Stay up to date with United Way Simcoe Muskoka’s latest news. Click the links below to download individual media releases.
Media Contact
Leah Wells, Marketing & Communications Specialist, United Way Simcoe Muskoka
C. 705.817.2100 | Email: lwells@UWSimcoeMuskoka.ca
November 4, 2022
Whether it’s the impacts of pandemic, the absence of loved ones, mental health struggles, or any other number of circumstances, the last two years have been challenging for local families and children. That’s why after a 2-year hiatus, United Way Simcoe Muskoka and Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions are pleased to announce the return of Holiday with a Hero, a one-of-a-kind even where vulnerable children from Barrie and surrounding areas are partnered with uniformed personnel for a positive and fun holiday experience.
On the morning of November 19th, 80 local children will be matched with a hero from the Barrie Police Service, South Simcoe Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police Service, Simcoe County EMS, local fire services, or Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden to shop for presents for family and friends with a $150 Walmart gift card. The only rule? The children must also buy a gift for themselves.
October 26, 2022
On November 2nd Nancy Griffin’s Women, Worth and Wellness initiative is partnering with United Way Simcoe Muskoka’s Women United program for the Women For Women: Finish the Year Strong! event. This 2-hour experience is open to the public; all are invited to be inspired, empowered, and motivated to use philanthropy to create social change, and help transform the lives of Simcoe Muskoka, women, girls, and their families.
August 10, 2022
To align with Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is hosting a documentary screening and panel discussion at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville. Flood: The Overdose Epidemic in Canada is a powerful film that tells the human story behind the overdose epidemic and explores potential solutions. The panel discussion will include the filmmaker Adam D’Addario, local advocates and first responders, and Shari Dubois, a Huntsville mother who lost her son to an overdose and is now an advocate for youth mental health and addiction awareness.
July 19, 2022
The Town of Midland donated $10,000 through their 2022 Community Grant Program to United Way Simcoe Muskoka’s Urgent Needs Fund
“These funds will directly support some of Midland’s most vulnerable individuals and families,” said United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) Chief Executive and Philanthropy Officer, Brian Shelley. “We are grateful that the municipality has made this level of financial commitment to support the work that we do in the area.”
May 10, 2022
United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is embarking on the development of their next three-year strategy on community investment. In 2019 the Community Investment Plan laid out a shift in focus to a single priority under “Poverty Reduction and Inclusion”. An investment framework and funding model were constructed, consisting of multi-year collaborative projects designed to have significant impact within each of their sub-regions.
March 30, 2022
United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is pleased to announce that Brian Shelley has been selected as our new Chief Executive and Philanthropy Officer, effective April 13th.
March 25, 2022
After eleven years with United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM), Dale Biddell has announced her retirement from her role as Chief Executive & Philanthropy Officer, effective March 31, 2022.
March 2, 2022
During the month of March, United Way Simcoe Muskoka is running a campaign in support of their Urgent Needs Fund (UNF). “The Month of Hope” reflects on the lives impacted through the fund and works to bring awareness to the needs of the most vulnerable in our region. Every day in Simcoe Muskoka, more than 60,000 people are living under the strain of poverty and isolation and sometimes the immediate, most pressing needs go unaddressed.
February 16, 2022
February 14-20, 2022, is the first ever Nonprofit Appreciation Week in Ontario. It’s intended to celebrate the vital role nonprofits play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant, and inclusive communities. United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is pleased to celebrate and support all the remarkable nonprofit and community organizations that serve our region every day.
January 6, 2021
Over the course of 2020, United Way Simcoe Muskoka distributed more than $1,744,000 in funding to 61 local charities in Simcoe County and Muskoka. These organizations are responding to the pressing needs of the most vulnerable in our community while dealing with a sector-wide decline in revenue that puts their own future in question.
October 21. 2020
As part of the $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) announced earlier this year, Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Ways across the country are distributing more than $850,000 throughout Simcoe Muskoka as part of Phase Two of the ECSF. Nearly $2 million was distributed to more than 125 programs and services in our communities in Phase One of the ECSF.
August 18. 2020
Between June 10 and July 15, United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) distributed nearly $1,200,000 into Simcoe Muskoka communities, through the Emergency Community Support Fund. This funding will help local residents who have been made vulnerable by COVID-19 by enabling charities and nonprofits to adapt their services or launch new programs in response to the pandemic.
May 25. 2020
United Way Simcoe Muskoka is accepting funding applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ECSF was announced by the Government of Canada and is administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
May 19. 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all residents of Simcoe Muskoka, many of our senior residents are particularly at-risk with potential impacts to their physical and mental health as well as their social wellbeing. To help vulnerable seniors (aged 55 and older) in our communities, United Way Simcoe Muskoka is funding several local services and resources. These programs have been funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
May 5, 2020
On May 4, 2020, United Way Simcoe Muskoka launched the second phase of our Urgent Needs Fund, an initiative that was successfully piloted from October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Urgent Needs Fund is being expanded to help even more Simcoe Muskoka residents.
November 4, 2019
United Way Simcoe Muskoka (UWSM) is pleased to partner with Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden and Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions to bring Holiday with a Hero to our communities this November 30. UWSM will be helping children who have suffered trauma make this holiday season unforgettable for them and their families with this heartwarming event.
Holiday with a Hero will pair up to 75 Simcoe Muskoka children with local Heroes, including military, police, paramedics and firefighters on the morning of November 30. The children and Heroes will then be given a gift card so the children can buy gifts for their family and friends. The only rule? The children must also buy a gift for themselves.
August 19, 2019
On Wednesday, August 28, 2019, Wasaga Beach businesses will be participating in the first annual Local Businesses, Local Love challenge. These community-minded businesses will be donating 10-15% of the net sales on the 28th to United Way Simcoe Muskoka, doing their part to make local issues like poverty #UNIGNORABLE.
March 12, 2019
Sixty years ago, John Diefenbaker was Prime Minister of Canada, Fidel Castro rose to power in Cuba, and Doris Day and Frank Sinatra were big stars. That same year, United Way came to Simcoe County as Barrie United Appeal.
The political and cultural leaders of 1959 have faded into the past, but United Way is still on the job, building a new future for citizens by tackling poverty head-on.
