Impact: Funded Partners

The United Way of PEI has announced that it will be investing $670,000 of funding in 13 organizations over two years to support critical work being done to reduce the impacts of local poverty. This funding investment is made possible thanks to the generous contributions of United Way of PEI donors.

These grants support the United Way’s goals of helping children and youth thrive both in and out of school, supporting individuals struggling with homelessness, improving the mental health of the province’s most vulnerable individuals and families, and creating strong inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.

Recipients of the funding include PEERS Alliance, Blooming House, BGC Prince County, BGC Charlottetown, PEI Literacy Alliance, PEI Family Violence Prevention Services, Family Service PEI, Big Brothers Big Sisters PEI, Sierra Club (Wild Child PEI), BIPOC USHR in partnership with Cooper Institute, and South East Environmental Association in partnership with Friendly Circle Seniors Club Murray Harbour.

“PEI has faced some extreme challenges over the past three years, which have exacerbated social issues related to poverty and shone a light on the growing needs in our community,” says Lea Bryden, Board President, United Way of PEI. “So many people are struggling, and United Way is working hard to ensure there is a strong social safety net in place to help.

We are so grateful to all our donors whose support of United Way allows us to make this very significant investment in Island communities.”

Organizations have received multi-year funding to begin in April 2024. In addition to program funding, United Way of PEI has introduced an operational funding stream to support the health and sustainability of its partner organizations.

“We have seen and heard from many local nonprofits and charities that there is a drastic need for operational funding support, which can be very difficult to access,” shares Andrea Macdonald, CEO of United Way of PEI. “This new operational funding stream will provide secure and flexible funding to better support operations so that charities can focus their time and energy on what they do best: helping Islanders and strengthening our communities.”

In addition to funding, United Way of PEI will support all recipients by providing training, and professional development opportunities, and will work with them to measure the individual and collective impact of their work.

• Sierra Club of PEI: PEI Wild Child Forest School Program is a recreational program designed to connect kids with nature using a child-led, play-based, inquiry-driven approach that will build resilience and confidence, develop peer connections and friendships, and improve mental and physical well-being. United Way of PEI funding will reduce the barriers for low-income families, enabling them to participate in this program for free.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters PEI: Through the Teen Mentoring Program, elementary school children who experience poverty, are newcomers to the community, have physical, intellectual, or emotional challenges, or are marginalized and simply need a friend to connect with are matched with a Teen Mentor for one hour per week during the school year. Mentors help boost confidence while encouraging achievement at school and attaining positive personal relationships.
  
  Teens develop leadership skills that help them in their transition to adulthood.
• PEI Family Violence Prevention Services: Funding will support the work of FVPS in helping individuals who need safety because of violence in their lives. This includes the operation of Anderson House (provincial emergency shelter for women, trans, and non-binary individuals, and their children) as well as outreach services, system navigation, and housing support.
• PEERS Alliance: Rainbow Youth Club, funded by the United Way of PEI, is a low-barrier social support initiative designed to promote community connection, community leadership, resiliency, and psychosocial well-being among 2
  
  SLGBTQ+ identified youth and youth allies. Group meetings are currently held in Summerside, Montague, and…