United Way brings together social agencies, schools, organizations, and governments to make a meaningful difference in the community through local programs and services that empower people to improve their lives. By working together, we create lasting change and build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.
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United Way is a network of more than 75 local United Way offices. Since 1941, we’ve worked in the Alberta Capital Region for the betterment of all.
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Home / About Us / Reports and Publications / Annual Reports / 2019/20 Annual Report
United Way of the Alberta Capital Region looks at the big picture in order to deliver a coordinated network of services and programs to address a range of needs for children and families who are struggling. By bringing together partners and strategies, we are mobilizing collective action to create pathways out of poverty. Read below to learn about the many ways the community came together over this past year to make an impact.
2019 was another exciting year of collaboration and community building at United Way. Businesses, governments, charities, and caring individuals worked in new and exciting ways to pool resources and rally together to address poverty as a community. This collaborative approach has led to some significant milestones being reached over the past year.
The Community Mental Health Action Plan, a collaboration working to improve the quality of and access to local mental health services, launched a new website which acts as a valuable hub of resources for service providers, organizations and individuals interested in learning about mental health.
Not to be outdone, 211 also launched a new website this year and is now accessible by text, phone and online. In addition, they launched a special student initiative that will help countless students in need. Alberta students can now text the word “student” to 211 or use the live chat feature on 211’s website anytime to be connected to programs and services on-campus and in their community.
Supporters also partnered with United Way in new ways this past year. Local community leaders including His Worship Mayor Iveson joined United Way’s efforts by sharing why poverty is unignorable to them. Their video messages were featured on an interactive video wall that travelled to various community hubs throughout our region, including such prime locations as the Royal Alberta Museum and Terwillegar Rec Centre.
We were also pleased to bring together six Edmonton-based post-secondary institutions to present Elevating Futures, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada that empowered post-secondary students and faculty to address local poverty with a commitment to expand understanding, explore solutions and experience what we can accomplish together.
Our community is helping change the face of local issues like mental health and removing barriers to critical services. Community leaders and local students are stepping up to make a difference. We are continually amazed by actions of caring people in our region and all that they are doing to create a place where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. United, we are changing local lives for the better.
Chair, 2019 Board of Directors
President and CEO
United Way’s results-based approach focuses on the three areas that provide the best opportunities to significantly change lives and social conditions. Each area concentrates on specific needs and connects with programs and services to make the greatest impact possible. At the same time, considering that individuals struggling with poverty often experience multiple issues and need help in more than one area, the three focus areas are intrinsically linked.
United Way funding is helping kids from the start, with caregiver education programs, early learning and development, support through the school years and all the way to high school completion to prepare them for a life beyond poverty.
United Way funded programs are empowering people to create new beginnings with supports such as basic needs, employment and financial literacy training to help them rise above a life of poverty.
United Way funded programs help people to get back on track by providing critical services such as mental health supports and referral services so they will not fall into a life of poverty.
Desired Results:
1. Early Learning and Development – Children have the age appropriate skills and development in the early years (0-5).
2. Child and Youth Success – Children and youth have the community supports they need to succeed in school.
1. Financial Stability – People have the knowledge, skills and resources needed to attain financial stability.
2. Employment and Basic Security – Individuals have the capacity to obtain and retain employment that provides for basic economic security.
1. Comprehensive Mental Health Supports – Individuals and families have access to comprehensive mental health supports.
2. Basic Needs – People are able to access and maintain their basic needs.
3. Easy Access to Network of Supports – Individuals and families can access a network of community supports to address their needs.
Coats donated through Coats for Kids and Families
Kid Kits produced for children of families in need
School Kits given to kids through Tools for School
Care Kits given at Homeless Connect
Welcome Home Kits given to newly housed families
Kaitlyn was homeless and hungry. Then thanks to donors like you, she was able to receive meals that allowed her to focus on her future instead of hunger. Now, she is housed and healthy and has a rewarding career.
It has been amazing to see the momentum build in our community to tackle the #UNIGNORABLE issue of local poverty. Over 18,000 donors, 1,000 volunteers and more than 400 companies came together to give back to their community during the 2019 campaign.
Over 500 people gathered at the Edmonton Convention Centre in September to help Kickoff our campaign where they learned about all of the amazing work happening through the Financial Pathways Collaborative. Attendees heard how this unique partnership of seven financial institutions works with United Way to provide financial empowerment, a match savings program and education to individuals in our community with limited resources.
Passionate volunteers fuelled their workplace campaigns with creativity and ingenuity, leading to some amazing results. We saw the creation of educational podcasts, social media challenges and an Amazing Race reenactment, just to name a few.
Organizations joined together to create unique partnerships including a community Skate for United Way event at Roger’s Place put on by the City and a #YEG Stair Climb Challenge put on by a new Downtown Collaborative of businesses.
Nineteen Sponsored Campaign Representatives from 14 companies and 46 Corporate Solutions Cabinet members supported efforts and were invaluable boots on the ground.
These efforts along with the efforts of donors and volunteers from across our region made it possible for over 257,000 local people to get support in a time of need last year. It’s simply amazing what we can accomplish when we join forces.
That’s what makes the Alberta Capital Region such a special place — we come together as a community in unique and powerful ways. When we work united, we strengthen our region and its future. It has been such a fulfilling experience being a part of this campaign and we are so proud of our community and everything it has done to help create pathways out of poverty for those in need.
Corporate Solutions Cabinet Co-Chair
From individuals
From corporate gifts
Through grants
The Award of Excellence is a recognition award presented to organizations in the Alberta Capital Region that raised more than $1,000,000 in 2019. The following organizations were recognized at this year’s Red Tie Gala in March.
Awards of Distinction are presented to organizations that generate outstanding results in their workplace and corporate campaigns.
George Letki Outstanding Volunteer Michelle Devlin
Power of Many Award Downtown Collaborative – #YEG Stair Climb Challenge
Leading the Way Award Imperial & Unifor Local 21A
Small Business Award Reliance Home Comfort
Big Idea Award PwC
Everyday Hero Award PCL Construction
GenNext Award Enbridge
Welcome to United Way Award The Colombian
Education & Engagement Award North West Paving Ltd.
Labour Awards of Distinction Health Sciences Association of Alberta
Funded Partner Campaign Award Connect Society – Deafness Education Advocacy & Family Services
Outstanding Committee Member of the Year Daina Semotiuk, Deloitte.
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year, Private Sector Andrew Skinner & Shivangi Nagarajan – Magna IV Engineering
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year, Public Sector Jenny Albers – City of Edmonton
Campaign Committee of the Year Alberta Blue Cross
Partners play an integral role in the implementation of United Way’s work in the region.
View Program Supports
We appreciate the efforts of the companies who help make the Alberta Capital Region a better place to live and work.
$100,000+ Alberta Community & Social Services / Children’s Services Alberta Health Services Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Brownlee LLP Canadian Western Bank Chandos Construction Ltd. CIBC Dentons Canada LLP Finning (Canada) Ogilvie LLP RBC Royal Bank Scotiabank Service Alberta Servus Credit Union Stantec Suncor Inc. Worley
$200,000+ Alberta Blue Cross BMO Financial Group Capital Power Costco Wholesale Dow Canada Pembina Pipeline Corporation TD Bank Group Wheaton Group
$300,000+ ATB Financial City of Edmonton
$400,000+ Nutrien Shell Canada Limited
$500,000+ Imperial & Unifor Local 21A University of Alberta
$600,000+ EPCOR Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign
$1,000,000+ Enbridge Provincial Employees’ United Way Campaign
$2,000,000+ PCL Construction
Campaign Representatives are seconded to United Way to support more than 400 charitable giving campaigns across the region. During this 16-week term, Campaign Representatives brainstorm solutions, provide advice, facilitate services and resources, and deliver training to thousands of volunteers.
Alberta Blue Cross Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission ATCO Pipelines & Liquids Global Business Unit Enbridge Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign Government of Alberta Imperial & Unifor Local 21A KPMG PCL Construction TD Bank Group University of Alberta WorleyParsons Edmonton
Labour and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region share the goal of making the community a healthy place to live, work and raise a family.
Alberta Federation of Labour Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Alberta Workers’ Health Centre Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Office & Professional Employees – Local 458 Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 730 Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3550 Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 474 Canadian Union of Public Employees Regional Office Civic Service Union Local 52 Edmonton & District Labour Council General Teamsters Local 362 Health Sciences Association of Alberta International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Local 1722 International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 99 Unifor Unifor Local 21A – IOL Unifor Local 1947 Unifor Local 350 Unifor Local 4050 Unifor Local 445 Unifor Local 530A Unifor Local 777 Union No. 52 Benevolent Society UNITE HERE Local 47 United Food & Commercial Workers Local 401 United Steelworkers Local 1-207
Established in Edmonton in 1941, the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region is a mainstay in our community, which is only possible with the ongoing commitment of local supporters. A number of local businesses and organizations have been with United Way, working to create a better community for everyone for the last 50 years.
Air Liquide Canada Inc. Alberta Motor Association AltaGas Utilities Inc. & UNIFOR Local 1947 AltaSteel Ltd. Argus Machine Co. Ltd. ATCO Pipelines & Liquids Global Business Unit Aviva Insurance Company of Canada BDO Bissell Centre Building Products of Canada Corp. Canada Life Canadian Mental Health Association-Edmonton Region Canadian Pacific Railway Celanese EVA Performance Polymers Partnership Chivers Carpenter Lawyers CIBC CNIB Coca-Cola Refreshments Connect Society – Deafness Education Advocacy & Family Services Crosstown Motors (1982) Ltd. Crystal Glass Canada Ltd. Dawson Motors Ltd. Deloitte. DLA Piper (Canada) LLP Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Edmonton John Howard Society Edmonton Public Schools Edmonton Social Planning Council Emery Jamieson Enbridge EY Finning Canada Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. General Motors of Canada Company IBM Canada Ltd. Imperial
Intact Financial Corporation Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Jewish Family Services KPMG LLP Ledcor Group Lloyd, Sadd Insurance Ltd. Manulife Financial Melcor Developments Ltd. Metal Fabricators and Welding Ltd. Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. Nutrien O’Hanlon Paving Ltd. & The Fath Group PCL Construction Praxair Canada Inc. Provincial Employees’ United Way Campaign PwC RBC Royal Bank Sobeys West Spartan Controls Ltd. Spinal Cord Injury Association Alberta Staples Canada TD Bank Group The Alberta Teachers’ Association The Family Centre The Workun Garrick Partnership Architecture and Interior Design Inc. Trans Mountain Pipeline TransAlta Universe Machine Corporation Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co. Wheaton Group Xerox Canada Ltd. YMCA of Northern Alberta YWCA Edmonton
Community volunteers support our Information Services and InKind Exchange.
Abbas Abbadi Robert Beghin, Doug Kreklywich Jacob Manavalan Ali Muneer Matthew Pasechnik Cam Reid Anne Starreveld Des Williamson Colleen Mahon Lara Wiebe
The Labour Participation Committee builds on the long-standing commitment of labour unionists to support United Way through fundraising and volunteering.
Elaine Alt Deborah Foster Darlene Lewis Kathie Goldie Garry Pucci Greg Mady Heather Erlen / Cori Longo
Speakers share their personal experiences and knowledge to provide awareness and inspire social change.
Impact Speakers Abby Gauthier/Liz Bremner Alex Bedard Amber Harry Barb Spencer/Rachel Myroniuk Bonnie Caron Brittany Tyerman Cassandra Rijavec Cheryl Whiskeyjack Chrystal Henry Cindy McDonald Cindy Yanciw Coral Desautels Corey Dodge Danisha Bhaloo Darby Walton Della Massey Della Massey & Emanuelle Donna Lemieux Edgar Jackson Eileen Papulkas Elizabeth Eaton Elizabeth Halpin Emma Potter Gail Haynes Grace Schmuland Heather Boonstra Ian Amundson Jenna Brewer Jimmy Morrison Karen Kadatz Kim Chung Kristen Hugette Kristi Davis Kristin Raworth Laurie Anderson Leisa Tarr Lincoln Nanquawetung Liz Lacika Mark Doram(Judy Yawney) Marnie Lee Megan Strachan Michael Hansen Natalie Stiffl Neil Campbell Nicole Ram Patricia Skagen-Emokpae Rea Naidoo Richard Ouellette Ron Campbell Samantha Maese Sara Riddle Stephanie Wright Sue Languedoc Suzanne Gross Talia Shewchuk Maget Tanaura Seon Tanya Tellier-McCandless Taylor Seal Tina Kafka Tokunbo Adegbuyi
Leaders of the Way Speakers Catrin Owen, City of Edmonton Corinna Mulyk, Government of Alberta Evangeline Berube, Robert Half Michelle Furlong, Enbridge Tyler Tollefson, Business Excellence Group Inc. Wendy Rabel, Stantec
Council member volunteers are community and social service sector experts who are responsible for identifying community needs and evaluating programs that receive United Way funding.
Adrienne Lubberding Cindy de Bruijn Darcey Huot Dena Pederson Krimsen Sumners Mervin Gallant Micheal Evancusky Pamela Robinson Rhonda Nixon Vicky White Cassandra Lundell Amanda Ulrickson Cheryl Diebel Lynn Olenek Robyn Blackadar Bree Claude Keith Gibson Rene Robertson-Potisk Wade Gardiner Dean Ohnysty Donna Brock Giselle Messer Len Grainger Nancy Laing Nicole Johnston Pearl Gregor Jody Greidanus Ashli Dejong Krista Allan Shannon Fluker Trevor Vezina Ron Wurtz Alex Draper Ashish Mehta Brian Sawyer Carole Alves-Cornell Chris Astle Don Gordon Eric Storey Jasmine Brazil Jessica Carlson Julianne Threlfall Kairi Pawlick Kalie Van Ree Kathryn Charr Lisa Jensen Mike Capus Raelene Finlayson Rosanne Tollenaar Sal Karmali Shannon Butler Steve Davis T.J. Auer Vicki Cooke
The volunteers who make up United Way’s Board of Directors come from business, government, health and social service sectors and the community at large.
Robert McGee Dr. Heather Caltagirone Todd Gilchrist Rob Yager Glen Anderson Robert de Guzman Bryan DeNeve John Elford Bruce Fafard Jane Halford Louise Hayes Yasmin Jivraj Gord Johnston Shannon Peacocke Jamie Pytel Suromitra Sanatani Leon Zupan Alan Skoreyko
Corporate Solutions Cabinet is a roster of senior-level leaders from all sectors – business, government, post-secondary and labour – who dedicate themselves to leading and delivering a successful campaign.
Carolyn Campbell, 2019 Co-Chair Andre Corbould, 2019 Co-Chair Sarah Chan, Past Co-chair Angelina Bakshi Ankita Menon Brad Campbell Cal Jungwirth Evangeline Berube Ray Guidinger Scott Janis Tyler Tollefson Anastasia Lim Bryan Christy Catrin Owen Chris Pullen Colin Lechelt Corinna Mulyk D’arcy Newberry Darlene Bouwsema Lt. Col Darren Hart David Oldreive Dayna Jongejan Glen Eastwood Gord Johnston Gord Syme Greg Mady Greg Wengreniuk Joel White Judy Mayer Kristin Raworth Marion Haggarty-France Michael Brechtel Michelle Devlin Michelle Furlong Norm Halabi Pauline Smale Rob Yager Robert Kisteleki Robin Murray Scott Arndt Scott Claypool Tony Prsa Vanessa Croissant
211 is a comprehensive referral service soon to be available to all Albertans. In 2019, 211 announced a province-wide expansion, providing this vital service in all communities across Alberta. A hub that connects all Albertans with essential services within their region 24/7, 211 response is available in 170 languages. Text services were introduced in the last year, allowing individuals to access 211 through live chats, text messaging and, in many locations, by telephone.
In preparation for this expansion, the 211 database grew to include 21 new communities, 62 new organizations and 235 new program listings. A total of more than 70,000 contacts by phone, text and online chat were received in 2019.
The YEG Downtown Collaboration was established in 2019. Five partners came together to support the work of United Way through a mission of connecting downtown organizations to their neighbours in a caring and helpful way through education, engagement, and fundraising. Each year, this volunteer-led initiative will coordinate one major event that not only raises money for United Way but also increases the profile of the work being done in our community to create pathways out of poverty. In 2019, more than 100 people participated in the group’s inaugural event, the YEG Stair Climb, by climbing 22 flights of stairs and raising close to $2,000 in support of local programs and services through United Way. To learn more about this initiative and what’s being planned next, follow it on Twitter, @downtown_yeg, or Facebook, @yegdtc.
Six Edmonton-based post-secondary institutions and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region came together to form the one-of-a-kind initiative, Elevating Futures. This initiative included participation in a United Way Poverty Simulation. Students and faculty from across our region were able to expand their understanding of what children, families and individuals face when living in poverty by participating. This unique experience helped challenge perceptions, change perspectives and strengthen understanding and empathy. The simulation replicated a month in the life of a family living in poverty and challenged participants to provide basic needs to their family with a limited income.
The Community Mental Health Action Plan is a partnership of more than 50 organizations working to maximize supports and services to all organizations addressing mental health and addiction in Edmonton and Alberta. This includes the implementation of the Mental Health Training Framework and the expansion of 211 across the province. In 2019, 282 medical students and security guards learned through the Community Mental Health Action Plan how adverse childhood experiences and trauma affect their work with vulnerable people.
2519 volunteers
736 participants
115 participants
Discover the inspiring words, videos, and posts of community members united in fighting #UNIGNORABLE local poverty.
I spent the morning facilitating an #EachOneTeachOne introduction to basic budgeting workshop for @myunitedway Such a pleasure being part of program that helps so many people. — Could it be this year (@JonHollandYEG) February 19, 2020
I spent the morning facilitating an #EachOneTeachOne introduction to basic budgeting workshop for @myunitedway Such a pleasure being part of program that helps so many people.
— Could it be this year (@JonHollandYEG) February 19, 2020
Thank U to our @ABheartland Partners @myunitedway #HeartlandChallenge @Dow_Canada @ShellScotford @NWRGreatSite @Sherritt_Intl @NutrienLTD MEGlobal. @CityFortSask @StrathcoCounty TransAlta. Pembina @SpartanControls You R the ♥️ in Heartland lifting people out of poverty pic.twitter.com/oZCQr26jGa — Gale Katchur (@GaleKatchur) February 6, 2020
Thank U to our @ABheartland Partners @myunitedway #HeartlandChallenge @Dow_Canada @ShellScotford @NWRGreatSite @Sherritt_Intl @NutrienLTD MEGlobal. @CityFortSask @StrathcoCounty TransAlta. Pembina @SpartanControls You R the ♥️ in Heartland lifting people out of poverty pic.twitter.com/oZCQr26jGa
— Gale Katchur (@GaleKatchur) February 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/miss_jazzyb/status/1225285954119716864?s=20&t=KC0oT4DxBK3PUA1eLwpbUw
On a cold day like today, I am thankful for the meaningful work I am able to do, the roof over my head, and the supports I have around me. Consider donating to @myunitedway to uplift the lives of Edmontonians. #UNIGNORABLE pic.twitter.com/1qidtXVgfd — Jason Syvixay (@DowntownJason) January 15, 2020
On a cold day like today, I am thankful for the meaningful work I am able to do, the roof over my head, and the supports I have around me. Consider donating to @myunitedway to uplift the lives of Edmontonians. #UNIGNORABLE pic.twitter.com/1qidtXVgfd
— Jason Syvixay (@DowntownJason) January 15, 2020
When you live in poverty, every morning is day one. Poverty is truly #unignorable so thank you to @myunitedway for their incredible work in #YEG. https://t.co/6GM9zaI6hc — Councillor Aaron Paquette (@AaronWardDene) September 19, 2019
When you live in poverty, every morning is day one. Poverty is truly #unignorable so thank you to @myunitedway for their incredible work in #YEG. https://t.co/6GM9zaI6hc
— Councillor Aaron Paquette (@AaronWardDene) September 19, 2019
JMMF staff are at the @myunitedway for #makeitourbusiness train the trainer training– and Perri couldn't be happier with the turnout! New trainees to help workplaces understand their role in support those affected by #domesticviolence. pic.twitter.com/O91WOKyGxj — Jessica Martel Memorial Fdn- Jessie's House (@JMMFoundation) October 28, 2019
JMMF staff are at the @myunitedway for #makeitourbusiness train the trainer training– and Perri couldn't be happier with the turnout! New trainees to help workplaces understand their role in support those affected by #domesticviolence. pic.twitter.com/O91WOKyGxj
— Jessica Martel Memorial Fdn- Jessie's House (@JMMFoundation) October 28, 2019
Wendy learned the importance of giving back at a young age. Now she helps kids finish high school.
