NIGEL HAD A DIFFICULT UPBRINGING. DUE TO SOCIAL PHOBIA AND ANXIETY HE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL WHEN HE WAS 13 YEARS OLD AND SPENT THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS SURROUNDED BY ADDICTION ISSUES AND LIVING IN POVERTY.

He had resigned himself to living this lifestyle as he became an adult and started a family. That all changed when Nigel and his girlfriend Jamie-Lynn got pregnant with their second child. Nigel knew he had to turn his life around and wanted to earn his grade 12 education. This is what led him to Street School.

Street School is an adult education program in Kamloops through School District #73. Many of the students at Street School face barriers such as histories of trauma and abuse, poverty, and disability. This is where United Way funding comes in because School District #73 can only provide teachers. In partnership with Interior Community Services, the United Way Community Fund supports the Literacy Outreach Worker. Tonia supports over 700 adults including 50 recent graduates in 2014. The youngest student was 21 and the oldest 78.

Without Tonia, Street School would be like any other adult education program, but the benefit of her position and the support it provides makes it so much more than that. She connects students to resources, helps them find housing and/or addiction treatment and assists them in accessing post-secondary education and employment.

“Tonia and the staff at Street School believed in me more than I did myself,” Nigel says. “If I had a chance to send a message to kids who can relate to my experiences I would say your education is the future of your success. We are the next generation. Embrace it.”

Education is the future of your success.UNITED WAY FUNDING SUPPORTS A YOUNG FATHER AS HE GOES BACK TO SCHOOL.

Nigel was able to channel

a very useful outlet for his

anxiety through writing and

poetry. Below is a poem he

wrote about living in poverty.

POVERTYBy Nigel A. Scurt

Poverty is where I’ve been.

It is the air that I breathe,

The blood that I bleed and the people I see.

When people look at me I wonder what they see, is it me, or poverty.

Reporting on 2013/14 Impact of Dollars Invested

Our collective investment is making a difference

TOGETHER, WE MADE A DIFFERENCE LAST YEAR

United Way funded two Community Centres in rural areas that bring together over 10 agencies to meet the needs of the community in one central location.

United Way supported over 60 organizations throughout our region that helped change the lives of individuals and families.

Over 2,700 volunteer hours were donated to the non-profit community through 47 United Way Days of Caring®.

Programs, organizations and grants supported by United Way helped over 5,000 children and youth in our region.

The value of collaboration to create better communities is evident. In 2013, the combined effort of people in the Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region resulted in $2.1 million to help people build better lives. Added to the money raised are assets like leadership, generosity, innovation and influence. Collectively this enables us to help kids be all that they can be, move people from poverty to possibility and build strong communities.

LAST YEAR UNITED WAY PROVIDED FUNDING TO NO LESS THAN 50 ORGANIZATIONS WORKING COLLECTIVELY HELPING OVER 10,682 INDIVIDUALS.

The issues facing our citizens and communities today are very complex. We know that investing in strong organizations and communities means more than just providing dollars. Last year we were able to secure funds to not only prevent a local non-profit from closing its doors, but more importantly work closely with them to address sustainability and risk management. An important role for United Way is to support organizations to build and maintain the skills, infrastructure and resources needed to realize their mission. Supporting capacity allows them to do the work they do best; changing lives.

Perhaps Street School Valedictorian Tanita Warman – given a second chance thanks to United Way donors – said it best: “I think the most important thing we have learned is how to work together as a community, respect each other’s differences and recognize how much we need each other to succeed.”

Behind every changed life is someone who made it happen. It is only because of the generosity of people from all walks of life – people like you – that any of this is possible. Thank you.

Brenda AynsleyExecutive Director, United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo

2

61

2,726

5,070

www.unitedwaytnc.ca

$1,000 PROVIDES A FAMILY WITH A ONE-TIME LOAN TO PREVENT THEM

FROM LOSING THEIR HOME

STRONG COMMUNITIES

United Way funded 59 programs to help build strong communities. These programs include ensuring seniors experiencing elder abuse have a place to stay, providing access to affordable dental care and supporting families fleeing domestic violence.

ALL THAT KIDS CAN BE

United Way funded 70 programs to give children and youth opportunities to thrive. These programs include matching children with a mentor and a friend, helping children get to school on time with a healthy breakfast and providing outreach for homeless and at-risk youth.

FROM POVERTY TO POSSIBILITY

United Way funded 37 programs to enable people to move out of poverty. These programs include enabling people to find employment, supporting them to find housing and preventing families from being evicted due to financial instability.27+K

43+K59

United Way funds are targeted to achieve maximum impact in our region

30+K

“ The work completed by volunteers in one day would have taken us more than a year to complete on our own.” ®

27% of funds

30% of fund

s

43%o

f fund

s

$312 PROVIDES A SENIOR WITH

YARD WORK AND FRIENDLY VISITS SO THEY CAN STAY IN

THEIR HOMES LONGER

$520 PROVIDES 26 BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS

TO START SCHOOL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

PROGRAMS

70PROGRAMS

37PROGRAMS

Why do you support United Way?

177 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2A1

(250) 372-9933

www.unitedwaytnc.ca

/unitedwaytnc

@unitedwaytnc

Help us change the story.

#changestartshere

“I believe that we could all just as easily end up needing help as giving help – life can be unpredictable.United Way understands that unpredictable circumstances happen and provides an easy way to lend a hand. If I ever need help, I know I’ll be glad it’s there.”

Lucille GnanasihamanyAVP of Marketing and Communications at Thompson Rivers University

“I feel very lucky and privileged for what I have in this world, and I choose to give, to help others.

Giving to United Way leverages my families donation to help as many as we possibly can. By giving to United Way, I truly believe that we are serving our communities greatest needs. It feels good to give!”

Mark GrimmBranch Manager of Interior Savings Tranquille Branch and United Way donor for 20 years

“It is important to donate time and money back into the community because not everyone has the same life experiences and comes from the same life of opportunity that I

do. When I heard the void some of these programs are filling in our community it was very humbling and made me realize how great I have things.”

Terri YoungEmployee Campaign Coordinator at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans