United Way in Daily News

With more than $98,000 raised to date, the campus campaign for United Way has proven a success, says chair Sara McNorton.

“We have had a total of 221 donors step up so far and of those, 42 are first-time donors and another 23 have increased their gifts,” she notes. “It’s great to see we are reaching new donors — that’s something we can build on for the future.”

The charity pursues a cradle-to-career strategy to eliminate childhood poverty in Windsor-Essex. McNorton emphasizes it’s not too late to make a contribution.

“The links we sent through email to all faculty and staff will remain live through the year,” she says. “Anyone can pull up the message to respond at any time.”

An incentive draw on Friday earned bonuses for winners: Rob Janisse, Megan Fulmer, and Maria Argoselo each won an extra vacation day; Jennifer Johrendt and Denis Lougheed won free parking on campus for a year; students Orchid Sayid, Serena Pantula, and Sanketh Petty won United Way ballcaps.

The campus campaign for United Way will close its annual fundraising effort with a wrap-up event today — Friday, Oct. 11 — that will feature a prize draw for donors.

UWindsor employees who supported the charity will be eligible to win one of three extra vacation days or one of two annual campus parking passes.

The event is set for 10 a.m. on Microsoft Teams. Click here to join.

Participating in the On Track To Success program helped her to excel in her secondary school studies, says business major Julia Adu-Bobie.

“I moved to Canada at age 10 with my family. It was not easy growing up as an immigrant in a foreign environment, and my family and I have faced many adversities that have shaped who I am today,” she recalls.

“As a person who has become so independent through life experiences, it was very difficult for me to ask for help. However, through On Track to Success, I no longer felt the pressure to overcome challenges alone. The program created a safe space where I wasn’t afraid to seek help, whether it be for school assignments or determining a pathway after high school.”

With the support of the United Way program, a wrap-around intervention for high school students and their families, she graduated from Assumption College Catholic High School as an Ontario Scholar before beginning studies at the Odette School of Business.

“I was able to apply to scholarships and gratefully become a recipient of multiple awards that will help ease the financial burden of post-secondary education and allow me to focus on my academic success,” Adu-Bobie says. “Hopefully one day, I will be able to spread love and kindness to others as this program has done to me.”

That focus on a cradle-to-career approach to fighting poverty helped inspire Steve Karamatos, manager of technology and innovation in Information Technology Services, to donate to United Way.

“I remember them coming out with that a couple of years ago and it was really impressive, all the things they do for kids in preschool all the way up to adults,” he says. “It's a local charity, so all the money stays locally.”

The campus campaign for United Way has distributed electronic pledge forms to UWindsor employees and continues its 2024 fundraising effort this week with a series of free events:

• the Women United coffee break at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall;
• information sessions on “Why Donate to United Way” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, through MS Teams;
• an online wrap-up at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, which will announce winners of incentive draws.

Find more details on the campaign website and download the virtual background and email signature graphics to show your support and raise awareness.

On Track to Success provided “a ton” of support while he was in high school, says Gede Palar, and the United Way program has continued to contribute to his accomplishments as a student of environmental sciences at the University of Windsor.

“I had a pretty challenging first year and I reached out to my On Track success coach when I was struggling,” Palar recalls. “With their help, I got connected to resources and people at UWindsor who were really supportive… a game changer for me and my study habits.”

He received a paid summer position through the Executive Mentorship Program, being mentored by Anne Marie Albidone, manager of environmental services for the City of Windsor.

“Through her mentorship I gained a deep understanding of how various operations work within the city and received invaluable career advice that has shaped my vision for the future,” says Palar. “I hope to contribute to sustainable solutions, whether through research or by playing a role in recycling initiatives that make a tangible impact.”

Executive Mentorship Program facilitator Kaila DiCecco notes it also provides training in professional conduct, workplace communication, conflict resolution, personal branding, and interview skills.

“What is so unique to EMP is that in addition to providing real-life experiences and applicable skills within a student’s chosen field, we go even further by developing professional competency, confidence, and practical skill development in order to foster long-term career readiness,” DiCecco says.

His part, Palar says: “I’m truly grateful for all of the valuable lessons and insights that were shared with me, as they have shaped my perspective and fuelled my enthusiasm for making a difference.”

Watch a video about his experience:

It’s one of the ways that the United Way is working to implement a cradle-to-career model to eliminating childhood poverty in Windsor-Essex.

The campus campaign for United Way will launch its 2024 fundraising effort with a series of free events this week:

• a pizza luncheon at noon Tuesday, Oct. 8, outside Chrysler Hall Tower;
• the Women United coffee break at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall;
• information sessions on “Why Donate to United Way” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, through MS Teams.

UWindsor employees in attendance at any of these events will have an opportunity to enter a draw for an extra vacation day. The draw is also open to anyone who purchases a United Way T-shirt or ballcap. All employee donors will be entered into a draw for a one-year parking pass, with an additional pass draw for any new donors or current donors who increase their contributions.

Donations must be made by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, to qualify for the draw. Incentive prize winners will be announced at a wrap-up event at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

To show your support and raise awareness, find more details on the campaign website and download the virtual background and email signature graphics to use for the week.

She never really appreciated the impact the United Way has on the community until she served in the charity’s offices as a sponsored employee, says Sara McNorton.

“When I learned about the On Track to Success program, I knew I wanted to support it and the young people it is helping find their way,” says the human anatomy lab demonstrator. “I see so  many of those students end up on our campus, pursuing an education that may otherwise have seemed out of reach.”

McNorton now volunteers as chair of the campus campaign for United Way, which will launch its fundraising drive next week.

On Track to Success provides supports to high schoolers in target neighbourhoods throughout Windsor-Essex — financial assistance, individual coaching, and training in time management, study tips, and coping strategies.

Currently, 55 graduates from the program are enrolled at the University of Windsor, including 19 first-year students, notes Judy Bornais, associate vice-president external.

“Once the students are here, United Way provides additional support on our campus,” she says. “That is a direct result of the generous donors who have responded to the call. Together, we can ensure that students from vulnerable neighbourhoods feel supported and successful on our campus and in life.”

Canvassers will visit offices next week, delivering donor packages and posters, and employees will receive a personalized email message with a link to contribute online or through payroll deduction.

Public events promoting the campaign include:

• a free kick-off luncheon at noon Tuesday, Oct. 8, outside Chrysler Hall Tower;
• the Women United coffee break at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall;
• information sessions on “Why Donate to United Way” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, through MS Teams.

Attendees at any of these events will have an opportunity to enter a draw for an extra vacation day. The draw is also open to anyone who purchases a United Way T-shirt or ballcap. All employee donors will be entered into a draw for a one-year parking pass, with an additional pass draw for any new donors or previous donors who increase their contributions.

The incentive prizes will be announced at a wrap-up event at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

To show your support and raise awareness, find more details on the campaign website and download the virtual background and email signature graphics to use for the week.