Understanding Our Community

We listen, learn and plan. Most importantly, we respond. Always.

We need to know what the pressing needs are in order to best respond.  The United Way of Guelph & Wellington has operated as the voluntary social planning body for Guelph & Wellington for over 40 years.

The Social Planning Department was established in the late 1960s to respond to several community needs, and to develop a rational basis for distributing funds among service providers.  Today, Social Planning staff are responsible for:

• Tracking information on key indicators
• Identifying gaps in social services
• Building public awareness and understanding community needs
• Providing information to the United Way’s  Fund Distribution Committee, government, foundations and other funders
• Acting as a stimulus for community action.

The Social Planning Department compiles up-to-date information on trends and needs.  Information sources include the Census, community plans, socio-demographic information, and conversations with key stakeholders. Resulting reports can be used for planning, both internally and by partners.

As well, the Social Planning Committee regularly holds Community Forums with a wide range of community partners to discuss community needs and develop a community action plan to address them.

Research profiles are announced in our newsletter Community Connections and released on our publications page.