United Way Simcoe Muskoka

🌟 Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday – Let’s Make an Impact on Simcoe Muskoka, Together! 🌟 Communities in Simcoe Muskoka are at a crossroads. The rising cost of living, mental health challenges, and housing insecurity are pushing families to the brink. Did you know: 📊 Over 51,000 people in Simcoe Muskoka live in poverty. 🍽️ 1 in 4 households is food insecure. 💔 20% of students have considered suicide. 💸 The minimum wage is $5.55 below the living wage, adding to financial strain. But we can make a difference – together. At United Way Simcoe Muskoka, we’re committed to tackling these challenges head-on: ✅ $2.1 million pledged over three years to 30+ local organizations focused on food security, mental health, housing, and income stability. 🏠 Launching the Home Relief Bank, providing rent relief to families at risk of homelessness. Your generosity fuels life-changing initiatives, creating a bridge from poverty to possibility. Every dollar makes an impact, helping to ensure no one in our community is left behind. Why wait? Prepare for tomorrow by planning your GivingTuesday contribution today! 💙 Together, we can transform lives. Together, we can make Simcoe Muskoka stronger. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gDkvsSjk #GivingTuesday #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #EndPoverty #CommunityImpact #HousingMatters

🌟 Congratulations to our Community Collaborative Partners! 🌟 Your United Way is thrilled to celebrate two of our incredible Community Collaborative partners Making Change SC and Camphill Communities Ontario for being named runners-up in the Creative Collaboration category at the Mayor's Innovation Awards! These awards, held on November 28th, honour the strength, creativity, and determination that drive Barrie forward. The Creative Collaboration category recognizes alliances that achieve extraordinary milestones together-across sectors, industries, and beyond. 🎉 Thank you for inspiring us with your innovative partnerships and for showing how collaboration creates a stronger, more resilient community. #CommunityImpact #communitypartnership #CreativeCollaboration #mayorsinnovationawards

🍔 It's the Final Weekend for Novemburger! 🍔 Don’t miss your chance to indulge in some incredible burgers and support your community! During November, amazing local restaurants have been serving up unique, mouth-watering burgers to raise funds for United Way Simcoe Muskoka. For every burger sold, $2 goes directly to local programs and services making a real difference. 🙌 Participating Restaurants: - Frosty Pint Pub - Perfect SZN Barrie - Perfect SZN Bradford - Lockeroom Barrie - Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Huntsville Brewhouse - Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Bracebridge Barrelhouse - South Muskoka Golf and Country Club - Poppi's Italian Eatery This is your last chance to enjoy these one-of-a-kind creations while giving back! Let’s come together to make an impact—one delicious burger at a time. 💪 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors: 🎉 Attitude Print 🏡 The Mortgage Coach Together, we’re making a difference. Don’t miss out—grab your Novemburger today! #Novemburger #SupportLocal #GrillForGood #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #TasteTheImpact #NovemburgerSimcoeMuskoka

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we stand united against gender-based violence. In Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days. Together, we can change this. ·        67% of Canadians know a woman who has experienced physical or sexual abuse. ·        Indigenous women are 12x more likely to be murdered or go missing compared to non-Indigenous women. ·        Children witnessing violence in the home face twice the rate of psychiatric disorders. Let's raise awareness, support those who have experienced violence or are struggling and work towards a future free from violence. If you or someone you know is in need of help, dial 2-1-1 for support and services.

❓Who Benefits from a Living Wage?❓ 👨👩👧👦 Who works minimum wage jobs in Ontario? The truth may surprise you! 📊 75% of minimum wage earners are over the age of 20, with bills to pay and families to support. Plus, visible minorities and women are disproportionately affected. 📈 Studies show that a living wage is vital for reducing fatigue, increasing productivity, and supporting families—helping employees avoid holding multiple jobs just to make ends meet. 💼 Nearly 700 certified living wage employers in Ontario are already making a difference. Will your business be next? 👥 For more information, visit 🔗OntarioLivingWage.ca #LivingWage #OntarioJobs #FairPay #Equality #Workforce #LivingWageMovement

🌟 Exciting Announcement from United Way Simcoe Muskoka! 🌟 📣 We are thrilled to share the Expression of Interest for our new Home Relief Bank program! We’re calling on local community agencies in Simcoe County, District of Muskoka, and Town of The Blue Mountains to partner with us in this important initiative. A Home Relief Bank provides interest-free loans of up to two months' rent or mortgage to help low-to-moderate income earners stay in their homes during tough times. Longer terms and small repayments allow people to get back on their feet, while loan repayments go back into the program to help others in need. 🏠💙 We’re looking to collaborate with community-based agencies who will directly administer this financial assistance to landlords and mortgage holders. Together, we can build a support system for our entire region! 🤝 📅 Info Session: Wednesday, November 20th at 2 p.m. 📲 To learn more visit 🔗www.uwsimcoemuskoka/homereliefbank #HomeReliefBank #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #CommunitySupport #InterestFreeLoans #SimcoeCounty #Muskoka #HomeSupport #CommunityPartnership #FinancialRelief

A huge thank you to everyone who made the third annual ReThink Poverty Symposium in Barrie a success! We were thrilled to bring together over 120 leaders from all corners of Simcoe Muskoka to explore innovative solutions for moving our community from poverty to possibility. Special shoutout to our incredible partners at Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit, Child Youth & Family Services Coalition of Simcoe County, Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce as well as the County of Simcoe Poverty Reduction Task Group for their support. Your hard work and dedication made a lasting impact. This event wasn't just about discussing challenges—it was about creating real, actionable change. We're proud to be at the forefront, bringing together passionate changemakers to address the root causes of poverty. #ReThinkPoverty #SimcoeMuskoka #UnitedWay #CommunityImpact #StrongerTogether #PovertyReduction #HopeForChange

🎬 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the encore presentation of "Traffick on 401" possible! This event was an impactful reminder of the importance of community and advocacy in addressing issues of human trafficking. Our deepest gratitude to our supporters, RBC Foundation and Enbridge, for making this screening accessible. Thank you to Innisfil ideaLAB & Library and the Town of Innisfil for your invaluable partnership and commitment to raising awareness in our region. To the courageous panelists, including Samantha Jones from My Friend’s House and Elisha Sullivan from Victim Services of Simcoe County, thank you for sharing your expertise, experiences, and unwavering dedication to this critical cause. Your insights added depth to our understanding and highlighted the support available for survivors in our community. Together, we are fostering awareness, understanding, and compassion that help drive meaningful change. Thank you for standing with us in this vital work!

During the month of Novemburger, these amazing local restaurants will be serving up unique, mouth-watering burgers to support United Way Simcoe Muskoka! For every burger sold, $2 will go towards helping our community. Participating Restaurants: Frosty Pint Pub Perfect SZN Barrie Perfect SZN Bradford Lockeroom Barrie Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Huntsville Brewhouse Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Bracebridge Barrelhouse South Muskoka Golf and Country Club Poppi's Italian Eatery Novemburger is all about enjoying incredible burgers while giving back. Each restaurant has crafted a special burger, and every bite helps support local programs and services that make a real difference in people’s lives. Let’s come together, one delicious burger at a time! #Novemburger #SupportLocal #GrillForGood #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #TasteTheImpact #NovemburgerSimcoeMuskoka

Our United Way, alongside United Ways across the province, sent a letter to call on the Ontario government to name intimate partner violence an epidemic, and adopt a comprehensive plan to address gender-based violence and support survivors. 184+ women and girls were violently killed in Canada in 2022. Alongside survivors, community service organizations, advocates and many others, we seek bold and decisive action to end the violence. Read our call to action: ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e_SE-z6s #EndGBV