United Way investing in area youth programs
The United Way is making a significant contribution to local programs.
The organization is investing $140,120 in 20 area initiatives. These investments are made possible because of the support of local donors and businesses that participate in its payroll deduction program.
This year, 64 per cent of funding was invested in 11 programs that will benefit Lunenburg County kids and youth. This includes PRO Kids in the Towns of Bridgewater and Lunenburg and the Municipality of Lunenburg.
Children are going to day camps with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kids n Kops and Second Story Women's Centre
Leadership Camps for girls and boys ages nine to 12.
Better Together Family Resource 4H Clubs, Musical Friends at St. Stephen's Anglican Parish in Chester and the YMCA King Street Youth Centre will provide kids and youth with a safe place to learn, experience new things, socialize and grow.
The money invested in Hinchinbrook Farm will help train 50 local volunteers who will assist children and young adults living with autism.
These learned skills will provide a benefit to the volunteers, their clients, and the community for many years to come.
Schools Plus has also received a grant to help provide 50 families living with food insecurity. This program is called
Cultural Cooking for Indigenous & African Nova Scotians and will provide a crockpot, food recipes and three meals a week during a five-week period. Money was also invested in the Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program.
In addition, money was also given to local transportation with Seniors Wheels in Bridgewater and Chester Community Wheels, both receiving operating grants. Together these two organizations provide more than 10,000 rides per year and help many people in wheelchairs and seniors in our community.
Also, the Senior Safety Coordinator received an operating grant as they help seniors who are experiencing homelessness, elder and financial abuse, food insecurity, hoarding and mental health issues and other issues. A grant was also given to Shoreham Village to purchase a virtual Reality (VR) system to further engage the elders in the Shoreham Village community.
Three organizations assisting people living with low income, unemployment or underemployment and homelessness also received funding. This includes St Vincent de Paul, the Adult Learning Network, and the Family Service Association of Western NS (Freeman House).
Money was also invested to provide the community with free swimming at the O'regan's Subaru Outdoor Pool in Bridgewater and the Mahone Bay Outdoor Pool.
In addition, the United
Way of Lunenburg County operates several programs that work exclusively with trusted frontline workers and professionals in the community. These programs provide free swim/skate passes to the LCLC, operates Bikes for Kids – Teens and Adults Too, offers a free technology program (iphones and laptop computers), free Bridgewater Transit Passes, encourages people to volunteer to help a struggling senior neighbour by Plowing, Racking, Mowing or Stacking it Forward, provides free day passes to the LCLC, YMCA or HB Studios for low-income folks who have an issue related to mental health and Coats for Kids – Teens and Adults Too and operates Free Skates to Borrow at the LCLC.