Media Release
Windsor, ON – United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County wants the community to get up, get moving, and challenge themselves to be physically active as part of the second annual virtual fundraiser, called iMove for United Way, focused on supporting youth mental health. Registration opens Monday, January 24, 2022.
The pandemic has been particularly hard on young people, with children reporting some of the largest declines in mental health compared to other populations1. iMove for United Way, presented by St. Clair College and the St. Clair College Alumni Association, is a virtual fundraising event that focuses on the importance of physical activity and mental health. iMove for United Way invites people to set achievable fitness goals, like moving for 200 minutes or more. The event team hopes that while being active and collecting pledges to support local mental health and wellness programming for children and youth across Windsor-Essex, participants will experience improvement in their own mental health as well.
This event is for everyone. Whether you run, walk your dog, practice your yoga moves, or dance in your living room, the goal is to get moving for mental health. All activities are meant to be done solo or with family or friends in your ‘bubble’, with pandemic protocols in mind. Physical activity, whether indoors or outdoors, is still encouraged, even under current COVID-19 restrictions.
iMove for United Way participants can connect through a virtual platform that can be used for fitness tracking and fundraising. Follow the hashtag #iMove4UnitedWay to see who is involved.
Registration is now open at www.weareunited.com/imove. To participate, make a minimum donation – $25 for adults, $5 for elementary and high school students, $10 for post-secondary students. Everyone is encouraged to fundraise more than the minimum and reach out and challenge others once they’re registered. Event pledges will be collected until March 6, 2022. The goal is to raise $40,000 to support local mental health programs and services.
“The pandemic continues to take its toll on young people. We can help prevent children and youth from falling into crisis if we can support them through preventative mental health and wellness activities,” says Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way Windsor-Essex County. “Many young people are navigating unemployment, and changes to their social lives, daily routines, schooling and access to affordable, nutritious food. United Way wants to make sure young people can continue to receive vital supports such as academic tutoring, mentorship, and timely access to mental health counselling.”
Mental health supports are delivered through United Way’s On Track to Success, mentoring and out-of-school programs, and family counselling programs delivered through Family Services Windsor-Essex. WATCH THIS VIDEO to learn more about the impact of the On Track to Success program or visit the event site to learn more about the impact of a gift to these programs.
iMove’s promotional video can be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CIY1-p9Xym8
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[1] In a survey conducted in the early days of the pandemic, nearly two-thirds of youth said their mental health had gotten worse since the pandemic. (Source: Children’s Mental Health Ontario)
Since COVID-19, those aged 15-24 reported the greatest declines in mental health. (Source: StatsCan)
Media Contact:
Karen Brady, Marketing & Communications Manager
kbrady@weareunited.com | W: 519-259-6169 | M : 519-562-7841
Twitter @UnitedWayWE | Facebook: United Way Windsor-Essex
Instagram: UnitedWayWE | LinkedIn | www.weareunited.com
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Thank you to our generous media sponsors:
Visit www.weareunited.com/iMove to meet more of our sponsors.
Last updated on February 15, 2022