2020/21 Annual Report

In our 80 years supporting those most vulnerable in the Alberta Capital Region, 2020 was a year like no other.

This past year has shown us the enduring power of a community united. As the pandemic reached our region, United Way worked quickly with our partners to gain an understanding of the emerging needs in the community and how to deliver supports effectively and safely. But we knew we could not meet the rapidly increasing needs alone. We put out an urgent call to action for support and our community did not let us down. You rallied together to help our neighbours during a time of crisis.

We are truly honoured that both the provincial and federal governments entrusted United Way to steward relief funds to effectively meet the increased demand and distribute resources to those most in need.

Numerous foundations also saw United Way as a trusted partner and provided additional grants. Dozens of corporations donated both funds and supplies. Donors challenged themselves to give more than ever for their struggling neighbours.

Workplace volunteers navigated complex, and ever-changing, environments to run hundreds of groundbreaking virtual campaigns. And community volunteers made over 1,100 much needed supply kits from home. You heeded the call to help our community when it was hurting, and we are so grateful.

Thanks to the combined efforts of all our supporters, and our incredible collaborative network of social agencies and community partners, we were able to rapidly distribute millions locally from our COVID Relief Fund providing access to basic needs, mental health, isolated seniors, and services for the most vulnerable.

While COVID-19 dominated the 2020 landscape, we continued our vital ongoing and ever-present work ensuring that no one in our community is left behind. Although systems and services had to adapt, our community partners remained committed, creating effective and lasting solutions for our most vulnerable. We could not do our work without the strength and vitality of this amazing collaborative network.

We believe our 80th year has fundamentally changed us – it redefined how we engage with each other and deliver services to our community. It reinforced and magnified how incredibly powerful the collective impact of everyday people rallying around their neighbours can be and how inspiring it is when we all come together to do local good. There are lessons and new solutions that will lead us into our future, as we continue to collaborate with our partners helping our community recover, rebuild, and thrive.

This spirit and action are what makes the Edmonton area so special. Working together in bold and unique ways to solve difficult problems is who we are. Our passion for our community drives us to collaborate like no other. We look forward with optimism and determination to our next 80 years, deeply committed to ensuring no one in our community is left behind.

Thank you. To each and every one of you for helping make this community one that we are humbled and proud to be a part of – thank you.

• 3,993 individuals received early learning and parenting supports.
• 27,044 students participated in healthy development programs.
• 4,399 children participated in nurturing after-school programs.
• 1,058 at-risk youth were supported to stay in school.
• 2,157 people received help filing their income taxes and accessing benefits.
• 631 vulnerable community members received financial literacy training.
• 2,954 individuals got help obtaining and retaining employment.

• 61,063 participants accessed healthy meals or food hampers.
• 315 people received help to obtain or maintain housing.
• 22,595 community members attended mental health education sessions.
• 19,592 individuals facing mental health challenges received timely counselling.
• 3,420 people who experienced domestic violence received caring supports.
• 80,621 people were connected to needed services by skilled staff.

Government of Alberta Matching Grant

A matching grant from the Government of Alberta supported nearly 57,500 individuals and 125 families. This grant matched donations made to United Way, supporting essential services for vulnerable Albertans, and filling gaps created by the increased and changing demands for services due to COVID-19.

Government of Canada Emergency Community Support Fund Grant (ECSF)

The COVID-19 Emergency Community Support Fund grant, provided by Employment & Social Development Canada, was issued to United Ways across the country to identify and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families affected by COVID-19. Within the Alberta Capital Region, more than 134,300 individuals and 5,000 families benefited from this support.

Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors Grant

The New Horizons for Seniors Program, an Employment & Social Development program, provided funds to United Ways to support vulnerable seniors at risk due to the COVID-19 crisis. This funding was provided to community agencies to enhance and provide supports for isolated seniors in all parts of Canada, including rural and remote communities. More than 4,600 seniors benefited from this funding in the Alberta Capital Region.

The Government of Canada chose United Way to disperse these funds through these two programs recognizing our ability to provide a coordinated and nimble response based on local knowledge, social sector relationships, and rapid supports activation for the immediate needs. We were also entrusted to disperse and support rural northern Alberta and Lloydminster communities to support their capacity.

I have been so impressed with everything our partners have accomplished this past year. As someone who led a United Way workplace campaign for our regiment early in my military career, I know the work and commitment it takes to run a successful campaign.

This past year has been one of challenges — both in our work lives and in our personal lives. In a time when they could have easily focused on their own difficulties and barriers, hundreds of volunteers and donors from organizations big and small across our region chose to rise to the occasion.

Volunteers turned traditional fundraising campaigns on their heads, executing unique and creative campaigns that were both safe and engaging. Colleagues inspired each other to do local good and rallied together in innovative ways to be there for our vulnerable neighbours during an unprecedented time.

As United Way works to harness more volunteer power, the traditional role of Campaign Chair will evolve, making way for multiple new senior volunteer positions throughout the organization. Volunteers will form a network of diverse leaders that reflect our community and will work together to make a tangible impact in our region. This is an exciting evolution and will truly harness the power of a large and committed collective of volunteers to do even greater good. I am so glad that, for a third year, I got to play a part in supporting United Way’s important work to strengthen our community. I am humbled and grateful to our Corporate Solutions Cabinet for all your work and support. Thank you to our partners for all you have done. I can’t wait to see what you all do next!

Big Idea Award
GenNEXT Committee

Campaign Committee of the Year
Enbridge

Committee Member of the Year
Alberta Municipal Affairs – Jolene Cusack

Education & Engagement
MacEwan University

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Private Sector
ATB Financial – Terri Stiksma

Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Public Sector
Alberta Community and Social Services / Children’s Services – Connor Gaughan

Everyday Hero Award
Alberta Blue Cross

Funded Partner Campaign
Operation Friendship Seniors Society

GenNEXT Award
PCL Construction

George Letki Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Brian Sawyer
Robin Murray

Labour Award of Distinction
Health Sciences Association of Alberta

Leading the Way
EPCOR

Small Business Award
The Dapper Beaver Coffee Company

Welcome to United Way
Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers Ltd.

GenNEXT Award
Wheaton Honda

George Letki Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Brad Campbell & Jon Holland

Labour Award of Distinction
United Nurses of Alberta

Leading the Way
Alberta Blue Cross

Outstanding Committee Member of the Year
Darlene Bryant, University of Alberta

Small But Mighty Award
MEGlobal Canada Inc.

Welcome to United Way
Northwest Connect General Partnership

211 Alberta

211 Alberta has maintained and increased their vital support to Albertans with information and connection to a full range of community, government, social, and health services throughout the pandemic. In June 2020, 211 Alberta expanded service province-wide to ensure all Albertans had access to resources during this time of crisis. Since then, all Albertans have been able to call, text, or chat online anytime 24/7.

211 Alberta also played a key role in supporting the provincial government’s COVID-19 response initiatives and was accessed over 260,000 times by phone, text, chat, or visits to www.ab.211.ca.

My team and I had an informative meeting with @myunitedway and @211Alberta to discuss mental health and challenges people in our communities are experiencing.

211 is a helpline and online database of Alberta’s community and social services. pic.twitter.com/3CA1jpNZ5p

— James Cumming (@jameskcumming) March 16, 2021

Had a blast making Kid Kits with @myunitedway volunteers and also some @OFSS1969 volunteers. Help each other and u build a community. Volunteering is the greatest gift u can give. pic.twitter.com/wtFJ77ZlDS

— Jimmy Morrison (@Jimmytheintern) March 16, 2021

So very excited to see this planned project. The community that residents build at each @CMHAEdmonton property is tremendously valuable. Thank You 👏👏👏 to everyone involved and for helping to make this happen.

— Bobbi Menard (@BobbiMenard) July 14, 2020

Partnerships were key during COVID to ensure our students achieved success. Combined efforts of @myunitedway, @TELUS and the ECS Foundation, ensured our most vulnerable students had access to devices and the internet Check out this video: https://t.co/Coufe5nrEr

— ECSD (@EdmCathSchools) November 18, 2020

There is no better time than today to undertake such needed support for who cannot afford to mental health support. Thanks to @myunitedway and @albertablacktherapistnetwork for such a partnership in #yeg https://t.co/PGHTMF2szz

— Sharif Haji (@SharifHaji) January 24, 2021

Our fantastic team is all set to distribute 49 cellphones to community members to stay connected to each other and to community supports thanks to @myunitedway and @Bell for these vital means of connection! #COVID19 #pandemiclife #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/MZAQr37JzE

— Bent Arrow (@BentArrowYEG) February 3, 2021