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.
When you support United Way, you are an important part of a movement with others who share your social purpose and want the best for our community. Your contribution to United Way stays 100% local, providing life-changing support to individuals and families within the Edmonton region.
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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 / 2020/21 Annual Report
Together, we can make the greatest change in our community, so no one is left behind.
In our 80 years supporting those most vulnerable in the Alberta Capital Region, 2020 was a year like no other.
This past year has shown us the enduring power of a community united. As the pandemic reached our region, United Way worked quickly with our partners to gain an understanding of the emerging needs in the community and how to deliver supports effectively and safely. But we knew we could not meet the rapidly increasing needs alone. We put out an urgent call to action for support and our community did not let us down. You rallied together to help our neighbours during a time of crisis.
We are truly honoured that both the provincial and federal governments entrusted United Way to steward relief funds to effectively meet the increased demand and distribute resources to those most in need.
Numerous foundations also saw United Way as a trusted partner and provided additional grants. Dozens of corporations donated both funds and supplies. Donors challenged themselves to give more than ever for their struggling neighbours.
Workplace volunteers navigated complex, and ever-changing, environments to run hundreds of groundbreaking virtual campaigns. And community volunteers made over 1,100 much needed supply kits from home. You heeded the call to help our community when it was hurting, and we are so grateful.
Thanks to the combined efforts of all our supporters, and our incredible collaborative network of social agencies and community partners, we were able to rapidly distribute millions locally from our COVID Relief Fund providing access to basic needs, mental health, isolated seniors, and services for the most vulnerable.
While COVID-19 dominated the 2020 landscape, we continued our vital ongoing and ever-present work ensuring that no one in our community is left behind. Although systems and services had to adapt, our community partners remained committed, creating effective and lasting solutions for our most vulnerable. We could not do our work without the strength and vitality of this amazing collaborative network.
We believe our 80th year has fundamentally changed us – it redefined how we engage with each other and deliver services to our community. It reinforced and magnified how incredibly powerful the collective impact of everyday people rallying around their neighbours can be and how inspiring it is when we all come together to do local good. There are lessons and new solutions that will lead us into our future, as we continue to collaborate with our partners helping our community recover, rebuild, and thrive.
This spirit and action are what makes the Edmonton area so special. Working together in bold and unique ways to solve difficult problems is who we are. Our passion for our community drives us to collaborate like no other. We look forward with optimism and determination to our next 80 years, deeply committed to ensuring no one in our community is left behind.
Thank you. To each and every one of you for helping make this community one that we are humbled and proud to be a part of – thank you.
Chair, 2020 Board of Directors
President and CEO
United Way works collaboratively across the social services sector, identifying pressing community needs, and implementing the most impactful solutions. Additionally, United Way provides critical backbone support to other local non-profits, enabling them to focus on delivering much needed front-line programs and services.
By joining the region’s response to poverty, caring members of our community have had a tremendous impact on the lives of local people. Our United Way looks at the big picture to deliver a coordinated network of services and programs addressing a range of needs for individuals and families who are struggling. By bringing together supporters, partners, and strategies, we are mobilizing collective action to create pathways out of poverty and ensure no one is left behind. This past year, over 130 programs, partnerships, and initiatives and more than 50 agencies were supported through United Way providing vital services in our community.
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.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way led efforts in collaboration with our partners to help our community tackle the pandemic challenges head on. We rallied organizations and caring members of our community together to find the most effective ways to provide services to people who are the most vulnerable.
As the pandemic took hold, areas of critical need immediately became clear. Our friends and neighbours were struggling to meet their basic needs, seniors were significantly impacted by isolation requirements, and the mental health of so many was clearly being affected. These added challenges increased the need for community services at a time when such services could no longer be provided in person. United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Fund supported nearly 19,000 individuals and local programs already funded through United Way as they transitioned to providing virtual and remote services.
Thanks to generous support from the Stollery Children’s Foundation and Enbridge, donors who contributed to the COVID Emergency Relief Fund had their dollars matched.
A matching grant from the Government of Alberta supported nearly 57,500 individuals and 125 families. This grant matched donations made to United Way, supporting essential services for vulnerable Albertans, and filling gaps created by the increased and changing demands for services due to COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Emergency Community Support Fund grant, provided by Employment & Social Development Canada, was issued to United Ways across the country to identify and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families affected by COVID-19. Within the Alberta Capital Region, more than 134,300 individuals and 5,000 families benefited from this support.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program, an Employment & Social Development program, provided funds to United Ways to support vulnerable seniors at risk due to the COVID-19 crisis. This funding was provided to community agencies to enhance and provide supports for isolated seniors in all parts of Canada, including rural and remote communities. More than 4,600 seniors benefited from this funding in the Alberta Capital Region.
The Government of Canada chose United Way to disperse these funds through these two programs recognizing our ability to provide a coordinated and nimble response based on local knowledge, social sector relationships, and rapid supports activation for the immediate needs. We were also entrusted to disperse and support rural northern Alberta and Lloydminster communities to support their capacity.
For a total of 244,992 individuals and families.
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
Chromebooks provided to help students in at home learning
I have been so impressed with everything our partners have accomplished this past year. As someone who led a United Way workplace campaign for our regiment early in my military career, I know the work and commitment it takes to run a successful campaign.
This past year has been one of challenges — both in our work lives and in our personal lives. In a time when they could have easily focused on their own difficulties and barriers, hundreds of volunteers and donors from organizations big and small across our region chose to rise to the occasion.
Volunteers turned traditional fundraising campaigns on their heads, executing unique and creative campaigns that were both safe and engaging. Colleagues inspired each other to do local good and rallied together in innovative ways to be there for our vulnerable neighbours during an unprecedented time.
As United Way works to harness more volunteer power, the traditional role of Campaign Chair will evolve, making way for multiple new senior volunteer positions throughout the organization. Volunteers will form a network of diverse leaders that reflect our community and will work together to make a tangible impact in our region. This is an exciting evolution and will truly harness the power of a large and committed collective of volunteers to do even greater good. I am so glad that, for a third year, I got to play a part in supporting United Way’s important work to strengthen our community. I am humbled and grateful to our Corporate Solutions Cabinet for all your work and support. Thank you to our partners for all you have done. I can’t wait to see what you all do next!
Corporate Solutions Cabinet Chair
From individuals
From corporate gifts
Through grants
Presented by Canadian Western Bank, the Red Tie Gala was held virtually on March 11, 2021 as the COVID pandemic continued. Hosted by Jesse Lipscombe with amazing performances by Vanity Fair and other local talent, the event delivered awards both in-person with pre-recorded videos and live in-studio.
The Award of Excellence is a recognition award presented to organizations in the Alberta Capital Region that raised more than $1,000,000 in 2020. The following organizations were recognized at this year’s Red Tie Gala in March.
These awards are presented to organizations that generate outstanding results in their workplace and corporate campaigns.
Big Idea Award GenNEXT Committee
Campaign Committee of the Year Enbridge
Committee Member of the Year Alberta Municipal Affairs – Jolene Cusack
Education & Engagement MacEwan University
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Private Sector ATB Financial – Terri Stiksma
Employee Campaign Chair of the Year – Public Sector Alberta Community and Social Services / Children’s Services – Connor Gaughan
Everyday Hero Award Alberta Blue Cross
Funded Partner Campaign Operation Friendship Seniors Society
GenNEXT Award PCL Construction
George Letki Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Brian Sawyer Robin Murray
Labour Award of Distinction Health Sciences Association of Alberta
Leading the Way EPCOR
Small Business Award The Dapper Beaver Coffee Company
Welcome to United Way Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers Ltd.
GenNEXT Award Wheaton Honda
George Letki Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Brad Campbell & Jon Holland
Labour Award of Distinction United Nurses of Alberta
Leading the Way Alberta Blue Cross
Outstanding Committee Member of the Year Darlene Bryant, University of Alberta
Small But Mighty Award MEGlobal Canada Inc.
Welcome to United Way Northwest Connect General Partnership
Without the many companies, individuals, and all levels of government coming together with our United Way, we would not be able to make the tremendous impact that we make everyday in the lives of our neighbours through our programs and services. With the knowledge and expertise of our staff and community partners, we make the best investments to change peoples’ lives for the better and create lasting change.
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We appreciate the efforts of the companies who help make the Alberta Capital Region a better place to live and work.
The 100K+ Club recognizes companies that, through their workplace giving campaigns, raised over $100,000 in 2020, demonstrating their commitment and passion to make sure no one in our community is left behind.
$100,000+ BMO Financial Group Canadian Western Bank Chandos Construction Ltd. CIBC Dentons Canada LLP Dow Canada Intact Financial Corporation RBC Royal Bank & RBC Foundation Scotiabank Servus Credit Union Suncor Inc. Worley
$200,000+ Alberta Blue Cross Capital Power City of Edmonton Pembina Pipeline Corporation Stollery Charitable Foundation TD Bank Group Wheaton Group of Companies
$300,000+ Costco Wholesale Nutrien
$400,000+ ATB Financial Imperial Oil & Unifor Local 21A Shell Canada Ltd.
$500,000+ Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign University of Alberta
$700,000+ The Co-operators EPCOR Provincial Employees’ United Way Campaign
$1,000,000+ Enbridge Provincial Employees’ United Way Campaign 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 Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission Alberta Blue Cross ATCO Pipelines & Liquids Global Business Unit Canada Border Services Agency Canada Revenue Agency Canada Summer Jobs Enbridge KPMG Imperial PCL Construction Service Canada TD University of Alberta Worley
Since 1978, Labour and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region have worked together to make our community a healthy place to live, work, and raise a family. We are grateful for our Labour partners and their dedication to helping others.
Alberta Federation of Labour Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Alberta Workers’ Health Centre Canada Post Corporation – Edmonton Operations & Delivery Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 30 Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 474 Canadian Union of Public Employees Regional Office City of Edmonton Management Association Civic Service Union Local 52 Benevolent Society Edmonton & District Labour Council Health Sciences Association of Alberta International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955 Unifor Unifor Local 1947 Unifor Local 4050 Unifor Local 530A United Food & Commercial Workers Local 401 United Nurses of Alberta
The 50 Years United Club recognizes companies that have partnered with United Way for over 50 years. We are so grateful for our long-standing partners that continue to come together to make meaningful change in our community.
Alberta Health Services AltaSteel Ltd. Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc. Apex Utilities Inc. (AUI) ATCO Electric ATCO Pipelines & Liquids Global Business Unit Aviva Insurance Company of Canada BDO Bissell Centre BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. Building Products of Canada Corp. Canada Life Canadian Mental Health Association-Edmonton Region Canadian Pacific Railway Canadian Western Bank Celanese EVA Performance Polymers Partnership Chivers Carpenter Lawyers CIBC CNIB College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta Connect Society – Deafness Education Advocacy & Family Services Crosstown Motors (1982) Ltd. Crystal Glass Canada Ltd. Dawson Motors Ltd. Deloitte. 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 International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955
Intact Financial Corporation Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Jewish Family Services KPMG LLP Ledcor Group Lilydale Inc., A Sofina Foods Company Lloyd, Sadd Insurance Ltd. MacEwan University Manulife Financial Melcor Developments Ltd. Metal Fabricators and Welding Ltd. Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. Nutrien O’Hanlon Paving Ltd. & The Fath Group Pattison Outdoor Advertising PCL Construction Pembina Pipeline Corporation Provincial Employees’ United Way Campaign PwC RBC Royal Bank Scotiabank Sobeys West Spartan Controls Ltd. Spinal Cord Injury Association Alberta Staples Canada Sun Media – A Division of Postmedia Network Inc. TD Bank Group The Alberta Teachers’ Association The Family Centre Trans Mountain Pipeline TransAlta Universe Machine Corporation Victorian Order of Nurses Waterloo Mercury Sales (1981) Ltd. Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co. Wheaton Group Xerox Canada Ltd. YMCA of Northern Alberta YWCA Edmonton
We would not be able to make the impact in our community without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. These legions of changemakers make doing good in their community a priority by helping those most vulnerable.
Community volunteers support our Information Services and InKind Exchange.
Robert Beghin Doug Kreklywich 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 Pauline Smale Kim Chung Stephanie Wright Sara Riddle Alexander Adegbuyi Kelly Sysak Muna Ahmed Alex Bedard Darby Walton Tracy Simon Steve McGean Allie Wojtaszek Kelly Bickford Heather Ram Bonnie Caron Brittany Tyerman Cheryl Whiskeyjack Chrystal Henry Della Massey Donna Lemieux Edgar Jackson Emma Potter Gail Haynes Grace Schmuland Jenna Brewer Jimmy Morrison Judy Yawney Karen Kadatz Kristin Raworth Laurie Anderson Liz Lacika Marnie Lee Megan Strachan Michael Hansen Monica Das Neil Campbell Patricia Skagen-Emokpae Richard Ouellet Ron Campbell Sue Languedoc Tanaura Seon Tina Kafka Lincoln Nanaquawetung Desiree Concepcion John Macrae
Leaders of the Way Speakers Corinna Mulyk, Government of Alberta Evangeline Berube, Robert Half Recruiting Michelle Furlong, Enbridge Hafsah Navarro-Henry, City of Edmonton Scott Arndt, Enbridge
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.
Ashish Mehta Ashley Bolduc Brian Sawyer Cassandra Lundell Donna Brock Eric Storey Jasmine Brazil Jessica Carlson Julianne Threlfall Kairi Pawlick Kalie Van Ree Kathryn Charr Len Grainger Nancy Laing Nicole Weir Pearl Gregor Raelene Finlayson Robyn Blackadar Sal Karmali Sara Russell Shannon Butler 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.
Angelina Bakshi Rob Bennett Dr. Heather Caltagirone Robert de Guzman Bryan DeNeve John Elford Bruce Fafard Todd Gilchrist Yasmin Jivraj Gord Johnston Shannon Peacocke Chris Pullen Jamie Pytel Alan Skoreyko Jocelyn Talvio Leon Zupan
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.
Judy Mayer Marion Haggarty-France Pauline Smale Donavon Young Shawn McLeod Michelle Furlong Vanessa Croissant Andre Corbould Bryan Christy Ankita Menon Scott Arndt Serena Banman Cheryl Baraniecki Evangeline Berube Brad Campbell Carolyn Campbell Scott Claypool Michelle Devlin Glen Eastwood Chris Eveleigh Ray Guidinger LCol Darren Hart Cal Jungwirth Rob Kisteleki Mario Kulas Colin Lechelt Anastasia Lim Greg Mady Corinna Mulyk Robin Murray D’Arcy Newberry Catrin Owen Tony Prsa Noreen Remtulla Tyler Tollefson Greg Wengreniuk Joel White
Engineering Challenge Committee Greg Wengreniuk Jasmine Tohme Geoff Ballard Adam Firth Camille Chalifoux Kevin Smith Heather Toepfer
GenNext Committee Robert Kisteleki Serena Banman David Sorenson Caitlyn Tieland Daniel Yereniuk Tokunbo Adegbuyi Andrew Mason Goldy Gill Laura Beatson Noreen Remtulla Miori Matthews Marta Schoenwandt Ankita Menon Olivia Pilling Ashley Chaffey Radhika Kalra Chris Yin Hersharon Sandhu Sam Hipkiss Elliot Rose Marina Khonaisser Sam Ellmi Megan Jivraj
Heartland Challenge Committee Leah Shaw Tina Thomas Laura Faulds-Sadownyk Tanner King Cindy Campbell Blaine Shaw Allison Scully Alana Seymour Nicole Moverley Jenelle Hart
YEG Downtown Collaboration Committee Shawn Jones Jimmy Morrison Terri Stiksma Shane Tulik Kalen Pilkington Caroline Lynch Paul Groch Catrina Lesburg Radhika Kalra Nadia Goodhart Elliot Rose Caleb Jansen Drew Tetz
211 Alberta has maintained and increased their vital support to Albertans with information and connection to a full range of community, government, social, and health services throughout the pandemic. In June 2020, 211 Alberta expanded service province-wide to ensure all Albertans had access to resources during this time of crisis. Since then, all Albertans have been able to call, text, or chat online anytime 24/7.
211 Alberta also played a key role in supporting the provincial government’s COVID-19 response initiatives and was accessed over 260,000 times by phone, text, chat, or visits to www.ab.211.ca.
Volunteers at home built do-it-yourself kits, donating supplies and packages of school supplies, hygiene essentials and activities for seniors to be distributed through United Way partners.
GenNEXT volunteers held a Learning Lab about The New Face of Philanthropy that showcased the impact you can make at any age at United Way’s Kickoff Conference.
Volunteers launch a movement to spread positivity throughout our city through chalk art.
Over 70 volunteers and came together to create a safe and welcoming outdoor space complete with garden beds, a gazebo, patios, and storage lockers.
1,700 Chromebooks and laptops were provided to vulnerable students so they could continue their education when online learning was required, stay in contact with critical mentoring and counselling supports, and ensure they were not socially isolated.
80 care packages delivered that included supplies to support the mental and physical health of students in isolation.
Discover the inspiring words, videos, and posts of community members united to do local good.
My team and I had an informative meeting with @myunitedway and @211Alberta to discuss mental health and challenges people in our communities are experiencing. 211 is a helpline and online database of Alberta’s community and social services. pic.twitter.com/3CA1jpNZ5p — James Cumming (@jameskcumming) March 16, 2021
My team and I had an informative meeting with @myunitedway and @211Alberta to discuss mental health and challenges people in our communities are experiencing.
211 is a helpline and online database of Alberta’s community and social services. pic.twitter.com/3CA1jpNZ5p
— James Cumming (@jameskcumming) March 16, 2021
Had a blast making Kid Kits with @myunitedway volunteers and also some @OFSS1969 volunteers. Help each other and u build a community. Volunteering is the greatest gift u can give. pic.twitter.com/wtFJ77ZlDS — Jimmy Morrison (@Jimmytheintern) March 16, 2021
Had a blast making Kid Kits with @myunitedway volunteers and also some @OFSS1969 volunteers. Help each other and u build a community. Volunteering is the greatest gift u can give. pic.twitter.com/wtFJ77ZlDS
— Jimmy Morrison (@Jimmytheintern) March 16, 2021
So very excited to see this planned project. The community that residents build at each @CMHAEdmonton property is tremendously valuable. Thank You 👏👏👏 to everyone involved and for helping to make this happen. — Bobbi Menard (@BobbiMenard) July 14, 2020
So very excited to see this planned project. The community that residents build at each @CMHAEdmonton property is tremendously valuable. Thank You 👏👏👏 to everyone involved and for helping to make this happen.
— Bobbi Menard (@BobbiMenard) July 14, 2020
Partnerships were key during COVID to ensure our students achieved success. Combined efforts of @myunitedway, @TELUS and the ECS Foundation, ensured our most vulnerable students had access to devices and the internet Check out this video: https://t.co/Coufe5nrEr — ECSD (@EdmCathSchools) November 18, 2020
Partnerships were key during COVID to ensure our students achieved success. Combined efforts of @myunitedway, @TELUS and the ECS Foundation, ensured our most vulnerable students had access to devices and the internet Check out this video: https://t.co/Coufe5nrEr
— ECSD (@EdmCathSchools) November 18, 2020
There is no better time than today to undertake such needed support for who cannot afford to mental health support. Thanks to @myunitedway and @albertablacktherapistnetwork for such a partnership in #yeg https://t.co/PGHTMF2szz — Sharif Haji (@SharifHaji) January 24, 2021
There is no better time than today to undertake such needed support for who cannot afford to mental health support. Thanks to @myunitedway and @albertablacktherapistnetwork for such a partnership in #yeg https://t.co/PGHTMF2szz
— Sharif Haji (@SharifHaji) January 24, 2021
Our fantastic team is all set to distribute 49 cellphones to community members to stay connected to each other and to community supports thanks to @myunitedway and @Bell for these vital means of connection! #COVID19 #pandemiclife #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/MZAQr37JzE — Bent Arrow (@BentArrowYEG) February 3, 2021
Our fantastic team is all set to distribute 49 cellphones to community members to stay connected to each other and to community supports thanks to @myunitedway and @Bell for these vital means of connection! #COVID19 #pandemiclife #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/MZAQr37JzE
— Bent Arrow (@BentArrowYEG) February 3, 2021
