Your Impact in St. Marys & Area

Together we improve lives through support for basic needs, service connection, advocacy, research and cultivating innovative initiatives.

United Way Perth-Huron helps here in the community you care about. Thanks to United Way, its partners and donors, vulnerable people in St. Marys and area have the chance for a brighter future including…

• 197 people received counselling
• 2,040 visits to access affordable food
• 100 unique individuals provided with support by the St. Marys Community Outreach Worker 
• 17 men accessed post-incarceration supports
• 7 youth accessed shelter and supports

#UNIGNORABLE Local Issues

Lack of Housing: Single bedroom rental is over $1,594/mo. 148 households experiencing homelessness in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.

 Low Income: Around 9% of people in Perth County live in low-income households, including 735 children.

 Mental Health: Use of an emergency department for psychiatric reasons is two times higher in rural vs. urban Ontario.

 Access to Services: Navigating the local social service network is challenging, especially for our most vulnerable.

 Intimate Partner Violence: 4,779 intimate partner violence crisis calls were received by shelter services in Stratford-Perth-St. Marys in 1 year.

 Food Insecurity: 1 in 3 Ontario children live in a household struggling to put food on the table.

 Discrimination: 69% of immigrants and visible minorities and 81% of Indigenous people in Perth-Huron reported experiencing discrimination.

Holistic Approach

United Way is committed to cultivating innovative initiatives addressing root causes of local social issues. We research and advocate for a living wage, affordable housing and improved social assistance rates and services.

We also understand that long-term goals don’t solve the challenges of a person facing eviction next week, or the parent with empty cupboards and hungry children right now. To that end, we also fundraise and invest in programs to help ensure people get the immediate help they need.

Changing Local Lives

Thanks to United Way and a supported partner, George has the support she needs:

George had a good life, with a steady job and a comfortable routine.

But everything changed last year when he suffered a stroke.

Suddenly, he was unable to work or drive and his world was turned upside down. Losing his job meant losing his stability, and soon, George was facing eviction.

Desperate and alone, George reached out for help. The St. Marys Community Outreach Worker stepped in, understood his dire situation and took immediate action to ensure his overdue rent was paid. Then, the Outreach Worker worked tirelessly to secure disability benefits for George, navigating through denials and appeals with unwavering determination. Finally, George received the support he needed.

Now, thanks to the United Way supported Community Outreach Worker, George’s mental health has improved significantly. He is focused on his recovery and regaining his independence with a goal of achieving a brighter future.

United Housing

United Housing is Perth-Huron’s first non-profit housing organization dedicated to developing, building, and managing mixed use rental housing in the community. The initiative’s goal is to support and build on existing work being done by the City of Stratford and the County of Huron, further increasing the amount of available housing stock. It’s a local solution to the very real issue of housing affordability we face across the region. GO HERE for more information.

Urgent Needs Fund

The Urgent Needs Fund is designed to support local residents in a time of crisis with funds for essentials such as rent, groceries, car repairs, medication and child care. United Way is also working for long-term change, lifting people beyond poverty while still ensuring their immediate, basic needs are met if something like this were to happen:

Maggie was thrilled to be able to see her grandchildren every day, but she was sad that her daughter was in such a bad place in her life. Chris and Clare had arrived suddenly two days before with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Maggie’s mind raced, thinking about her modest savings, wondering how she could afford the cost of clothes, toiletries, some toys and extra food. Probably $120 would do it, but she had to budget carefully over a couple months; so extra on groceries now, one extra set of clothes…

Last year, 6 people in St. Marys and Area accessed the Urgent Needs Fund.

St. Marys Community Outreach Worker

The St. Marys Community Outreach Worker offers facilitation, education and referrals for residents needing support including life skills, mental health, homelessness and addictions, as well as providing short-term support and help connecting people to services, along with delivering community education and outreach.

Addressing Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is linked to learning difficulties, obesity, reduced productivity for kids at school and poorer mental health. Nourish helps mitigate the effects of poverty by offering wholesale prices on fresh vegetables, fruits and meat to residents facing food insecurity; providing a dignified shopping experience.

Action: St. Marys Nourish Equal Access Food Market

• Mitigates the effects of poverty by offering wholesale prices on local fresh vegetables, fruits and meat to lower income residents
• Provides a dignified shopping experience
• Runs bi-weekly on Thursdays
• 2,040 visits to the market last year

United Way St. Marys Community Committee

Changing Local Lives

“I went looking for a Christmas meal, but ended up finding a caring community dedicated to looking out for everyone.

“There were so many fresh vegetables and meats to choose from. In my mind, there was no way I could afford any of it. I felt so embarrassed, like I’d stumbled onto something that wasn’t meant for me. But the staff was so caring and friendly. The first words they said to me were, ‘Don’t worry, we’ve got this.’

“Thanks to the generosity of previous customers who dropped their spare change in the “Pay It Forward” jar, all my groceries were paid for. The staff even made sure I had a ride home!

“I left the market feeling so much lighter and hopeful. I’m so glad I found Nourish. It’s such a special place and I’m grateful that United Way supports it.”

Petra phoned 211 looking for in-home supports for her stepfather, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer. The family had a support worker coming into the home but needed additional support. During the conversation, the Community Navigator discovered the woman’s mother was struggling with the burden of caregiving and needed mental health support. By the end of the call, the Navigator was able to connect them to resources for both in-home supports and caregiver support for the woman’s parents. “I love when I can uncover additional problems people might not realize are there,” says Lisanne, the Navigator who answered the call. “Sometimes it’s a much bigger issue, and addressing that can help resolve other concerns.”

Supported Partners in St. Marys

Want to read more?

St. Marys & Area Impact Brochure (PDF)