United Way Raises $28.6 Million to Fund Action on Poverty, Bullying and Social Isolation

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 29, 2012) - More than $28.6 million has been raised by United Way of the Lower Mainland's 2011 campaign, which will go towards supporting partnerships and prevention-based programs to address key social issues such as poverty, bullying and seniors' social isolation.

The announcement was made at the annual Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards, where donors and organizations who helped United Way reach this goal, were honoured. The Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards, sponsored by Scotiabank, were held in Vancouver, on Thursday, March 29.

In his tribute to donors and partner organizations, United Way President & CEO Michael McKnight said that with the help of donors and community partners, measurable change was being made to the lives of vulnerable children and seniors in the Lower Mainland.

Two lower mainland service agencies received a Celebration of Community Award, which recognises a group or individual for the impact they have had on the three key areas of focus for United Way. These are early childhood (ages 0-6), middle childhood (ages 6-12) and seniors.

The two Celebration of Community Award winners are:

The Early Years Refugee Pilot project: The first and only one of its kind in BC, the project provides refugee children and their primary caregivers with access to developmentally appropriate and culturally competent Early Childhood Development supports and services.

With more than one in five BC children under age 6 living in poverty, programs such as the Early Years Refugee Pilot project provide the support necessary to help break the cycle of poverty and help refugee children reach their full potential.

The Seniors Planning Table for the North Shore, Lionsview Seniors' Planning Society:

Lionsview Seniors' Planning Society's Planning Table for the North Shore helps seniors stay independent and engaged in the community. Volunteer based, seniors driven and seniors led, the Planning Table is a positive and constructive force when it comes to identifying and addressing local seniors' issues.

With social isolation affecting at least ten percent of seniors living in the Lower Mainland, this kind of Planning Table is seen as an effective model to keep seniors active and engaged in their community.

Commenting on the event, Campaign Co-Chair, Debra Hewson (President & CEO, Odlum Brown Ltd) said the evening represented the coming together of members of the community, who together, through their collective action, had made a measurable difference to the lives of vulnerable children and seniors.

United Way of the Lower Mainland prevents social problems. Working with 160 community partners, the organization funds almost 500 prevention-based programs each year to create a better future for children and seniors.

For more information visit www.uwlm.ca.