United Way announced they’re committed to raising $1.2 Million for projects in Simcoe-Muskoka, in the October 8, 2024 Lake of Bays Council meeting.

In their presentation, they indicated they’re launching a campaign “to increase the depth of our impact across Muskoka.”

Their projects aim to support issues such as food insecurity, mental health challenges, housing and homelessness, and income stability by collaborating with community partners, according to their report.

It adds that their projects will involve supporting individuals and communities.

It continues that a list of ongoing community projects include:

• Getting Ahead Around Muskoka for women, youth, and Indigenous people in rural areas, will provide a network of support, and increase opportunities for accessing programs for the above issues.
• The Mobile Youth Hub will provide a safe gathering space for youth in rural and remote areas.
• The Art Engagement Project is to help young people to thrive while addressing issues such as racism and mental health “in a more empathetic school system.”

Chief Executive Brian Shelley advised that other initiatives include an Urgent Needs Fund, Low Income Energy Assist, Reaching Home Funds, and the new Home Relief Fund Bank (HRFB) that will be launched in 2025.

He said the new HRFB is a 3-year interest-free loan designed to help with things such as paying the rent. He described it as being “for the working poor,” and is a more helpful alternative to other loans.

According to Shelley, 51% of people that seek pay-day loans are “likely to declare bankruptcy.” So, the HRFB is a flexible option that won’t impact borrowers' credit rating, and as the loans get paid, the money goes back into the community.

Councillor Mike Peppard expressed appreciation that projects are targeting rural areas that he referred to as “a tough nut to crack.” He also inquired about how mental health issues will be targeted “if you don’t know you need help.”

Shelley indicated that although the United Way aren’t experts in this area, they collaborate with community partners that are and that “know good candidates for loans.”

He added that they are currently in the development stages of this project that will launch in January.

He explained that it’s “an opportunity to instill dignity.” He said, "It’s not a handout, it’s a hand up.”