Colchester United Way provides funding to 11 organizations
TRURO – For Autism Nova Scotia’s Truro chapter, United Way of Colchester program funding will enable it to purchase equipment and furniture for its regional sensory-friendly centre.
“As a first-time recipient, we were able to use funds from our United Way Fall Impact Grant to purchase much needed equipment and furniture for our space,” autism support counsellor Leah Poirier said. “This has enabled us to make our regional autism centre more welcoming and sensory-friendly, which is very important. We know that when people are comfortable and feeling safe in a space, they tend to learn more and can participate in a bigger way.”
Poirier said the variety of adaptive equipment on hand, as well as the new United Way program funding for its Inclusive Community Program expansion, will have a positive impact on the community and help the organization achieve its vision for a world where everyone is living their lives fully.
Despite the pressures of the pandemic, the Colchester community continues to show its resiliency and unwavering generosity in support of the United Way of Colchester’s Community Fund, which is steadily growing towards its 2021 campaign goal of $300,000.
These donations enable the United Way to collaborate with other agencies in the delivery of several projects and programs throughout the year.
The United Way’s program funding for 2022-2023 has just been awarded, with more than $145,000 going to support 11 charities in Colchester County, as they create opportunities for positive impact on the lives of individuals and families throughout the county.
“The word resilience has been used a lot in the past couple of years and we have seen it in action within the organizations we support,” the United Way of Colchester’s interim executive director Sam Madore said. “Their ability to continue to commit themselves to improving opportunities for the people they serve, while facing challenging external circumstances out of their control, is inspiring. We are thrilled to be able to continue to support their efforts to enhance our community.”
Autism Nova Scotia’s Truro chapter is a new recipient this year, along with the Macphee Centre for Creative Learning and the Northern Healthy Connections Society.
Successful applicants for United Way funding must complete an application process that is reviewed by the United Way’s investment committee to ensure that they address relevant community needs and respect the donor’s directives for community support.
All approved applications must also speak to one or more of United Way’s key focus areas: moving people from poverty to possibility, healthy people - strong communities and helping kids be all they can be.
Other recipients include the Boys & Girls Club of Truro & Colchester, Bridges Institute, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Colchester East Hants Branch, Colchester Adult Learning Association, Colchester Sexual Assault Centre (with Lotus Centre), Maggie’s Place Family Resource Centre, Tatamagouche Centre and Third Place Transition House.