COVID-19 has had unprecedented effects across our communities. Along with our partners, United Way of Brandon & District has worked to address the most pressing needs, supporting our network in new and caring ways, ensuring everyone in our communities gets the help that they need. We know that many people could not afford to adequately prepare for how COVID-19 has affected their family. Many did not have support when they needed to self-isolate. Those who already face barriers – things like poverty, homelessness and social isolation – needed even more help during this past year. This is why we listened to and worked closely with our community partners to identify areas of urgent need and co-creating impactful and timely solutions.

Putting your dollars to work

The COVID-19 pandemic showed just how vital United Way’s connected and co-ordinated network of front-line community agencies was—and will continue to be in the months to come. By partnering with grassroots organizations and government to provide a lifeline to individuals and families, we have ensured there are fewer gaps in essential services. Here’s how we made sure our agencies were able to keep doing their vital work:

Providing regular funding

If you made a gift to United Way before the pandemic, those dollars are already fuelling action on the front lines. We continue to invest each month in our network of agencies across Brandon. Dependable and flexible, our existing funding allows our front-line agencies to do what they do best: help our most vulnerable neighbours in the most effective ways possible. But as more people are impacted by COVID-19, the need has grown—outstripping what our current funding could support.

Community Crisis Funding

To meet that increased need, we set up an emergency response fund. Within days, supporters like you stepped up and kick-started this emergency Local Love Fund. This generosity is already making a difference. Since March, we’ve invested $46,613 in rapid response emergency funding, including:

7th Street Health Access
The Women's Resource Centre
Salvation Army
Helping Hands Centre
YMCA
Community Health & Housing Association
Keystone Centre
United Way Essentials Gift Card Program

As donations continued to come into the fund, we were committed to a quick turnaround time to get those monies back out into the community where they are needed most.

Seniors Funding

United Way of Brandon & District has received $61,793 through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), allocated by Employment Social Development Canada. These funds are intended to serve Brandon and rural Western Manitoba. We were able to distribute these funds to registered charitable organizations for programs that serve vulnerable seniors in the Brandon and Westman region.

Minnedosa & District Services for Seniors
Killarney Area Services for Seniors
Carberry Services for Seniors
Senior Services of Turtle Mountain Area
Seniors Independent Services Glenboro
Senior Services of Antler River
SAIL Virden
Brandon Friendship Centre
Prairie Oasis Senior Centre
Solkol Supportive Housing
Killarney New Horizon Senior Centre
Minnedosa Senior Citizen's Association
Home Assistance Neepawa & District

Emergency Community Support Fund

The Government of Canada announced $350 Million Emergency Community Support Fund on April 21, 2020. This fund was to help Canadian charities and non-profits who are providing crucial resources and community-based services for vulnerable Canadians.

United Way, the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) and Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) deployed these critical funds into communities across the country through charities providing immediate responses to the pandemic. All funding recipients must be registered charities with charitable tax numbers, or in some cases a non-profit organization. No granting will be provided to individuals.

United Way of Brandon & District did receive $364,142.00 in funding to be allocated throughout Brandon and rural Westman communities, and a call for applications went out in late May. Funds were disbursed through June and July. We worked closely with Brandon & Area Community Foundation to collaborate and ensure these funds had the maximum impact.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Brandon
Youth for Christ
YMCA
The Counselling Centre
Manitoba Possible
Youth for Christ (in partnership with MB Metis Federation)
Women's Resource Centre
Samaritan House
CFS of Western Manitoba
Holiday Hamper Project
Riverdale Early Learning Centre
Prairie Oasis Senior Centre
Family Visions Inc.
John Howard Society Brandon
Killarney New Horizons Senior Centre
Senior Services of Antler River
Sexuality Education Resource Centre