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Together, we can make a difference against poverty.

Volunteerism in the community concept.

Every Canadian community is affected by poverty.

Poverty is an uncomfortable aspect of society that most of us have come to accept. But for 3.3 million Canadians who live in poverty every day and struggle to pay rent, find work, and feed their children,1 the reality is unignorable. That’s why United Ways and Centraides across Canada work to give everyone a fair shot at a good life.

The metropolitan area of London, Ontario, where United Way Elgin Middlesex operates, is no exception. In the London area, one in five children lives in poverty.2 Different segments within the local population are disproportionately affected by poverty. This includes seniors (over the age of 65), children and youth who are part of lone-parent families, Indigenous people, visible minorities, and both recent and established immigrants.3

It is possible to ease the effects of poverty and improve lives, but that success depends on our collective action - by individuals, governments, non-profits and corporations.

Last year United Way Elgin Middlesex engaged nearly 20,000 donors and volunteers to help sustain a vital social safety net that provides thousands of people—our friends, neighbours, and colleagues—with much needed support year-round.

United Way: our partnership with 3M to improve Canadian communities.

For years, 3M has supported United Way through cash donations and employee volunteers. In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3M donated $5.4 million USD to the United Way’s Worldwide COVID-19 Community Response & Recovery fund - $150,000 USD of which supported United Ways and Centraides in Canada. And in March 2020, 3M Canada stepped up to make a lead corporate donation of $50,000 CAD, starting our local pandemic response fund.

This global and local support has enabled United Way Centraides to mobilize direct help for vulnerable people affected by the pandemic.

By the end of the year, over $1 million from United Way Elgin Middlesex’s Local Love in a Global Crisis fund was working in the community, along with $4.6 million from our annual Community Fund. These grants helped to keep essential programs and services running, as well as scaling up the most critical programs with new technology to replace in-person services. Where in-person services were still required, the grants helped provide PPE to allow services to operate safely.4

“3M and our employees are committed to building strong, vibrant communities across the country. With non-profit partners such as United Way, we help people in our local communities meet basic needs such as healthy food, safe shelter, and access to critical mental health services.”

– Penny Wise, President, 3M Canada.

Every year, 3M Canada and its employees help launch our local fundraising campaign at 3M Harvest Lunch and United Way Campaign Launch. A 3M sponsored employee works with us full-time each fall to help raise funds and support workplace campaigns across our community. And many 3M employees make regular payroll donations to their local United Way or Centraide organizations across Canada.

"My experience as sponsored employee gave me hope. If it wasn’t for these programs and organizations, people would be in far worse situations. If you have the opportunity to volunteer, do it, don’t even think twice. It will change your perspective."

– Diane Piedade, Events, Hospitality and Corporate Partnerships Manager, 3M Canada.

Since 2000, global poverty rates have been cut by more than half. Canada now has the lowest poverty rate in our history and a federal poverty reduction strategy aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.5 Progress is being made, but, there is still much more work to be done.

I ask you to be a changemaker in your community. Consider getting involved by donating to or volunteering with your local United Way or Centraide.

Through personal and collective action, we will continue to improve lives locally and build communities where everyone matters. 

 

References.

1. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/11-627-M2020018

2. United Way Elgin Middlesex. http://unitedwayem.ca/whatwedo/moving-people-from-poverty-to-possibility/  

3. London Poverty Trends 2020. 191218046-COL-Poverty-Trends-Report-EMAIL-WEB.PDF

4. United Way 2020-2021 Impact Report. https://unitedwayem.ca/2020-21-impact-report/

5. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/poverty/

Kelly is a 3M-sponsored contributor. The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author. 

About the Author

[enBio=Kelly has more than 20 years’ experience leading capital campaigns and community relations in the non-profit sector. An award-winning communicator, Kelly is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and alumna of King’s University College and Western University.],[enJob=President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex],[frBio=Kelly compte plus de 20 ans d’expérience à la direction de campagnes pluriannuelles et de relations communautaires dans le secteur sans but lucratif. Une communicatrice primée, Kelly est collectrice de fonds agréée et ancienne élève du Collège universitaire King’s et de l’Université Western.],[frJob=Présidente et directrice générale, Centraide d’Elgin Middlesex]

Profile Photo of Kelly Ziegner