United Way Fraser Valley invests $217,844 into local programs

24 organizations around the Fraser Valley have received funding to help them run some very important programs. United Way of the Fraser Valley made cheque presentations to them yesterday and executive director Wayne Green says it’s something they’re happy to do.

“We’ve polled the community, and we’ve asked ‘what are the most important issues in the community?’  This is our way of investing dollars in those issues.  The issues are poverty reduction, affordable housing and homelessness and ensuring kids 0-6 succeed.  So today, we gave out $217,000.  I say ‘gave’ but really we invested…no different than any other investment anyone else makes in their community.  We put dollars in the community to ensure services are there.”

Every year, organizations apply for these priority grants. The $217,844 this year is the most United Way has ever been able to give. Cyrus Centre, Abbotsford Community Services and the Ann Davis Transition Society were among those who received grants this year to fund programs.

This year, Prospera Credit Union stepped up to sponsor one of the programs being run by the Elizabeth Fry Society, a program to help parents who were homeless. The organization received $8,800.

United Way of the Fraser Valley raised $825,000 through their 2014 campaign, and Green says hopefully they will continue to increase their fundraising so they can give even more back.