Stitching Strength: United Way and Medavie Collaborate in Support of Kokum Sewing Group

by Dan Matthews on April 29, 2026 Comments Off

SASKATOON – United Way Saskatoon and Area (United Way) and Medavie Health Services West each contributed $1500 to purchase materials and supplies for a Kokum sewing group in Saskatoon.

The vibrant community of Indigenous women is focused on reclaiming a way of being and traditional knowledge in a supportive environment.

“When we gather around our Kokums to teach us to sew, they’re passing down strength, identity, and stories,” said Dorothea Swiftwolfe, a member of Peter Ballentine Cree Nation and Auntie Advocate for the City of Saskatoon.

The group doesn’t have a formal legal structure but meets regularly at White Buffalo Youth Lodge every Friday at 6pm and has a loyal and growing group of attendees.

Elder Maria Linklater, who is one of the group’s Kokums, mentioned at a recent Reconciliation Saskatoon meeting that there was a need for materials to use for sewing, as the group had been relying on scraps of denim. In response, United Way initiated a collaboration with Medavie Health Services West to provide the group with $3000 for materials and supplies.

“Supporting initiatives like the Kokum Sewing Group reflects our commitment to being community‑minded and to meeting people where they are. These gatherings strengthen connection, culture, and wellbeing, and align closely with our role in advancing reconciliation and community‑led care,” said Angela J. Sereda, Senior Manager, Mobile Integrated Health, Medavie Health Services West. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with United Way and for the vital work they do to support and uplift communities across our region.”

The Kokum sewing group is open to all ages and technical skills, but these meetings are not about developing a hobby. They are cultural reclamation, Swiftwolfe says.

“Everyone is welcome at our group, and there are Elders and knowledge keepers available to teach the younger participants about the technical aspects of ribbon skirt-making, but also the cultural and spiritual significance. These classes aren’t hobbies; they’re reclamation. Every stitch keeps our hands busy, our spirits grounded, and our culture alive for the next generation.”

An Indigenous man and a woman in uniform are on either side of a kokum in a wheelchair holding a cheque and cloth. They are all smiling.

United Way Celebrates 10 Years of Period Promise Initiative

by Dan Matthews on March 2, 2026 Comments Off

United Way Saskatoon & Area and our partners in Labour are celebrating a decade of work to reduce period poverty through Period Promise, a community‑driven initiative focused on reducing taboo, improving awareness, fundraising, and hosting product drives.

Over the past ten years, the initiative has grown (despite a name change!) through strong partnerships with local labour organizations and community groups, all committed to ensuring this basic necessity is accessible.

Everyone involved in Period Promise shares the basic principle that no one should be held back at work, school, or in daily life due to the cost or stigma surrounding menstruation. Shoppers Drug Mart has also been key ally and supporter, with local stores playing a significant role through Tampon Tuesday collections and more recently with “Pad It Forward” drives.

Through Period Promise, United Way and our partners in Labour encourage everyone — individuals, workplaces, schools, and community organizations — to host product drives, donate funds, and raise awareness. Your participation directly supports local agencies that distribute menstrual products across Saskatoon and surrounding communities. Recent campaigns have provided thousands of products distributed to schools, women’s shelters, and youth organizations.

Period products are a necessity, not a luxury, and community support continues to be essential in building equity and removing barriers for those experiencing period poverty. Join us as we continue this mission into its next decade.

Interested in being a part of the movement? Learn more.

Auntie Suite in YWCA Hopeful Heart’s program receives Cree name

by Dan Matthews on October 14, 2025 Comments Off

SASKATOON – United Way Saskatoon and Area is honoured to announce the Cree naming of the auntie suite in YWCA Saskatoon’s Hopeful Heart’s program. The name was revealed Friday during a short ceremony in the new transitional housing wing.

“This space will be home to respected members of the Indigenous community, and many of the women supported by the program are Indigenous. So, taking the time and care to properly name the space was important to us,” said Gary Beaudin, United Way director of community impact and strategic partnerships.

Last year, United Way invested $100,000 into the YWCA Saskatoon Hope Lives Here campaign to support the naming of the auntie suite. This living space is reserved for a live-in Elder or Knowledge Keeper who is available to provide cultural guidance and comfort to the women living in the new transitional housing wing.

The name, Iskwêw Otêh, meaning “a woman’s heart,” was identified by Mary Lee, a local nêhiyawak Elder and Knowledge Keeper, through a traditional process.

“Providing opportunities for connecting and interacting with culture and tradition can be a critical factor in a woman’s path to recovery,” said Cara Bahr, YWCA Saskatoon CEO. “We thank United Way for their support as we provide space and programming for this important aspect of a woman’s healing journey.”

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About United Way Saskatoon and Area

United Way is a vital community asset, raising and investing millions of dollars each year to support local organizations and initiatives. As part of a national network, United Way raises approximately $600 million annually, funds nearly 4000 programs, and directly impacts over 8 million lives. In Saskatoon, United Way mobilizes hundreds of volunteers and workplaces to be able to make critical investments into 40 or more local initiatives annually.

About YWCA Saskatoon

YWCA Saskatoon is a welcoming and vibrant community-based organization that provides preventative and emergent services to women and their families. Since 1910, they have been a place for people to find stability, grow together, overcome personal obstacles, and gain a new respect for their abilities and passion.

Upcoming Event: Video viewing and panel discussion on how innovation happens in the Social Sector

by Dan Matthews on September 22, 2025 Comments Off

United Way is proud to share four inspiring stories of social sector innovation. The videos will be followed by a panel discussion on social sector innovation with local community leaders. Tickets are free or by donation.

Event takes place at Broadway Theatre, October 7th, 2025, from 7 pm to 9 pm. Popcorn and refreshments available from the concession.

Description

We live in challenging times. With basic needs, such as food and housing, becoming increasingly unaffordable for a growing number of people, the demand placed on social service organizations is increasing and funding hasn’t necessarily kept up with this growth. Meaning organizations serving our most vulnerable neighbours, often operating on extremely tight budgets already, are having to find ways to do more with the same or less.

This high stress environment is forcing innovation but there are almost certainly better ways to create conditions where innovation is fostered, developed, and scaled more strategically. These videos showcase a moment in time when funding, ideas, and opportunity came together with positive results, but communities can’t and probably shouldn’t rely on emergency situations to innovate and grow their social sector partners.

Panel Topic

How can we as community leaders, funders, and governments (and others) do a better job of fostering innovation in the social sector in a way that includes the interests and voices of those impacted, provides opportunities for experimentation (and failure), identifies successes, and scales (through funding and other resources) these successes quickly and effectively?

Get tickets

Panelist Bios

Rachel Walker (PhD) – Rachel (she/her) is a community research and storytelling specialist. She helps nonprofits, governments, and networks build bold strategies, navigate change, and turn impact into narrative. With over 15 years of leadership in the nonprofit, academic, and policy sectors, Rachel specializes in strategic planning, organizational development, fund and policy development, human resources, and community-driven research.

A skilled facilitator and systems thinker, Rachel has served as Director of OUTSaskatoon, the Sallows Chair in Human Rights, and most recently as Program Chair of Gender, Sexualities, and Social Justice at the University of Saskatchewan. She helped launch the Enchanté Network, Canada’s national coalition of 2SLGBTQ+ Centres, and has served on numerous boards across housing, sexual health, and social justice.

Gordon Martell (PhD) – Gordon’s teaching and research focus areas are Indigenous educational leadership and governance, organizational and policy development, and school leadership. Gordon has served in a variety of leadership capacities in band-controlled and provincial education. Recently, Gordon has been advising communities in the development of on-reserve First Nations education systems.

Dr. Marcella Ogenchuk – Dr. Marcella Ogenchuk is a tenured Associate Professor in the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing. She completed her BSN and Master in Nursing at USask, and her PhD from the USask College of Education, Department of Education Administration.

Dr. Ogenchuk has over 25 years of nursing experience in a variety of settings including acute, community including rural and remote settings in Saskatchewan. The focus of her practice and research is community-led. The population that she focuses on is children and youth. Dr. Ogenchuk has been instrumental in developing pathways of care for urban elementary students using a multidisciplinary approach in the area of substance use prevention and oral health practice.  She is working with communities in developing a tool for early identification of alcohol use disorder and has contributed to resources for families living with SUD.

United Way Sets Ambitious $4 Million Goal

by Dan Matthews on September 16, 2025 Comments Off

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Way Saskatoon and Area Sets Ambitious $4 Million Goal to Strengthen Local Communities

SASKATOON, SK— United Way Saskatoon and Area announced an ambitious goal to raise $4 million this year to support 40 local community programs and initiatives, helping make our communities stronger and better for everyone.

United Way’s recent multi-year funding application call received four times the projected budget. That means saying no to amazing projects and organizations. It also means United Way is going to need to dig even deeper this year to make good on their promises to the chosen organizations and initiatives.

As a people and workplace fueled organization, United Way proves many hands makes light work, and every dollar and volunteer hour makes communities in Saskatoon and area stronger and better for everyone.

“United Way is a different kind of charity. As the largest non-government funder of community organizations, every dollar makes a huge difference right here in our local communities. This year, we heard loud and clear that the need is great and United Way support is needed now more than ever. But it will take every one of us to make $4 million happen. Together, we can make sure everyone in Saskatoon can be their best.” – Sheri Benson, CEO, United Way Saskatoon and Area

“Approving the applications with United Way Saskatoon was important to me because it meant taking real steps toward meaningful community impact. It reflected my belief in supporting initiatives that create lasting change for those who need it most. Moving forward wasn’t just a decision- it was a commitment to hope, equity, and action.” Kona Lacroix, United Way allocation committee youth representative.

“As a small nonprofit organization, we are used to planning short-term, always moving at the speed of what seasonal funding we can achieve. Multi-year funding from United Way is truly transformative for us! It has provided us a firm foundation on which to grow, and the deep breath of assurance that our impactful community programs will continue to run and thrive year-round!” Sarah Kelly, executive director, Right to Skate.

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About United Way Saskatoon and Area

United Way is a vital community asset, raising and investing millions of dollars each year to support local organizations and initiatives. As part of a national network, United Way raises approximately $600 million annually, funds nearly 4000 programs, and directly impacts over 8 million lives. In Saskatoon, United Way mobilizes hundreds of volunteers and workplaces to be able to make critical investments into 40 or more local initiatives annually. Learn more at UnitedWaySaskatoon.ca

MEDIA CONTACT

Dan Matthews

306-380-9239

dmatthews@unitedwaysaskatoon.ca

$30,000 Raised for Northern Saskatchewan Wildfire Evacuees

by Dan Matthews on June 30, 2025 Comments Off

In a powerful display of compassion and community spirit, Saskatoon residents and organizations have come together to raise over $30,000 in aid for evacuees affected by the devastating wildfires sweeping across northern Saskatchewan.

At its peak, over 8000 evacuees were hosted in Saskatoon. Many of them women with young children.

This grassroots mobilization comes amid one of the earliest, most intense wildfire seasons in recent memory, with thousands forced to flee their homes.

United Way, alongside Saskatoon Community Foundation, and with the support of City of Saskatoon’s Emergency Response Organization, raised funds to provide evacuees with access to local entertainment and recreational activities. This support provided relief, joy, and a sense of belonging during a very difficult time.

“We know these were challenging times for the individuals and families displaced by this emergency and wanted everyone from these communities to feel welcome and have opportunities to connect with the best of Saskatoon while they were in the city,” said Sheri Benson, CEO United Way Saskatoon and Area.

Dozens of individuals, alongside Affinity Credit Union, United Way NWT, and Wawanesa Insurance, contributed to the fund so that kids and their families take a break from the challenging reality they faced.

These efforts underscore the strength and solidarity of Saskatchewan communities in times of crisis. As the fires continue to challenge emergency services and residents alike, the generosity shown by Saskatoon and its neighbours is a beacon of hope and resilience.

Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and supported our visitors and made them feel welcome and cared for.

United Steel Workers presented with W.A Milne Award

by Dan Matthews on June 26, 2025 Comments Off

United Steel Workers are long-time supporters and friends of United Way.

Their ongoing investments of time, energy, space, and many other generous contributions to United Way playing a meaningful role in the organization and has made a lasting impact. This year, a USW member will be the very first United Way board chair from Labour.

United Way was honoured to present USW representatives with the W. A. Milne Award at this year’s AGM. Thank you to USW leadership and membership for being a vital part of United Way.

Celebrating 30 years of Impact

by Dan Matthews on June 10, 2025 Comments Off

Today, United Way celebrated Sheri Benson and her incredible 30 years of service with United Way Saskatoon and Area. Sheri’s unwavering commitment to building strong, inclusive communities and tackling complex social issues has left a lasting mark on our region.

Over the past three decades, Sheri has brought people together across sectors to create real, lasting change. Her leadership reflects the very heart of our mission: empowering everyone to improve lives and build strong communities.

Thank you, Sheri, for your passion, your vision, and your decades of dedication to making sure everyone has the opportunity to be their best.

Over 3000 fire evacuees need support from the Saskatoon community

by Dan Matthews on May 30, 2025 Comments Off

UPDATED – previous version said 1,500 evacuees, but that number has since increased to over 3,000

Wildfires have forced over 3,000 residents from northern Saskatchewan to evacuate their homes and seek safety in Saskatoon. These individuals and families – many of them children – are facing uncertainty, stress, and disruption.

United Way Saskatoon and Area is responding by doing what we do best: meeting immediate community needs while also fostering connection, dignity, and hope.

United Way, alongside Saskatoon Community Foundation, and with the support of City of Saskatoon’s Emergency Response Organization, is raising funds to provide evacuees with access to local entertainment and recreational activities that offer relief, joy, and a sense of belonging during this difficult time.

“We know these are challenging times for the individuals and families displaced by this emergency and want everyone from these communities to feel welcome and have opportunities to connect with the best of Saskatoon while they are in the city,” said Sheri Benson, CEO United Way Saskatoon and Area. “United Way is honoured to support the effort to provide transportation, recreation, and entertainment opportunities for evacuees.”

Wildfire season is just getting started. United Way and SCF are asking you to help ensure those displaced by the fires and staying in Saskatoon feel welcome and have opportunities to participate in our community.

To donate, visit: UnitedWaySaskatoon.ca/2025-fire-evacuee-fund/

ABOUT UNITED WAY SASKATOON AND AREA

Powered by local volunteers, United Way Saskatoon & Area is dedicated to creating opportunities for a better life for everyone in our community. Through collaboration, advocacy, and resource mobilization, we work towards addressing social issues and building a stronger, more inclusive community.

Building a Stronger Tomorrow

by Dan Matthews on May 1, 2025 Comments Off

Introducing United Way’s 2025–2027 Investment Strategy

United Way Saskatoon & Area has unveiled its 2025–2027 Investment Strategy, a bold and community-informed roadmap designed to address the region’s most pressing social challenges. Rooted in deep consultation and guided by data, this strategy reflects United Way’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and sustainable impact.

A Community-Driven Approach

The strategy was shaped through three targeted consultations, engaging a wide range of voices — from agency partners and corporate stakeholders to Indigenous leaders and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. These sessions focused on identifying emerging trends, assessing past efforts, and ensuring that future investments align with real community needs.

Key Investment Priorities

The consultations revealed several urgent areas of focus:

Youth and School Supports: With rising concerns around food insecurity, mental health, and housing instability among youth, United Way will prioritize school-based services, mentorship programs, and youth nutrition initiatives.
Sexual Health and Mental Wellness: Addressing the intersecting crises of sexual violence, STIs, and mental health — especially among marginalized groups — will be central. Prevention, education, and access to counseling are key pillars.
Housing and Homelessness: Recognizing the deep ties between poverty, colonialism, and housing insecurity, United Way will support wraparound services, safe housing for vulnerable populations, and innovative solutions like tiny homes.
2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion: The strategy acknowledges ongoing disparities in safety, access, and health outcomes for Queer and Trans individuals. United Way aims to support inclusive spaces and services that affirm identity and dignity.
Indigenous-Led Solutions: With Indigenous communities facing disproportionate challenges, United Way will invest in culturally grounded, prevention-focused programs that support families, youth, and language revitalization.
Seniors’ Wellbeing: As the population ages, United Way will back programs that combat isolation, improve accessibility, and support the mental health of seniors—especially those who are racialized, Queer, or low-income.

Evolving the Funding Process

In response to agency feedback, United Way is also revamping its application and reporting systems to be more user-friendly and efficient. A new digital platform and simplified evaluation rubric will reduce administrative burdens and enhance transparency.

Looking Ahead

With over $1.6 million invested in community agencies in 2023/24, United Way is poised to build on its legacy of impact. The 2025–2027 strategy is not just a funding plan — it’s a call to action for a more inclusive, resilient, and compassionate Saskatoon.

READ THE STRATEGY