Queen’s is helping curb food insecurity, addiction, and homelessness in Kingston.
United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington (KFL&A), a charity organization supporting Kingston agencies, announced their highest campaign goal ever at St. Lawrence College on Sept. 6.
This year, United Way of KFL&A plans to raise $3,950,000 for 50 partner agencies including the Canadian Mental Health Association and Youth Diversion, a non-profit organization supporting at-risk youth. The campaign, which last year exceeded its $3,820,000 goal by $100,000, ends on Nov. 28.
Funds are primarily raised through individual donations, Joanne Langlois, 2024 United Way KFL&A campaign chair, said in an interview with The Journal. The campaign acts in response to a rise in food insecurity, drug addiction, and homelessness in Kingston.
During her 32-year tenure at United Way, Langlois saw first-hand the challenges vulnerable community members face.
“People who are forced to live like this, they need to be seen. They need to have their needs addressed. I think the United Way helps these people be seen,” Langlois said.
Queen’s is helping United Way raise awareness of these widespread issues. Last year, the University contributed around 10 per cent of the total $3,820,000 raised by United Way and is setting a campus target of $450,000 for the 2024 campaign, James Ligthart, chair of the Queen’s United Way campus campaign, explained in an interview with The Journal.
Ligthart, who attended the campaign announcement last week, said funds from Queen’s are primarily raised through staff, faculty, and retiree giving, payroll deductions, and one-time gifts. AMS President Owen Rocchi, Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) President Emils Matiss, and Rector of Queen’s University Niki Boytchuk-Hale attended the announcement and are working with Ligthart to increase student engagement with United Way.
“For me personally, giving to the Queen’s campaign is a way that I can donate some time and some money to give to the United Way, who can make sure that my donation can have a better impact on a larger scale,” Ligthart said.
Lionshearts Inc., an organization that eradicates food insecurity through redistribution efforts and the Community Food Redistribution Warehouse (CFRW) are two agencies that United Way helps thrive, Ligthart said. Located off Highway 401, the CFRW received several 1,000 pounds of potatoes that were given to charities in Kingston that address food insecurity, he added.
The Integrated Care Hub (ICH) is another agency that has relied on United Way for support. The ICH aids individuals facing homelessness and addiction in Kingston.
While the ICH receives funding from both the Ontario Ministry of Health and the City of Kingston, United Way fills in the gaps, Carol Ravnaas, executive director of client services at Addictions & Mental Health Services (KFLA), said in an interview with The Journal. United Way raised $300,000 for ICH in 2023, she added.
“When it’s freezing cold outside and we don’t have enough spots and the shelters are full, United Way will give us money to buy warm clothing, hats, mittens, and supplies that we need in a pinch,” Ravnaas said.
United Way also provided new furniture to ICH. They’ve been an immense help, especially as ICH sees an increasing number of vulnerable community members come to their doorstep, Ravnaas explained.
“We just don’t get enough funding, and so they really help with the gaps between funding. When the ICH was originally set up, it was based on 25 people using it a day and we now serve well over 100 people. Sometimes 150 people,” Ravnaas said. “United Way and the local community, in supporting their fellow citizens, is really what keeps this place afloat.”
Tags
fundraising, Integrated Care Hub, United Way KFL&A
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