The United Way of Chatham-Kent has launched their ‘United We Can, Together We Will’ movement and they are asking the community join them.
“This movement is about United Way reconnecting with the community in a really powerful way,” stated Patricia Peters, director of resource development at United Way of Chatham Kent.
“No matter who (or where) you are – you can join in because you have the power to make a difference within your own neighbourhood.”
United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say they are going back to a community-by-community approach, where the dollars raised in each of the communities within CK will stay there.
Over the next year, they will be working with community captains, service groups, non-profits and neighbours to fundraise, recruit volunteers and find solutions to critical needs that people are facing within their own backyards.
“We are confident that we can reach every corner of Chatham-Kent as we facilitate the communities coming together,” Peters added.
To prepare for the launch of this movement, United Way of Chatham-Kent staff rallied 68 locals residents to lead the movement.
Throughout this movement United Way is encouraging individuals, families and workplaces to share pictures on social media of them alone (or with the people in their bubble) with hands outstretched as if you are ready to hold the hands of someone beside them and tag the people they want to stand with to make sure no one is left behind, United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say.
The “United We Can, Together We Will” pose is a visual representation of how even when individually apart – everyone is together collectively, United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say.
The United Way has a few suggestions on how everyone can take part in this movement:
– Help spread the word by sharing pictures of your “United We Can, Together We Will” pose.
– Use #UnitedWeCan to add to the collective voice of spreading good in the community.
– Check in on friends and family to let them know that they are not alone
– Support the small businesses that keep our community vibrant.
– Perform random acts of kindness in your area.
– Get to know your neighbours.
– Consider volunteering.
– Reach out to United Way to find ways to champion in your community.
– Create a fundraiser.
– Donate.
– Contact United Way to find out how your workplace can take part.
Since COVID, United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say they have taken a more collaborative approach when working in the community.
For the past six months, United Way of Chatham-Kent is bringing various local non-profits and community leaders together every week to discuss the priority needs effecting Chatham-Kent and collectively working on solutions.
By coming together and uniting, the participating organizations have found collective ways to navigate through this tumultuous time and ensure much needed programs survive, United Way of Chatham-Kent officials say.
United Way of Chatham-Kent has invested $1,367,708 in COVID Relief Fund Grants as well as facilitated getting supplies, PPE and volunteers to organizations when they did not know where to turn.
A community’s ability to persevere during these times will be measured in how much we can come together and help those in need. United We Can and Together We Will.
