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United Way kicks off annual campaign in the face of dynamic challenges

Sep 22, 2017 | 6:04 PM

NANAIMO — A local charity which helps more than 40,000 people in the region is evolving in the face of more challenging issues than ever before.

United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island kicked-off their annual fundraising campaign in Nanaimo on Friday, with a goal of beating last year’s total of $1.2 million. Nanaimo businesses and residents contributed $750,000 towards that total in 2016.

UWCNVI executive director Signey Madden said their charity is known for raising money but they’re now focusing more on working with local governments, RCMP and other agencies to develop long term solutions to persistent problems.

“United Way is evolving. We’ve had to change because many people in our community are doing well but a good segment in our population is living in poverty and we’ve got to support them or it affects all of our quality of life.”

UWCNVI will fund 91 programs in the area this year, including several new ones. Madden said their programs touch all areas of society, including suicide prevention, anti-bullying, illness recovery and support for people who have lost a loved one.

“People give to United Way and we have an understanding and knowledge and research in the community about where to invest your donation wisely, what programs are going to help the most people…We connect programs, donors, volunteers in a way that supports our community,” Madden told NanaimoNewsNOW.

 

Recently released census data showed 16.5 per cent of Nanaimo households qualify for low-income status, seventh most in B.C. Madden said that figure, combined with the sharp increase in housing costs, has pushed a new demographic to the brink of homelessness.

“What we’re seeing is in the shelters there are elderly women who have lived on fixed incomes who have never been homeless, they’ve never asked for anything and they’re in shelters because they can’t find an affordable apartment.”

Madden said there’s value in investing in their programs to lower tax costs related to things like prisons and hospitals. “Prevention is going to help all of us…The human cost, these are human lives, people (who) have been contributing parts of our community.”

Nanaimo coun. Sheryl Armstrong said in her 35 years with the RCMP she saw first-hand how social and health costs were directly reduced by United Way programs.

“It’s not just about young children, it’s not about homeless, it’s about everybody. It’s a community driven program, one I believe people really need to support,” Armstrong said.

To learn more or to donate, visit uwcnvi.ca.

— with files from Ian Holmes

 

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi