United Way of the Lower Mainland and the labour movement have been partners for more than 30 years, working towards the same community-building goals, and ensuring that workers and their families have access to social services in their communities.
This year, as Canada celebrates Labour Day, the partnership is as strong as ever and as critical to both organizations as they work together to achieve social change in the Lower Mainland.
Each year the United Way and labour partnership brings together hundreds of labour volunteers within the workplace to help raise funds for social change, specifically to help break the cycle of poverty and prevent bullying and social isolation - three key priority areas for the United Way.
"United Way can't do this work alone," says George Davison, secretary-treasurer of the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of B.C. and this year's united Way Lower Mainland campaign labour committee co-chair. "Labour and United Way, together, power positive change and create a better future for children, seniors and their families, right here in the communities we live in."
Co-chair Irene Lanzinger, secretarytreasurer for the B.C. Federation of Labour, adds: "We all play a role in improving the lives of those who are vulnerable in our communities. The more solidarity we share with the community in tackling these issues, the stronger we are as a movement."
This year, more than ever, the partnership between labour and the United Way is seen as critical to raising the resources United Way needs to improve lives and strengthen communities: B.C.'s child poverty rate has been the highest in Canada since 2002, bullying often makes headlines and many isolated seniors are vulnerable to poor physical and emotional health.
ON co-chair Along with its labour partner, United Way of the Lower Mainland will continue to work on the root causes of social issues such as poverty, bullying and social isolation. United Way will do this by supporting research; investing in organizations that deliver programs; advocating for change, and evaluating its investments to ensure long-term social change.
For more, visit www.uwlm.ca.
