United Way announces $100,000 campaign goal at kickoff breakfast
Highlighting the importance of funding community programs, and sharing a presentation with a global perspective, was the focus of the Swift Current United Way kick off breakfast on March 10 at the Living Sky Casino.
The early morning fundraiser attracted a capacity crowd, and United Way Executive Director Stacey Schwartz had a chance to reflect on a successful 2016.
Last year the United Way provided $75,000 to 10 local non-profit organizations for programming during 2017. Plus, for the first time, some additional funds were placed into a reserve for community emergent needs outside of their regular grant application process.
“We wanted to have a little bit of surplus so that in the event that there was something that arose, that the community needed extra funds… that we would be able to step in and meet that need,” Schwartz explained.
They set aside a $10,000 emergent fund, with that money able to be utilized for beneficial programs or spending that was not an identified need during their funding application intake. Some of that funding was used to support childcare expenses for newcomers taking english language courses at Great Plains College.
In funding local programs for various non-profit organizations, Schwartz feels they are supporting the right mix of agencies and organizations to meet their focus areas of: From Poverty to Possibility; Healthy People, Strong Community; and All That Kids Can Be.
“I feel really confident that for our community we’ve been able to have that impact. For me, I’d feel much better for us to be able to give $10,000 to a program than give $2,000 and maybe you’re funding 25 programs,” she said.
“I’d rather invest in 10 programs, to be able to give them a large chunk that’s able to cover the cost where they can actually make an impact. For me I feel confident that we’ve been able to have that in our community.”
As for their $100,000 fundraising goal, and the return of the Foundation of Hope Gala this fall, Schwartz is confident the community will again rally behind their efforts.
“I would love to exceed it. Last year we did have a high goal, I think last year our goal was $135,000. We did meet $100,000. So I would love to surpass $100,000, but we’re going to aim for that as the minimum for this year.”
Schwartz was pleased that breakfast keynote speaker Molly Thomas was able to deliver such an impactful early morning message about the worsening Syrian crisis.
“Its been just under a year that we’ve had our new (Syrian) neighbours come into our community. And for her just to educate, bring the facts, cause there’s a lot of mistruths that get passed around and sometimes prevent us from being able to work more collaboratively as a community.”
Thomas, a former co-host of CTV Regina Morning Live who is now a freelance writer and produces freelance pieces for ‘Context with Lorna Dueck’, a private, faith-based show on Global TV, provided a powerful message on the situation in Syria and the struggles that Syrian refugees face.
“Misinformation is a huge problem,” Thomas admitted following her presentation. “There’s a huge fear tactic around refugees. One thing that I can tell you from the people that I have met - from Turkey, to Jordan, the Syrians that I’ve met, and Iraq - these people are running from their homes. They lost everything. These people would never have left their home if they didn’t have to.”
She said Saskatchewan residents have an important duty in supporting refugee families and welcoming them into our communities.
“I actually think because of the community atmosphere we have here, we’re uniquely positioned to do this better than other parts of Canada in a lot of ways,” Thomas explained. “I think it’s really important for Saskatchewan people just to think of the little ways that may make a difference.”
She said the arrival of Syrian families provides a unique opportunity to partner with and learn and grow together.
“I think the most important thing is there are newcomers, there are neighbours coming in to our communities, and what are going to do about it? How are we going to respond to these people? How are we going to treat them? And how can we be prepared? So I really hope that people took away just ways that they can invest in their community, invest in their neighbours. And get to know people that may be from a whole different walk of life, a whole different cultural background, but they can still be the people that are just next door.”
Thomas showed a series of comparison images showing how the country used to look and its current war-torn state.
She also explained the extensive four stage screening the refugees endure before they are admitted into Canada.
Thomas noted that with global displacement at an alltime high, Canada will continue to be a refuge for people around the world.
“Don’t let fake facts hold you back from helping somebody,” she said of the opportunity to welcome a new neighbour as opposed to welcoming refugees.