“United Way Leeds & Grenville releases Community Impact Report and Regional Data and launches the Urgent Needs Fund”

Tanya Noyes • December 20, 2023

“United Way Leeds & Grenville releases Community Impact Report and Regional Data and launches the Urgent Needs Fund” 

December 20, 2023                                                     

 

“United Way Leeds & Grenville releases Community Impact Report and Regional Data and launches the Urgent Needs Fund”


Brockville, ON. - Today United Way Leeds & Grenville announced the release of the Community Impact Report and Regional Data and launches the Urgent Needs Fund 2024.

 

Community Impact Report, Regional Data and resulting United Way Leeds & Grenville Urgent Needs Fund: Overview


Over the last year, we held Community Conversations and identified several needs in Leeds &    Grenville. The Survey done in the Fall of 2022 identified the top issues in our community as Housing and Homelessness. In 2023 the11 Community Conversations with371 people, housing and homelessness were identified often. To address this need from a prevention perspective, United Way Leeds & Grenville is launching an URGENT NEEDS FUND. The URGENT NEEDS FUND is available to people in Leeds & Grenville who are at risk of homelessness due to an extraordinary cost that would leave the person or family at risk of not being able to pay their rent or mortgage that month. The program  offers emergency financial assistance with modest one-time grants to address this extraordinary cost such as a winter furnace repair or a car battery for a vehicle that is required to access or maintain  employment. This extra cost may cause that family to be at risk of homelessness, which ultimately increases the numbers requiring shelter accommodation or looking for subsidized housing. This experience is devastating and disruptive for the family. URGENT NEEDS FUND will not however, cover housing payments or arrears.


We are following a proven model from United Way Simcoe Muskoka, where they assisted almost 1,800 individuals through their pilot project, as well as our own experience with the Low-Income    Energy Assistance Program. United Way Leeds & Grenville will be investing 5% of our available campaign dollars in 2024 into this fund for one-time disbursement to families. Thanks to Rotary Brockville, Brockville Women in Business, the Brockville Business Network and a number of anonymous donors for their support for the URGENT NEEDS FUND.

 

Community Impact Report

Community Data Report


About Urgent Needs Fund 2024

Providing financial support to households at-risk of homelessness due to poverty, who have emergency or time-sensitive urgent needs that cannot be filled by other available community supports.


About Collective Impact

 This project is the next step in the evolution of the Community Impact agenda and will guide and support the future direction and focus for United Way Leeds & Grenville. Collective Impact, brings people together in a structured way to achieve social change. Using this framework allows United Way to approach old and complex problems in a new way by leveraging likely and unlikely partnerships to change the conditions in our community. Collective Impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems level change. 


About United Way Leeds & Grenville

United Way Leeds & Grenville is a non-profit agency that supports many local partner agencies in the community. Its mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. UWLG is dedicated to bringing people together to build vibrant and caring communities. For more information, please visitwww.uwlg.org.

 

For more information, please contact:

Hailie Jack

Executive Director

United Way Leeds & Grenville

Email: ed@uwlg.org

Phone: 613-342-8889 (office)


Jane Hess

Community Impact Officer

United Way Leeds & Grenville

Email: impact@uwlg.org

Phone: 613-342-8889 (office)

www.uwlg.org

 

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Planning Responsibly for the Future

By Tanya Noyes • January 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Leeds & Grenville, ON - United Way Leeds & Grenville Exploring Sale of Current Building as Part of Long-Term Sustainability Planning United Way Leeds & Grenville (UWLG) is exploring the sale of its current building as part of a broader effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability and continued community impact. United Way Leeds & Grenville emphasizes that it is not closing and not leaving the community. As part of this process, UWLG will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for local realtors to support the sale of the building. Once a realtor is selected, the organization will take thoughtful, measured steps toward identifying a new space that aligns with its operational needs and mission. “This decision is about being good stewards of our resources,” said Hailie Jack Executive Director. “Our commitment to the people of Leeds & Grenville remains unchanged. We will continue to operate locally and invest in programs and services that support our community’s most pressing needs.” There will be no disruption to United Way’s programs, funding, or services because of this decision. Staff will remain in place, and community partners and donors can expect continuity throughout the transition. United Way Leeds & Grenville will share updates as the process moves forward and remains committed to transparency every step of the way.

Community Investment Portal Now open

By Tanya Noyes • January 1, 2026
Apply now for 2026-2027 funding from UWLG

United Way Leeds & Grenville Asks Community to Help Carry Hope Across the Finish Line

By Tanya Noyes • December 16, 2025
Leeds & Grenville, ON - United Way Leeds & Grenville Asks Community to Help Carry Hope Across the Finish Line As 2025 draws to a close, United Way Leeds & Grenville is pausing to say thank you. Because of the generosity of donors, volunteers, workplaces, and partners, hundreds of local programs and services were supported this year — helping families access food, supporting children and youth, keeping seniors connected, and strengthening mental health and addiction supports across Leeds & Grenville. “We have seen the very best of our community this year,” said Hailie Jack, Executive Director of United Way Leeds & Grenville. “And we are so close to reaching our campaign goal.” With the finish line in sight, United Way is asking those who can consider making a gift — or an additional gift — to help close the remaining gap. Reaching the $900,000 goal will provide stability for local agencies and ensure vital supports are in place as we head into 2026, a year many know will continue to bring real challenges for individuals and families. “This final stretch matters,” added Jack. “It means local programs can plan with confidence, frontline staff can continue their work, and people who rely on these services know their community has not forgotten them.” Every contribution, no matter the size, helps turn uncertainty into stability and compassion into action. Community members are invited to help carry this momentum forward and ensure help is there when it’s needed most. Donations can be made online at uwlg.org , in person at 42 George Street , or by phone at 613-342-8889 . 
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