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| Our Blog
Leadership Windsor-Essex held its 9th annual Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday June 8th at Willistead Manor. 65 Alumni and friends of Leadership Windsor-Essex were on hand to celebrate the graduating class of 2010. Brian Gray, a member of the local Grant Review Team for the Ontario Trillium Foundation announced OTF's funding for an Excellence in Leadership Day. This LWE sponsored leadership event for youth will be held in the Fall and will feature Craig Keilburger, former child advocate and founder of Free the Children. United Way will work with LWE on this event. Congratulations to Leadership Windsor-Essex on a successful year! To view more photos from the Commencement Ceremony, click here. Date: November 12, 2009
United Way | Good News Story
Last week, a staff member from United Way received a phone call from a gentleman and past donor. This individual expressed interest in donating to our campaign, but told the staff person that, due to a stroke, he wasn't able to fill out his cheque. And so, he asked the United Way to help.
One of our long-time Loaned Representatives, a retiree from General Motors/CAW Local 1973, took this information and found the individual living in a local nursing home. Our Loaned Representative visited the gentleman and helped him fill out his cheque to United Way.
This is quite an amazing and heart-warming story and we are so thankful taht we have such dedicated supporters and volunteers that help change lives.
Date: November 11, 2009
Charity Buzz: Watch BASF Manager, Guido Broche, grimace as he gets his head shaved for charity.
Last week, BASF employees received a gift from their Manager, Guido Broche. Broche promised his staff that he would shave his head if the employees reached their United Way Campaign target for the 2009 Campaign. BASF employees raised $21,000 for the United Way as part of the company's $36,500 donation and as such, received the gift of watching their Manager, Guido, get his shaved. To view the video, click here.
This wasn't the first time that an employee shaved their head in support of United Way. On October 9th, Mike Scherer, Retail Sales Manager for WFCU South Location shaved his head to support the 2009 United Way Campaign.
Now that's dedication!
Date: October 23, 2009
United Way Campaign Gears Up on University of Windsor Campus
University of Windsor has officially begun their 2009 United Way Campaign Blitz on campus. To read more about their campaign blitz, click here.
 Date: October 7, 2009
Sheila Wisdom: Woman of Achievement Award
Sheila Wisdom, Exective Director of United Way Windsor-Essex, was honoured this weekend with the Woman of Achievement Award. Congratulations to Sheila for her hard work and dedication!
To learn more, check out the following article which was posted in the Windsor Star on October 4th.
An agent of hope, change in community
Wisdom gets Woman of Achievement award By Frances Willick, The Windsor StarOctober 4, 2009 Generous. Kind. Intelligent. Hardworking. Thoughtful. Those are some of the words her colleagues use to describe her. Add one more to the list: Modest. "I have no idea why I'm getting this award," says Sheila Wisdom. Wisdom, who was presented the Woman of Achievement award at the gala dinner hosted by Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women on Saturday, says she's just one of many women who contributes to the community. "There are so many women who have come to this country where the language is different, the alphabet is different. They've had to make a home for their husbands and their families. I think that's extraordinary. I think there are a l, ot of people who deserve the award." The aw, ard is given to a woman who has been an exceptional advocate for newcomers and an agent of hope and change in the community. Wisdom has been inti, mately connected with the city and its people for many years. The University of Windsor graduate owned and operated a long-standing independent bookstore on Pitt Street with her husband, Jerry. But South Shore Books was more than a nook of intellect or a place for booklovers to get their fix of fiction. Martin Deck, former employee and later owner of the store, remembers it as a communal hub with Wisdom at the very centre. "People come in there expressing all kinds of opinions -- not just about books. You get to know a lot of movers and shakers. We liked to tease her every once in a while about how she should run for mayor."
She never ran for mayor, but she did run for council. Deck says she had already made such an impression before she entered municipal politics that former Windsor MP Paul Martin Sr. placed a sign on his lawn supporting her, even though she wasn't even running in his neighbourhood. During her nine years on council, Wisdom advocated for economic diversification, waterfront renewal, recreation trails, parks and the arts. Former co-councillor and current Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan remembers Wisdom as a thoughtful and intelligent woman who always came prepared to meetings. "I can't think of anybody who is more attuned to the community, has a bigger heart and who is just a wonderful human being," he says. "I can't stress what an enormous value she is to the community how lucky we are to have her in her current capacity and her past capacities." Duncan says he and Wisdom remain friends and continue to consult with each other. "The one vision I always have of Sheila is a wonderful smile. She's got a wonderful laugh. I don't think I've ever seen Sheila in what I would describe as a bad mood." While on council, Wisdom became the executive director of the Windsor Family YMCA, and after stepping down from council in 1997, wrote a column for the Windsor Star until 2006. She has been awarded the Queen's Jubilee Award, and has been given an honourary Doctor of Laws by the University of Windsor. In her current role as the executive director of the United Way of Windsor-Essex County, Wisdom says she has been able to continue working to improve the city and help its people. "I feel fortunate to have been part of an organization that has such strong history and roots in this community, and has made a real difference in the lives of individuals," she says. "I'm honoured and humbled to have been part of that."
With her trademark modesty and warmth, she notes, "I get back as much as I give. I've made friends, I've learned things, I've seen changes. All of that enriches me." Date: October 1, 2009
Hand in Hand: United Way Unveils Billboard Campaign
This week, a series of billboard advertisements will be installed to build awareness and support United Way. The concept and design for the billboards was generously created and donated by BBDO.
United Way billboards are located on Central Avenue, Dougall Avenue, Drouillard Road at Wyandotte Avenue, Tecumseh Road at Jeffe,, rson Avenue a, nd Tecumseh Road at Langl, ois Avenue. Click on the following link to view a photo of one of our new billboards, which was posted in the October 1st, 2009 Edition of The Windsor Star. Please click here to view.
Thank you to BBDO for their creativity and support!
Date: September 21, 2009
United Way's 2009 Campaign Kick-Off
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On Friday, September 18th, United Way kicked off their 2009 Campaign. Over 400 guests joined United Way as they officially began this year's Campaign.
In an effort to further support the community, guests were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support local food banks. Over $300 and 800 cans were gathered and donated to the Food Bank Association.
To learn more about the 2009 Campaign Kick-Off, please check out the following links:
Date: August 19, 2009
A Day of Caring Success: BASF reaches out to local seniors
BASF, a local chemical company and strong supporter of United Way, took part in a Day of Caring at the Centre for Seniors this week. We are so thrilled to share our community with such a supportive company and group of employees.
Thank you to BASF and all of the employees who took part in this community project.
To read more about BASF's Day of Caring, please visit The Windsor Star: http://www.windsorstar.com/BASF+reaches+seniors/1907301/story.html
Date: July 16, 2009
United Way volunteer, Tim Ekert, lifts for Gold!
United Way was thrilled when Tim Ekert decided to join the United Way Family as a volunteer and representative from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind for our Speaker's Bureau. Tim shared his incredible story with the community and helped to promote the United Way through the many speaking opportunities that he took part in.
Today, news spread quickly around the United Way office about Tim's amazing accomplishment. Tim, known to many in the community, set a world record at the International Blind Sports Association's World Championship for power lifting and bench press.
On behalf of United Way, we would like to send our congratulations on a job well done to Tim, a dedicated volunteer and world champion!
If you would like to read more about Tim's story, check out the following article that was posted in the Windsor Star on July 14th, 2009: http://www.windsorstar.com/health/Ekert+lifts+record/1788174/story.html
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Date: April 27, 2009
Mariam Haidar, Youth Leader on Board, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, Board of Directors.
Youth Leaders on Board Graduation - Mariam Haidar's Speech
I wanted to be engaged in the whole community that I lived in and learn about issues and realities facing us today. After learning about the YLB program, I realized that it would be the challenge that would allow me to engage more within my community.
Beginning the program, I was hoping that I could learn to be an active and valuable member of my assigned organization. I was very excited to learn about the fundamentals of governance and to gain a better understanding of the issues facing our population.
The program started off by giving all of us here the opportunity to share with each other who are, where we're from, what we've done and what we're hoping to achieve. At first, it felt a little silly sharing this information with strangers, but everything seemed to fall nicely into place afterwards. Each session that progressed felt more comfortable and was more information intensive. We were privileged to have guest speakers come and share their experiences and knowledge with us including a wide range of topics from ethics, finances, law and liability, community impact, not for profit organizations, and introducing us to some of the many programs that we have here in Windsor/Essex County. The in class sessions were only half of requirements of the program, the other half was serving as a board member to the designated board we were assigned to. It was our responsibility to take the information that was presented to us in class, and use that to be effective, contributing board members at the table.
I can confidently say that what we've learned in this program stretches far beyond what was taught to us in this building. For some of us, this was a real eye opener about all of the challenges that face our community, but also about all the different ways we can get involved and contribute to a cause we care about. Everyone here today has been involved one way or another, but few of us have been given the opportunity to be engaged in our community at such a high level of governance. That being said, we can all appreciate the amount of information that was delivered to us in the short period of time with regards to the complexity of the subjects.
For most of us, our involvement does not stop here. "I want to do more", "I want to be an active board member", "I'd like to prolong my membership on the board", "I want to take this information and use it for X cause" Are all very common phrases that we would hear amongst ourselves during class sessions. Many of us have been exposed to new facts that we simply cannot ignore and feel the need to help contribute. Each and every one of us now has more to give to help strengthen and support our community, and without a doubt, many of us here will continue to be involved and active.
It was interesting when I would share information with family and friends in regards to the program. Their reactions were very supportive of the program, and believed that young people should be active members in the community so long that they were properly informed. I also noticed my conversations with my friends and family were a little different than they had been; we were now discussing community matters much more than we had been before. I believe that this is the first thing we can do as students of the program, which is to educate others around us by engaging them in conversation.
The YLB program has really allowed me to grow as a person, by allowing me to be better in tune with my surroundings. The knowledge and experience gained here have helped build a strong solid foundation that will support many more years of community participation.
On behalf of the participants this year, we , would like to thank the United Way, the participating organizations and Adrian and Mich, elle who facilitated the program.
Click Here to view photos from the 2008-2009 Youth Leaders on Board Graduation.
Date: March 31, 2009
Neil Gold, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County Annual General Meeting Speech.
Neil Gold, Chair, Board of Directors, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, Provost and Vice President, Academic, University of Windsor.
All of you here are committed to the United Way. Each of you in your own way has found the time and place in your lives to make a commitment to this organization, and the many agencies which it supports.
We have a strong network of services and we all appreciate that the need in our community is not reducing in any way; in fact it's getting more serious as time goes by. And our ability to meet the challenge with only financial resources is simply not as strong as it once was. In other words, our challenge is increasing and our wherewithal is reducing. So how go forward is going to require thought, determination, innovation, cooperation and willingness to find solutions.
We are hearing this a lot, aren't we? Every day, when we turn our televisions on, we're being told we have to dig deeper, we have to find a way to help one another to resolve problems. This is not a superficial statement, this is absolutely fundamentally true.
The United Way plays an important role in our community. Finding ways and means to support those who have the need is very important The United Way will continue to be resourceful and find ways forward. However, it will need your help and the help of many others -- and we're counting on you to help us in our way forward through this very challenging year ahead.
We have to move quickly, we have to move confidently. As the community changes rapidly so must the United Way. We have to find a new agility, a new way to be responsive; we have to be focused and determined; we have to be very clear about the things we are going to do, and clear about the things we are not going to do. Focus means choice, and choice means that something that we used to do and still believe in, we will no longer able to do -- because the priorities have become different.
We have our various investments to make, short term and long term. As Adrian said in his remarks to us, we have to get the cause of problems, not just their effects. And we have to find a way to have impact. In doing this we have to be careful, thoughtful, reasoned, and reasonable. It's not enough to simply say, well we have a struggle, we make a hard decision we get on with it. It has to be a right decision; it has to be a thoughtful decision; we must be careful and considerate; and we have to be balanced in what we do, so as to be sure we find new ways not only to remedy, but to prevent.
So all of you please join the United Way in this most important year -- I think it is our most important year. As we read the news daily, we find that members of our community are struggling more and more. And whatever it is what we have to give, we must find it within ourselves to dig deeply, and find a way to give it.
We at the United Way will work very hard to be the best possible resource this community can have, and yet we can only be one part of the full resource array that you and your friends, relatives and colleagues make for our community.
So it's going to be a challenging year. We're going to face this hard year, with incredible energy, and enthusiasm, wonderful excitement -- and were going to make a difference. You are going to be a part of it, and do we thank-you, thank-you very much -- and thank-you for being here.
Click Here to vie, w photos from the 2008 United Way/ Centraide Windsor-Essex County Annual General Meeting
Date: April 3, 2009
Changing Lives in Our Community - Annual General Meeting
On Tuesday, March 31st, United Way Windsor-Essex County held its Annual General Meeting at the Caboto Club.
As guests arrived to attend the Annual General Meeting, they were welcomed with the wonderful voices of the Centre for Seniors Choir. The choir, which consisted of dozens of Centre for Seniors Members, sang a medley of songs and filled the room with harmony and music. , ;
Following this, Christopher Paul Curtis, our guest speaker and renowned children's author, discussed the importance of literacy in our community.
Neil Gold, Incoming Chair of the Board of Directors, addressed the crowd, and welcomed new and renewing member to the Board of Directors. Further, Sheila and Neil recognized outgoing Board of Directors members for their years of service and dedication.
Adrian Vido, past Chair of the Board of Directors, could not be in attendance, but sent his greetings, sincere appreciation to dedicated supporters and warmest regards.
The 2008 Annual Report and Financial Statements are now available online. If you would like to view these reports, please click here.
Date: March 26, 2009
The, United Way of Canada's website posted an article outlining the generosity of the employees from the Gen, eral Motors Winds, or Transmission Plant and CAW Local 1973.
Despite their upcoming closure in 2010, the Canvasser Team at the General Motors Windsor Transmission Plant continued to encourage their colleagues to invest in their community through United Way.
We are extremely proud and thankful for their efforts. To read more, please click on the following link:
Date: March 11, 2009
A note from the United Way's GenNext Committee
On Thursday, March 5th, the GenNext Committee hosted its Second Annual Financial Freedom Event - Out of Debt and On Your Way at the University of Windsor. The purpose of the event was to reach out to our GenNext members, stud, ents and recent graduates in the community to discuss the current economic climate, as well as tips for dealing with financial stress.
We were incredibly pleased with the enthusiasm and positive energy from our speakers and guests. It was a great venue, and we all agreed that the open-forum feel was informative and educational.
On behalf of the GenNext Committee, we would like to extend a special thank you to our keynote speaker from the University of Windsor, Dr. Craig Fleisher. And of course, a big thank you to all of the GenNext Committee Members for their dedication and help in planning this event.
Date: February 23, 2009
Welcome to United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County's new and improved website!
Our aim was to create a positive, fresh and user-friendly website. The blog will serve as a venue through which we may reach you - our friends and supporters.
Have a great day! |
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