November: A Message From Our Executive Director

The last few weeks brought some difficult news to many of our neighbours, friends and family.  Since the CAMI plant opened in Ingersoll in 1986, the GM employees and the Members of UNIFOR Local 88 have been supporting our United Way by donating and volunteering with us to ensure community programs are available in Oxford to serve those in need.  Historically, their giving has represented between 20-25% of our annual fundraising campaign.  Including a shared United Way partnership with London Middlesex, the generous CAMI employees have raised over $7,500,000 over the years to help others.  Through their good times and bad, and the ups and downs of the automotive industry, they have always been there for us.  Now, after five extremely challenging years, the unexpected announcement of the cancellation of the BrightDrop vehicle, the idling of the plant and the termination of the remaining employees has been devastating.  The ripple effect of this decision will be felt by our community, our companies, and our people for a very long time.  It is a reminder of why we need government policies and corporate investments that support stable, well-paying jobs with benefits; we all win when that happens!  We are committed to working with all levels of government and community partners to ensure that the supports and services are there to assist both hourly and salaried employees, and their families, as they embark on a new beginning. 

With the changing temperatures, we know that winter will soon be upon us.  While many of us will have a safe, warm place to call home, plenty of food, and appropriate clothing to keep us comfortable and dry, unfortunately, that is not the reality for all of our Oxford County neighbours.  Too many don’t have those very important basics, others are just a paycheque or a renoviction away from that safety net, and even more can no longer make ends meet leaving them with unbearable choices.  Thanks to our generous donors, United Way is able to invest in vital supports, spaces, street outreach, food programs and of course, Transitional Housing programs to give people the security they need to allow them to get back on their feet.  These types of programs, along with all of the others that provide basic needs, change people’s lives.  When we come together, as the caring and compassionate community we are, we can lift everyone up and build the kind of community where everyone has what they need.  Your donation to United Way Oxford helps us accomplish that.  Soon, Oxford will welcome the new HART Hub, which will be another valuable helping tool.  Watch for our next Community United Conversation webinar early in the new year to learn all about how the HART Hub will help us build a healthier Oxford for all.

United Way not only invests in basic needs, but our volunteers understand the importance of investing in proactive, early interventions as well.  There is no point in investing in one side and not the other.  We need to do even more to ensure that we are looking at root causes and upstream opportunities.  If we can make sure that families have what they need so that their children can thrive, then we can change the direction of their lives forever.  Our dedicated community volunteers are committed to doing their best to balance the needs and make the wisest funding decisions they can.  This year we have seen a 48% increase in the dollars requested by a wide variety of local agencies – all of whom are doing great work to serve people across Oxford.  Unfortunately, there will be a funding shortfall.  On behalf of the 1in 5 Oxford citizens who are directly touched by a United Way funded program, and the many others that we want to help serve, I am asking you to please give.  And if you can, please dig a little deeper, leverage our Leadership Challenge Grant opportunity, make monthly donations that are more manageable to maintain, and be an ambassador for us, encouraging others to give as well.  We always say that it takes a village – you are an important part of our village, and we can’t do this without you.

Wishing you health and happiness,