United Way Simcoe Muskoka

📸🏠 Building Brighter Futures in Rural Simcoe County! United Way Simcoe Muskoka is proud to present funding for *"Creating Supportive Housing and Income Stability in Rural Simcoe County,"* an inspiring community collaborative project led by Camphill Communities Ontario. This project is a key part of our $2.1 million investment into seven collaborative initiatives over the next three years, addressing complex social issues across our region. 💡 The Challenge: Simcoe County faces a growing need for affordable, supportive housing and skilled trades workers. With 18% of the current labour force nearing retirement, the demand for skilled workers is critical. At the same time, vulnerable groups struggle to find safe, affordable housing. 💪 The Solution: This innovative project combines trades training with housing development to create long-lasting impact: 🔨 20,000+ hours of paid pre-employment construction training for underrepresented groups. 🏘️ Construction of 8 new affordable and supportive housing units in rural Simcoe County. 💼 Job creation through paid training and future employment opportunities. 🤝 Community Partners: Camphill Communities Ontario leads this effort in collaboration with: ✔️ Habitat for Humanity Huronia ✔️ Community Builders ✔️ Lakehead University ✔️ Social Innovation at Georgian College 🌍 Regional Impact: Serving Barrie, South Simcoe, and surrounding rural areas, this project brings together the community to build stability, opportunity, and hope for those most in need. 📣 With a commitment of $280,957.50 from United Way over three years, we’re proud to support this vital initiative and help create supportive housing while empowering marginalized groups. Together, we’re building stronger communities. 💙 #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #AffordableHousing #SkilledTrades #Collaboration #CommunityImpact #SimcoeCounty

❤️Thank You Thursday❤️ This Giving Tuesday, our community came together in an incredible way to make a difference! 🌟 Your generosity and kindness will have a lasting impact on local programs supporting those who need it most. 💙 Stay tuned—we’ll be announcing the final total at the end of the week, and we can’t wait to celebrate this amazing accomplishment with you! 🎉 From all of us at United Way Simcoe Muskoka: thank you for your support, your passion, and your belief in building a stronger, more caring community. 🙌 #ThankYouThursday #GivingTuesday #CommunityImpact #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #Gratitude

🌟 Today, We Give to Bridge the Growing Gap in Simcoe Muskoka 🌟 This Giving Tuesday, let’s come together to tackle the challenges facing our community: poverty, homelessness, mental health struggles, and food insecurity. 💛 With your support, United Way Simcoe Muskoka is:  ✔️ Keeping families in their homes through the Home Relief Bank.  ✔️ Providing urgent relief through 100% donor-funded microgrants.  ✔️ Powering collaborative projects that drive systemic change. Every donation stays local, creating hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Together, we can bridge the gap and build stronger, more inclusive communities. 💡 Donate today and make a difference: https://lnkd.in/dNzNckj #GivingTuesday #BridgeTheGap #SimcoeMuskoka #LocalImpact

🌟 Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday – Let’s Make an Impact on Simcoe Muskoka, Together! 🌟 Communities in Simcoe Muskoka are at a crossroads. The rising cost of living, mental health challenges, and housing insecurity are pushing families to the brink. Did you know: 📊 Over 51,000 people in Simcoe Muskoka live in poverty. 🍽️ 1 in 4 households is food insecure. 💔 20% of students have considered suicide. 💸 The minimum wage is $5.55 below the living wage, adding to financial strain. But we can make a difference – together. At United Way Simcoe Muskoka, we’re committed to tackling these challenges head-on: ✅ $2.1 million pledged over three years to 30+ local organizations focused on food security, mental health, housing, and income stability. 🏠 Launching the Home Relief Bank, providing rent relief to families at risk of homelessness. Your generosity fuels life-changing initiatives, creating a bridge from poverty to possibility. Every dollar makes an impact, helping to ensure no one in our community is left behind. Why wait? Prepare for tomorrow by planning your GivingTuesday contribution today! 💙 Together, we can transform lives. Together, we can make Simcoe Muskoka stronger. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gDkvsSjk #GivingTuesday #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #EndPoverty #CommunityImpact #HousingMatters

🌟 Congratulations to our Community Collaborative Partners! 🌟 Your United Way is thrilled to celebrate two of our incredible Community Collaborative partners Making Change SC and Camphill Communities Ontario for being named runners-up in the Creative Collaboration category at the Mayor's Innovation Awards! These awards, held on November 28th, honour the strength, creativity, and determination that drive Barrie forward. The Creative Collaboration category recognizes alliances that achieve extraordinary milestones together-across sectors, industries, and beyond. 🎉 Thank you for inspiring us with your innovative partnerships and for showing how collaboration creates a stronger, more resilient community. #CommunityImpact #communitypartnership #CreativeCollaboration #mayorsinnovationawards

🍔 It's the Final Weekend for Novemburger! 🍔 Don’t miss your chance to indulge in some incredible burgers and support your community! During November, amazing local restaurants have been serving up unique, mouth-watering burgers to raise funds for United Way Simcoe Muskoka. For every burger sold, $2 goes directly to local programs and services making a real difference. 🙌 Participating Restaurants: - Frosty Pint Pub - Perfect SZN Barrie - Perfect SZN Bradford - Lockeroom Barrie - Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Huntsville Brewhouse - Lake of Bays Brewing Co.'s Bracebridge Barrelhouse - South Muskoka Golf and Country Club - Poppi's Italian Eatery This is your last chance to enjoy these one-of-a-kind creations while giving back! Let’s come together to make an impact—one delicious burger at a time. 💪 A special thank you to our incredible sponsors: 🎉 Attitude Print 🏡 The Mortgage Coach Together, we’re making a difference. Don’t miss out—grab your Novemburger today! #Novemburger #SupportLocal #GrillForGood #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #TasteTheImpact #NovemburgerSimcoeMuskoka

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we stand united against gender-based violence. In Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days. Together, we can change this. ·        67% of Canadians know a woman who has experienced physical or sexual abuse. ·        Indigenous women are 12x more likely to be murdered or go missing compared to non-Indigenous women. ·        Children witnessing violence in the home face twice the rate of psychiatric disorders. Let's raise awareness, support those who have experienced violence or are struggling and work towards a future free from violence. If you or someone you know is in need of help, dial 2-1-1 for support and services.

❓Who Benefits from a Living Wage?❓ 👨👩👧👦 Who works minimum wage jobs in Ontario? The truth may surprise you! 📊 75% of minimum wage earners are over the age of 20, with bills to pay and families to support. Plus, visible minorities and women are disproportionately affected. 📈 Studies show that a living wage is vital for reducing fatigue, increasing productivity, and supporting families—helping employees avoid holding multiple jobs just to make ends meet. 💼 Nearly 700 certified living wage employers in Ontario are already making a difference. Will your business be next? 👥 For more information, visit 🔗OntarioLivingWage.ca #LivingWage #OntarioJobs #FairPay #Equality #Workforce #LivingWageMovement

🌟 Exciting Announcement from United Way Simcoe Muskoka! 🌟 📣 We are thrilled to share the Expression of Interest for our new Home Relief Bank program! We’re calling on local community agencies in Simcoe County, District of Muskoka, and Town of The Blue Mountains to partner with us in this important initiative. A Home Relief Bank provides interest-free loans of up to two months' rent or mortgage to help low-to-moderate income earners stay in their homes during tough times. Longer terms and small repayments allow people to get back on their feet, while loan repayments go back into the program to help others in need. 🏠💙 We’re looking to collaborate with community-based agencies who will directly administer this financial assistance to landlords and mortgage holders. Together, we can build a support system for our entire region! 🤝 📅 Info Session: Wednesday, November 20th at 2 p.m. 📲 To learn more visit 🔗www.uwsimcoemuskoka/homereliefbank #HomeReliefBank #UnitedWaySimcoeMuskoka #CommunitySupport #InterestFreeLoans #SimcoeCounty #Muskoka #HomeSupport #CommunityPartnership #FinancialRelief

A huge thank you to everyone who made the third annual ReThink Poverty Symposium in Barrie a success! We were thrilled to bring together over 120 leaders from all corners of Simcoe Muskoka to explore innovative solutions for moving our community from poverty to possibility. Special shoutout to our incredible partners at Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit, Child Youth & Family Services Coalition of Simcoe County, Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce as well as the County of Simcoe Poverty Reduction Task Group for their support. Your hard work and dedication made a lasting impact. This event wasn't just about discussing challenges—it was about creating real, actionable change. We're proud to be at the forefront, bringing together passionate changemakers to address the root causes of poverty. #ReThinkPoverty #SimcoeMuskoka #UnitedWay #CommunityImpact #StrongerTogether #PovertyReduction #HopeForChange