DAVID AND SHERYL KERR

When former United Way volunteer Campaign Chair, David Kerr and his wife Sheryl decided to make a significant gift of securities to an organization they cared deeply about, they chose United Way Greater Toronto to steward their gift. “Our research and experience told us there was no better organization than United Way when it came to knowledgeable advice and experience in this area of giving,” said David. “We knew our funds were in trustworthy, efficient hands.” As a result of their generosity, United Way’s endowment, The Tomorrow Fund will benefit greatly for years to come, thanks to a $2 million gift from the Kerrs.

JAMILA AMAN

Executive Director, Northwood Neighbourhood Services
Volunteer Chair, Agency Campaign

As Executive Director for United Way agency, Northwood Neighbourhood Services, Jamila Aman has a great deal of responsibility resting on her
shoulders. Yet somehow, she still manages to volunteer her time as Chair for the Agency Campaign—a role that she strongly encourages other United Way agency Executive Directors to consider taking on. “Living in Malton, it’s not easy to make it to town for a 7:15 am Cabinet meeting, but I wouldn’t dream of missing it. Witnessing all sectors come to the table for such an important cause is a wonderful experience and I’m honoured to contribute.”

STATE STREET CANADA
J.F. Courville, President and CEO

“Toronto has an opportunity to be a true leader in social strength,” says J.F. Courville, President and CEO of financial services provider, State Street Canada—a United Way supporter since 1992. One of the reasons for this optimism might be State Street’s staff. The average age of their employees is 30 and according to Courville, they represent a new age of social engagement. “Our young staff is incredibly committed to United Way and I find it very inspiring.” On the subject of neighbourhoods, Courville is clear about one thing. “In order for our city to thrive, we need to be considerate of all neighbourhoods, particularly the priority ones named by United Way. We need to democratize the value of our city, so that everyone benefits.”

Volunteering comes easily for Eli Lilly Canada and Elanco employees

When pharmaceutical company and United Way supporter Eli Lilly Canada and Elanco decided to organize their first ever national volunteer day, organizers weren’t sure what to expect. But when all was said and done, 85% of Eli Lilly Canada and Elanco employees turned out on October 5, 2006 across the country, with 143 volunteers helping out at 27 agencies in Toronto alone. According to David Ricks, President and General Manager for Eli Lilly Canada, the response was incredible. “It was an enormous success,” he says. “We even had employees asking if they could do this more than once a year!”

And the impressive turnout wasn’t the only victory worth noting. For the first time in a long time, the Eli Lilly Canada and Elanco employee campaign exceeded its fundraising goal. “I’m convinced that the experience of volunteering for United Way had a direct impact on our employees’ generosity,” says Ricks. “Witnessing first hand the impact these agencies have on our city helped them understand the importance of giving on a whole different level.”

Making a difference for the long term

May and Ken Copland had been giving to United Way Greater Toronto for years and they knew their donations were being put to good use, but this past year they wanted to do things differently. “May and I are extraordinarily blessed and it's unthinkable for us not to give back to our community,” says Ken.

The Coplands found a new way to give this year. They endowed a gift of $1 million to The Tomorrow Fund, United Way Greater Toronto’s endowment. The Copland Family Fund will go a long way in making Toronto a better city. “Making a contribution to The Tomorrow Fund just made sense to us,” says Ken. “Knowing that our dollars will make a difference for the long-term and perpetuate our annual support is important to us. The Tomorrow Fund does just that.”

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Q: With a Master’s degree in social work, a professional life in financial investment and a considerable amount of volunteer work in social services, it’s interesting to note the breadth of your talents and interests in both the for- and not-for-profit arena. How does your social work background influence your role in finance?

A: I've always been committed to life long learning and personal growth and development. I was drawn towards the investment world by the challenge and the difference from the work I had been doing much of my professional life as a social worker/director of professional services. At first glance, the two worlds of the for- and not-for-profit appear like polarities and they are. However I found that the experience gained over 20 years in social work, including almost fifteen years in senior management, gave me a unique perspective that was transferable. Unquestionably, I have gone through retraining. However, the skills gained in management were broad-based and the knowledge of human behaviour was useful in understanding the psychology of the equity marketplace, for example. My math skills still need work but I have an intuitive sense of timing—a skill honed as a clinical therapist. Honestly, I am still a neophyte in the area of finance and continue to enhance my knowledge and skill. As a former social worker, my interests are drawn towards ethical investing and social finance as it is developing internationally and the hope it offers to the impoverished.

Q: In 2005, you established the M-B Family Spirit Award to recognize the efforts of United Way staff. Why did you choose to do this?

A: I remain impressed with the consistently high quality of the staff that I interact with. They represent the best—they demonstrate not only leadership, commitment and creativity but willingness to go the extra mile—that's a terrific alchemy and very hard to 'buy' in the marketplace. There is a culture that fosters the profile of the staff at the United Way.

Q: Much of your volunteer work revolves around families and children. What do you feel are the main challenges Toronto families face today and what role do United Way agencies play in helping them?

A: I have a wide range of interests in the social sector including families, children, seniors, diverse populations and the intellectually and physically challenged. Currently, I am also involved as a Director with the Local Health Integration Network in York Region. We have made considerable progress with families but there is so much more to do. Families still continue to face many challenges—poverty, lack of economic security and opportunities and social exclusion with all that it entails. Young families need more community support. At a macro level, as a society, we have not moved far enough along to ensure that debates on new policy include an examination of the impact on children and families when considering the consequences. Unquestionably, the United Way has taken a major leadership position with its Neighbourhood Strategy, a five-year plan to strengthen 13 priority neighbourhoods. This has framed the issue for not only governments at all levels but other funding bodies and private foundations and led to their active participation in this rebuilding effort. United Way agencies continue to carry the torch through the provision of needed support services including: wellness and prevention/education programs, community support and outreach and community development, advocacy, specialized counseling and case management to children and families with varying needs and from different cultural and racial backgrounds.

Q: Looking ahead 20 years, what do you hope Toronto will look like from a social perspective?

A: My wish would be the realization of a dream of a caring, vibrant city characterized by safe, healthy communities and energized neighbourhoods without homelessness, food banks and youth violence (symptoms of malaise). A city that provides equal opportunity for all, supports its young families and cherishes its reality of diversity. A city where people with different abilities, backgrounds and cultures live in harmony and respect, play and learn from one another. This vision requires the necessary social infrastructure and support from all groups in society including governments at all levels, business, labour and the communities themselves. We have the economic and human resources to create this new reality. With United Way's leadership, there are positive signs that we may be moving towards actualizing this vision. We need the collective will to keep focused on making this happen.

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How a little plaza office plans to turn things around in Glendower

If you haven’t heard of Glendower, you soon will. This small pocket north of Sheppard and south of Finch is home to 9,038 people, comprised largely of Chinese, Tamil and Caribbean newcomers. It’s one of the first five* of 13 inner suburban neighbourhoods slated for positive change as part of Action for Neighbourhood Change, a major component of United Way’s Neighbourhood Strategy.

There are many reasons why Glendower was chosen to be part of this initiative, not the least of which is the high incidence of youth-related violence in the area. Home to 15 gangs, high poverty rates and increasing tension between the varied cultures and ethnicities, Glendower needs attention.

Overseen by United Way agency, Agincourt Community Services Association, the ANC Glendower Community offices set up shop this past October in a plaza close to where much of the neighbourhood tension lies. In just a short period of time, Project Manager, Pramila Javaheri and her team have made notable progress. “Resident engagement is the pillar of this initiative and this takes time,” she says. “But day in, day out, we’re learning how to work together with the community. We’re always prepared to answer the question: ‘How can we be helpful?’”

Getting community leaders on board is a key step for each of the neighbourhoods involved with ANC. Meetings are taking place with local residents and representatives from the police and business community to school principals and libraries. The response has been favourable and community members are stepping up to the plate.

Quick Start funds of $100,000 (funds that allow for immediate implementation of resident-identified projects) will soon enable each of the ANC neighbourhoods to move forward with their efforts to introduce positive change. Neighbourhoods like Glendower will use the funds to initiate small capital projects that contribute to neighbourhood revitalization, as well as initiatives that help build connections within the community, such as clean-up drives, newsletters and bulletin boards. At its core, the Quick Start Fund is a catalyst for resident engagement and will play a key role in building momentum for this crucial initiative.

*Lawrence Heights (Lotherton pocket), Weston/ Mt. Dennis, Eglinton/ Kennedy East (Gilder pocket), Scarborough Village and Glendower

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Fund continues to help city’s homeless come in
from the cold

When the weather outside is frightful, programs and services for the city’s homeless population become all the more essential. This is why United Way’s Winter Relief Fund is entering its 12th year.

In November 2006, 38 agencies were provided with a total of $454,097 in order to expand or enhance existing programs and services for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. Increased staffing, healthy food provision and access to warm shelter are just a few of the vital things made possible by this seasonal relief fund.

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Newcomer appointed Vice President, Community Investment

United Way Greater Toronto is delighted to welcome Waseem Syed to the position of Vice President, Community Investment. His educational and professional background is sure to bring an invaluable new dimension to the strategic direction of United Way. Holding an MBA (Finance) from the Institute of Business Administration in Karachi, Waseem is fresh from a Career Bridge internship at TD Bank. The internship program is a Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) initiative.

Prior to arriving here last year, Waseem was Head of Operations for the United Nations Development Program in Geneva, Switzerland. In this role, he co-managed a $140 million US trust fund for global initiatives to promote crisis prevention and post-crisis recovery operations. He has also been Head of Administration and Finance for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Regional Administrator for Central Asia for ACTED, an international NGO, and Chief Financial Officer for Brikks PLC. Waseem’s key responsibilities will be overseeing agency funding, community grants, product development and organizational capacity building.

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Dancing to the beat of small business

The Toronto Enterprise Fund will soon be introducing some rhythm and beats to its business portfolio, thanks to two new innovative business plans put forth this past fall. The Toronto Enterprise Fund is a unique partnership between United Way Greater Toronto and the three levels of government, that provides financial support to non-profit organizations looking to establish social purpose enterprises—businesses that create community connections and real economic opportunity for homeless and at-risk populations.

The first of these two ventures is the Blue Sky DJ Service—a mobile DJ/ event video provider that will provide opportunity to youth who are making the transition from Children’s Aid Society care to independent living. Pape Adolescent Resource Centre (PARC) will oversee the initiative. Beatz to da Streetz Ventures is the second business that will get underway, training youth to produce and sell CDs, t-shirts, live musical performances and DVDs. Centennial College will be providing the training and production facilities, and Touchstone Youth Centre will be overseeing the project. Each business was rewarded with $35,000 in funding.

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