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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 9, 20 20 | 14 It's in your hands. Make sure your favourite business or professional is nominated for the Georgetown Acton Independent & Free Press' 2020 Readers' Choice Awards. The Georgetown Acton Independent & Free Press Readers' Choice Awards were created so you can tell us which local businesses and service providers are the best at what they do. Once the nominations close on July 25, 2020, the nominees will be shortlisted and you will have the chance to vote for your favourite. Help make your favourite local business become a Georgetown Acton Independent & Free Press Readers' Choice. NomiNatioNs NowopeN Start nominating now at theifp.ca/RC Over the past year, the United Way Halton & Hamilton has ad- dressed multiple crucial prob- lems in its community, from do- mestic violence and mental ill- ness, to unemployment, home- lessness, poverty and hunger. "Next to the government, Unit- ed Ways across Canada are the largest funders of social services in the country," said UWHH pres- ident and CEO Brad Park, in a virtual presentation of the UWHH impact report for 2019-20. Through the efforts of com- munity partners, supporters and donors, vital funding was provid- ed to 64 agencies offering 128 pro- grams, said Park. "These programs are the crit- ical components of the social safety net necessary in order for our community to be a place where no one gets left behind ... the number of people we support is staggering and is very telling of our reality." More than 209,195 people "fac- ing unimaginable barriers" were helped by the UWHH in the past 12 months, 26,018 of those being seniors, and 23,365 children and youth. "We know that seniors are the fastest growing demographic in society and they're among some of the most vulnerable, confront- ing isolation, loneliness and often require specialized vital sup- ports." Investing in youth is one of the best strategies to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, in- crease high school graduation rates, improve a sense of belong- ing, reduce crime rates and drive our economic future, he said. In Ontario, 12 per cent of households are food insecure, meaning that approximately one in every 10 kids or seniors won't know where their next meal is coming from, said Park. "When people are hungry, it's difficult to maintain employ- ment, look for work, it impacts cognitive function and lack of food prevents children from be- ing able to focus and learn in school .... food is often one of those items households will sac- rifice when it comes to paying for heat, hydro and rent." To combat rising mental ill- ness, "we must continue to offer programs that help people feel a sense of belonging, a sense of re- lief and the ability to better han- dle life's challenges." The pandemic uncovered cracks in the social service sys- tem and United Ways have been on the front lines raising vital dollars, supporting front-line workers and advocating for feder- al relief funds to lift up the most vulnerable, he said. "There are now more people on the edge of crisis, facing im- mense barriers such as poverty, mental illness and isolation. The stress on individuals, families and seniors is high. People, fami- ly and neighbourhoods have been pushed to their limits and the so- cial sector is being stretched be- yond its limits to serve them." As emergency needs and pri- orities continue to evolve, it will take months, more likely years, to recover and rebuild, said Park. UWHH emergency funds used to respond to the pandemic are a short-term, temporary solution; stable, long-term funding is need- ed, he said. "This year's annual fundrais- ing campaign will be more criti- cal than any year in the past. We will raise every dollar we can to support our community's most vulnerable." 'MORE PEOPLE ON THE EDGE OF CRISIS' KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com NEWS UNITED WAY HALTON HAMILTON REVIEWS MYRIAD OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS FROM THE PAST YEAR Brad Park "People, family and neighbourhoods have been pushed to their limits and the social sector is being stretched beyond its limits to serve them." - United Way Halton & Hamilton president and CEO Brad Park