Nicole’s Story

by Scott Gallagher on November 16, 2017 Comments Off on Nicole’s Story

Nicole’s Story

Nicole’s Story

How learning to save taught one woman her worth

Nicole’s relationship with money was rocky from the start. Growing up, she struggled with her weight and became the target of bullies at school. “Money was equal to my self-worth, and my self-worth was nothing,” she says.

Nicole left high school after becoming a young mother and turned to drugs to help cope. Her addiction even led to some time in jail.

While she was there, Nicole made the decision to turn her life around, embracing a more positive, hopeful and healthy future that didn’t include drugs or alcohol. Shortly after her release, a friend connected her to a United Way financial education program—Empower U—that teaches financial literacy skills to women living in poverty.  She decided to give it a try. “I’d always been a ‘no’ person,” says Nicole, “but this time I chose to say ‘yes’ and it changed my life.”

The program helped Nicole manage her finances and set her up in a matched-savings program, where she was required to contribute $50 a month. At first, putting aside that amount seemed impossible, but she rose to the challenge.

Learning to save consistently was about far more than money: it was about making peace with her past and taking control of her future. Nicole is grateful to United Way donors like you for helping her get started—and putting her on the path to financial security and lifelong success. “Now money isn’t scary,” she says. “It can empower my life. My past can be fixed—by me.”

Today, Nicole lives in social housing and has a stable job where she is saving up to help purchase a home.

She’s also using her experience to give back to other women in her community who have experienced similar challenges. “I’m so excited to help others take control of their lives and to be part of helping them build more secure futures,” says Nicole.

Investing in herself—thanks to the support of donors like you—has paid dividends for Nicole and other women in the community. “I like who I am today and I’m confident about my tomorrow,” she says.

Help change lives today.

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Scott GallagherNicole’s Story

Alasdair’s Story

by Scott Gallagher on October 10, 2017 Comments Off on Alasdair’s Story

Alasdair’s Story

Alasdair’s Story

How a healthy meal changed one man’s life

Alasdair has worked in the food and hospitality industry for much of his life. So when he lost his job as a server due to an alcohol addiction, worries about where his next meal would come weren’t far from his mind. In fact, they became a daily and stressful reality. “For a while, money was really tight,” says Alasdair. “But then it got to a point where I couldn’t even afford food.”

Like many people living in poverty, Alasdair felt helpless and afraid for the future. “I was lost and I didn’t know what was going on. My self-esteem was completely shot.”

But sometimes, help can come in unexpected ways. It was during a walk though his local neighbourhood that he decided to stop by the Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) in Toronto, an agency supported by United Way. There, he connected with a community meal program that offers people living in poverty two nutritious meals a day.

Those first meals at PARC inspired Alasdair to keep coming back. Soon, he began using other services offered at the agency, including a weekly art program that allowed him to rediscover his childhood love of drawing. He also started to make friends at the centre. Gradually, his confidence grew and an opportunity to volunteer in the kitchen came knocking.

“I knew my way around a kitchen because I had worked at restaurants my whole life,” he says. “I was so grateful for the food, so I thought the least I could do was help out. I started feeling better right away. Volunteering showed me that I could improve my situation and give back at the same time.”

With his newfound confidence and improved skills, Alasdair recently landed a job as a custodian at a local community centre. But despite a busy full-time schedule, he still volunteers at PARC because he understands just how life-changing healthy meals served with compassion can be. “For people living in poverty, including those struggling with mental health issues or homelessness, a healthy meal is really important to their well-being,” he says. “But sharing a meal means a lot, too. It makes people feel better about themselves—and it builds a real community.”

Help change lives today.

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Scott GallagherAlasdair’s Story

Gord’s Story

by Scott Gallagher on October 4, 2017 Comments Off on Gord’s Story

Gord’s Story

Gord’s Story

It’s About More Than the Show

Gord has a long history of being part of the show.  He has worked in theatre, arts and broadcasting, hosted a program on McMaster University’s radio station and even managed a movie theatre where his love of film was part of his everyday work experience.  Yet, as important as entertainment and being part of an artistic community have been to Gord, few people have more respect for the power of numbers, forms and processes.

Gord’s track record in entertainment is matched by his commitment to helping people who are living in poverty.  A well-known activist and member of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction – where, fittingly, he is part of the speakers bureau – Gord has seen how something as apparently routine as a tax return can impact lives.  He is a vocal advocate and supporter, for example, of the Hamilton Tax Clinic, a partnership of United Way, the Social Planning and Research Council and the City of Hamilton.  The clinic operates in a number of locations throughout the community where volunteers provide free assistance to local families in completing and filing their tax returns.

That kind of service is more than just an administrative helping hand.  Gord points out that for people living near or below the poverty level, a properly completed tax filing can create access to some of the 41 different tax credits available to people in need.  The result is a vital reduction in taxes owing and, often, a refund of precious dollars that would have otherwise been withheld.  “It’s very important,” stresses Gord.  “If you don’t file, you can’t access the credits. So go out and do it!”

Help change lives today.

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Scott GallagherGord’s Story

Sarah’s Story

by Scott Gallagher on October 4, 2017 Comments Off on Sarah’s Story

Sarah’s Story

Sarah’s Story

Re-igniting the Spark

Despite having had a great childhood, Sarah is no stranger to tough times. In her own words, she says she has a lot of “lived experience”. Struggling with depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and addiction Sarah is like many people who rely on United Way supported programs.

In and out of hospitals, shelters and treatment centres, Sarah was “sick of feeling like just another patient. I needed someone who understood me” she said. Sarah found this in transitional living and recovery programs made possible by United Way.

“Sometimes people just need someone to talk to. If I had that a long time ago, I may not have had such a troubled life”.

Now having been sober for over a year and a half, Sarah is utilizing her time in transitional living to the fullest. “There’s always somebody here 24/7. This is nice for me because as much as I love my independence, it’s comforting knowing someone is always here”.

Sarah believes that the programs she has accessed through United Way have given her hope for a brighter future. She is currently training to be a peer mentor and believes in giving back to her community. “There are so many people in need, and these programs give people hope; something I didn’t have for a long time”.

With a knowledgeable network of support, Sarah now has everything she needs to become successful.

“I have my spark back. I feel like I’ve been given a chance”.

Help change lives today.

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Scott GallagherSarah’s Story