Bringing People Together, One Conversation at a Time
United Way Oxford’s Community United Conversation Series is an initiative that fosters dialogue around specific local issues by bringing together a panel of experts. The goal of these conversations is to raise awareness, provide education, and encourage meaningful discussion in order to build stronger and more inclusive communities. Each session focuses on different issues, highlighting the work of local services and agencies that are dedicated to making positive progress. Through these conversations, the series aims to create safer, more supportive environments for everyone in the community.
Interested in sponsoring a Community Conversation or want to get involved? Reach out to amanda@unitedway.ca
Let’s Talk About Encampments
February 10th, 2025.
This Community United Conversation will focus on ‘Encampments’, we will host a panel discussion, and our panelists are local experts who are deeply connected to supporting and serving those living in Oxford’s many encampments. They will help us better understand why encampments have become more prevalent, how they are filling a gap for some individuals, and what we as a community can do to better address the needs of those living in them. Panelists will include speakers from Oxford County Community Health Centre, CMHA Thames Valley Addictions and Mental Health, and Ontario Parks Association.
Talking About Food Insecurity
October 1st, 2024 – Sponsored by Streef Produce
People and families are considered food insecure when they do not have the ability to acquire food that supports an adequate and healthy diet. There are many causes of food insecurity, and many ways in which local organizations are doing their best to support people without regular access to food. Join our panelists to better understand what ‘food insecurity’ means, with a national and local lens. We will hear from panelists from Oxford County providers who will share how they help meet the needs of today while they are re-imagining the future of assistance. Panelists will include speakers from Southwestern Public Health, Salvation Army Tillsonburg, STICH Supper Club, and Food Rescue Feeding Oxford.
The Truth About Alcohol – It’s Sobering
February 27th, 2024 – In partnership with Southwestern Public Health
Our panel of experts will share information to help you understand the new recommendations from Canada’s 2023 Guidance on Alcohol and Health as well as lots of fun and creative ways to support reducing alcohol consumption. Following Dry January, and now Dry February, this is targeted to anyone and everyone and is intended to share that drinking less, whatever is less for you, is a healthy step in the right direction.
Beginning the Journey to Truth and Reconciliation in Oxford County
September 28th, 2023 – Sponsored by Adam Shaw CA Professional Corporation
Our conversation on Truth and Reconciliation will share a brief overview of Oxford’s History of Indigenous Peoples, followed by an opportunity to learn about some of the 94 Calls to Action from the 2015 Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report.
We will deepen our understanding of September 30th, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day. This is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family, and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
Special thanks to ISAN Oxford – Indigenous Solidarity & Awareness Network
Harm Reduction
April 24, 2023
Presented by United Way Oxford, along with a panel of addiction service professionals, we will discuss Harm Reduction and its impact on our community. The discussion will include the complexity of addictions, help to put a human and compassionate lens on struggles that some face, and we will learn more about what a harm reduction approach is and how these services are there to help.
This topic is a relevant and timely discussion for our Oxford County community. We want to ensure that we are well informed and understand the need for services and that we know what services are available in our community.
Oral Health Needs and Dental Services
November 29, 2022
This conversation will host panelists from organizations in our community who will share information about Oral Health Needs & Dental Services in Oxford. They will share information on what these needs look like for those most vulnerable in our community who are struggling and without health care coverage. We will discuss the connection of good oral health to the overall health and well-being of an individual, as well as the direct link to self-esteem, opportunity, employment, diet, and so much more.
Learn about the needs as well as an innovative community solution that helps bridge gaps and change lives.
Transgender Awareness and Education
May 5, 2022 – Sponsored by Enbridge
An opportunity to learn from a personal journey about gender affirming care and to help us grow our community’s ability to embrace acceptance, inclusion, and understanding while hearing more about local supports and services.
This conversation features local panelists from Ingersoll’s Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic, Oxford County’s Rainbow Coalition, Oxford County Pride, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County.
Intimate Partner Violence
March 1, 2022 – Presented by Women United
We’ll learn about Intimate Partner Violence, previously referred to as Domestic Violence. Join local experts to deepen your understanding of what this is, what the signs are, what services are in place to help, and the impact of family violence on children and our community. We will also learn about the significant challenges that COVID has posed for those living in unsafe conditions. This unignorable issue is one that matters to all of us.
Understanding Homelessness in Oxford
November 23, 2021
With guest speaker Lisa Bell, from Built for Zero Canada. Built for Zero Canada is working with communities, now including Oxford, to help end chronic homelessness and veteran homelessness – that is the first step to end homelessness across Canada. They share data, help deploy resources more effectively, engage leadership at all levels, and help communities adopt proven practices to create real change.
Join us, along with other local panelists, as we discuss the unignorable issue of homelessness to better understand why this is happening, the complexities, the systemic issues, and how United Way and others are working to create change to ensure that everyone in our community can have a safe place to call home.
Human Trafficking
September 28, 2021
We were excited to welcome Kelly Tallon Franklin, from Courage for Freedom, to speak on human and sex trafficking, specifically youth exploitation. With her lived experience, she worked with police and others to develop ProjectOnRoute geared to raise awareness of the issue up and down the 401 Highway; now she has launched Project Maple Leaf to stop the exploitation of children. It is a disturbing topic, and a more disturbing reality – and it is one that Oxford County is not immune to.
Learn more about it, what to watch for, who to call should you see something suspicious, and what resources and supports are available. Additional panelists include Woodstock Police Service, OPP, and Domestic Abuse Services Oxford.
Youth Mental Health
June 1, 2021 – Sponsored by Journey Well Health & Wellness
Managing children’s mental health needs can be challenging, especially during COVID-19 with the worry, stress, anxiety and concern for the here and now as well as the future.
Join members of the teams from Oxford Earlyon, Wellkin, Thames Valley District School Board, Woodstock Hospital and London District Catholic School Board to explore this important topic!
Mapping Mental Health
March 30th, 2021
A virtual panel of local experts coming together to discuss Mental Health in this COVID time. If we were ever unclear about this before, this past year has shown us that Mental Health is something that impacts us all and we must always be thinking of the importance of well-being and how significant it is in reducing stigma.
Our panelists from CMHA Oxford, Oxford County Community Health Centre, Woodstock Hospital and the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic will help us better understand the issues we are all trying to cope with, learn about what trends they are seeing, and help us gain insight and direction on mapping mental health support and services.
Us & Them
November 12, 2020 – Presented by United Way Oxford’s Women United
Homelessness happens here – in Oxford County.
During this pandemic, the crucial need for safe, secure housing has never been more acute. On Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM United Way Oxford and Women United will be hosting a virtual panel discussion to talk about local homelessness, mental health and addiction issues, and available supports to help. This panel will be a community conversation based on the Canadian Documentary “US AND THEM” that the panellists will discuss after viewing, tune in to learn more about homelessness.
Hear from local police, mental health and service professionals to learn about what is happening across Oxford to address the affordable housing crisis, the opioid crisis and more.