Through the remarkable generosity of our donors, United Way of London & Middlesex is often able to provide strategic funding to projects outside of our regular, annual funding of community services.
Each project is to address new and emerging issues and, with support from United Way staff, funding requests are carefully reviewed and decided by experienced United Way volunteers. Each project needs to demonstrate accountability and be aligned with United Way of London & Middlesex’s priority areas.
To date, close to $85,000 has been invested in the following strategic initiatives for 2009/2010:
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.
United Way funding supports the Peer and Leadership Development & Program at My Sister’s Place. A service of WOTCH Community Mental Health, My Sister’s Place is a safe day program for women who are, or are at risk of being, homeless, with a special focus on Aboriginal women. The program aims to increase awareness, reduce isolation and increase the women’s skills to empower them toward a greater capacity for self-expression and self-sufficiency. Through storytelling, narrative, drama and photography, the goal is to help develop and increase each woman’s personal strength, resiliency and ability to more fully participate as citizens of the London community.
To learn more, please contact Catherine Joyes at 519-438-1723 ext. 224.