We know it hasn’t been easy. You got this!
As we continue to ride the fourth wave of the pandemic, we are adapting once again. But the September Scaries are behind us. Between back-to-school stress and Steve from Blue’s Clues getting us right in the feels, September was a lot.
October is here and we're ready! Before you start your Hocus Pocus marathon and DIY costume making, we wanted to take a sec to pause and say hey, we’re here.
The pandemic has been weighing on all of us and it can be a lot to carry. Earlier this month, we recognized World Mental Health Day. But every day, we're working with our local partners to make sure more people get the help they need, when they need it.
With your support, we deliver culturally appropriate, affordable, and timely counselling programs, and reach people where they are—by text, phone, and virtual one-on-one sessions. Let’s be there for one another and take care of our own mental wellbeing.
We hope this newsletter is a bright spot in your inbox, giving you just the dose of local love you need to kickstart your day.
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YOUR LOCAL LOVE, IN ACTION
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Support is only a click away
We recently spoke with Jennifer in North Gower about accessing virtual mental health services during COVID-19. She needed help supporting her son through his own challenges and living in a rural area makes it more difficult for people to get the help they need.
However, with services like Counselling Connect, Jennifer was able to find support with the press of a button, in the comfort of her home. Full story coming soon!
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And the award goes to...
The last edition of our newsletter was all Pride everything. But we saved the big reveal for this edition.
With our host and former Community Builder Award recipient, Davy Sabourin, we were joined by our friends at Capital Pride for a very special edition of United Way's Community Builder Awards, recognizing five incredible people who have worked tirelessly to make our communities safer, healthier, and more accepting for 2SLGBTQ+ folx.
Can we get a round of applause for these Community Builder Award recipients?
👏 Kayla and Jenna Spagnoli
👏 Ali Arbeau
👏Osmel B. Guerra Maynes
👏and Pearly Pouponneau
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GET TO KNOW THE GENNEXT ADVOCATES
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Meet Tristan
My name is Tristan and I’m finishing up my undergrad degree at uOttawa.
I play varsity volleyball and have been playing volleyball for 14 years. I’m also a bartender and server part time at a few different restaurants in Ottawa. I have a passion for music, so you will almost always find me with my headphones in.
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My favourite hidden gem in the region is Brown’s Inlet Park, located in the Glebe. My favourite part about it is that it's the community meeting place for all of the dogs in the neighbourhood. I love to go there and meet new puppies all the time.
I wanted to become a GenNext Advocate because I have a shared passion for some of United Way’s core values.
I have come to realize through my political science studies that I am interested in making real change in the community. I believe real change can be made simply by individuals who care.
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This is Community 2021: A morning of local love
On the morning of October 5 at our This is Community event, more than 150 people came together virtually to honour outstanding Community Builders. We're constantly inspired by their service and passion for building a stronger region!
Our region’s four Medical Officers of Health and their health units were also recognized for their continued efforts to bring equity and social justice into health care—especially during COVID-19.
CHECK IT OUT
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Help youth experiencing homelessness
Hygiene products can be expensive—especially for youth facing financial insecurity. But basic necessities like a bar of soap are crucial to staying safe and healthy during the pandemic.
Help us reach our goal of providing hygiene kits for those in need across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County, and Renfrew County. You can contribute individually or participate as a group by registering online.
MAKE A KIT
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A Disruptive Dialogue with Women United
Women, especially women of colour, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Gender-based violence, financial instability, and limited access to supports are major issues that existed before, but COVID-19 has made things much worse. Let’s talk about what we can do to help.
Join Women United for a discussion about the gendered impact of COVID-19 on Tuesday, November 9 at 11:30 AM.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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ISO new partners who want to support their community
You’ll often see us calling our partners ‘friends of GenNext’, and it’s true! We work closely with our partners, and they know they can count on us. Our partners are engaged in their communities—and they show their local love, while meeting their business goals.
We’re always on the lookout for new partners who want to help us make a 100% local impact, and right now we’re also searching for a GenNext program sponsor.
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ON OUR RADAR
We know interesting stories don't stop at our regional border. In ON OUR RADAR, our GenNext team will be collecting and sharing content from around the world that we think deserves your attention.
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📉 Suicides in Canada fell 32 per cent in first year of pandemic compared with year before thanks to social supports, report finds. READ MORE
👏 Ontario students will get free menstrual products thanks to a deal with Shoppers Drug Mart. THE DETAILS
💉 The Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit has kept its crown as the top vaccinator in Ontario. FIND OUT HOW
🎃 Saunders Farm has a new cider house (and it rules!). CHECK IT OUT
📺 New show Sort Of doesn't just break representational barriers — it's also more than sort of great. WATCH IT
🔮 This Halloween, check out this magical local market for witches, mystics, and folks searching for the odd, mystifying & metaphysical. LEARN MORE |
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OLGA’S TOP THREE
Meet our GenNext team members and discover their top three picks you need to read, watch or listen to!
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Hi hi, GenNext friends!
I’m Olga, Digital Marketing Manager for United Way and GenNext East Ontario. My main job is to make sure the community knows about all of the fantastic things we do here by organizing and reporting on digital comms like emails, ads, and newsletters.
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I was born and raised in Russia and moved to Canada 10 years ago and it’s been my second home since. By day, I’m excited to work for an organization that contributes to the wellbeing of local communities, and by night (and weekend), I run a small business that offers wellness teas from Russia as my way to support the economy back home.
This month, I’m stoked to rep the GenNext team and share some of the things I find interesting and I think you will too. 😉
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WHAT I'M WATCHING:
Sex Education
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While I may have been obsessing over Squid Game like most of the world this month, what I’m truly in love with is another one of Netflix's hit series, Sex Education. I definitely missed out on this show a few years ago, but after some serious binge-watching, I cannot recommend this masterpiece enough.
From fantastic writing and filmmaking to incredible casting, the Sex Education series is something that I really could have benefited from in my teen years. And the show is not just educational AF, it’s beyond hilarious. Do yourself a favour and check it out!
STREAM IT ON NETFLIX
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WHAT I'M READING:
The On Canada Project
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I wouldn’t call myself an avid reader and most of my library is filled with Russian literature or profession-related materials. Most of my reading happens online, between conventional and independents news websites and, of course, IG accounts.
One in particular that I’ve been a huge fan of this year is ON CANADA PROJECT. Initially founded in 2020 to fill the gap in official communications about the COVID-19 pandemic for young Canadians, marginalized folks, and those with less privilege, they quickly grew into a powerful community of Millennials & Gen Z, sharing info Canadians need to compassionately disrupt the status quo. Be sure to give them a follow!
CHECK OUT THEIR IG
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WHAT I'M LISTENING TO:
Canadaland Podcast
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I’ve always loved keeping up with politics and what the heck is going on in the world (especially with my home country and Canada’s neighbours, who never seem to keep us bored), but I never paid enough attention to what goes on right here.
That was until I discovered Canadaland, a media network primarily run by independent Canadian journalists. Their podcast is my top-listen every week and they never disappoint with their intelligent and entertaining takes on everything from local issues to media fails. Please listen to them, this show is a true Canadian gem.
LISTEN TO IT HERE
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Become a monthly donor in support of Mental Health by joining GenNext+, so that people can get the help they need, when they need it.
You’ll not only be part of a group that shares in your goals and successes, but you’ll also help drive meaningful change by supporting local programs and initiatives that can deliver a measurable impact.
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Plus, you’ll get special perks, including discounts on our events and extra surprises from our partners.
Your monthly coffee budget can make a huge impact on the lives of local people.
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