September 15, 2009
United We Can
Frances Lankin speaking notes from the 2009 Campaign Launch
// Check against delivery //
My name is Frances Lankin and on behalf of United Way Toronto, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the kick-off of United Way’s 2009 campaign! Today’s launch marks the beginning of a very special time for us.
A celebration of the spirit and generosity of our city as hundreds of workplaces from across Toronto launch United Way campaigns in support of our work in the community.
Each year, I am deeply touched by the enthusiasm and commitment each and every one of you bring to the campaign — and how much you truly do care for our city.
I am humbled to look out and see so many of our wonderful member agencies here today — people who, day after day, work the front lines helping those who need it most.
In fact, let’s hear it for United Way agencies!
We know this year will be a tough year. But more importantly, we know that together we can make our city a better city for us all.
Just over a year ago, the worst economic recession since the Great Depression hit our community.
And headlines on the news started to become real-life experiences for many of our friends and neighbours.
Retirement savings were wiped out… people began falling behind on their mortgages and credit card payments… many others lost their jobs.
This recession has hit Ontario hard, and Toronto hardest of all.
Our member agencies are the front line of United Way’s work in the community. And they tell the story best… the real story… the human story of this economic downturn.
Family Service Toronto says more two-parent families are seeking job assistance because one or both parents have lost their jobs.
The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto says 40 percent more people are using their food bank this year.
Agencies that provide employment counselling and financial literacy training… that help feed the hungry and house the homeless… all are seeing increasing demand for their services.
But the negative effects of this stalled economy are deeper than may immediately be obvious.
The John Howard Society says their domestic violence program has reached capacity.
Substance abuse… gambling addiction… marital problems — all are on the rise.
The pressure on our community is great and people are turning to United Way to act now.
And thanks to the generosity of people like you last year, we are holding the line.
But just barely.
We know it’s going to get harder before it gets better.
But we’re committed to supporting our member agencies during this uncertain time.
United Way has always worked to support the services that meet urgent human needs in Toronto.
This is probably the United Way you know best… the United Way that enables the services people in Toronto rely on when they’re struggling.
But we have come to understand over time that meeting urgent needs alone is not enough.
That in order to address the challenges facing our city, we must get at issues before they become problems in the first place.
This is the side of United Way you may not know as well… the United Way that is working to address the underlying, root causes of social issues.
As part of this long-term strategy we’re working to create vibrant, livable communities in Toronto’s 13 priority neighbourhoods.
We’re working to give young people every opportunity for success.
And we’re helping newcomers fulfill the potential of their new life in Canada.
These two strategies go hand-in-hand.
A short-term strategy for addressing urgent needs like homelessness… unemployment… and hunger though United Way’s member agencies.
And a long-term strategy to build strong neighbourhoods, help newcomers settle into life in Toronto and put youth on the path to success.
As I said a moment ago, we’re holding the line on meeting urgent needs.
And we’re making progress with strategies for tackling the root causes of social issues.
But this is a difficult time.
It has been over a year now since an unprecedented economic downturn first hit our community — and we’re not out of the woods yet.
We’re all hoping for a recovery.
But any economist will tell you there’s a long delay between things getting better in the market and things getting better in the community.
And we must remember that people in our city who were struggling even in good economic times are falling further behind.
Now, you and I can’t do much to fix the economy.
But there is something you can do to support the fabric that ties our city together.
You can make a gift to this year’s United Way campaign.
Your gift makes a real difference in people’s lives.
It helps meet urgent needs today — at a time when people need it most.
But it goes even further — helping to create positive change tomorrow… and the day after… and so on.
Your gift enables United Way’s efforts to create lasting change… to address the root causes of social issues before they become problems in the first place.
At times like this, every gift matters.
People in our city have always come together in tough times.
Throughout this year’s campaign, you’re going to hear something repeated over and over… United We Can.
It’s a simple phrase, but it says a lot.
United, we can make a difference.
United, we can build a better future.
United, we can change the world.
We couldn’t do it without you, the people in this room today — and the thousands of people across the city who work their hearts out to make the United Way campaign a success.
