Team Building & Community Engagement Opportunities
It feels good to give back.
Workplace-giving campaigns make tackling some of the most challenging social issues possible. But a workplace campaign is about more than raising money for worthy causes; It also strengthens connections, both internally and between employees and their community. After all, doing good makes people feel good, and it’s even more fun if done in groups.
We are committed to linking your workplace to meaningful volunteer opportunities. You and your team are invited to participate in one of our unique team-building and leadership development experiences that address a service gap in the local community and help your team members support the causes important to them.
Below is a list of United Way Niagara team-building and community engagement opportunities. Each opportunity is customizable and can be tailored to meet your team-building and leadership development needs. All opportunities are subject to resource availability.
If you’re interested in any of the opportunities below please contact your United Way Niagara staff liaison or email [email protected].
Team Building and Community Engagement Opportunities
Welcome Home Kit Packing Party
A Welcome Home Kit Packing Party involves gathering a group of employees at our warehouse to put kits together. Welcome Home Kits provide basic household supplies to individuals and families transitioning from shelters to permanent housing.
Each kit contains essential household items for a family of four, enabling recipients to start their new lives with the materials required to cook and serve meals and to attend to personal hygiene. Your minimum investment of $2,500 supports the assembly of 25 Welcome Home Kits in an exclusive packing party, providing a memorable team-building experience for your organization.
Hygiene Kit Packing Party
A Hygiene Kit Packing Party is a great team-building experience for a group of employees and can be done in any location. Hygiene Kits provide access to every day essential items for those experiencing financial insecurity, homelessness, living in shelters, living in poverty or in precarious situations.
Each kit contains everyday products that most of us take for granted including soap, shampoo, deodorant, a washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Your minimum investment of $1,500 supports the assembly of 100 Hygiene Kits in an exclusive packing party, providing a memorable team-building experience for your organization.
A Day at the Garden Hub
(seasonal)
With our valued community partners, United Way Niagara has established two Garden Hubs to grow and provide healthy, fresh produce to support food security projects in Niagara – getting more food in the hands of those who need it most. These gardens are spaces for the community to come together and grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in support of local food security initiatives.
Working with our garden staff team, our community partners can learn, support and be an active part of this successful program. Bring a group of employees together at one of our garden hubs to conduct regular garden maintenance, participate in a group building project, or pack food for distribution to the community. It is an excellent team building experience, which is available late spring through fall.
Connect with your staff liaison to learn more or fill out the volunteer interest form and we will be in touch to discuss volunteer options for your group.
Firetruck Pull
United Way Niagara is pleased to invite your team or workplace to participate in a fire-truck pull to officially kick-off the 2024 campaign. The event takes place annually in September, at Seymour Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre in St. Catharines. Registered teams of ten participants will work together to pull a 12-tonne St. Catharines Fire Truck 100 feet.
Teams are encouraged to show their pride by selecting a fun team name, theme song and wearing matching or themed attire. There is a minimum fundraising requirement of $1,500 per team, with 100% of the funds raised supporting United Way and being counted in the respective team’s workplace campaign total. This is a fantastic team-building opportunity that will make for an unforgettable experience.
Contact your staff liaison to learn more.
Leadership Development and Skill-Based Volunteer Opportunities
GenNext Cabinet Membership
GenNext Niagara is a volunteer program of United Way Niagara that inspires young professionals to be the next generation of change-makers for our local community. GenNext Cabinet members organize fundraising events, promote volunteer activities, encourage people to contribute to their community and provide a forum for young professionals to connect with like-minded individuals.
GenNext members contribute 2–4 volunteer hours per month, gaining skills in leadership, communication, and planning and leading events while doing something to address the most pressing issues in our community, such as food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness.
To learn more, please contact [email protected].
Women United
By joining your local Women United you will be part of an initiative that connects to a national and international movement of women supporting women.
Women United is for those who identify as women and want to make a difference through leadership in philanthropy. Committee members leverage their time, expertise, network and funds to empower women to be a force for social change. This group is a celebration of volunteerism, advocacy, and women leadership.
