A stronger future for children and youth

15.9 per cent of Calgary’s children live below the poverty line without the financial, health and educational supports they need to reach their full potential. By generously giving to United Way-funded programs you have helped guarantee 2,250 children living in working poor families receive free prescriptions, dental and optical services.

In 2007, we are investing $6.4 million to help kids facing some of life’s most difficult challenges, such as living with poverty, leaving street life, adapting to life in a new country and dealing with physical, mental and developmental disadvantages.

      • Almost 16 per cent of Calgary’s children live below the poverty line (the low income cut-off, or LICO, level). For their families, necessities such as food, shelter and clothing are an everyday struggle. Transportation, education, entertainment and health care costs are expensive “extras”
      • One in 10 children go to school hungry every day
      • About nine per cent of homeless Calgarians are under 18 years old.

      Learn more about how we are investing in vulnerable children and youth in Our Community Impact Plan for Children and Youth

    • United Way invests in a network of child and youth programs and collaborative initiatives, including the Calgary Children’s Initiative. Your support helps kids and their families discover and reach their potential in many different ways. For example, they can:

      • Find help in overcoming crisis and developing stable lives
      • Take advantage of youth development and leadership opportunities
      • Join in sports and recreational activities
      • Attend programs to help improve their English and learn more about life in Canada
      • Enjoy enriched preschool and early childhood development opportunities
      • Receive support and guidance in the critical hours before and after school.

    • By investing in United Way funded programs and community initiatives, in 2006 you helped:

      • 693 low-income individuals and families receive affordable and sustainable housing
      • 1,400 individuals and families from being evicted.


“More than anything, my daughter wants to be treated like a regular kid. When she’s around her friends from the United Way-funded program, she gets to play and laugh and feel accepted.”
- Sheila S.

“There was a time when I was leaving class early and hanging out with the wrong crowd. I really wasn’t in a positive space. Now, I want to finish high school and then go to university or college.”
- Kirsten S.

The value

  • $25 provides emergency groceries for one week for a lone parent and a child.
  • $25 provides a backpack with school supplies for children starting school.
  • $120 provides winter coats, boots, mitts and hats for two children.
  • $120 provides two weeks of pre-school program classes for one immigrant child.

 

Your passion, donations and volunteer efforts make United Way’s work possible. To get involved or learn more, contact United Way at 231-6265 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it