About United Way Niagara
Our Mission
Empower everyone to improve lives and build strong communities
Our Vision
Everyone in every community has the opportunity to reach their full potential
Our Values
Demonstrate trust, integrity, respect, inclusivity and transparency
Energize and inspire volunteerism and volunteer leadership
Endorse innovation, partnerships and collective action
Provide non-partisan leadership
Embrace diversity
What we do
United Way Niagara exists to support the most vulnerable people, when and where they need it, by investing in life-changing programs that strengthen the social safety net and build capacity in Niagara. We face poverty head on, addressing the interconnected issues it causes every day; homelessness, food insecurity, isolation, mental health and addiction. United, we address the challenges of today – meeting basic, urgent needs – while building a stronger community for everyone who lives here, paving the way for a better tomorrow.
Learn more about our community investment here.
As the largest non-governmental supporter of social services in the region, we’re dedicated to creating the opportunities people need to improve their lives and build a better future. Our work is fuelled by research and powerful partnerships, which allow us to identify gaps and responsibly mobilize volunteer and financial resources for the most direct impact: effecting positive and lasting change, right here where we all live, work and raise our families.
United Way is governed by an autonomous volunteer Board of Directors that, along with staff and many more volunteers, helps to build a caring community we can all enjoy. At United Way, we work every day to cultivate trust. We pride ourselves on being responsible, transparent stewards of the community’s resources and your generous support. Our ethical-fundraising and financial-accountability practices, from our policies to our operating standards and accreditation, speak for themselves.
Meet Our Campaign Cabinet
Board of Directors
PAM LILLEY
Chair | MNP LLP
AKRAM ASKOUL
Vice-Chair | Niagara Regional Police Service
JASON BURGESS
Treasurer | City of Niagara Falls
PATRICK MALONEY
Honourary Solicitor | Sullivan Mahoney LLP
LOU ANN BINNING
Labour Liaison Officer | Niagara Regional Labour Council
APRIL COTTON
Breakwater Investment Inc
SARA HOLMES
Meridian Credit Union
JEFF KLASSEN
Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro
KAILASH MANOHAR
Niagara Fallsview Casino
MARIA MENECHELLA
Niagara 21st Group Inc.
RODERICK MCDOWELL
Deputy Judge / Deacon, Anglican Church of Canada
DORITA PENTESCO
Niagara College Canada
SEAN SIMPSON
SRx Simpson’s Pharmasave
Labour Partnership
United Way and Labour – working together to strengthen communities across Canada
United Way and the Canadian Labour Congress have been partners since 1988 – working together to strengthen communities across Canada. The partnership developed around a common interest: ensuring that workers and working families have the support they need to succeed.
Unions across Canada are longstanding and generous contributors to United Way campaigns, encouraging members to volunteer and give. But the partnership goes much deeper than just financial support. Labour representatives advocate for those in need in their communities and serve on United Way’s board and committees.
Each year, United Way partners with unions across Niagara to improve lives in local communities. In 2016, Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff endorsed the national partnership and our continued commitment to working together.