Everyone Has Something to Contribute

Another weekend has come and gone, and for many of us we have had the chance to take some time to ourselves and relax, and most likely we have not thought about all of the wonderful resources we have available to us whenever we need them - things like supportive networks, events in your social life, and a roof over our heads. Unfortunately not everyone here in the Halifax Regional Municipality was able to have a weekend with all of these aspects in their lives.

Since I have become involved with United Way (almost a year ago), I have been learning about how many people need help in so many different ways, and how everyone can offer help to those that need it. Needing help may be a local charity that needs a few extra volunteers to run their after school program for young children, or perhaps it is a women who is facing mental health issues and is seeking a supportive community. But even beyond these very clear needs, it has become evident to me that all of us faces times in our lives when we need support, and for some it is easier to navigate the system to find the supports that you need. For those individuals who need support that may not be able to come from a close family member of friend, there are programs and agencies in our local community that can lend a helping hand to those in need. Providing a helping hand is what our United Way does very well - we provide funding to 57 local agencies, which equals over 100 programs.

All of us are able to contribute to our community. Contributing can be anything from volunteering at a local charity (even for 1 hour!), so donating to your local United Way, to being an advocate for social change and supports in our community, to being aware of your community. Everyone has something that they can contribute, and everyone knows what types of contributions they will be able to make.

Throughout the past few weeks, I have been passionately involved in supporting our local United Way through the 'Women United for Community' fundraiser. Our fundraiser has brought together 13 women from HRM to collectively raise $85,000 for United Way (to provide funding to the agencies and programs we support) in lieu of our 85th anniversary. I believe in my community and I believe in all of us to act as agents of change who can make our community a great place to live and play.

Please consider contributing to our local United Way this year. Together we can make a difference!

United We Can!

For more information please visit the United Way of Halifax Region website and the Women United for Community website.

Thank you for your support!

- Courtney Larkin

Thanks a Million!

It is amazing what strength we have when we unite together. Across Canada there are United Ways in many communities, and each one finds a way to invest and support the people that live in those areas. Last year we had MANY workplaces that contributed a million dollars or more to United Way's across our wonderful country.

Take a look at the list and see what companies you recognize, it is quite impressive how many workplaces and people are involved in supporting their communities.

If you see your workplace on the list - please find a way to get involved in their campaign. And if you do not see your workplace on the list, please let me know if you are interested in finding out who does local campaigns and how you can get involved to make a difference.

Everything counts, because everyone counts.

Please donate tonight to the Women United for Community fundraiser for United Way of Halifax Region.

Thank You!

Over $40,000 Raised!

I am proud to announce that as of today the Women United for Community fundraiser for United Way of Halifax Region has surpassed $40,000!!!!

We have reached 47% of our $85,000 goal. Thank you everyone for your generous support. And for anyone who has yet to donate, please remember that donations for this fundraiser will be accepted until November 1st.

I am also proud to announce that my portion of the campaign has been receiving very generous contributions this week. On behalf of the entire Halifax community, I want to thank everyone who has donated - you are making a lasting impact on making our community a stronger place to be.

Official News Release

I wanted to share with everyone the official news release for the Women United for Community fundraiser for United Way of Halifax Region's Community Fund.

Please click here to be directed to the news release.

We have now reached 44% of our goal, that's $37,349! Our deadline to raise $85,000 is November 1st, 2010 - so please consider donating to our local United Way today!

I believe in my community, I believe in making a difference, and I believe that together we can. Please join me!

Ignite Your Passion

Our local United Way (of Halifax Region) has been instrumental in helping thousands of people follow their passion and achieve their goals since it was founded in 1925. 

Our United Way was created from the devastating damage done to the city during the Halifax explosion. After the horrible event, residents of Dartmouth and Halifax began to come together and find out how they could help each other. The core group that sought to help others was a group of women who went door to door seeking monetary donations from neighbors to help support those in need.

Since the early beginnings of our local United Way we have changed and adapted with the city, this even has meant taking on a few different names and focuses; however, now we are known as United Way of Halifax Region and focus on partnering with local charities/agencies to help people help themselves - to invest in our local community.

Through all of the amazing work that United Way has done over the past 85 years, myself and so many others have been able to be helped or ignite their passion. For many the United Way provides a way out of situations that are not ideal, and for others the United Way provides the opportunity to contribute to a greater cause - a cause that is for everyone in the community to believe in and prosper from.

I am very fortunate and am proud to be involved with our local United Way. I know that through this fundraiser, Women United for Community, I am able to raise very needed funds to help people find a way out through one of our 100+ programs offered through our 57 agencies. Please join me in my quest to create a stronger Halifax Regional Municipality, together we can raise the funds necessary to provide services to help our friends, family, and neighbors.

Together we can!

Please join me in donating to United Way's campaign.

Thank you!

- Courtney

Be Thankful, Make a Difference

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we all sit back and enjoy this weekend with family and friends please take a minute to consider the greater community and how you have the ability to significantly help those in need.  

Our United Way seeks to improve our community and make it a better place for everyone to live.  

Please join me in donating to United Way and making a difference in our community - we have so much to be thankful for, now is our time to give back.  

Thank you! 

Click here to DONATE now.

Keeping Up The Pace

The campaign is well under way at this point and things are looking great! To date we have raised 29% of our $85,000 goal!

There are 2 main aspects to my portion of the campaign:

1. Hosting special events to create awareness and to provide the opportunity for people to donate

2. Encouraging friends and family to donate online - www.womenunited.ca

I have been strongly encouraging everyone I know to donate online, so I thought that I would take a minute to update everyone on the special events that have and are planned to take place:

Candy Necklace Sale

Last Friday night I partnered with Molson's Give'R event for United Way of Halifax Region and arranged for the lovely ladies of Iota Beta Chi sorority (located here in Halifax) to do a candy necklace sale with all of the proceeds going to the Women United for Community fundraiser. The event was a HUGE success and the ladies were able to raise $313 in a little over 2 hours! All necklaces were purchased via donations, which ranged from $1 to $20 each! The ladies were truly wonderful and passionate about the cause - and I sincerely appreciate al of their hard work.

Raffle

Today I met with the President of the Dalhousie Management Society to pass along some materials for their raffle tomorrow in the Student Union Building. All of the proceeds from the raffle are going towards the Women United for Community fundraiser. The Management Society folks will be in the Student Union Building from 1:00pm - 5:00pm, so if you are in there please buy your ticket. One of the prizes to be won is a year supply of VitaminWater!

Charity Wine Tasting Event

Once again the lovely ladies of Iota Beta Chi sorority are taking the lead on a special event in support of United Way. On October 14th there will be a charity wine tasting event for all women of greek letter organizations in the Halifax area. A minimum donation of $10 will be required at the event. I am also pleased to announce that Halifax's own labeled will be providing the wine tasting service - hosted by Jonathan Wilson.

I am looking into several other special events to take place between now and the end of the month, which is the expected end to the Women United for Community fundraiser. If you, or a group you belong to, is interested in hosting a fundraiser for the United Way please contact me - I would love to work with you!

Thank you to everyone for your support with the campaign - together we are all making our community a better place to live!

Creating Healthy Lives & Communities

I would like to share another story with everyone about one of the agencies that helps support young mothers. Please read ahead and remember that when you give to United Way’s Community Fund you make it possible for everyone to have a healthy life and participate in our community.

Alison's Story:

Alison’s dream as a young mother was to support her daughter by creating a life of their own while working in the field of plumbing. In order to achieve her goals, Alison had to find the courage to leave an abusive relationship; which she did over two years ago. This was when Alison and her daughter moved into Alice Housing, a safe and affordable housing program for women and children escaping family violence.

When Alison first arrived at Alice Housing she was full of anger and regret. It wasn’t hard to tell that she was struggling with her self worth as a woman and a mother. However, after months of counseling and support she began to open up and the transformation began. Her self esteem and confidence were quickly on the rise and she learnt to parent proactively, instead of reactively. Alison had come full circle.

“We always feel fortunate to share in the many accomplishments of our clients,” says Joanne Bernard, Executive Director of Alice Housing. “For many women, the dream of post secondary education and working in their career choice is often taken from them in the form of years of domestic abuse.”

With help from Alice Housing, Alison had upgraded her high school diploma and was accepted into the plumbing program at Nova Scotia Community College. She is now fulfilling her dreams, something that seemed impossible only a few short years ago.

United Way supports programs that build on the strengths of participants so they can achieve their potential. 83% of the women and children who leave Alice Housing never return to their abusive households.

By giving to United Way’s Community Fund you can help support important programs such as Alice Housing and allow dreams like Alison’s to come true.

Please support our community, please donate today.

Want to See Change? Donate Yours!

When you give to United Way’s Community Fund, you make it possible for community members to realize their full potential. Tonight I am featuring Evan's story about how a United Way agency has affected his life.

Evan's Story:

At a very young age, Evan’s mom knew that he was not developing the same as most children. He was afraid to go new places, meet new people and try new things. He seemed scarred all the time but couldn’t express his feelings to his mother. Like any concerned parent, Evan’s mom took him to the doctor where he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Soon after his diagnosis Evan began attending Playgroups at the Progress Centre for Early Intervention; a place to provide support, information, resources and educational programs for families with young children who have developmental delays. Although it took Evan a long time to get used to the Playgroups, Evan said, “They helped me learn it was Ok to be around kids my age, and that sometimes it can be fun.”

Once Evan was comfortable being around other children and letting his mother go, he enrolled in a preschool in his neighborhood. “I love the Progress Centre. Even though I’m a ‘big school kid’ now, I can still visit the centre to borrow toys and mom can get her books to help me, too,” says Evan.

63% of playgroup children mastered skills in three target areas of development; hand use, specific cognitive tasks and social interaction. You can help fund a program like this one by donating to United Way’s Community Fund. Your donation supports possibility and potential for children, youth, seniors and neighborhoods right here in our community.

Evan's story is inspiring! It also provides a unique view of the range of agencies that our United Way support - I have been featuring a variety of stories this week and hopefully this one has continued to open your eyes.

Please support our community - please donate online tonight.

Click HERE to donate now.