National Volunteer Week 2022
During National Volunteer Week, we want to personally thank all of our volunteers for giving their time and energy to support the Niagara community. At United Way, our goal is simple – we want to help make Niagara a better place for all. Getting there however, is a much more challenging task. With the passion and dedication of volunteers, we can work together to combat the challenges our community faces head on. In addition to the volunteers listed
here, we thank the more than 400 event, workplace and special initiative volunteers who assist United Way throughout the year.
Many of the programs and agencies we support need volunteers to thrive. It’s because of these kindhearted individuals that people in need will find a roof over their head, food on their table and mental health support when they need it. With continued support, we hope that one day Niagara will solve the #UNIGNORABLE issues in our community and do better than normal.
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we reached out to a few of our volunteers to recognize their contributions and find out more about why they believe volunteering is important.
Mike Clarke
Mel Groom
Jessica McCourt
Chante Chevalier
Mike Clarke is a United Way volunteer who lends his time as a member of the Community Investment Panel.
Q: Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer for United Way Niagara?
A: There is so much need within our community that is invisible to most of us. Helping to serve others is a privilege. United Way highlights the efforts of so many and allows me to support initiatives that are personal to me and others.
Q: What have you learned during your volunteer experience about the role of non-profits in our community and how we can do better?
A: I’ve learned a lot about the specific needs and funding challenges that many non-profits have trying to make a positive difference for those that they serve. Funding from United Way can help so many local agencies, addressing issues locally and helping individuals where it is needed. It’s great that United Way can help fund a variety of non-profits and adapt to move funds where there is the highest need, during COVID-19 this adaptability was even more vital.
Q: What is one thing you want the community at large to know about United Way or volunteering in general?
A: I couldn’t pick just one! United Way secures funding that is beyond the reach of many agencies via its staff, volunteers and infrastructure. By using a need and impact-based decision model, with oversight by community members, United Way can find the key priorities to address within our communities. United Way also commits to funding for three years to agencies, allowing them to better focus and provide a sustainable impact to those they help.
Mel Groom has been a United Way donor for over 30 years and during that time has volunteered on a number of our committees, most recently as a member of Women United.
Q: Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer for United Way Niagara?
A: I have always felt like we have a responsibility to lend our neighbours a hand when they need it, because “community” means all of us. It is our duty to ensure quality of life for all. In my decades long relationship with United Way, I’ve seen how they support so many in so many ways including mental health, social isolation, food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty and disadvantaged youth.
Q: What have you learned during your volunteer experience about the role of non-profits in our community and how we can do better?
A: They say it takes a village, and I’ve learned this to be true – especially during past two years