United Way Overview

Key Social Issues

United Way of the Lower Mainland has a role and a responsibility to tackle our community’s key social issues in the most profound way. Our role: to build a healthy, caring, inclusive community; a community that we are all proud to call home. Our responsibility: to do it with integrity and courage and to ensure sustainability and embrace diversity, every step of the way.

Three Key Social Issues

For eight decades United Way has been helping the most vulnerable among us; we support seniors to age with dignity and purpose, connect isolated immigrants and help provide a life-line to children whose parents work numerous jobs just to make ends meet.

Research and community consultation tells us that by focusing on the following key social issues, we can help prevent problems, like poverty, in a way that will benefit us all:

Key Social Issue 1

Almost 30% of children entering kindergarten are considered developmentally vulnerable. If left unsupported this can affect a child’s success at school and in life.

United Way Priority: Success By 6. Our goal: School readiness for young children.

By helping young children start school with the developmental skills they need to succeed, United Way enables children to reach their full potential.

Key Social Issue 2

Children in their middle years are experiencing an increased sense of isolation and disconnection.

United Way priority: Helping children 6-12. Our goal: Health, happiness and resiliency for school-age children.

By providing children age 6-12 with the support and resources they need, United Way sets them on the path to success, away from school drop out, crime and poverty.

Key Social Issue 3

One in four seniors live in poverty and in just ten years seniors will outnumber children in many Lower Mainland communities.

United Way Priority: Helping seniors. Our goal: Independent & engaged seniors.

By providing seniors with the support they need now to stay independent and engaged in the community, United Way prevents isolation and related health problems.

To understand how we make a difference, please see How We Work.