Poverty

Financial vulnerability affects a wide and growing segment of our communities and affects people’s chances of recovering from an unexpected expense or adverse event such as a loss of income, housing emergency or sick pet needing urgent care.

This continuous daily struggle to make ends meet is a source of tremendous stress and anxiety, often making it difficult for people to focus on anything else and leaving them in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

But there’s a way forward.
Last year, because of United Way:

Living Wage report and advocacy

• Twenty-eight employers becoming Living Wage certified
• 2,000 Living Wage reports distributed
• 480 people in attendance at Living Wage presentations

How Much is Enough? report and advocacy

• Report launch media events in Perth (Stratford Public Library) and Huron (Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol in Goderich)
• 950 report summaries and 150 full reports distributed
• Photovoice pop-up exhibitions in communities across Perth and Huron
• Radio interviews on stations in Stratford, Wingham and Goderich discussing the report

Participate in Poverty to Prosperity Committee in Huron County

Funding for the Ontario Living Wage Network to support Living Wage efforts locally

Homelessness

In 2020, United Way established a special task force to address homelessness in North Perth. Members from the municipality, service agencies and the faith community worked together to create a plan to improve emergency services, affordable housing and education. Efforts are ongoing. The following presentation was created to help the community of North Perth understand homelessness, what is being done to end it, and to challenge people to be part of the solution.

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Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping on the streets. People may also be in a temporary shelter, incarcerated without a place to go to after or couch surfing. Homelessness affects almost every aspect of life including family well-being, employment and physical and mental health.

People experiencing homelessness have shorter life expectancies, are more likely to be victims of violence and go hungry at least once a week. The odds can often feel stacked against those dealing with homelessness because of a mix of complex, interrelated issues like mental illness, addiction and abuse. Homelessness also disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, for example those with physical disabilities, chronic health issues and mental health challenges.

110 youth accessed safe shelter and were given a fresh start in Perth and Huron

 135 women and children were sheltered after experiencing domestic violence in Huron

How we help:

• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 — referrals to community organizations to help navigate complex social systems
• ConnectYouthPerthHuron.ca available
• UWPH participates in housing and homelessness committees across Perth and Huron
• Huron-identified community issue. The focus is on ending chronic homelessness including three new beds at Huron Turning Point transitional home for men, immediate shelter in cold months, a new housing advocate to find and provide ongoing support for successful tenancy and increased support for youth and women

Read about Myths and Facts surrounding Homelessness

Mental Health

Good mental health helps us enjoy our life and the people in it. Individuals struggling with mental health issues can experience fear, rejection and stigma, severely impacting their quality of life. Many have even been denied adequate housing, loans, health insurance and jobs.

Social isolation, poverty and a shortage of accessible services make it difficult for people to find the supports they need. For kids, positive emotional development is crucial to laying a good foundation for mental health and emotional stability as an adult.

Together, we’re creating more inclusive communities and ensuring those impacted by mental health issues can easily access the supports they need before issues become deep-rooted.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward

How United Way helped in 2019:

• 1,801 people received counselling to increase their mental health and well-being through Family Services Perth-Huron
• 153 men received counselling, advocacy and re-integration planning through the John Howard Society.
• 97 kids were matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister to foster intellectual, emotional and social well-being.
• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365
• Counselling funded by United Way Perth-Huron throughout Perth County
• ConnectYouthPerthHuron.ca helps youth find resources and assistance
• Early intervention youth mental health
• Job entry training and work experience to help overcome anxiety and lack of confidence
• United Way Perth-Huron leading Mental Health & Addictions Committee to create a local mental health report

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence disrupts our communities and creates long-term repercussions for victims and their families. Domestic violence negatively impacts people’s physical and mental well-being and can even push families toward poverty.

When young children are exposed to the trauma of domestic violence, it affects their brain development and negatively impacts their ability to learn. They are also much more likely to become abusers themselves or believe that threats and violence are a normal part of relationships. This can affect the rest of their lives and create a cycle of violence and poverty.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward
In 2018 United Way helped:

348 women and children receive emergency shelter and counselling in Perth & Huron.

• 103 children counselled who have witnessed and experienced domestic violence in 2019
• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 for referrals and escape plans
• 260 youth served by youth centres (a safe escape) in 2019
• 110 youth in Perth and Huron received an emergency placement
• ConnectYouthPerthHuron.ca helps youth find resources and assistance
• 135 women and children given emergency shelter in Huron

Hunger

Accessing basic needs like food and shelter can be a struggle for many people in our community. Often the challenges of meeting even the necessities of life means making impossible choices. This daily struggle to make ends meet is a source of tremendous stress and anxiety — making it difficult for people to focus on anything else and leaving them in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward
In 2019 United Way helped:

 933 individuals accessed food skills programming in Perth & Huron

• 276 St. Marys residents access the NOURISH Equal Access Food Market every month
• Funding for:
  • North Perth — program offering nutritious food while engaging participants in how to purchase and prepare delicious, healthy meals and selecting food that benefits overall health
  • Stratford — Food skills programming
  • Bluewater, Central Huron, South Huron — providing food skills and nutritious meals
• 5,079 people benefitted from food supplied by the Huron Distribution Centre in Huron and Perth
• 2-1-1 24/7/365 information about food access
• ConnectYouthPerthHuron.ca — providing youth with food access information
• UWPH Participates in the Perth County Food Security Coalition and Poverty to Prosperity in Huron

Social Isolation

Social isolation has serious physical, mental and emotional consequences. People who are socially isolated are at a higher risk of developing health problems, slipping into poverty, facing mental health challenges and having their quality of life reduced. This has dire consequences for individuals and society.

Statistics show that seniors, immigrants, refugees and people with disabilities are more likely to become socially isolated.

Social isolation can have devastating effects on people, families and communities. One in 3 Canadians report not having a strong, or very strong, sense of belonging to their local community. Isolation and loneliness in many communities has reached epidemic proportions, leading to serious consequences including deterioration in mental and physical health. For newcomers, seniors and people living with disabilities, the effects of social isolation can be amplified even further.

Social inclusion helps people feel accepted in their community and able to contribute to society. People with strong social connections are healthier and live longer than those who feel isolated.

There’s an issue

But there’s a way forward
In 2019 United Way helped:

2,849 seniors and those with mobility challenges access rides for important medical appointments and outings in Perth & Huron

• 2-1-1 counselors available 24/7/365 — connecting people to clubs, sports, groups, committees, activities and support systems
• ConnectYouthPerthHuron.ca available for youth to connect them with groups and clubs
• Transportation services for seniors and those in need throughout Perth and Huron, providing weekly contact with a volunteer and a connection to the community
• Supporting Poverty to Prosperity to bring community development approach to rural towns in Huron County
• Supporting youth centres in St. Marys and Mitchell — giving youth a safe place to be social
• Integral in bringing settlement services to Perth County
• Supporting food skills and community meal programming throughout both counties
• Counselling available for those dealing with social anxiety
• Employment and job readiness program available to help work through social anxiety in the workplace
• iVolunteer — connecting volunteers to organizations that need volunteers