In its 60th year of serving Hastings & Prince Edward, United Way HPE’s Board of Directors has finalized its funding decisions to again support 75 local programs. These programs are essential in providing health and social services which touch the lives of 1 in 3 people here in our community.
Each year United Way HPE works with a team of community minded volunteers to assess local need and review
applications for funding. Each application submits to a full review and must follow strict guidelines to prove the
programs and services fall under one of three United Way pillars: From Poverty to Possibility, All That Kids Can Be
poverty, and Strong Communities.
“We go through an intense approval process vetting each application for funding based on high standards of community impact.” Said Dustin Boyer, a member of the allocation committee who works with a diverse group of
volunteers who make the decisions on how United Way donations should be distributed. “We are serious about our
responsibility to United Way donors. Through this process, we can best steward the donations from the community,
ensuring that dollars are invested in agencies and services that help people build successful, self-sustaining lives. For
us as volunteers, it means that the money raised by our local community is helping people here at home.”
The work being done under each pillar is vast (see http://unitedwayhpe.ca/what-we-do/). As one example under the
area of poverty, programs are available to provide access to critical social services that support people’s basic needs:
food, shelter, affordable housing, and employment. Work is being done to address root cause issues in order to
achieve sustainable results. Programs also help to ensure vulnerable children and youth are valued and
supported, with opportunities and resources to help them reach their full potential. Finally, overall community work is addressing health and social issues, helping vulnerable people overcome barriers to inclusion, build resilience,
reduce isolation and to engage in our community. All not for profit, charitable organizations throughout Hastings and Prince Edward Counties are eligible to apply for funding for programs addressing one of United Way’s three pillars, and by agreeing to provide regular updates on their program’s impacts.
In addition to allocating funds for agencies throughout Hastings & Prince Edward Counties, United Way HPE also
funds United Way led community programs. These include the 211 assistance phone line, Day of Caring, the Poverty
Challenge, and numerous Community Development initiatives.
