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As you will see from the articles included in this edition of Community Connections, the Social Planning, Campaign, and Fund Distribution programs are all busy with research, campaigning, and allocations. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers and donors who make all we do possible.
We are pleased to announce that the United Way’s Fund Distribution Committee and our Dufferin Allocations Committee’s have allocated more annual funding and one-time grants to eight programs throughout Guelph, Wellington, and Dufferin County. This is made possible through the generosity of thousands of donors in our community.
We are looking forward to welcoming our new Senior Social Planning Associate, Sarah Haanstra, to our team in August. Sarah will be managing our Social Planning and Fund Distribution programs under the direction of our volunteer committees. We are also looking forward to welcoming our three Loaned Representatives that will be coming to us in September from OMAFRA, the Co-operators, and the University of Guelph to assist us during our busy campaign time.
As many of you may know, Change Now Youth Shelter and Resource Centre was closed by the organization’s Board in June. In light of the organization’s closing, many community groups and agencies have been working together to meet the urgent needs of the youth. This initiative has been very positive and is a demonstration of the realization of the needs of at-risk youth in this community.
We want to ensure our community that the United Way continues its commitment to addressing the needs of ‘at-risk’ youth in Guelph and Wellington County. The volunteers on the recently created Community Task Force on Programming for At-Risk Youth have been busy developing a model for programming. On behalf of the United Way, I would like to thank all the volunteers on this committee and the community members who are participating in this process. As well, I would like to thank all those who are participating in this process by attending the forums with a special thank you to the youth who continue to provide their ideas with us and the committee which is essential to this process.
Our 2007 campaign is quickly approaching with the kick-off scheduled for September 12th. We are continuing our three year initiative to close the $800,000 gap that exists between community needs and the funds available to meet them. We look forward to working with you throughout the coming months to meet this goal.
Morris Twist
Executive Director
Steve Allen
President
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