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United Way changes name to reflect coverage area
The United Way came to the East Kootenay approximately 65 years ago when a United Appeal was formed in Kimberley and then 45 years ago, when another was established in Cranbrook.
In order to more accurately reflect United Way Canada’s area assignment in the East Kootenay area, the Board of Directors applied in 2014 to change our name to United Way East Kootenay. The board now looks forward to developing strategies for addressing local needs of all interested communities located throughout our service area.
Our Work – Our mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. We call this our community impact mission. Community impact is about achieving meaningful, long-term improvements to the quality of life in Canadian communities by addressing not just the symptoms of identified problems but also addressing the root causes of the problems.
Why did we change the name? Our expanded territory covers the area from Edgewater in the north to Kootenay Lake in the west and the Alberta border to the east. An organization called the United Way of Cranbrook and Kimberley does not reflect adequately who we are or what area we serve.
Funds raised locally are distributed locally! Funds are raised through corporations, workplace campaigns, from individual donors and from national campaign donors. Members of the local community volunteer to sit on the Board of Directors and the Investment committee to review applications from registered charities and distribute collected funds based on priority needs. Each United Way (there are 102 across Canada) is a volunteer-led non-profit entity that is a member of United Way Canada.
As a member of United Way Canada, we agree to follow the guidelines, goals and mission for the United Way Movement. However, we determine locally the specific directions and methods our United Way takes.
Our current program focus Areas are: All That Kids Can Be, Strong Communities and From Poverty to Possibility. United Way East Kootenay will coordinate/facilitate the establishment and/or support of local registered charities within our focus areas to meet the community’s needs.
It is our hope and expectation that community representatives throughout our service area will contact the United Way East Kootenay office to arrange for their information-gathering forum in order to explore the needs and opportunities in their community and to identify partnerships that can help address the local priorities.
Please visit our website www.ourunitedway.ca for information on current funding investments and contact information or call the United Way office at 1-250-426-8833 and speak with Donna Brady Fields, Executive Director.
United Way East Kootenay
