Committed employees, volunteers the force behind the United Way
by Michelle Minnoch

We have all seen the commercials and know the saying, "Where there's a will, there's a Way", but do we really know what the United Way is and what services they offer.

The United Way of Greater Simcoe County, located in Barrie, has been making a difference in the outlying community for the past 48 years. Their job is to access local needs and help those by using their resources and making them available to the community.

The Greater Simcoe County chapter of the United Way is one of 125 in Canada. Providing funding to 20 agencies, the United way is one of the largest, non-governmental funders of social services in Greater Simcoe County.

"Businesses show a clear demonstration of corporate responsibility," said Seija Suutari, Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Simcoe County.

The United Way raises money through workplace campaigns and personal donations. While most charities run with a 60/40 ratio (60% of funds go to programs, 40% to admin), the United Way has a ratio of 75/25, spending more on programs, and less on administration.

Suutari said the United Way focuses on five impact areas; Strong, Nurturing Families; Healthy Thriving Children and Youth; Living with Independence and Dignity; Reduced Cycles of Poverty and Abuse; Healthy, Stable Communities.

"The agencies we fund are in accordance to the needs that need to be addressed," she said.

There are a variety of volunteers involved with the United Way, and the Allocations Committee is solely made of volunteers. The three dimensions of the Committee include operations, governance, and capacity building.

"The Allocations Committee review organizations on paper and also performs onsite visits. They go to various agencies and interview the Board Chair, tour the facility and even look at the finances of the agency."

Suutari said the United Way holds their member agencies accountable, for the benefit of their donors and the general public.

Volunteers also participate on the Board of the United Way, during fundraising campaigns and through TCS (Training and Consulting Services).

Consultants from the area work with the United Way, donating their time as to allow more money to be contributed to programs, and less on admin costs. Suutari said the service is available to any non-profit or charitable organization in Simcoe County.

She said as one of the fastest growing areas in Canada, the need for the services offered by the United Way may see an increase.

Regarding homelessness, she said homelessness in Simcoe County is much different than that of the City of Toronto.

"It is a hidden homelessness in our area," she said.

She said with the growth, comes an increase in housing, insurance and so on, so people may have a hard time making ends meat.

"Our role is to provide education and advocacy."

The United Way of Greater Simcoe County recently underwent a six month strategic plan, putting a heavy emphasis on shareholder engagement. She said they needed to know what the public thought and knew about the United Way.

"We asked, 'What are we doing well, Where could we improve, and Where do you see us in the future?'"

She said people have responded and said they think the United Way is doing good work for the area, as they are transparent and accountable.

One of the Community Development Projects (CDPs) the United Way of Greater Simcoe County is working on is Community 2-1-1. The service, available in Collingwood and Blue Mountain, is a number which provides free, confidential, multilingual information about the community, health, social and related government issues.

"Community 2-1-1 is a great community planning tool," Suutari said. The United Way can get vital information about the calls, not the specifics, but the nature. Are numerous people calling from Innisfil looking for doctors in the area? Are people in Midland calling about daycare placements? The information

gathered by the United Way would aid municipalities in gathering information about what services are needed within their immediate areas. She said it will hopefully be covering the entire area soon.

Other CDPs include Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (community stakeholders and frontline workers committed to developing and implementing strategies that address homelessness), Eat Well to Excel (an organization designed to improve the nutrition of children in Simcoe County providing meals for approximately 20,000 children in 150 schools per day), and Training and Consulting Services (community based volunteer training and consulting services offered to not-for profits in Simcoe County).

One myth Suutari wants to debunk is that although the physical location of the United Way is in Barrie, there services are offered to a wide range of communities; Adjala- Tosorontio, Barrie, Bradford, Essa, Innisfil, Midland, New Tecumseth, Orillia, Oro- Medonte, Penetanguishene, Ramara, Severn, Springwater, Tay and Tiny Township.

"This location is central to Simcoe County," she said.

The United Way of Greater Simcoe County is located at 136 Bayfield Street, Suite 100, in Barrie. For more information, you can go to www.unitedwaysimcoecounty. on.ca.