United Way Centraide North East held their annual campaign launch on Sept. 11 at the Northern Water Sports Centre.
Representatives from a number of the organization's community partners were on hand to celebrate the work that the United Way has done in the past year and to look forward to the year that is to come.
Karen Hourtovenko will be the 2018 campaign chair, with Alex Freedman taking on the role of vice chair.
"As a community, we have an opportunity to help one another. United Way believes in a community where everyone can succeed. I share in that vision," said Hourtovenko. "I have seen first hand and been touched by the stories of those who have been supported by the programs and services funded by the United Way, and for many kids and adults, their lives have been changed forever."
During the 2016-17 campaign, United Way Centraide North East funded more than 36,000 individuals across Northeast Ontario, with 26,000 of those people residing in Sudbury.
"We see North East Ontario as a place where all children, youth, individuals and families have an opportunity to build better lives both today and for years to come," said Hourtovenko. "We work in partnerships to build strong neighbourhoods, to move people from a life of poverty to one of possibility and to help children and youth get a good start and have a chance to achieve their dreams."
United Way has been in Sudbury since 1982, and in 36 years has raised more than $45 million locally to help address and alleviate community needs.
"It is a true honour to stand before you today in celebration of our shared commitment of serving others," said Michael Cullen, executive director, United Way Centraide North East.
"We're in our 36th year and this is our 37th campaign, 37 years of telling stories of others on their behalf. How does a long-serving charity re-invent itself after 37 years? What tools could it possibly use to enhance its service model? What is a top priority that will keep pace with the social demands of our city and our region? Where will our United Way be in five, 10, 20 or 30 years? Something that I do want to share is that we must never consider our journey to be a solo quest. The only way that we can be sure that we're aligned for the greater good, while at the same time creating a more sustainable charity, is to do it all together."
Greater Sudbury mayor Brian Bigger commended the organization for its years of service and dedication to the community.
"This is just one of the many examples of the drive to unite individuals, social services, government, labour groups and businesses behind the United Way in their efforts to build a better place to raise our families and to work alongside one another," said Bigger.
"As mayor, I know the many issues in our community are complex - reducing poverty, ending domestic violence, creating opportunities for newcomers, empowering youth - these are complex and interconnected issues. No one organization can solve all of these problems on their own, they require purposeful community collaboration."
Thinking big and thinking local are the overarching theme of this year's campaign launch, and while raising money to is paramount to the success of the United Way, Cullen says that building partnerships and relationships is always top of mind.
"Many of you are expecting a number, and it's about the people who serve, the number is important and it gives us the strength and the capacity to be sustainable and do what we need to do and what you need us to do," said Cullen.
"But it's about the relationships, and that's the most important thing that I can share with you today. I hope to leave here today with new relationships, sincere, honest old school relationships."
