Our visionA community where everyone matters.

Our missionWe mobilize the power of our community to create lasting change.

Have you ever:

• Provided a safe home to

someone on the street?

• Offered friendship to help

someone feel included?

• Helped a family in

crisis find their way?

You have!You have done all these

things and more because

you gave to United Way.

Our 2014-2015

investments

Over the past year, our community has come together to unite people, ideas and resources to create lasting change in people’s lives right here in London and Middlesex County.

In March 2014, we announced that thanks to the support of thousands of donors and volunteers throughout the region, we achieved our 2013 Campaign goal of $8.9 million.

With this fundraising success comes an increased investment in programs and services designed to address the root causes of social issues. In spite of challenging economic conditions and plant closures, in 2014/15 United Way London & Middlesex is very proud to make the largest non-governmental community investment in social services in our history at a time when our community needs it most.

We appreciate your trust and confidence in United Way. Together, we are making smart investments in strategies that change lives and provide proven results for our community – not just for today, but for the long-term.

Thank you for helping us change the story.

$8.9 millionthank you

Incredible things happen when we unite.

Andrew Lockie CEO

Elizabeth Maccabe Chair, Board of Directors

DONOR DESIGNATIONS8%

POVERTY23%

BEGINNINGS & TRANSITIONS

38%

BUILDING CAPACITY

6%

MENTAL HEALTH25%

3,718 INDIVIDUALS accessed basic needs supports such as food, clothing, health vouchers,

and school items at their local neighbourhood resource centre.

PovertyIn a community where everyone matters, we create opportunities for individuals and families to not just survive in our community, but to thrive and contribute.

subsidized meals were delivered by

Meals on Wheels volunteers to low-income seniors

and adults with disabilities.

YOU GAVESECURITY

THE LONDON CAReS HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM HAS REDUCED POLICE & EMERGENCY ROOM INTERVENTIONS BY 98%.

1,30028

... so someone could escape homelessness.

Everyone’s basic needs are met.

Everyone has the skills, support, and information they need to make their best possible contribution.

Everyone is financially stable.

“Home at last” — a sentiment felt by 21 individuals, who after years of persistent homelessness, find themselves in safe, stable housing thanks to the London CAReS Housing Stability Program working in partnership with London shelters and the London & Middlesex Housing Corporation.

This innovative United Way funded program provides intensive housing support for high-needs individuals and produces dramatic results. Prior to being housed, a sample of eleven participants amassed over 1,300 police and

emergency room interventions. After being housed through the program, the number of interventions dropped to 28 – a staggering 98% decrease, resulting in a significant cost savings for our community. These proven results led United Way to double its investment in this highly effective program.

More important though, is the direct impact this strategy has on people’s lives. A safe home creates opportunities for people to not just survive in our community, but to thrive and contribute — and that means a better community for us all.

THE LONDON CAReS HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM HAS REDUCED POLICE & EMERGENCY ROOM INTERVENTIONS BY 98%.

LONG-TERM GOALS:

86,887 VISITS were made to health and wellness programs at the Horton Street Seniors’ Centre – a 5% increase over the prior year.

Mental healthWe believe that prevention and support for a wide range of mental health concerns are important investments for a strong and resilient community. By offering early interventions and timely support we can help individuals maintain a better quality of life and prevent concerns from escalating.

3,500 HOURS of friendship and support were provided

by St. Joseph’s Hospice volunteers to individuals with terminal illness.

YOU GAVEFRIENDSHIP

OF PARTICIPANTS REPORT IMPROVED

WELLBEING AND SELF-CONFIDENCE

AS A RESULT OF BEST BUDDIES.88%

When you listen to Lizzy speak to a room full of strangers, three words come immediately to mind: confident, poised and articulate. Her intellectual disability is no barrier when she describes the powerful impact Community Living London’s Best Buddies Program has had in her life.

“My Best Buddy Kristin is a true friend who completely accepts me for who I am,” she explains. “I don’t have to be a celebrity like

Marilyn Monroe or Madonna,” she jokes. “I can just be me.”

United Way invests in programs like Best Buddies because we believe healthy relationships are a critical component of all people’s development and wellbeing. When we reduce isolation and alleviate issues like anxiety and depression, people are able to more fully participate in our community. One need look no further than Lizzy for proof of this.

Stigma and discrimination related to mental illness is reduced.

... to help someone feel included.

All individuals dealing with a mental health issue, addiction or violence-related trauma will be able to seek support and access assistance at their point of need.

LONG-TERM GOALS:

Beginnings & transitionsUnited Way believes in making investments to improve the wellbeing of our friends, neighbours and our community for the long-term. Getting to the root cause of problems and building support systems for people early on is the best way to prevent challenges from becoming more complex in the future.

955 CHILDREN from low-income homes attended Stevenson Children’s Camp – a residential camp that develops skills and fosters healthy relationships.

230 FAMILIES were supported at

Changing Ways and Women’s Rural Resource Centre through

counselling services designed to keep families safe and stable as they work to end the cycle of violence and abuse.

YOU GAVESOLUTIONS

PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

IS 4.5x LESS EXPENSIVE THAN

OUT-OF-HOME CARE.4.5

Parents everywhere pretty much all agree on one thing – parenting can be tough. Parenting becomes much tougher for families coping with issues like addictions, mental health concerns, or partner abuse. Keeping your family together under the weight of those challenges can be overwhelming.

Thanks to your support, United Way is increasing its investment in the N’Amerind Friendship Centre’s Community Liaison Program that gives parents involved with the child welfare system the tools they

need to keep their families safe and together. Research tells us that with the right support, kids that are able to safely stay with their families do better in the long run.

It also makes good economic sense. Providing one year of timely, wrap-around support for families is 4.5x less expensive than providing out-of-home care for the same period. Together, we are creating a community where kids have a healthy start and the opportunity to reach their potential.

All children and youth meet healthy developmental and educational milestones.

All immigrants settle successfully.

Individuals and families are stable and resilient during challenging times and life transitions.

... to keep families together.

LONG-TERM GOALS:LONG-TERM GOALS:

BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND STRENGTHENING THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR

We engage and empower all sectors of our community to come together and share their experiences, expertise and energy. The power of partnerships and collaborations multiplies our impact and leads us to find progressive and lasting solutions.

When looking for help, individuals and families often do not know where to turn. Whether it’s looking for elder care for aging parents or trying to find support for a child with a learning disability, the maze of phone books, helplines, directories and voicemail can be overwhelming. If you are in crisis, the task can be even more daunting as you often don’t even know what you need.

Simply dialling 2-1-1 or visiting www.211ontario.ca is a simple solution that offers confidential, free, information and referral. 211 helps to navigate the complex network of human services quickly and easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 100 languages. Last year, 211 Ontario answered more than 527,000 calls from individuals looking for help. Of those callers, 89% reported getting the help they needed thanks to this United Way funded service.

Building capacityIdentifies, understands and addresses the root causes of the social issues we face.

A senior called 211 looking for services for his adult son with severe developmental disabilities. His wife had

passed away the year before and she had managed most of the service coordination for their son. His son was sometimes aggressive and refused to leave the house without his dad, which made accessing services difficult. The senior was exhausted and overwhelmed.

211 asked many probing questions to better understand the caller’s concerns and situation to make the best referrals possible. 211 helped identify not only programs geared for adults with developmental disabilities in his area but respite services and financial assistance for the caller as he was having trouble making ends meet. 211 offered to advocate on the caller’s behalf to ensure he knew he was not alone and to make sure he reached the right help at the agencies.

211... for when you don’t know where to turn

UNITED WAY:

Develops leaders and skills to strengthen the non-profit sector.

Stewart’s reflectionsAs a member of United Way’s London Life Youth United Advisory Council, I have had the opportunity to meet a number of compelling youth, each of whom have goals and aspirations, and each of whom are devoted to changing our community for the better. Meeting and speaking with confident, innovative and passionate youth across London has been an incredibly rewarding and inspiring experience, and has motivated me to accept more accountability, push with more persistence, and act with more leadership to help shape our community and create lasting change.

The council was lucky enough to visit Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) to see firsthand how a single organization with an unrelenting vision can directly impact the lives and shape the futures of people in London. Specifically, the mission of YOU is to support youth so they can build the skills, confidence, and independence to reach their full potential. The visit was an enlightening experience, and one that I will not soon forget.

“I FEEL FORTUNATE AND GRATEFUL THAT AS A UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER I AM PART OF THE POSITIVE CHANGE HAPPENING IN

THE LONDON-MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING MY PARTICIPATION WITH UNITED WAY.”

Stewart Spence, volunteer member of London Life Youth United Advisory Council

Brings together the needed research, experts and resources.

Initiates and invests in programs that hold the most promise for long-term solutions.

As a United Way

VOLUNTEER, I am part of

positivechange.

UNITED WAY:

United Way London & Middlesex409 King St. London ON N6B 1S5

Ph: 519-438-1721 Fx: 519-438-9938

unitedwaylm.ca

Charitable registration #119260503RR0001

Mark of Imagine Canada used under license by

United Way London & Middlesex.