Helping Children and Youth Reach Their Full Potential
Children and youth are one of our greatest assets and the key to a brighter future. In communities right here in our region, many children and youth are living in poverty, facing mental health challenges and are unable to access the services they need, when they need them.
Your generous support fuels United Way’s work in helping children and youth in our region create a better life. Together, we are providing them with the support they need to succeed and reach their full potential.
The Challenge
Too many young people are struggling. Poverty, food security, mental illness and lack of early years supports can have life-long effects on local children and youth.
Meet Jayce and her family
When Jayce’s kids fell behind in reading, a United Way funded program helped them improve their skills—and their confidence.
“I can’t fully express what United Way has done for my kids. The positive effects of this program last much longer than the time the kids spend there; the future of my entire family has been positively impacted.” – Jayce.
Program Funding
The programs listed below all receive financial support from the United Way Community Fund. These investments impact the lives of vulnerable children and youth in our communities.
Baby essentials
Ensuring vulnerable and low income families have access to essential baby items such as diapers, wipes and formula.
Breakfast and nutrition programs
Ensuring kids have access to nutritious food and snacks by supporting school breakfast programs
Early childhood development
Teaching parents how to support the developmental needs of their young children facing health conditions or disabilities.
Family accessibility
Clinical counselling and therapeutic services for young children and their families who are coping with developmental disabilities such as Autism, ADHD and Down Syndrome
Family support programs
Building resilient, connected families through parent-focused support groups, nutrition programs, post-partum depression resources and flexible financial support.
Food sustainability
Providing families and children participating in a school food backpack program with access to food in the summer months.
Life skills for youth
Providing outdoor adventure and sports programs, personal mentorship and life skills coaching to vulnerable youth.
Pre-natal program for expecting moms
Providing pre-natal nutrition program fro low-income moms
Programs for children with developmental disabilities
Engaging program for school breaks that creates a connection for families and their children
Programs for youth with disabilities
Weekly “YOU” program for youth at Independent Living in Vernon
Youth crisis and trauma counselling
Filling the gaps in essential crisis and trauma counselling services for youth and their families.
Youth brain injury outreach
Providing youth struggling with brain injury the support needed to successfully return to school and daily life.
Youth domestic violence counselling
Supporting at-risk youth to learn about healthy relationships, spot signs of abuse and equip them to deal with situations where they may be vulnerable or in crisis.
Charity Partners
Community Building Partnerships
Working together for greater impact, the United Way collaborates on the following strategic initiatives with local government, charities, and community partners.
A Way Home Kelowna
Community plan to address and prevent youth homelessness in Kelowna.
Central Okanagan Family Hub
A family centre where parents and caregivers can drop in for information and programs
Child Safety Initiative
Providing convertible car seats to families who could not otherwise afford one
CODEanagan
Helping youth reach their full potential is a priority for United Way. CODEanagan will give disadvantaged youth opportunities in the tech sector.
Social Enterprise Accelerator Fund
Supporting youth adventure program at Elevation Outdoors through social enterprise grant
Youth Initiative Grants
An initiative which provides grants of up to $2,000 to help youth under 25 years of age create and deliver service projects that improve their communities
Your Donations At Work
Because of your support, 4500 children and youth were provided opportunities to reach their full potential.
Your Impact
$10 provides one month of nutritious breakfasts for one student
$50 provides supplies for recreation programs at youth shelter
$100 provides 3 bike helmets for youth in bicycle safety program
$500 provides two months of licensed after school care for one child
$1,000 provides one at-risk youth with one year participation in outdoor sports program