{"id":81342,"date":"2022-10-19T14:09:09","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T18:09:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=81342"},"modified":"2022-10-21T11:23:18","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T15:23:18","slug":"brocks-united-way-campaign-aims-to-make-better-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2022\/10\/brocks-united-way-campaign-aims-to-make-better-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock\u2019s United Way campaign aims to \u2018make better possible\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brock University\u2019s United Way Committee hopes to make life better for everyone in the local community with the launch of University\u2019s 2022 United Way Campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The annual employee workplace fundraising campaign kicked off Wednesday, Oct. 19 with a ceremonial flag raising and aims to raise $160,000 \u2014 enough to help about 3,200 individuals locally.<\/p>\n

Funds raised will support 149 local United Way Niagara programs, collaborations and special initiatives<\/a> that address issues such as poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, mental health and well-being, domestic violence, social isolation and disadvantaged youth and families in the Niagara region. More than 122,000 people receive support through these programs and initiatives each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we work together towards the University\u2019s strategic priority of enhancing the life and vitality of our local region, it\u2019s important that we take action to address social issues that impact the well-being of our community,\u201d said\u00a0interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells\u00a0in a campaign launch video<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Poverty affects 14.5 per cent of Niagara\u2019s population, and one in five local children are living below the poverty line. One in four families across the region are at risk of homelessness.<\/p>\n

Jocelyn Titone (BBA \u201907), Communications Specialist and Brock\u2019s United Way Campaign Staff Co-Chair, experienced food insecurity when she was a child and said it is one of several reasons why she continues to give to United Way.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother came home one day with a box of canned goods from the local food bank. She had to choose between groceries and bills, so she sought help,\u201d said Titone.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone can find themselves on hard times and I think it\u2019s important we offer support by any means we can,” she said. “We\u2019re all feeling the effects of inflation right now, but imagine what it\u2019s like for someone who is living in poverty or experiencing a crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faculty and staff can support the campaign by giving a one-time donation or an ongoing payroll contribution\u00a0through Workday<\/a>. Contributions can be designated to a United Way in any city or community in Canada, or to a registered charity of the donor\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n

The impact of employee contributions will be increased through matching programs<\/a>:<\/p>\n