SaskatoonTribal Council Emergency Wellness Centre $65,000 support from United Way

by Paige Gignac on January 10, 2022 Comments Off on SaskatoonTribal Council Emergency Wellness Centre $65,000 support from United Way

Saskatoon, SK – United Way of Saskatoon and Area (United Way) has made a generous $65,000 donation in support of the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s (STC’s) recently opened Emergency Wellness Centre. This donation will help STC offer shelter and mental wellness supports to individuals in Saskatoon who are experiencing homelessness.

“Access to safe and affordable housing is a significant and growing issue in Saskatoon, and the severity of the situation has only worsened because of COVID-19. Through the support of United Way’s generous donors, we are proud to provide a $65,000 grant to the Saskatoon Tribal Council to help with the operational costs of the Wellness Centre. We are thankful to community leaders such as the Saskatoon Tribal Council for addressing the immediate needs of Saskatoon’s most vulnerable homeless citizens, especially during the frigid winter months. I hope by coming onboard as a funder of the Emergency Wellness Centre, United Way will inspire others to help because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.” Sheri Benson, CEO, United Way of Saskatoon and Area.

Through financial investments, community partnerships, public awareness, and government advocacy United Way is working to tackle homelessness, along with the often-contributing factors of mental health, education inequality, and racism. United Way initiatives such as Journey Home, a housing first program, have helped individuals find a safe place to call home, without any other barriers allowing them to receive support for their physical and mental wellbeing. United Way is focused on addressing the short-term and immediate needs in our community with investments in local programs and services while also working on solutions to solve the long-term and growing issues alongside other community leaders and government.

STC’s Emergency Wellness Centre has been at or slightly over capacity since opening on December 15, 2021, supporting 50-56 relatives daily. People have come in off the streets and from other shelters that are overcapacity. COVID-19, combined with the cold weather, has created an emergency situation for our homeless relatives, underscoring the need for places like the Wellness Centre. STC is glad to have opened the Centre just as the cold weather settled in permanently, and our relatives needed shelter and supports. The Wellness Centre is a short-term solution with long-term potential to address the intersectionalities in the systemic issues of racism, mental health, addictions, poverty, and homelessness.

“The Saskatoon Tribal Council is appreciative for the kindness and generosity of the donation from the United Way of Saskatoon that will directly support our relatives at the Wellness Centre. Homelessness, and all its related issues, are community issues that require community solutions,” states Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “Donations from community partners provide a solution that goes a long way in ensuring we help as many relatives as possible. Together, we are making a difference in peoples’ lives so they can have a better quality of life.”

Click for the full press release.

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Paige GignacSaskatoonTribal Council Emergency Wellness Centre $65,000 support from United Way

December 31 Tax Deadline

by Paige Gignac on December 14, 2021 Comments Off on December 31 Tax Deadline

Your donation will help the many people right here in Saskatoon who are homeless and living in the cold; the seniors who are isolated and very lonely; the youth who are suffering from depression and feeling sad, and the families who are hungry and are searching for their next hot meal.

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Paige GignacDecember 31 Tax Deadline

It is not a “Happy Holiday” for everyone.

by Paige Gignac on December 1, 2021 Comments Off on It is not a “Happy Holiday” for everyone.

 As you prepare for a warm and joyous holiday season, it is important to remember that it will NOT be a “Happy Holiday” for everyone.

Many people right here in Saskatoon are homeless and living in the cold.

Some seniors are isolated and very lonely this time of year.

There are youth suffering from depression and feeling sad. 

Some families are hungry and are searching for their next hot meal.

Your donation will help make the holidays happy for everyone in our community.

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Paige GignacIt is not a “Happy Holiday” for everyone.

USask and United Way Collaboration Creates New Undergrad Course

by Paige Gignac on November 29, 2021 Comments Off on USask and United Way Collaboration Creates New Undergrad Course

United Way of Saskatoon and Area and United Way Regina, through 211 Saskatchewan, are proud to partner with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research (CHASR) for a newly developed undergraduate class focused on using applied research to solve local community issues. 211 Saskatchewan will provide students an opportunity to work with real-life and real-time data. This new class and partnership will help improve community supports and access throughout Saskatchewan.

Through this partnership, 211 Saskatchewan will share data gathered from the website, phone, and text services, with USask students enrolled in a new undergraduate course, starting in January 2022, focused on applied research, a subject most commonly reserved for graduate students. The data will be analyzed and used to identify gaps in services and programs in local communities. Students will then develop strategies and suggestions to close identified gaps or highlight opportunities for the service.  Finally, students will present their findings and recommendations to the 211 Saskatchewan team.

This partnership allows 211 Saskatchewan a chance to utilize the service data being gathered daily in a new way while helping to improve community supports across Saskatchewan. It also offers a mutually beneficial opportunity for USask students to get real-life experience working with real-time data to prepare them for a potential career in a research field.  

211 Saskatchewan is anxious for the recommendations that will come from this partnership in late 2022.

For University of Saskatchewan published article:

https://news.usask.ca/articles/colleges/2021/usask,-united-way-collaboration-creates-new-course.php

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Paige GignacUSask and United Way Collaboration Creates New Undergrad Course

Thank You Saskatchewan Blue Cross

by Paige Gignac on November 8, 2021 Comments Off on Thank You Saskatchewan Blue Cross

United Way of Saskatoon & Area and United Way Regina are incredibly thankful for Saskatchewan Blue Cross’s generous three-year, $75,000 sponsorship of 211 Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Blue Cross is helping people in Saskatchewan find and connect to programs and supports in their area. This valuable and meaningful investment will help people connect to senior services, mental health supports, financial aid, childcare, and more. Thanks to this act of local love people can reach out to connect 24/7/365 over the phone, text, web chat, or online web search.

Together we are building healthier and stronger communities. #helpstartshere

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Paige GignacThank You Saskatchewan Blue Cross

2021 Leadership Match

by Paige Gignac on October 13, 2021 Comments Off on 2021 Leadership Match

Double the LOVE in 2021!

All new individual Leadership donations will be doubled in 2021!

An individual donor who makes a gift between $1,200 and $9,999 between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022 and has not donated at this level in the previous fiscal year, will be recognized as a New Leader and their gift will be doubled!

This match is possible thanks to the support of a generous and anonymous Local Love Leader. New Leadership donations will be matched up to a total of $100,000.

For example, if you make a gift of $1,200, United Way will receive $2,400 to help support children, adults, and families right here at home. Your impact will be doubled!

 

DONATE NOW

 

QUESTIONS

  1. Will the match impact my tax receipt?
    No, your tax receipt will be for your personal donation amount only.
  2. Will any donation amount be matched?
    New Leadership donations between $1,200 and $9,999 (undesignated) will be matched.
  3. How will my donation be recognized by United Way?
    If you choose, United Way will recognize your Leadership donation on our website and in our Leadership Honour Roll. Your name will be listed based on your personal donation amount, not including the match. For more information on the recognition and benefits of United Way’s Leadership Giving Program
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Paige Gignac2021 Leadership Match

2020-2021 Annual Report

by Paige Gignac on June 22, 2021 Comments Off on 2020-2021 Annual Report

2020 WAS THE YEAR WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

2020 was a year full of challenges, but with the help of our donors, corporate partners, and their labour unions, United Way of Saskatoon and Area was able to reimagine, pivot, and successfully overcome the obstacles we faced.

We want to thank each person who supported United Way in 2020! Because of you, United Way was able to continue our commitment to tackling Saskatoon’s #UNIGNORABLE issues: poverty, racism, school readiness, homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, and social isolation. Every donation made to United Way is valued and when individual acts of Local Love come together, people are helped, long term change is actioned, and we all benefit from living in a more caring and loving community. As a community, we are always better when we work together. Thank you.

Learn about our obstacles and successes in our 2020-21 Annual Report.

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Paige Gignac2020-2021 Annual Report

Celebrating Pride with United Way CEO Sheri Benson

by Paige Gignac on June 18, 2021 Comments Off on Celebrating Pride with United Way CEO Sheri Benson

Happy Pride Saskatoon!

  • Sheri Pride YXE

  • Rainbow Day on the Hill

  • Rainbow Day on the Hill

  • Rainbow Day on the Hill

  • Rainbow Day on the Hill

  • Rainbow Day on the Hill

  • OUTSaskatoon YXE

  • Saskatoon Pride Group

For 25 years Sheri Benson, CEO of United Way of Saskatoon and Area, has brought people together to tackle some of the most pressing issues in Saskatoon. Homelessness, Indigenous Engagement, and 2SLGBTQ+ issues—these are just some of the issues that Sheri has faced head on. She has also tackled these issues nationally as a Member of Parliament to Canada’s House of Commons.

In 2015, Sheri was elected to Canada’s House of Commons where she served 4 years as the Member of Parliament for Saskatoon West. As a Member of Parliament, Sheri was the Deputy Critic for 2SLGBTQ+ issues.

Having worked in with the 2SLGBTQ+ community for many years, Sheri has seen the way advocacy work and caring have made changes for younger generations of the 2SLGBTQ+ community:

“As famous cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. Our community is better today, especially for younger people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.  It is because we stand on a foundation, a long history of caring people who changed the world, and Saskatoon, for the better.”

“I was lucky enough to know and work with some of those game changing and brave leaders.  Many of those leaders came around a table in the early 70’s, led by Gens Helquist, and formed an organization called Gay Liberation. This was the foundation for what is now Out Saskatoon”.

From these roots, and under the direction of Sheri Benson, organizations like United Way of Saskatoon and Area have participated in funding the continuation of this work. Since 2008 UWSA has funded the important work of OUTSaskatoon: “We were the first United Way in Canada to fund an organization focused on the health and wellbeing of members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I am so very proud of that leadership from staff and volunteers. It is a highlight of my career at United Way”.

It’s clear that Sheri has a deep connection to this topic, and that she has been invested in seeing that the advocacy for the 2SLGBTQ+ community continues and grows.

“As a local leader, a Member of Parliament, and a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, I took every opportunity to engage young people in opportunities to see themselves as leaders.  One of my absolute favourite experiences as a MP was hosting one or two young people for Rainbow Day on the Hill, an initiative of the Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity.  It was such an honour and a privilege to host these high school students. Representation is important, and I wanted them to see someone from their community in an elected position”.

Although Sheri has been working with and on behalf of the 2SLGBTQ+ community for many years, her work continues. With significant experience, Sheri Benson offers this to the youth of Saskatoon and abroad:

“My advice to young people…never say never!  You never know when that opportunity, however small, will lead to something else. Change and leadership come in many shapes and forms.  Sometimes it will be volunteering for a local pride event, or it might be running for elected office.  It all matters; it’s all important work, and the cumulation of our efforts, big and small, will definitely change the world”.

Working together, United Way of Saskatoon and Area is supporting children, youth, and their families so that they have the means to thrive as strong citizens in our community. By identifying and addressing the barriers that exist for our 2SLGBTQ+ friends and family, we are continuing the important work of advocates like Sheri Benson. We are celebrating pride with you Saskatoon!

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Paige GignacCelebrating Pride with United Way CEO Sheri Benson

211 Parent Central Launch a Success

by Paige Gignac on April 23, 2021 Comments Off on 211 Parent Central Launch a Success

Parent Central Portal

2-1-1 Saskatchewan is continually looking for new and better ways to support community members. Introducing Parent Central, a database specifically designed to help provide support to parents and caregivers of children between ages 0-6. By effectively connecting people to the supports they need, when they need them, 2-1-1 Saskatchewan strengthens the community.

Parent Central provides reliable information and resources for parents and caregivers of children aged 0 – 6 in Saskatchewan. It connects families, and those who serve them, to supports and programs available in their communities. Parent Central also includes a search function for licensed child care in the province, including updated availability in each centre. To visit the parent central portal, click below!
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Paige Gignac211 Parent Central Launch a Success

Anything is Possible – Celebrating 2020 Video

by Paige Gignac on April 12, 2021 Comments Off on Anything is Possible – Celebrating 2020 Video

Thank you for your support in 2020!

We were not able to host our annual Celebrating Possibility Luncheon in person this year, but we still wanted the chance to celebrate the amazing acts of local love we shared with our donors, corporate partners, labour unions, volunteers, and funded agencies in 2020.

It was a tough year but through your support, United Way was able to strategize and reimagine new ways to make an impact. We worked with community leaders to take action in a time when our neighbours needed us the most. We listened and supported our funded agencies so they could continue to safely support their clients. We were a trusted partner for Federal Government funding distribution and as such were able to provide funding to new agencies in Saskatoon and into the far North. And through it all we raised $4 million dollars to help change lives in our community!

We learned, we laughed, we pivoted, and we Zoomed! But we could not have overcome the obstacles or achieved success without you. Thank you!

This video showcases a few of the amazing highlights of 2020. We know even through the hard times; great things can happen when we work together.

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Paige GignacAnything is Possible – Celebrating 2020 Video