United Way KFL&A is part of a world-wide connection called Women United. Women United brings together like-minded women who want to use their skills, talents and resources to contribute to their community in a significant way. Women United builds on the strong legacy of Women in Leadership in our region with members giving independently to the United Way, or jointly with their spouses or partners. Read more about Women United in KFL&A here.
United Way KFL&A has approximately 474 women Leaders of the Way (donors who give $1,200 or more) who make a difference in the community by supporting local programs that have a significant impact. In 2023, these leaders contributed over $1.5 million! The goal of Women United is to bring even more women and resources together under the United Way umbrella in order to change more lives for the better locally. Women Leaders can be active as philanthropists at many different level starting from $1,200-4,999 a year.
Women Leaders get a chance to join other local women for a deep dive beneath the issues that affect people in the community. They learn more about local issues and programs serving women and the most vulnerable in the community. They get opportunities to participate in discussions to help shape solutions to these issues.
For more information about how you can get involved with Women United, contact leadership@unitedway.ca
“Women United members seek change in our community. We aim to help those who could use a hand up have access to the supports they need – whatever they may be. Through donations, advocacy and engagement, our amazing Women United members support the work of United Way KFL&A in providing a wide range of critical services that reach families and individuals right here at home.”
During the 2024 Campaign, a special Women United Leadership Challenge Grant will be offered. Thanks to a generous donation from Judith Gould, new female Leadership donors can increase the impact of their gift.
Female donors who increase their campaign contribution to $1,200 or make a new $1,200 gift will see their donation matched.
“I’m happy to be in a position to make a difference to people who really need it. By offering this Women United Challenge Grant, I hope other like-minded individuals in the community will step up and show their support if they can. Women United is such an inspiring group, working to understand the issues many are facing and working towards making our community a better place for all. I hope you will join me in those efforts and make a difference locally this year.”
Women United offers members several opportunities each year to gather and learn about critical issues that United Way is helping to tackle. Women United is commited to offering opportunities to learn more about local issues and provide forums to engage in discussions that help shape solutions for the future.
September 2024 – Event focused on Human Trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), homelessness and mental health
At this event, attendees heard from retired Kingston Police Chief , Antje McNeely, who gave an overview of the topic for discussion – focusing on the issues women in our community face around intimate partner violence, homelessness, human trafficking, and related experiences.
Detective Ashley Rathbone spoke about the context of these issues in our local community, Kingston Police’s role, comparative stats and the importance of working with community partners across jurisdictions; Annette Cadieux, Victim Support Worker, Victim Services Kingston & Frontenac spoke about the Anti Human Trafficking program and local protocols as well as the Safe with Milli mobile app; and Leigh Martins, Training, Education and Volunteer Coordinator, Kingston Interval House spoke about emergency shelters and Robin’s Hope Transition House.
Read more about how United Way KFL&A helps with these issues here.
May 2024 – Event focused on Homelessness Collective Impact Committee (HCIC), coordinated through the United Way
Established in Fall 2021, the Homelessness Collective Impact Committee (HCIC) began with the goal to collaboratively design, develop, and adapt a system of care for people experiencing homelessness through a collective community effort. The Committee’s efforts and planning are focused on people who are unhoused, with the highest acuity and chronicity.
Attendees learned from Co-Chairs, Bhavana Varma and Susan Stewart, about the work being done to develop Connection and Care Centres. The first of these is an Indigenous Care Centre, and attendees heard from Constance Carriere-Prill from Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest. They also learned about the second centre, being designed to support medical and mental health needs of the unhoused and most vulnerable.
November 2023 – Event focused on children and youth ages 6 – 16
Attendees heard from agencies that work with children and youth between the ages of 6 and 16. They discussed the barriers and challenges faced by youth in their middle years and ways to prevent, intervene in, and overcome these barriers. This event touched on programs that support youth struggling with academics, home life, low self-esteem, substance use/abuse, the justice system, food security, and the life skills needed to thrive.
Attendees heard from representatives from Girls Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youth Diversion, and the Food Sharing Project speaking about the barriers and challenges faced by girls and youth in the middle years, and highlighting the United Way funded programs that assist with preventing, intervening and overcoming these barriers.
September 2023 – Event focused on early years supports
Attendees heard from agencies that serve children 0-6, their families and caregivers. High-quality early years programs have long-lasting and wide-reaching positive benefits on education, social, and emotional development of children. Members heard about “EarlyON” programs that include prenatal education and support, and school readiness programs and heard from Jennifer and the impact these programs have had on her and her children. Members also learned about Maltby Centre and “A Great Start for Families: Kahwà:tsire Ronwatiyenawá:se Centre”, which focuses on early intervention and support. Speakers were followed by a tour of Kingston Community Health Centres, where many of these programs run.
May 2023 – Bus Tour focused on services for youth
This tour focused on youth aged 16 and up and featured three different agencies that serve this age group – One Roof Youth Hub, RISE@one4nine – Youth Transitional Housing, and the Youth Diversion Program. At One Roof, members heard more about the Peer Support Program and all the agencies that operate under “one roof” to serve youth. They toured RISE@one4nine and saw a recently vacant unit and then learned more about Youth Diversion, the Kairos program and how these services have impacted a young girl in the community.
A series of virtual panel discussions are offered to Women United members. You can watch previous panel discussions at the links below and learn more about some of the issues facing vulnerable women in our community.
