United Way has committed to raising $2.1 million for community support projects, of which $600,000 is for Muskoka.
During the Oct. 8 Lake of Bays council meeting, Brian Shelley, Chief Executive and Philanthropy Officer with United Way Simcoe Muskoka, presented some community collaborative projects they will work on for the next three years.
Shelley says they want to focus on smaller communities in Muskoka as they know their challenges are unique.
“A lot of that has to do with how people are spread out and access to food. It has to do with vacation homes, driving up property values and a lack of high-paying jobs for those who live here year-round,” says Shelley.
He says they have increased their investment in funding charities and staffing to respond to the community’s needs.
“They’re focused on outreach into communities and to support children, youth, and other marginalized folks in rural and remote communities across the District of Muskoka,” says Shelley.
The first project for the region Shelley presented was “Getting Ahead Across Muskoka.”
“We’ve committed over $315,000 to this initiative over the next three years. The lead agency is the YWCA of Muskoka, but they’ll be working with Youth Unlimited, the Children’s Foundation, Muskoka Mind Aid and the YMCA,” says Shelley.
He says the project focuses on women, youth, and Indigenous people struggling with mental health and poverty.
“YWCA is working with its partners to provide mentorship and support to move people from poverty to a place of possibility,” says Shelley.
The other project he showed to council, which has already been launched, was the “Mobile Youth Hub.” He says they have committed $300,000 to this project over the next three years.
The project is being led by MiND-AID.
Shelley says with the hub, they are creating safe and inclusive gathering spaces for youth by bringing programs and services to those living in rural and remote communities.
He adds he feels thankful for the partnership with Lake of Bays as a municipality, adding the municipality’s support has been “unparalleled.”
To learn more about all the programs, click here.
