2020-2021 Impact Report: A year of the pandemic

We have all been living through many challenges and much stress. We are now all too familiar with new norms like wearing masks and maintaining social distance. We have also learned to slow down a little more often to take stock of important things like family and community, and how important it is to connect with, and help one another.

For some, many things remained intact, and though different in some respects, there was a relatively high degree of safety and security. For many others, it has been a time of precarious living whether through isolation, separation, uncertainty, or job loss. Demand for mental health services has skyrocketed, many people have died from accidental overdoses, and there are numerous people without shelter or living on the brink of losing what they currently have.

This outcomes report is a story about an extraordinary year at United Way here on Southern Vancouver Island. And it’s a story about our community uniting in local love.

We have been deeply moved by the response we received from our generous and caring donors – more than 7,000 donors and 200 workplaces rose to the occasion to support our cause. Together, we invested over $5.1 million into the community supporting 184 programs and positively impacting the lives of 125,000 individuals – our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours in need. That’s almost 1 in 4 people in our region being helped by a United Way initiative or funded program.

United Way has been here for Southern Vancouver Island for more than 80 years. We will continue to be here through recovery and as we rebuild.

Please enjoy reading our Outcomes Report to learn about the impact that you have had.

Thank you for being a big part of the light at the end of the tunnel.

We are most grateful for your support!

Mark Breslauer, CEO, United Way Southern Vancouver Island