News

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes launches new campaign, online resources.

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is launching a new campaign to support vital community services during a critical time. This launch aligns with United Way Canada’s national campaign titled “Local Love in a Global Crisis.”

Donations made through United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes’ web portal can be designated to specific needs such as: food security, emergency funds for agencies and future community needs.

United Way acknowledges that not everyone is in a position to give financial support to organizations at this time, and explains that there are other ways to share the spirit of Local Love and help our community heal. “Over the course of the next weeks and months, it will be important for each of us to continue or to start checking in with one another and more vulnerable people,” says Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL.  “You have insight into your rural communities and can help United Way CKL and partners, identify gaps in services and emerging needs. Share your concerns. Lend a hand of support by helping share our social media and by doing acts of kindness.”

Education has always been a priority at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden, and while students are not currently able to visit us with their class, we have shared all of our educational materials online for free! Many of these projects can be completed at home. From making mud pies and learning about soil, to photographing systems in the environment, the learning opportunities are endless! Resources can be found at https://ckl-unitedway.ca/classroom-resources/

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes has announced that it will distribute $49,278.00 in emergency funding to several organizations in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton.

This funding was made possible by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes thanks the Government of Canada for their continued support during this time, and for increasing supports for individuals age 55 and older.

“While physical distancing is essential to protecting seniors from COVID-19, it risks isolating them from their community. That is why the Government of Canada is proud to work with United Way Canada to help support the needs of seniors during this difficult time. By using local expertise, this funding will help provide support tailored to the unique, local needs of seniors across the country. As we work together to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus, the government is supporting Canadians every step of the way,” writes The Honorable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors

Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes has been granted $20,000 to support their existing Meals on Wheels Program, which has seen increased demand due to the current pandemic. This program delivers prepared meals to seniors across the City of Kawartha Lakes, reducing the need for them to leave their homes.

“We’re very grateful to the United Way for supporting the increased service demands of our Meals on Wheels program, allowing us to continue providing nutritious meals and important security checks for our most vulnerable clients,” says Barb Mildon, CEO, Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes. “We’re proud to serve the seniors in our community, ensuring that they can stay safe and comfortable at home for as long as possible.”

Grant recipients in Haliburton County include: The Central Food Network, the Rotary Club of Haliburton’s Good Food Box, and SIRCH Community Services. These organizations provide essential food services to seniors who are self-isolating, as well as individuals and families experiencing economic insecurity. Grants will range from $3,000-$5,000 and aim to help expand the organization’s capacity to serve seniors.

“Our hope is that this grant will enhance and support established programs.  We are concerned that we have many seniors in rural areas who might become easily isolated, explains Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. “Together, we can ensure they receive food, supports and wellness checks with this funding.  Seniors need to know that we are here for them and this is an unprecedented time, and so we all need to check in with others and ask for help or a friendly phone call.”

Organizations were selected based on their current capacity to serve the immediate needs of seniors, their geographic area and the needs that they identified to United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

For more information about local funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, or to donate to United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes please visit ckl-unitedway.ca

Contact:

E: office@ckl.unitedway.ca T: (705) 878-5081

To access a New Horizons for Seniors Program supported service see the information below:

Meals on Wheels

Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes

E: info@ccckl.ca     T: (705) 324-7323

Central food Network

Wilberforce – E: tina@centralfoodnetwork.org T: (705) 448-9711

Cardiff – T: (613) 339-2704

SIRCH Community Services

E: info@sirch.on.ca

T: (705) 457-1742

Haliburton Rotary Club

E: bri.nash@hotmail.com

T: (705) 455-9388

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes is excited to announce the world premiere of The Garden, an original documentary produced by YourTV. This documentary covers the first year of Edwin Binney’s Community Garden – an innovative food security initiative that has provided over three tons of fresh vegetables to non-profit agencies and food banks across the City of Kawartha Lakes.

“This movie celebrates community leaders and how partnerships are key to the creation of a highly productive garden,” says Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director or UWCKL. “It shares the story of a community willing to seize the opportunity to create a response to produce higher yields of food to support food programs while simultaneously creating a unique experiential educational centre for Fleming students and local elementary and secondary schools,” she adds.

This completely innovative garden is located on roughly two acres of Crayola Canada’s previously unused land in Lindsay. In its first year of operation, Edwin Binney’s Community Garden provided more than 5,500 pounds of fresh vegetables to ten food banks and eleven social service agencies in our community: supplementing budgets for agencies while providing healthy and fresh options for their clients. At the same time, our staff hosted educational agriculture workshops for 350 children from 15 summer camps and school classes.

“The excitement and enthusiasm of the United Way CKL were enough for YourTV to become involved in the process of documenting Edwin Binney’s Community Garden,” says YourTV producer Marcus Ferguson, who directed and produced the movie.

“The transformation from a muddy field to a thriving garden was truly an inspiration and we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it. YourTV looks forward to sharing this special program which will serve to document not only the transformation but the effort to assist the community in combating hunger through community gardening,” he adds.

More than anything, this event is a celebration of community and the power that comes from working together. The documentary features interviews with the Dean of Fleming College Frost Campus, the Mayor of the City of Kawartha Lakes, Managers of Crayola Canada, and some workshop participants.

The event will take place at the Crombie Lecture Theatre at Fleming College Frost Campus from 6 – 8 p.m. on February 6, 2020. Mock-tails and popcorn will be served before the movie, which begins at 6:30. Tickets are available for $15 and all proceeds go toward Edwin Binney’s Community Garden.

We would like to thank our sponsors: Electric Electric, Brant Doyle Plumbing, and Crayola Canada for supporting this cause with such enthusiasm.

Contact us to get your tickets today!

E: office@ckl.unitedway.ca t: 705 878-5081

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (UWCKL) has announced A Place Called Home (APCH) as the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Telecare Mona Hall Fund to pilot a new Youth Emergency Fund Project.

This pilot will ensure that the immediate needs of youth in crisis, facing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness are met during the waiting period for other financial aid. Funds provided in the form of gift cards will help youth stay warm, fed, and connected to their community.

“Over the years, we have been given the privilege of small legacy gifts which have allowed us to invest in people in real time.  When donors give to UWCKL they do so with purpose and with the knowledge that funds go to high priority needs. These funds are monitored with the help of citizen review panel teams to ensure transparency and accountability,” explains Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL.

When Lifeline Telecare closed its doors, funds were transferred to UWCKL to administer through a committee process and to help local groups initiate innovative programs in response to emerging or identified community priorities over a five-year period. The funds have been overseen by a committee of volunteers with expertise. Five agencies have received funding since the launch of the grant fund in 2016: Kawartha Sexual Assault addressed dating violence prevention for youth; Ontario Early Years created the Queen Victoria Public School Summer Outreach Program; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton created an in-School Mentoring Resource initiative and marketing for mentors, The John Howard Society started a Caring Dads Program to increase skills for fathers needing special supports, and last year Community Care Health and Care Network created a teleconference caregiver support program.

This was the final round for the Telecare Mona Hall Legacy Fund.  The criteria and process was created through the efforts of volunteer panels, led by Lynne Downey, with support by UWCKL staff.  UWCKL has been able to support several pilot projects and the agencies awarded the gifts were able to capture measurable outcomes and help identify potential new programs.  Together we have helped strengthen supports for people who live here.

For further information on the Youth Emergency Fund, please contact:

Jennifer Lopinski, Youth Trustee – A Place Called Home

(705) 328-0905

Wondering what we’ve been up to since our last Newsletter in August? Check out the full story here: October 2019 Newsletter

WHO: Any and all volunteers who are willing to help us close down Edwin Binney’s Community Garden for the season!

WHAT: We will be harvesting the last vegetables of the season, putting the compost pile to good use, moving some of our perennial plants, and emptying the raised garden beds at the front of the garden. Some moderate physical activity will be required so please come prepared with water bottles, closed toe shoes, and weather appropriate clothing. (Important: wear clothes and footwear that you don’t mind getting dirty!)

WHEN: Thursday October 17th from 1-4pm

WHERE: Edwin Binney’s Community Garden (15 Mary St W, the large garden adjacent to the Crayola Canada building). Parking is very limited so please walk if you are able, or park in the large lot at 55 Mary St W and walk across Crayola’s front lawn to the opening in the fence.

WHY: This garden has provided over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce to people who need it in our community, and it’s time to shut it down for the season so we can properly prepare for year two!

HOW: Just show up! Anytime between 1-4pm. We will be there.