To begin, can you tell me a little bit about what ‘Seeing is Believing’ tours are – who are they designed for and what is their purpose?

Overall, the tours are designed to bring United Way supporters closer to their donation. The ‘Seeing is Believing’ tour program takes groups of donors to visit United Way funded programs in our two communities.  It is an opportunity for donors to see, firsthand, the impact their contributions are making in our communities. 

This was your first tour, and you visited agencies in both the Burlington and Hamilton communities. What are some of the things you learned about the specific agencies you visited that you didn’t know previously?

The tours were extremely informative to see the broad range of programs and services that we support.  One of the most fascinating things for me was to see that these programs that support our community do not work in isolation – the network of community agencies really work together to provide individuals and families the support they need. For example, while we were at Our Community Cares Burloak, they were in the midst of receiving their weekly drop-off of food from Halton Food for Life, another United Way funded program and our next stop on the tour. 

It really brought to light how giving to United Way supports the needs of the community is so many different ways – one child living in poverty in Hamilton goes to a United Way program in the morning to receive breakfast, at lunch receives homework help from another, and after-school receives a healthy snack and an opportunity to play and spend time with friends at another. Donations fund these programs in our community that really are helping people who need our support, and at many levels. We are giving individuals, families and children opportunities to not only access what they need, but also helping to create lasting, positive change in their lives.

However, the tour also made it very clear to me how great the need is in our community. For example, Our Community Cares is a tremendous agency, dedicated to building healthy communities in high needs neighbourhoods, providing after-school programming, volunteer opportunities, summer programs, computers, a food bank, and a free clothing store. But in order to meet these needs, there are still large holes to fill.  

Are there any moments that really stuck out? Moments that impacted the way you think about the United Way?

When I was reflecting on the day while driving home, I was almost overwhelmed – in a positive way – having visited so many agencies.  In one day, I saw so may individuals accessing United Way funded services – I saw children, families, adults with development disabilities, seniors, and because of these United Way funded programs, their lives were being enriched in ways that brought safely, value, and belonging to each day. The fact that the United Way can provide and facilitate that, to so many people, is amazing.

Did the tour provide an emotional connection to the United Way? If so, how?

Absolutely. Considering I’ve recently joined the United Way team, it was extremely motivating to see both the need in our community, and how United Way funds are helping to address those needs. It was also a very humbling experience. It made me realize what I take for granted in my life and what other people simply do not have access to because of financial, domestic or physical roadblocks. We cannot divide our communities into the ‘haves and the have-nots’, because at any moment our own lives can change and we can find ourselves needing help and support. It is important, as members of our communities, to do what we can to take care of each other, to provide opportunities, dignity and access to life’s basic necessities. If we support and build each other up, we build our community up. 

United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton will be found at all 21 home games this season conducting 50/50 draws, giveaways and other contests throughout the 2013 season.

“The Burlington Bandits are proud to be able to team up with United Way and give back to the community” said Bandits President Scott Robinson. “We feel this partnership is not only good for the team but also the community.”

The United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton is extremely excited to partner with the IBL Burlington Bandits for the upcoming 2013 season. “This partnership demonstrates the Bandits are committed to making change happen in the Burlington community.”, said Brian Ferguson, Chair, 2013 Burlington United Way Campaign. “This is a small example of the new initiatives and energy the Burlington Cabinet plan to bring to this year’s campaign.”

The Bandits, known as the Twins in their first two years of IBL play in Burlington before being bought and renamed by Scott Robinson during the off-season, open their 42-game 2013 schedule in Guelph on Saturday, May 4. The home opener will be played Saturday, May 11 at Nelson Park at 2 p.m. against the London Majors.

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Equal Pay Day illustrates how far into the next year a woman must work to earn the same amount a man made in the previous year.  Equal Pay Days help ignite action to close the gender pay gap and build a  fair Ontario.
 

Ontario’s gender pay gap according to Statistics Canada 2010 and the Ontario Pay Equity Commission‘s figures is 28% (based on all male and female average annual earnings (including part time workers). The gap is much higher for women of colour, women with disabilities or Aboriginal women.

The Equal Pay Coalition is declaring Tuesday, April 9, 2013 as Equal Pay Day this year – the same day it is recognized in the US. Tuesday is the day of the week that Ontario women’s average earnings equal men’s earnings from the previous week.
 

The pay gap is not only unfair, it hurts our communities and economy. Ontario’s economy works because women work. Closing the pay gap will help to create good jobs, stimulate the economy, increase productivity and competitiveness, and attract the most talented workers.

For more information, please visit: http://www.equalpaycoalition.org/

Focusing on social determinants on health, (conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age) the discussion began with Dr. Anna Reid, President of the Canadian Medical Association noting that there are many people in Hamilton living in third world conditions. In fact, parts of the city would rank 165th in the world for life expectancy (tied with Nepal, just ahead of Pakistan and worse than India, Mongolia and Turkmenistan). Individuals living in affluent areas of the city (for example, the West Mountain) have a life expectancy of 86.3 years, while individuals living in Hamilton’s downtown North End have a life expectancy of 65.5 years – a difference of 21 years.[i]
 

For the panel participants living in Hamilton, these statistics came as no surprise. “We are not health providers,” said Dr. Dale Guenter. “We are health rescuers.”
 

The panel posed a number of questions for the audience, asking for opinions on the affects of social determinants on health and ideas on how to bridge the gap. What ended up happening though was a steady stream of individuals in the audience taking the microphone, voicing their anger, frustration and sadness with the hardships they are facing. Individuals bravely came forward to speak of their experiences with poverty (the culture of ‘hidden poverty’ in our community), their difficulty with the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or being turned away from family doctors. Doctors in the audience also came forward to express their helplessness in the situation. “I am utterly exhausted,” said one Doctor in the audience. “I am in the trenches and I don’t have anything left in me.”
 

The atmosphere quickly became that of frustration with both the audience and the panel seemingly feeling helpless. It became clear that everyone in the room already knew all too well that social determinants affect your health, but the solutions were nowhere to be found. The government continues to cut funding for social services and healthcare reform is being buried between opposing political parties.
 

Panellist Mark Chamberlain, CEO and President of Trivaris Ltd posed the question, “Why is it in Hamilton we accept that one in four children are living in poverty? Why are we willing to accept these disparities? The have’s and the have-not’s is a broken thought, and we are paying for it.”
 

As a community, it is time to seriously assess our values. To look around and understand that our community is not great until it is great for everyone. It is unacceptable that we have individuals, families, children living in third world conditions in our neighbourhoods. We have the ability to create change, and it is no longer a statement of ‘we should’ but ‘we must’ bring change to our community. 
 

It is time to put the rubber to the road and become active and not passive. Donate to community charities that support our cities must vulnerable citizens, like the United Way that directly funds 130 programs in Hamilton and Burlington, to volunteer or donate food. We each have the ability to create change, and we do not have to stand aside and wait for politicians in Ottawa to care about people in-need in our community. We can do that here, and now.
 

Give. Volunteer. Act.

On March 7, 2013, the Women’s Housing Planning Collaborative hosted a conference titled, ‘Why Gender? Empowering Women in the Fight Against Homelessness and for More Affordable Housing.’ The conference aimed to bring awareness and educate those in attendance (social service providers, funders, healthcare providers, and a number of women currently facing homelessness) of the issue of women living in homelessness and to share how gender and poverty intersect in our community.
 

Guest speaker Beth Jordan, Managing Director at Adobe Consulting based out of Toronto, began the conference with a strong message: “women’s rights are human rights and the disparities are severe and on a global scale.” Jordon has consulted extensively with municipal, provincial and federal levels of government on the issue of violence against women and the integration of anti-racism policy and has worked within the non-profit sector for years. Jordan shared her own personal experience with homelessness, having been kicked out of her family home at age 17. She worked hard to change her situation and years later now finds herself on the other side, passionately advocating for women still facing homelessness and inequality.
 

Jordan then shared the facts, and the numbers were startling. Currently in Hamilton, there are over 7,000 women in, or facing homelessness, 5,600 women being waitlisted for assisted housing and over 300 women are being turned away from emergency shelters every month.
 

 “In times of austerity, the first funding to be cut at the government level is the funding for gender, racial, and marginalized groups overall,” said Jordan. “In other words, our communities most vulnerable.” Jordan encouraged the audience to not despair as social services continue to face funding cuts, but instead to swing into action, that when each individual goes to work, whether that be to raise funds, to lobby the government for policy change or to provide those services directly, when we work together, when there is solidarity, so much more can be achieved.
 

Following Jordan’s impassioned speech was a collaborative workshop titled, ‘Pathways to Supporting Women.’ Leader Pamela Hubbard instructed the room to discuss and work through what a woman facing homelessness must consider, from the cause (what happened to create the situation), to deciding factors of choosing to enter into a shelter and finally to leaving the shelter and rejoining the community. As individuals shared, Hubbard illustrated the pathway on a large board at the front of the room. It was an eye opening experience to sit and listen to women currently homeless share their stories, what their lives look like, what they have to consider, things I have never had to think of. It was a difficult, enlightening and emotional experience. So what do you have to consider when deciding to enter into a shelter? ‘Giving up your pets’ said one woman, ‘living with strangers and having no privacy,’ said another. ‘Giving up anything you own,’ ‘loss of freedom,’ ‘feeling unsafe,’ the list went on and on. And as I began to cry, listening to these brave women who have faced, or are currently facing this difficult journey, I realized the real heartbreak of homelessness. Shelters are the last resource, when you have tried everything else, exhausted every resource, when you have nothing left to give, you then have to give up parts of yourself, your freedom, your independence, your privacy. 
 

It is a difficult issue to discuss, but it is a difficult reality that thousands of people in our community are living, and looking away is not an option. “Death comes so fast for people who are homeless,” said a woman at our table.
 

As citizens, living in this community, we have the ability to create change, to donate or volunteer, to take part in ensuring those in-need in our community do not have to give up parts of themselves, that there won’t be 301 women turned away from the shelter next month.
 

Give. Volunteer. Act. 

Jana Rees, Manager of Communications & Media Relations can be found in and around Burlington and Greater Hamilton, attending conferences, workshops and community events on behalf of the United Way, taking part in the learning and sharing of the issues our communities are currently facing. If you have an event you would like to share, or community issue you would like to discuss, please email jrees@uwaybh.ca  

Founder, Malin van der Meer, believes proper nutrition is essential for every family. “At dinnerlicious! we focus on helping busy families with mealtime, reducing the stress of putting healthy and tasty meals on the table.  We’re also committed to supporting families in our city who are struggling and out of our reach, and we feel that the best way to do this is to support the excellent community initiatives that are being carried out by United Way.”

From March 21st to April 4th, $2.00 from each new customer order will be donated to the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton.  Funds will be directed to programs that ensure families in need have access to proper nutrition. To Malin, these programs are an essential function of our community. “As a mom of young kids, I know how important nutrition is as kids develop and learn, and for helping to set their habits for the future. I think it’s so important that we involve kids in mealtime, enjoy meals together as a family, and teach them about healthy food and where our food comes from so they know how to make healthy choices as they grow.”

dinnerlicious! delivers easy-to-prepare recipes and fresh, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients right to your doorstep. You can take a look at their delicious weekly menus and learn more about how it works here.

If you would like place an order in support of this campaign, please visit their website or contact Malin directly at malin@dinnerlicious.ca. 

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

In 1975, during International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation.

International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

2013 International Women’s Day

The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2013 is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women,” while International Women’s Day 2013 has declared the year’s theme as The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum.

“There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

For a list of IWD events in Hamilton:

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/thingstodo/story/2013/03/01/hamilton-international-womens-day-events.html
 

For more information on IWD 2013: 

http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton is delighted to announce that Richard Koroscil, President of Korlon Strategic Services Inc. and Brian Ferguson, Senior Manager of Global Staffing at VMware will take the leadership roles of the 2013 Annual United Way Campaign. 

Board Chair, Dana Robbins says, “United Way is delighted to have people of this calibre leading this year’s United Way Annual Campaign.  All of us associated with United Way have great confidence that we have the right people who will lead us to our next level of success.”

Koroscil is the former President and Chief Executive Officer for the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (Canada) from 2003 until his retirement in early 2012 and has a distinguished career in Airport Management that spans over 37 years in both the public and private sectors throughout Canada and internationally.  He presently sits on the boards of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Metrolinx, McMaster Institute of Transportation and Logistics, Theatre Aquarius and is the Chair for TransHub Ontario.

“I am thrilled to be able to play a leadership role in the 2013 Hamilton United Way Campaign. This is an organization that has always been close to my heart and continues to do so much for those in need in our community”, said Koroscil.  “I am looking forward to working with this year’s outstanding volunteer team and our amazing United Way Staff”.  

Ferguson, a recent recipient of the 2012 Business Media Link Halton Top 40 under 40 Business Achievement award, is known for his energy, drive, passion and his ability to execute results regardless of the challenge faced.  Born and raised in Burlington with a young family of his own, Brian has continuously been connected to the needs of the community through his involvement with Burlington Youthfest; acting as employee campaign chair for the United Way and encouraging corporate social responsibility by gaining key partnerships. 

“I plan on bringing my enthusiasm and innovative thinking to the United Way team and am looking forward to this leadership role with an organization that works so hard to ensure Burlington is a community that is truly great for everyone”, said Ferguson. 

Other members of the Campaign Cabinets include Hamilton Vice-Chairs, Rebecca and Jamie West and Burlington Vice-Chairs, Dr. Sheila Jaggard and Jamie Edwards as well as numerous Divisional Chairs, Sector Chairs and Account Executives.

“We are very fortunate to have so much talent and commitment to our communities in our Campaign Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Cabinet members”, said United Way CEO, Len Lifchus.  “We are looking forward to making 2013 a lucky year, starting with the kick off to our 86th annual campaign on Friday, September 13^th, 2013.

2012 was a year of milestones for the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton. Imagine Canada launched its new Standards Program to strengthen public confidence in the charitable nonprofit sector and the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton was one of the first organizations to be accredited across the country. 2012 also marked the organization’s 85th anniversary.

The United Way announced raising $6,813,000 ($2,008,355 in Burlington and $4,804,645 in Hamilton). “Despite some challenges in a number of sectors, this year’s achievement is one to be celebrated.  The United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton has raised over $250 million since its inception in 1927” said CEO Len Lifchus.

“The United Way legacy in our community has been built on decades of hard work, thousands of volunteers, and donors who year after year see the need in their community and have the compassion and conviction to be a part of the solution,” he said. “The funds we raised this year will help thousands upon thousands of people right here in our community. That is something to be proud of, and as always, thank you to our donors who make it all possible.”

 “A strong, supported, resilient city benefits all of us,” said 2012 Campaign Co-Chairs the Hon. Paddy Torsney and Dr. Nick Bontis. “Every day, United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton has a profound impact on our community and by raising $6,813,000; we are ensuring an essential network of programs and services work together to achieve lasting, positive change. We were honoured to be a part of this year’s campaign and to give what we could to help create positive change in the lives of those in our community.”

To see photos from the ‘Celebrating 85 Years’ event, visit our Facebook page here