Our community needs United Way

RE: MY OWN DOOR, MY OWN BED ... (OCT. 16)

United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) values our relationships with all community partners. Together, we are stronger, and together with our donors, we’re making a difference.

This year, a total of 42 programs across Hamilton received United Way funding, and they are supporting more than 100,000 Hamiltonians. These programs are addressing some of the most unignorable and pressing problems in our community, such as at-risk youth, poverty, senior isolation and mental illness.

Among the many agencies and organizations we work with, YWCA is one of our most significant. This year, United Way invested $112,832 into YWCA programs enhancing the lives of girls, women and families.

Sadly, because of a shortfall in last year’s United Way campaign, we had to make some tough decisions. Spectator columnist Susan Clairmont wrote about one of the programs impacted, which is helping women in transition rebuild their lives by giving them a safe place to live.

This article is a clear indication of how the community needs UWHH. UWHH invests what it can based on what the community generates. UWHH is grateful for the generous organizations and individuals committed to supporting those most vulnerable.

UWHH is working hard to ensure we meet our fundraising goal this year, and early response to this fall’s campaign has been very promising. We encourage everyone in the community to give what they can. We are a community of heart, and within that heart, there is local love. Brad Park, President and CEO, United Way Halton & Hamilton