Strength Investments

New 2012-2013 Strength Investments Funding

Civic participation is the single most sustainable way to solve our pressing social issues. This is why we at United Way of York Region actively engage local residents, community partners, service planners and business leaders to conduct research and find solutions. The results clearly tell us we are community eager to get involved – bustling with volunteer activities among resident and business associations, faith partnerships and local coalitions.
As a result, we are investing in this informal infrastructure of caring across the region to create effective solutions for emerging and urgent social issues. This new initiative – Strength Investments – means funding will extend beyond the formal programs and services United Way traditionally funds.
Strength Investments builds civic muscle and supports the informal voluntary networks of caring in communities. Strength Investments supports projects that: 1. bring residents, community, business, faith groups and agencies together; 2. work on simple and collaborative responses to complex social issues; and 3. clearly show the impact of the project on community priorities.
Click here to view the Strength Investments Model.
In 2011, $150,000 was invested in community groups and solutions, and six inaugural recipients were selected:
• Building Sustainable Capacities amongst Afro-Canadian Caribbean Youth in York Region
• Community Development in Action
• “Enabling Economic Independence” A community approach to reintegration in York Region
• Latinas en York Region
• South Asian Family Empowerment (SAFE)
• Together for Families Mental Health