Building a Strong Sector

United Way of the Alberta Capital Region works collaboratively across the social services sector, identifying pressing community needs, and convening partnerships across the region to implement solutions with greatest impact.

“We have this bird’s eye view of the community because we understand what agencies are doing, what relationships they have in community, and what the important work is to them,” shares Sarah Barber, Director of Investment Impact and Research at United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.

As the need in our community was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, so too was the need at local agencies. Frontline staff have experienced increasing caseloads and demand for support, while also navigating pandemic restrictions and adapting programming so they can continue to support those who needed help. As the region recovers from the economic ripple effects, United Way is there to help the social service sector recover as well.

“We have the capacity to bring people together so that they can share learning and really, that does help reduce burnout. It helps improve practice, and we have staff at United Way that are really good at supporting that learning from each other and bringing people together to learn from each other. I think there’s a lot of power in that,” Sarah explains.

Thanks to United Way supporters, we can provide critical funding and backbone administrative support, so local agencies can focus on delivering much-needed frontline programs and services.

At Norwood Centre, United Way funding means their Parent Respite program is staffed by highly-trained child care educators, and a family support worker is matched with each family to help provide wraparound support.

“United Way strengthens our work by providing that additional funding so we can provide the highest quality childcare program possible. Every child, every family, deserves the right to quality care. When we have access to extra funding, we can provide the best staff, the best program, the best equipment,” says Kathy Burgett, program director for Norwood Family Resource Centre.

The work United Way does is made possible by generous supporters who are rolling up their sleeves to make a difference.

“Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for walking alongside us, for caring, for getting involved,” Sarah says.

By bringing together caring people and organizations to address the root cause of poverty in the Edmonton region, we can make lasting change in our community.