly art sessions for children who have seizure disorders, along with their siblings and has designed a popular children’s camp that caters to the specific needs of children who have seizure disorders.
Family Service Thames Valley
125 Woodward Avenue, London, ON N6H 2H1
519-433-0183
United Way helps fund Family Service Thames Valley's Community Counselling Program which offers a wide range of one-to-one and group counselling and support services for individuals, couples and families. Counselling services offered include community outreach programs, a short-term counselling program and family life group counselling. The counselling programs offer support to women in abusive relationships, survivors of child abuse, and individuals, couples and families struggling with life problems.
Family Service Thames Valley/Muslim Family Support Service
United Way funding helps support the Muslim Family Support Service, a culturally sensitive outreach service to individuals and families from the Muslim community. The program, coordinated by Family Service Thames Valley and supported by a broad group of community partners, is designed to assist individuals, couples and families in the Muslim community in their efforts to resolve personal and interpersonal difficulties and to connect families to local support services.
Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre
150 King Edward Avenue, London, ON N5Z 3T4
519-668-2745
United Way provides funding to this neighbourhood-based, multi-service organization that serves the Glen Cairn/Pond Mills community of South East London. The Centre works with families and service partners to help address issues such as poverty, hunger, unemployment, family crisis and isolation. It offers a wide range of programs and services for individuals, families, children, youth and seniors. These programs include after school and weekend activities, tutoring and learning help, supportive counselling, baby food and diaper bank and much more.
Horton Street Seniors' Centre
184 Horton Street, London, ON N6B 1K8
519-434-9114
United Way provides funding to the Horton Street Seniors' Centre, a program located at the Boys' and Girls' Club. The centre offers a variety of recreational, social and health-related programs that contribute to the overall well-being of the seniors who attend including an increased feeling of independence, self-esteem and physical health. Given its location, the seniors have the opportunity to volunteer with the young members of the club, strengthening understanding of and relationships between generations.
Hospice of London
837 Talbot Street, London, ON N6A 2V7
519-438-2102
Hospice of London provides compassionate care and companionship to palliative and bereaved individuals and families. United Way funding helps Hospice to have professionally trained volunteers offer support and complementary therapies to individuals facing a life-threatening illness and to provide support to their loved ones.
Information London
United Way has supported Information London in the publication of the Help Yourself Through Hard Times brochure annually since 2006. This 32-page brochure lists services of interest to Londoners living on limited incomes. Revised and produced annually, 10,000 copies are printed and distributed through the City of London Ontario Works office and other community organizations. The booklet can also be downloaded from the Information London website.
The John Howard Society
601 Queens Avenue, London, ON N6B 1Y9
519-438-4168
The John Howard Society is dedicated to those who have been in trouble with the law, potential offenders and their families, and works to find effective, just and humane responses to crime and its causes. United Way provides funding to six program areas. Services include individual, family and group counselling, outreach to high-risk youth in Middlesex County, outreach to newcomer and low-income communities, community education and the involvement and support of volunteers. Its youth outreach prevention services, often done in partnership with other community organizations, help young people identified as at risk to cope with issues or problems in a positive way.
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, London Region
333 Horton Street East, London, ON N6B 1L5
519-438-6213
The Learning Disabilities Association provides support to children, youth and adults with learning disabilities, and to their families. United Way funding supports a wide range of services including school and social skills development, one-to-one tutoring, PA Day Camps, transitioning to post secondary school and work support, advocacy and referral, group support, consultations, resource library and community awareness and education.
London Coffee House Program
538 Dundas Street, London, ON N6B 1W6
519-439-9000
United Way provides funding to the London Coffee House Program, a place where people with a mental illness or living in poverty can go to find friendship, recreation and support. Many people who go to the Coffee House are homeless or struggling to maintain housing or may be coping with loneliness, isolation, mental illness and/or physical disability.
London and District Distress Centre
PO Box 801, Station B, London, ON N6A 4Z3
519-667-6709
United Way provides funding to the London and District Distress Centre's Distress Line which provides confidential and non-judgmental telephone support to community members in distress or crisis. The Seniors Helpline provides help to those experiencing physical, emotional and financial abuse, offers information and support to seniors and provides referrals to services for seniors in the community. Both phone lines are answered by trained volunteers 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year.
London Employment Help Centre
114 Dundas Street, 2nd Floor, London, ON N6A 1G1
519-439-0501
London Employment Help Centre offers a full range of services to unemployed people including one-to-one employment counselling, career planning and job search workshops and specialized services for new Canadians. United Way funding supports the Centre's advocacy services which provide specialized guidance to individuals in obtaining and maintaining government benefits to which they may be entitled.
London InterCommunity Health Centre
659 Dundas Street, London, ON N5W 2Z1
519-660-0874
United Way supports the Women of the World program at London InterCommunity Health Centre. This multicultural women's community development program focuses on the needs of immigrant women. Services include volunteer training and opportunities, support groups and workshops to support the successful integration, inclusion and empowerment of immigrant women.
LUSO Community Services
1193 Oxford Street East, Unit 2, London, ON N5Y 3M2
519-452-1466
LUSO offers services and support to youth of different cultural backgrounds through its resource centre and community outreach program to schools. United Way provides funding to three program areas. The services include outreach, workshops and presentations to help young people eliminate cultural barriers while developing communication skills, self-esteem and social responsibility; youth outreach programming to help young people in the Northeast London area connect with activities and get involved in their own community; a partnership with The John Howard Society to continue the development of the Northeast Community Development program in the Boullee, Huron and Kipps Lane area.
Meals on Wheels London
356 Queens Avenue, London, ON N6B 1X6
519-660-1430
Meals on Wheels helps individuals maintain their independence through meal delivery and transportation services. United Way funds part of the transportation services which help the elderly and those with disabilities get to medical and other appointments. United Way funding also provides assistance to thousands of seniors and other individuals through subsidized meal services.
WIL Employment Connections
141 Dundas Street, 4th Floor, London, ON N6A 1G3
519-663-0774
The Mentorship for Newcomer Success program connects internationally trained individuals with local mentors to gain a better understanding of the local job market in their field or occupation; establish valuable networking contacts; and learn more about sector-specific language and professional practice in Canada.
Women's Rural Resource Centre of Strathroy & Area
145 Beech Street, Strathroy, ON, N7G 1K9
519-246-1526
Women's Rural Resource Centre of Strathroy & Area is a community agency serving the needs of abused women and their children in West Middlesex County, offering counselling, safe shelter, second stage housing and 24 hour crisis line. United Way supports a specialized staff person who works directly with children to help them cope with the violence they have experienced and witnessed.
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