The United Way Southern Interior B.C. (UWSIBC) yesterday (Sept 25) kicked off their 70th campaign, simultaneously celebrating seven decades of impact.
Going forward into their 70th year, the organization will be focusing on several key issues: poverty, including precarious housing and food insecurity, mental health and addictions, which includes de-stigmatization, and children鈥檚 and youth well-being. This includes providing holistic quality of live programming for children and youth.
From his point of view, UWSIBC executive director Kahir Lalji said the pandemic has highlighted and validated the investment in the work they do.
Some people, he explained, have not been able to stay at home during the pandemic, because they don鈥檛 have a home. In addition, he said children still go hungry. Youth still feel that not living is a better option than living. Seniors still call first responders for a human voice to listen to.
鈥淭hese (needs) have been heightened during the pandemic,鈥� said Lalji.
Some issues, he said, are visible in the streets. Others are hidden behind closed doors.
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鈥淲e don鈥檛 always see the single mother with two children who are living out of their car. We don鈥檛 see some people that have to choose pet food over regular human food because of money,鈥� said Lalji.
Being able to collectively make a dent in these issues, the executive director said, is what motivates them to keep going.
The pandemic did not, however, diminish donations. Lalji said a 鈥榗oming together鈥� of community has been inspiring to him.
鈥淧eople have dug deep in their pockets, people have been generous with their talent, their time and their knowledge. And that鈥檚 what鈥檚 needed.鈥�
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To date this year, the organization has been able to invest over $2 million, which is normally how much they would be able to invest over multiple years. This, he said, has been made possible through businesses and the government who have witnessed that neighbours need their help.
鈥淭he need is dire, the need, while we鈥檝e been able to invest more, the demand and the need is even higher,鈥� he said.
Lalji said Friday (Sept. 25) was a special day for them, to not only recognize the nimbleness of their team, but also the social and community services sector.
鈥淚t鈥檚 super exciting to be able to celebrate seven decades of impact, seven decades of service, and seven decades of collaboratively coming together to address un-ignorable issues across the southern interior,鈥� said UWSIBC Executive Director, Kahir Lalji.
Another large goal of the United Way going forward is to engage in and become relevant in the community.
鈥淲e want to hear, we want to listen. We want to mobilize and inspire people to what we call express their local love, so we can collectively address some of these un-ignorable issues,鈥� said Lalji.
He appealed to the public to consider getting involved in the United Way. The group has several events upcoming, including their annual drive-through event in Penticton Oct. 8, and in Vernon in the middle of October.
The group will be taking a journey through seven decades of impact during their stay-at-home gala on November 19.
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