2023-2024 Annual Report_UWWRC - Flipbook - Page 7
A Letter from our Board Chair
It’s no secret that charitable fundraising
is challenging, especially in the current
economic climate. I often get asked, why
United Way? Why not another worthy
charity or community organization?
I’ve been a United Way supporter for
over 35 years. For me, it’s because
poverty is complex. United Way is the
only charity that I know that funds a
broad approach to our community’s
toughest
problems:
homelessness,
hunger, integrating newcomers, youth
unemployment, addiction, illiteracy and
mental health to name a few. We know
our community. We know its needs. We
know how to connect the resources of
our community efficiently. We are
trusted. When the Government of
Canada needed partners to help
distribute its $400 million Community
Services Recovery Fund, it looked to
United Way. Through that Fund, United
Way distributed $1.7 million dollars
locally.
I encourage you to read our Annual
Report and look to the numerous
organizations and projects we have
funded. The dollars we raise and
distribute directly improves the lives of
our community, our neighbours and our
friends. We helped 215,558 people last
year!
Years ago, as a bookish, shy, immigrant
child,
I
benefitted
from
various
newcomer projects that were supported
by my home town’s United Way. I’m still
bookish, but I’m not shy and Canada is
my beloved home. It is my privilege to
pay it forward and I thank each and every
one of you for your support of United
Way. I encourage you to get more
involved – come to an event, help with a
workplace campaign, think about United
Way as you update your will, donate an
item for our silent auction and keep
giving. You will not regret it. I never have.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Without you, there is no way.
Neena Gupta
Board Chair|United Way WRC
7
2023/2024 Annual Report
