United Way Announces Support For Programs

The United Way in the Fraser Valley held a press conference Wednesday to announce the many programs they will be supporting throughout the year to help ensure children age 0 to 6 succeed, and reduce poverty and/or homelessness.

Lori Masse, Director of Resource Development at United Way told Abbotsford Today that, like many organizations, the United Way is facing many challenges in the current economic climate.

“Our Impact Committee, a group of volunteers, sifted through all of the applications with great care and chose the 11 programs we are funding. Prospera Credit Union stepped forward to sponsor Cyrus Centre’s Roofs 4 Youth Life Skills program, giving United Way the opportunity to fund an additional program we could not have afforded otherwise.”

Below you will find the programs being funded by the United Way this year. For more informatioon or to support the United Way in the Fraser Valley simply click here.

United Way
33355 Bevan Ave, Abbotsford, BC V2S 0E7
(604) 852-1234

Phone: 604.852.1234
Toll Free: 1.888.251.7777
Fax: 604.852.2316
Email:

Hope Project
Hope & Area Transition Society

Hub where individuals with mental health or addictions can access resources such as nurse practitioner, legal aid, addiction services, public health, mental health, harm reduction, mobile library and soup kitchen. Residents of Thunderbird Motel will access these services. This is a joint application between Hope & Area Transition Society and Read Right Society.

Resource Centre and Emergency Shelter in Chilliwack
Cyrus Centre Chilliwack

For at risk and homeless youth. To provide services designed to address immediate and practical needs while addressing root causes. Funding will provide staffing to develop programs in this location. “Expanded” indicates an expansion of Cyrus Centre. This is a new project in Chilliwack requested by a number of churches and MCFD.

Outreach Worker at the Warm Zone
Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley

Counselling for women using the Warm Zone with a particular focus on securing and maintaining housing.

Early Childhood Developmental Screening
Abbotsford Early Childhood Committee

To detect any delays in learning or difficulties in a child’s development. Screening done at three events – Annual Family Fun Day, Celebrate Dad’s and Winter Festival.

Counselling for women leaving transition houses
Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley

Group and individual counselling for women living in one of the three housing programs (Christine Lamb, Penny’s Place or Santa Rosa) or one of the two shelters (Mission Transition House and Abbotsford Transition House). Once women and their children have stable housing, they can work on personal strengths, schooling and employment, preparing them for independence.

Roofs 4 Youth Life Skills – Co-sponsored by Prospera Credit Union
Cyrus Centre Abbotsford

Skills development for youth living on the streets. Skills run the range of laundry to healthy self-esteem. Service is provided one-on-one. Youth develop a personalized development plan. Donors love this program. Family reunification is a major goal of the program.

Outreach Services
Ann Davis Transition Society
Provide assistance to find and retain housing, find work, drug and alcohol programs and linking to other Ann Davis services or those available in the community. Includes legal assistance and services for individuals with developmental delays or mental health issues.

 
Abbotsford Child & Youth Forum
Abbotsford Community Services

Biannual forum funded in 2011/2012. This is professional development for early childhood and youth service providers. Forum will take participants through the “life of a client”. Participants will go to “service providers”, facing real life challenges along the way.

Autumn House
Abbotsford Community Services

Transitional Housing for youth at risk. Funding for youth worker position providing skills one on one and through group settings (basic living, education, relationships, employment and cooking) for clients. To develop youth friendly landlord connections.

Skills Development
Hope Central

Primary focus is on skills development and case management. Services include providing work essential tools or equipment such as work boots etc. Added this year are cooking classes including nutrition and shopping. Improved measurement of effectiveness is the plan to follow up with clients.

 
Early Childhood Developmental Screening
Chilliwack Learning Community Society

Early Childhood Developmental Screening at three community events, Healthy Kids Day, Early Childhood Expo and Ready Set Learn Fair. A baby friendly initiative has been added this year that would fund a mobile Baby Friendly Lounge participating in each of the three events.

For more informatioon or to support the United Way in the Fraser Valley simply click here.

United Way
33355 Bevan Ave, Abbotsford, BC V2S 0E7
(604) 852-1234

Phone: 604.852.1234
Toll Free: 1.888.251.7777
Fax: 604.852.2316
Email: