Making an Impact

United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen areas of impact

For 60 years United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen has been helping the most vulnerable among us. We assist seniors to age with dignity and purpose, support people living with health conditions and specials needs to live fuller lives, assist people struggling with poverty and with abuse, support children, youth and families to be strong and healthy and assist with programs for the development of children 0-6 years.

Research and community consultation tells us that by focusing on the following key social issues, we can help prevent problems, like those mentioned, in a way that will benefit us all.

Assisting seniors to age with dignity and purpose



Approximately 20% of Central & South Okanagan residents are seniors aged 65 years and over. That number will grow to 31% of the Central Okanagan & South Okanagan population by 2031.

United Way raises awareness and funds for programs which provide vital services for an increasingly aging population by promoting wellness through information and referral, education and programs focused on strengthening independence and emotional well being, free equipment lending programs, opportunities for social engagement and local hospice services.

 

Supporting Youth and Families



At United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen we know that healthy, strong families help to ensure our community's bright future.

Kids who feel disconnected often have low self-esteem and may spend too much time home alone. As a result, they run the risk of injury, bullying, suicide, crime and gang violence. United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen supports innovative initiatives that are helping children develop the capacity to make wise future choices. By helping kids get the best possible start in life, United Way sets them on the right path, helping to prevent future problems such as school drop-out and crime.

United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen funds programs to encourage parents to spend time with their young children and give parents the necessary skills to improve on their parenting pratices. Programs include educational and support groups, playschool, family playtime, music, arts and crafts and sports. Licensed daycare as well as counseling for parents and youth are also funded.

 

Supporting People Living with Health Conditions and Special Needs



The facts are that 20% of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, up to 14,000 BC residents acquire new brain injuries each year and 15% of BC residents live with a physical disability.

At United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen we recognize that programs that allow all individuals to live healthy, produtive lives benefit everyone in our community. That's why we fund programs that educate and create awareness, focus on issues such as counseling for family members, housing and employment services, recreation and leisure programs, support groups, and build skills and self-esteem in individuals living with health conditions and special needs.

 

Assiting People Struggling with Poverty and with Abuse



We know that British Columbia has the highest number of millionaires per capita of any province in Canada. However, we also have the highest rate of poverty. In 2006, BC reported the highest before-tax child poverty rate in the country at 21.9%, representing 181,000 low-income children in our province. This was the fifth year in a row that BC had the highest poverty rate.

Research also tells us that the 2001 Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics report on Family Violence in Canada found that children who are exposed to physical violence in their homes are more than twice as likely to be physically aggressive as those who have not had such exposure, more likely to commit delinquent acts against property and more likely to display emotional disorders and hyperactivity.

At United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen we believe that the way to address these issues in our community is to educate our community about them and to facilitate change at the core of these issues by supporting individual and group therapy sessions, providing information on how to access community information and to provide programs to assist children so that they are able to overcome their early experiences.