Programs & Services
All-Together Affordable Housing Corporation
Caring for Others
Day of Caring
Good Backpack
New Funding Streams
Outcomes Measurement
Workers Help Centre & Labour Adjustment
Seeing is Believing Tour
Winter Warmth
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
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All-Together Affordable Housing Corporation
All-Together is a not-for- profit agency whose mandate is to provide and operate residential accommodation for persons of low income. United Way of Quinte was one of four local agencies responsible for the creation of All-Together and we currently play a key role in helping All-Together achieve full sustainability.
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Caring for Others
This fun interactive program is delivered in grade four classrooms across Hastings & Prince Edward Counties across both school boards. United Way of Quinte and its team of volunteers have talked to over 1,500 students about good citizenship, civic responsibility and age appropriate opportunities for volunteering. This 90 minute session fits nicely with the character development curriculum and leaves the student with materials to take home and stimulate a conversation with parents and caregivers.
Training is provided to all volunteers delivering the program and individuals from the business and non-profit communities are required for every session with a UW facilitator leading the way.
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Day of Caring
Day of Caring mobilizes volunteers from local businesses that support United Way and matches them with non-profit agencies throughout Hastings & Prince Edward Counties. Day of Caring is a unique opportunity for employees in a workplace to come together, develop team building skills, and make a difference in our community by taking part in meaningful work projects at local agencies.
Projects range from a half or full day in length and can include construction, restoration, special events and participating in agency work. Anywhere from 3 to 15 employees can be required to complete an agency project. It is an opportunity for employee volunteers to see their donations at work in the community. The projects are great exercise in collaboration, hard work and general all around fun in the spirit of volunteering, while making a difference in our communities.
If an organization is unable to put together a team of volunteers but is still interested in participating in Day of Caring they may be interested in donating or sponsoring materials for specific projects.
What does it mean?
"Day of Caring is such a wonderful opportunity to connect in a more personal way with volunteers from business and corporations to share what our agencies are really all about, while accomplishing much needed projects" - Amy Watkins, Executive Director, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties
"Nortel Employees have participated in Day of Caring for many years sending as many as 20 employees to 7 different agencies. One of the most gratifying experiences was at First Adventure Child Development Centre where 10 volunteers built a shade cover over the sandbox in the pre-school yard, painted chubbies, built and inserted window shelves, created shelving in the toddlers outside storage shed, and raked and turned the sand and gravel in the outdoor play areas. It was a great team building exercise for the employees and showed many of them the benefits brought to local agencies by United Way. We will continue to volunteer our time as long as the nee remains, it's just another way we can give back to the community." - Randy Rombough, Day of Caring Volunteer from Nortel
United Way of Quinte works as a coordinator matching host agencies with workplace teams and facilitating their joint efforts to make the day a success for everyone.
Who benefits?
Local non-profit agencies in Hastings & Prince Edward Counties receive much needed assistance with projects, which in turn allows them to focus their resources on those they serve.
The employer benefits from experience as well, bringing their team together in a new way as everyone pitches in on a project that is very different from their normal workday. It can also generate public visibility for the employer through media opportunities their presence in the community creates.
How you can get involved
For further information about deadlines and guidelines for Day of Caring or to obtain a Company or Agency Participation Form, please contact: Brandi Hodge (bhodge@unitedwayofquinte.ca ), Director of Community Investment.
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Good Backpack
The Good Backpack Program is a partnership project of United Way Quinte, Community Development Council of Quinte, and Volunteer & Information Quinte. The program provides approximately 900 elementary aged children in Hastings & Prince Edward Counties with grade appropriate school supplies to start the school year ready to learn.
Backpacks are available to any student in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. Students must be entering JK to Gr 8 to participate. Back Packs are only $10 each (cash only). Payment is required at time of registration.
Waiting lists are available.
Registration takes place in every community in July, dates are circulated in the June edition of school newsletters and can be found on this site or by contacting either of the partner agencies.
To support this program, both financial and in-kind donations are gratefully accepted. Contact United Way offices or visit the following locations:
Stuff the Bus
The Quinte Mall, Parkhurst Transportation and Quinte Broadcasting make this project possible every year in mid-August. A school bus is parked inside the Mall and individuals and retailers are encouraged to purchase school supplies to stuff the bus. All contributions are given to the Good Backpack Program for distribution.
Stack the Pack
Wal-Mart, Rhino bag, and Starboard Communications partner on this initiative every August to also solicit school supplies and cash donations from local residents. All items are distributed through the Good Backpack program.
For the online registration form click here
For the Good Backpack Program Shopping List click here
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New Funding Streams
United Way of Quinte is currently in the process of developing New Funding Streams that will benefit youth, funded, and non-funded social service agencies in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
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Outcomes Measurement
United Way of Quinte works closely with our funded programs to facilitate a shift in how we all measure the value of the programs we deliver. The process of measuring outcomes assists program staff and volunteers to gather information that is important, qualify it, compare it against indicators of success, set reasonable targets and communicate important, valid information, greatly improving effectiveness and efficiencies.
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Workers Help Centre & Labour Adjustment
A project of United Way of Quinte and Quinte Labour Council, the Workers Help Centre & Labour Adjustment is open to unionized and non-unionized employees requiring assistance with any number of employment issues including EI or WSIB claims. The centre also advises individuals on health and safety issues and workplace concerns. Workers can also be linked with available employment, upgrading and other community services through the various workshops, referrals and training opportunities provided. The Quinte Regional Adjustment Centre operates as a program of the Workers Help Centre & Labour Adjustment. This program was established to assist unemployed workers find meaningful, sustainable jobs by making appropriate referrals to Employment Ontario and other community services as required. Call to schedule an appointment or drop by United Way of Quinte office, 249 William Street in Belleville, on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Seeing is Believing Tour
Board the bus with us to see the impact that United Way of Quinte has in our community. The Seeing is Believing Tour provides individuals with an opportunity to see first hand their donations at work. Tour participants visit local agencies and programs and meet the front line workers and recipients of services. There is no charge for this unique experience.
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Winter Warmth
This program was created to assist low-income households, at or below the poverty line, who are struggling to pay their Union Gas heating bill. Coordinated by United Way of Quinte in partnership with Belleville Community Trust and sponsored by Union Gas, the Winter Warmth program provides one-time financial assistance grants of up to a maximum of $500 for individuals and families who are in arrears and are facing service disconnection.
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Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, or LEAP, is a comprehensive and year round emergency financial assistance program developed by the Ontario Energy Board in order to assist low-income energy customers better manage their bill payments and energy costs. LEAP is a grant program intended to provide emergency relief to eligible low-income customers of utilities and unit sub-metering providers who may be experiencing difficulty paying current arrears. It is not intended to provide regular or ongoing bill payment assistance. LEAP currently supports clients of Veridian and Hydro One.