A project of the Human Endeavour and partner organizations, EPIC is an incubator that has been offering social enterprise development services to members of York Region for over two years. These enterprises sell goods or provide services for the purpose of creating a blended return on investment, both financial and social. This unique facility provides employment as well as self-employment opportunities to community members of all skill levels. EPIC also offers a range of volunteer placements to help those members of our community gain relevant job training and work experience.

“We provide a community centric approach to eliminate barriers for emerging entrepreneurs and those seeking employment,” Noor Din, CEO, Human Endeavour says, “Everyone within the region is welcome to join this program; we have a flexibility and willingness to experiment with new ideas and approaches.”

EPIC provides newcomers and vulnerable community members with the tools they would need to successfully start and run a business: space, technology, equipment, office supplies, professional advice and mentoring. If someone is seeking, then EPIC can connect them with career opportunities within the current social enterprises being run, or volunteering placements so that they can gain the skills required in finding a job in their field. EPIC also offers necessary training needed for those who seek it. The UWYR funding used towards their FEAT program will assist EPIC in strengthening the sales and marketing operation of their 15 current social enterprises, which include:

1. EPIC Multi-Media: Documentaries, short films and music, video, event coverage, film editing and promotional video creation.
2. EPIC Event Management: Full service Event Management from pre-planning to execution and follow up.
3. 3. EPIC MART (www.epicmart.ca): An online mall which features a place for small businesses and community members to promote and sell their products and services.
4. EPIC PRINT: Printing and design company.
5. EPIC Community Junction: Offers the members of York Region a place to interact over a cup of coffee and to exchange their ideas and creativity.
6. EPIC Green Energy: Promotes and implements green energy technology to the community.
7. EPIC Crafts: Creative arts and crafts products.
8. EPIC Finance: Offers full Financial Accounting and Accounting Services for businesses and entrepreneurs all year around.
9. EPIC Snap: Customized handmade greeting cards, calendars, theme photos and professional photography services.
10. EPIC Translation: Top quality translation services in various languages.
11. EPIC Employment: Career support for community members who are unemployed or underemployed professionals.
12. EPIC Training: Qualified instructors and executives educate and help community members with training needs.
13. People Assisted Community Express (PACE): A community based, innovative transportation enterprise, PACE offers a low cost transportation system for seniors with mobility needs.
14. Get Recruited Canada: A recruiting and media service dedicated to providing high quality information to those interested in basketball, while also exposing top female Canadian talent.
15. Northbridge Music: An entertainment company offering services in song writing and production, graphic design, videos, marketing and distribution.

As a consumer, using any one of the EPIC social enterprises would not only provide you with top quality products and services, but would also enable members in your community to strive and succeed.

“Our organization strongly feels it is the responsibility of the community and socially responsible organizations to help create an economic difference in this region.” Mr. Din states. “With the support of United Way York Region, EPIC can do this through the implementation of this non-traditional and caring program. By supporting EPIC’s enterprises, you guarantee the economic success of those in your community.”

To learn more about EPIC, the products and services provided by their social enterprises or how you can get involved, visit http://www.humanendeavour.org/epic/ or contact them at info@humanendeavour.org /416-726-3252.

Susan Puddy, a client of the Centre, could not be happier that there is a program such as this one, set in place. “Making Changes has been amazing at offering me a tremendous amount of support,” she begins. “From WCYR’s informative seminars, workshops, exercise programs, not to mention the Making Changes group sessions – these services have allowed me to bond, share ideas and stories with other women who are in the same boat as me.”

Running since 2006, Making Changes is a group life skills program that enables women to develop the basic skills necessary in order to move forward and become clearer and stronger decision makers on issues that affect their lives. Through this active learning program women discover more about themselves and their abilities, develop confidence and use their strengths to become the person they would like to be. Participants also learn about accepting responsibility for choices they make in managing their lives.

“I have been extremely lucky to have the support of my church and friends during my experience, but many of the women in the program only have the Women’s Centre to turn to,” Susan adds. “The staff genuinely cares for each woman that walks through that door, offering them strength and hope that they would not be able to find anywhere else.”

The program runs from September to June each year and is broken up into three sessions: Self-Empowerment, Effective Communication and Managing Conflict. Sessions and seminars are offered during the day and evening, to allow flexibility for those women within the group who have a challenging work schedule. For more information on the Women’s Centre of York Region, please visit www.wcyr.ca.

“What inspires me about United Way York Region is its ability to identify the diverse issues and needs within the community and in turn create an impact that positively affects so many different members of our region.” Dr. Bambra began.

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Bambra’s father was from India and his mother a native of Kenya. He is a senior PhD scientist with over thirty-two years of pure and applied research experience in Canada, Australia, USA, UK, India, Singapore and Africa. He completed his PhD in molecular immunology at the University of Nottingham in 1981 and joined the World Health Organization (WHO) as senior research scientist at the WHO Institute of Primate Research, examining many issues related to health and infectious diseases. Having immigrated to Canada over 11 years ago, Bambra understands the struggles that some people face when moving to another country. Like many educated professionals who resettle in Canada, Dr. Bambra soon discovered that the doors to the field he wanted to practice in were not exactly held open for him, despite his international reputation as a leader in biomedical research.

“When I first came to Canada, it was hard for me to find a position in my field,” Bambra begins. “Volunteering for United Way not only allowed me to help the members of my new community, but also provided me with the opportunity to meet and network with people in order to find a challenging role that fit my credentials and expertise.”

Currently at Centennial College as a professor, Lead Applied Research and Coordinator of Biomedical Engineering Technology, Dr. Bambra is no stranger to volunteerism. In addition to his commitment to United Way York Region, he offers his time and expertise to the Victorian Order of Nurses and York Region Community Liaison Committee. As Dr. Bambra says himself, “When a country is generous enough to open their doors to you and your family, the strongest thing you can do is give back your time and energy.”

Marysia Hopkins, Infrastructure Damage Recovery Coordinator for the Regional Municipality of York, is just one of the 46 volunteers currently sitting on the Community Review Panel. Along with her Panel peers, she attends bi-weekly meetings, visits United Way funded programs and agencies, reviews governance, finances and outcomes and provides recommendations to our Community Investment Committee (CIC) and the Board on how donor dollars should be invested to create the biggest impact.

“Since being on the Panel I have learned so much about the work that United Way agencies do, what is involved in submitting applications for funding and just how great the need is for funding programs that help so many people in our region,” Marysia states.

Marysia began with the Regional Municipality of York over 23 years ago, working as a receptionist. In 1997 at the Regional Municipality, she began her partnership with United Way. She volunteered to serve on the social committee that organizes their employee fundraising campaign and it was because of her creativity around events, getting her co-workers involved and overall dedication to ensuring the Municipality of York met their fundraising goal that landed her on the Community Review Panel.

“In 2011, I was approached to volunteer on the Panel and of course I did not hesitate to accept,” she says. “Since the employees at the Regional Municipality are so passionate about contributing to United Way, serving on the Panel has allowed me to see where our donations are going to let my co-workers know the difference we are making in the lives of others.”

Between volunteering for the Community Review Panel and the extra hours she puts in organizing the employee fundraising campaign, giving back to United Way really keeps Marysia on her toes — and she wouldn’t have it any other way. As Marysia puts it, “I love the volunteer work I do for the United Way and enjoy every day to the fullest! To me life is very precious and if you can give something of yourself back into the community, it is far more rewarding than anything you can receive.”

“My time with United Way was a tremendous eye-opening opportunity,” Ken states. “You often read about issues that affect your community on a daily basis, not really understanding the hardships that some people face. Working with United Way during my tenure as a Sponsored Employee allowed me to visit member agencies and witness first-hand the wonderful programs that make such a positive impact to those who need it most in our area.”

A Sponsored Employee is a full-time staff member, seconded to United Way to assist with our annual workplace campaign for a short period of time. Their salary and benefits continue to be paid by their employer. The 16-week full-time program engages a broad cross section of candidates for one unified purpose—to provide support, guidance and inspiration to approximately 250 United Way York Region workplace campaigns across the community. Overall, this annual program reaches over 60,000 employees in our region.

Ken is no stranger to United Way. The Regional Municipality of York has been a huge supporter of UWYR, raising $380,000 in their 2011 corporate campaign. Supporting his CAO, Bruce Macgregor during his two stints as United Way’s Campaign Chair, Ken also had the opportunity to meet Daniele Zanotti, our Chief Executive Officer, at one of our kick-off events and was utterly inspired to take the plunge and participate in the program. During his assignment, Ken managed approximately 60 corporate donor accounts, helping to raise over $260,000. He also lent a hand organizing and executing special events along the way.

“I was overwhelmed by the upbeat, positive and welcoming attitude I received at United Way York Region’s office. Everyone there was so driven to make a difference and work hard to ensure they reach their goals.” Ken states. “I instantly felt like part of the team as soon as I walked through the door that first day and it seemed as though the weeks flew by during my time there. It was an enjoyable experience.”

If you would like more information on how you and your company can get involved in our annual Sponsored Employee Program, contact Rickesh Lakhani, Director, Campaign at 905-474-9974 ext. 236 or email rlakhani@uwyr.on.ca.

“There is a myth that HIV/AIDS is something that only affects people living in other places like Africa, India or South America,” Radha Bhardwaj, Executive Director, ACYR states. “However, HIV has a real presence here in Canada, affecting members of our community. Our job at ACYR is to provide these people living with HIV with a voice to be heard and offer relevant, meaningful support.”

For over four years now, ACYR has been running a unique service known as the Child, Youth and Caregivers Support Program. This program provides children, youth and caregivers infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS within the region a continuum of care with access to basic survival necessities, including food, clothing, essential supplies, public transit, leadership and peer support. Education is a fundamental part of this process, as the ACYR also offers peer mentorship opportunities to promote well-being and coping skills. The purpose of the program is to enhance the overall quality of life for those individuals impacted by this disease. Recipients of the program range in age from newborn babies to college and university students.

“A majority of the families in our area who suffer from this debilitating virus live below the poverty line,” Radha begins. “Therefore we provide basic needs for struggling young families, such as formula, diapers, food and clothing. We also offer a support system for youth and provide assistance to those students who are college bound by helping with necessities, such as school supplies and educational tools.”

The program has been overwhelmingly successful, providing hope to those who might otherwise be completely debilitated by their illness and are dealing with the hardships of poverty, as well as the isolating effect of the stigma this disease produces. As one mother wrote to the ACYR, “Last night my daughter went to her prom night and she looked so grown up, she has also accepted an offer from McMaster and will be taking Psychology Neuroscience and Behaviour. We wanted to share this with you (the ACYR) because you have all been a huge support to our family and your contribution made it easy for my baby to soar through high school. It is really remarkable to be working with folks like you all that understand the success of every child in your agency is everybody’s business, if we give them an education and nurture them well then for sure the impact of being infected/affected by HIV/AIDS will not be as severe and their lives will not be rooted in poverty.”

For more information on the ACYR and the Child, Youth and Caregivers Support Program, please visit, www.acyr.org.

 “People tend to think that there is never a need right in their own neighbourhood,” Barbara states. “But the need here is real. Given the size of our region and the rate that we are growing, the work of United Way and its partners is more important than ever.”

Since joining State Farm Canada in 1986, Barbara has successfully managed positions of increased responsibility for underwriting, training and field sales consulting. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership and oversees the sales and operations in Canada. Committed to her community, Barbara has volunteered on United Way York Region’s campaign cabinet for two years, most recently co-chairing the 2011 campaign. As such, she has taken the opportunity to visit the agencies in our area and has witnessed first-hand, the tremendous work that is being done.

 “I am continually inspired by the hard work and commitment that is demonstrated by United Way of York Region,” Barbara begins. “I feel honoured to volunteer my time for an organization that supports a diverse set of agencies that, in turn, directly help so many people in our community.”

 Barbara is also proud to be aligned with a company that has a long-standing partnership with United Way. State Farm Canada is a dedicated corporate donor and runs an internal fundraising campaign, which in 2011 raised over $248,000. The organization also participates in our Sponsored Employee program, where for 16-weeks a full-time staff member leaves their daily duties and works with United Way to support 250 York Region workplace campaigns. State Farm continues to pay their salary and benefits during this period of time. With such commitment and dedication, one wonders what Barbara has in store for the 2012 United Way fundraising campaign.

 “Planning for the next campaign is currently underway.” Barbara says. “I was blown away by the amount raised in 2011 and feel confident that our 2012 campaign will be even more successful. I am aware of the challenges our community faces and I am determined to do all I can to assist United Way in their mission to help those around us.”

“I have been clean for about four years now and I owe a lot of this to the folks at Blue Door,” Vance reveals. “They are more than just staff at a shelter, they are like family to me.”

As Blue Door is a member agency of United Way York Region, the staff were able to connect Vance with a drug rehabilitation center and provide him with in-house counseling. The Newport Center in Port Colborne offered Vance an 18 day program that helped him deal with his substance abuse issues permanently and counseling at Blue Door assisted him in isolating the reasons behind his addiction. Hand-in-hand, both programs were able to help him understand why he turned to drug use and why it was important to stop. Continued support from Blue Door has allowed Vance to successfully remain clean and sober.

“The people at Blue Door are always there to lend a hand and put other people needs before their own,” he says. “Even though I have been sober and on the right path for years now, their door is always open. I still visit them weekly and know I can call them at any time if I need someone to talk to. I just can’t say enough good things about them.”

Vance has reconnected with family members and is now looking towards a bright future in helping others. In the spring, he will start Everest College in Newmarket, working towards a diploma in Addiction Counseling. He hopes to return to Blue Door one day as an employee and make a difference in someone else’s life, just as they did in his.