Investing in families. Creating long-term stability

Approximately 58,555 households are currently in neeed of affordable housing; and, Calgary has 3,600 homeless people. In 2007, United Way is investing $9.4 million to support programs and initiatives that help low-income Calgarians to help themselves become economically self-sufficient. We invest in programs and services that help people obtain job skills and employment, develop financial literacy as well as access and maintain safe affordable housing.

      • In 2004, 72,000 Calgary families (close to one in five families) lived below the poverty line (also known as the low income cut-off, or LICO, level); close to half of lone-parent families in Calgary lived below the poverty line
      • In Calgary, the poverty line (or low income cut-off) for a family of four was $ 32,791 in 2005
      • 15.9% of Calgary children under 18 years lived in poverty in 2004
      • Up to half of the people currently living in Calgary’s homeless shelters have jobs
      • Calgary’s shortage of safe, affordable housing forces many families to move often and away from familiar schools, friends and community support.

    • United Way invests in a network of programs and long-term initiatives to help economically challenged families and to reduce poverty. One example is the Sustained Poverty Reduction Initiative. Your support helps families and individuals break the cycle of poverty or avoid many poverty-related issues and effects. For example, families can:

      • Meet their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter
      • Gain job skills, find stable employment and work towards financial stability
      • Learn about budgeting, managing and saving money
      • Find safe, affordable housing
      • Join community hubs in which families support one another
      • Give their children healthier, more resilient childhoods.

    • With the help of United Way funded programs and initiatives in 2006:

      • 1,953 immigrants gained opportunities for social interactions
      • 351 indiviuals with disabiliteds accessed an particpated in rectreational activities
      • 350 women increased their knowledge of how to keep themselves and their children safe.


“United Way makes families so much stronger. They offer me support and allow me to offer education to my kids that I normally couldn’t. My children become better people because I am a better parent.” - Jennifer L., lone parent of three children

The value

  • $25 provides emergency food when families can’t access the Calgary Food Bank
  • $120 provides one month of child care for a lone parent while attending a support program
  • $365 provides two child car seats to loan out to families with young children
  • $1,000 provides 50 new toys for a toy-lending library for families living on a low income.

 

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