Your Impact in Mid-Huron

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 Mid-Huron have the chance for a brighter future including…

• 472 people in Huron County called 211 or visited 211ontario.ca to connect with services
• 126 youth supported with financial assistance for extracurricular activities
• 29 youth provided with shelter and support
• 27 women and children supported and sheltered
• 19 food banks provided with nutritious food 

#UNIGNORABLE Local Issues

Lack of Housing: The average asking rent for a one-bedroom unit in Huron County is $1,479/month. 139 households are experiencing homelessness in Huron County.

 Low Income: Around 12% of people in Perth County live in low-income households, including 775 children.

 Mental Health: Use of 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: 1,665 IPV crisis calls received by shelter services in Huron.

 Food Insecurity: 1 in 3 Ontario children under 18 live in a food-insecure household.

 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, Matt has the support he needs:

“I was brought up to believe that if I worked hard, there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish. And that’s exactly what I did. I excelled at school, sports, and the arts, earning two degrees along the way and launching a career I was passionate about: reaching out to youth experiencing homelessness through the arts.

“But life has a way of surprising you sometimes. Things happen that send you down different paths with unexpected challenges.

“My life took a turn when my wife fell ill after our daughter’s birth. Unable to sustain a career and care for my family, I took a sabbatical to be a caregiver, which turned into a 19-year journey filled with challenges. After my wife’s death and my daughter’s move to a group home, I faced complete emotional collapse and ended up losing my home.

“With the help of several community services, including one supported by United Way, I began rebuilding my life. I am blessed to have found some of the most creative, intelligent and sensitive friends who support me as I continue on my healing journey.”

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

48 local residents accessed assistance

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:

Sam and Kate’s daughter needed emergency treatment in London. At first, everything was okay. Kate’s employers both said she could return to work when her daughter felt better and Sam was sure they could get by, but it was tough living on one wage. The savings they scraped together disappeared quickly and Sam and Kate knew they would have to start making tough choices about paying the for utilities or buying healthy food. Then the family car broke down. Sam and Kate weren’t sure where to turn for help until they heard about the Urgent Needs Fund.

Increasing Access to Services: Lack of Housing in Mid-Huron

Homelessness isn’t just about sleeping on the streets; it affects almost every aspect of life including family well-being, employment and physical and mental health and almost 80% of homelessness is either hidden or unreported. The mid-Huron community remains committed to addressing the pressing issue of lack of housing.
United Way Perth-Huron supports the community’s efforts to address lack of housing through support of the Bridge Housing and Stability Program, including Huron Turning Point transition home for men, the Huron Housing Liason, and shelter for women, children and youth.

Meeting Needs

Housing Liason to find housing & provide ongoing support

  Prevention and support services for youth & women

  Three new beds for Huron Turning Point transition home

Heart to Home

177 individuals facing homelessness served through Bridge Housing & Stability Program.

Mid-Huron Community Committee

–> United Way Perth-Huron Manager Community Development, Mid-Huron: Michelle Millar

Supported Partners in Mid-Huron

Want to read more?

Huron County Impact Brochure (PDF)