100% of your donation stays in Windsor-Essex County
1 in 7 kids in Windsor-Essex County are living in poverty. (Canada Census 2021)
Supporting families in our local community since 1947
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What’s Happening at United Way
Stronger Together: Unification Transforms United Way in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent
A unified, stronger United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent now serves the communities of Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex. We understand the importance of local support and the unique needs of each community. We want to be very clear that all donations raised in your community stay in your community.
A Call to Action: Bridging the Summer Gap
This summer, many local children face the stark reality of hunger and lost learning opportunities. The need for nutritious food and educational resources is increasing in Windsor-Essex. Read on to see how you can make a life-changing difference to a child and their future.
47th Labour Appreciation Night: Thursday, November 14th
United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, in partnership with the Windsor & District Labour Council (WDLC), will host the 47th annual Labour Appreciation Night at the Ciociaro Club of Windsor, honouring the recipient of the Charles E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award, Jodi Nesbitt, President of Unifor Local 240.
Every child deserves the right to reach their full potential
Imagine a childhood where dreams seem out of reach because of the harsh realities of poverty. For far too many kids in Windsor-Essex, this is their reality. Their potential and dreams for the future, cut short by circumstances beyond their control. It’s an unacceptable truth that can’t be ignored.
Did you know our community has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada according to the latest census data? In fact, 1 in 7 kids live in poverty across Windsor-Essex, and that rate is as high as 1 in 3 kids in some neighbourhoods.
But here’s the glimmer of hope: every step we take to support local kids in our community is a step towards a path out of poverty and a brighter future. It’s an investment not just in them, but in an economically stronger and more compassionate community.
Select a goal below to learn more:
Ensure children and youth have the supports they need in and out of school
OUR GOAL
More kids are meeting math and literacy standards in elementary school.
When a child meets provincial standards in math and literacy, they’re more likely to graduate high school.
OUR SOLUTION
We invest in out-of-school programs that provide homework help, healthy snacks, recreational activities, and the care of supportive adults to help students succeed in West Windsor, Downtown Windsor and Leamington.
Hear what the Community Action Network residents have to say
about the solution they helped to build.
You can help children succeed in school when they’re young, setting the foundation for success in high school and in life.
Show Your Local Love
Help families access healthy food and local mental health services
OUR GOAL
Families and children have access to nutritious food and mental health counselling.
1 in 3 food bank users in Windsor and Essex County are children.
In Canada, only 1 in 5 children who need mental health services receives them. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assn)
OUR SOLUTION
We invest in the local food bank system and feed children during the summer when school nutrition programs are closed. We also invest in programs that provide low-to-no-cost mental health counselling.
Watch Matthew’s story and learn how mental health supports made a difference for him during the pandemic.
You can wrap your LOCAL LOVE around children and their families to support them every step of the way.
Build a skilled local workforce, ready for the 21st Century job economy
OUR GOAL
More kids are graduating high school and getting a post-secondary education.
Students who attend post-secondary education for at least one year are shown to earn $11,000 -17,000 more per year.
OUR SOLUTION
We invest in wrap-around supports for high school students who have the potential to succeed but are facing barriers to their education. Students receive academic tutoring, social and career mentoring, and some financial support to attend a post-secondary or trade education program.
Meet Amber, a recent graduate of our
On Track to Success Program
Remove barriers that prevent families from getting the help they need by working differently with community partners and residents
OUR GOAL
To transform whole communities, we must think beyond individual programs and services and see ourselves as one united system. Creating equitable outcomes for children requires community partners to work together to remove roadblocks for families. This is called Collective Impact.
Other communities which have implemented collective impact strategies have seen improvements in high school graduation rates, healthier families, and stronger accountability to the community.
OUR SOLUTION
Cradle to Career is a community wide strategy which leverages the time, talent and treasure of 50+ community partners. Local residents are at the heart of the work, building solutions with partners that will best serve their neighbourhoods. United Way powers the work of this collective partnership through collaborative called ProsperUs.
You can support this new community wide strategy by donating to the organization that is bringing its community engagement expertise to the table. We’re driving community investment in new solutions which will support children from the time they’re born until they find a meaningful career.
Show Your Local Love
When we work together, we’re not just providing food, education, and stability. We’re nurturing dreams, igniting potential, and shaping tomorrow’s leaders. We’re showing kids that they don’t have to stay in the cycle of poverty. We’re showing kids that they matter.