Funding Priorities

United Way of Oakville provides funding to agencies with an emphasis on prevention and crisis intervention. This balance allows UWO to help maintain the ongoing health of Oakville, and to provide support to those in the greatest need.

The funding priorities are to:

Strengthen Families

Did you know that there are approximately 850 children living in poverty in Oakville?

It's hard to believe, but poverty does exist right here in our own community.

United Way of Oakville is committed to children and youth through providing funding to programs that serve children and youth.

Our focus on families not only includes children and youth, it also address needs of new Canadians, and provides family support.

Some of the programs funded through our Strengthen families priority are:

  • Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton
  • Parent Education Program - Oakville Parent-Child Centre
  • Hope Place Centres Family Program - Hope Place Centres
  • Individual, Couple and Family Counseling - Halton Family Services

Support Independence and Well-Being in Seniors

Did you know that approximately 21% (or 3700) seniors live alone in Oakville?

For some seniors, this can be problematic.  It can lead to loneliness, isolation, and even poor living conditions.   We believe that supporting programs that help to maintain independence in seniors, helps them to remain in their own homes and live full and rewarding lives.  This funding priority supports services that focus on quality of life not only for seniors, but for their caregivers also.

Some of the programs funded through our Support independence and well-being in seniors priority are:

Alzheimer Serices Seniors Day Program - Acclaim Health
Therapy Dog Program - St John Ambulance
Counseling and Referral - CNIB Central West
Hearing Care Counseling Program - Canadian Hearing Society

Support those in Crisis

Did you know that one in four women in Halton has experienced at least one incident of violence at the hands of a boyfriend or husband?

Through this funding priority, United Way of Oakville funds programs that deal directly with helping people who have experienced personal violence.  This is an issue that crosses all boundaries – socio-economic, culture, age, etc.   Supporting those in crisis also includes a focus on addictions, violence, abuse and mental illness.

Some of the programs funded through our Support those in crisis priority are:

Know the DEAL – ADAPT (Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention & Treatment Services )
Daring to Begin - High Risk male Youth Program - FAST (Familiy Adolescent Straight Talk)
Assessment and Treatment of Adolescent
Peer Counseling Program - The Women's Centre

Promote Self-Sufficiency in Individuals

Did you know that at least 3000 people in Oakville aged 35-65 have low literacy and need help with reading, writing and basic math?

Supporting literacy programming is one way that this funding priority helps to promote self-sufficiency.  It also addresses issues related to hunger relief and mental health.  By promoting self-sufficiency, this funding priority aims to break negative cycles and help people to get back on their feet and become a healthy and fully functioning part of the community.

Some of the programs funded through our promote self-sufficiency in individuals priority are:

Literacy Tutoring - Oakville Literacy Council
Supporting Employment Program - STRIDE (Supported Training and Rehabilitation in Diverse Environments)
CORE Program - Support and Housing - Halton
Food for Life - Food for Life Canada