The United Way of Bruce Grey’s Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn reflects on the accomplishments made in 2021, and looks forwards to 2022.
Dobbyn says this was a very busy and big year for the United Way, as they have been on the ground since the pandemic broke in 2020.
“Certainly the outbreak in Hanover and the subsequent outbreak in Saugeen First Nation was something we responded to with great support, and incredible support from the community in general to meet the needs of those folks,” says Dobbyn.
She says the United Way continues to work on their food programs in tracking how many people are being fed.
Dobbyn acknowledges, however, the concerns raised by the housing and opioid crises, which have also not improved.
“It has been a year of a lot of work, a lot of struggle, moments of great joy, but at the same time, moments of great concern,” says Dobbyn.
Dobbyn says one of the ongoing struggles the United Way faces, is the need for funding. Adding how difficult it is for the charity to fundraise without special events, as well as engaging and working with others.
“We are a 100 per cent fundraised organization, so there is no government grant, there is no nothing, everything comes from our community,” says Dobbyn.
Dobbyn says moving into the new year, they are looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to Covid. As well as working with their community partners and continuing the partnerships they have worked on over the past two years, to get to real solutions and changing people’s lives in a permanent way.
Dobbyn extends a thanks to the community who have supported the organization.
“We can just put an ask out there for things like socks and people really respond to that,” says Dobbyn. “It really gives you a sense of that you can solve problems and you can help people, and that we can work together as a community and we can come together and get to the end of this pandemic.”
