Although the organization that we are highlighting in this weeks Community Partner spotlight may be small in size, it is large in its community impact. The Help Centre falls under our focus area of moving people from poverty to possibility. At United Way, we are helping to meet the basic needs of our community’s most vulnerable people, giving everyone the opportunity to realize a better future. Continue reading this week’s Community Partner spotlight to hear a story of a changed life that was made possible by your support.
The Help Centre is a non-profit organization funded by Northumberland United Way and was founded out of the Labour Movement in 1983. Throughout the years, The Help Centre has offered different programs and services to secure the stability of disadvantaged residents in our community. The goals of their services are to reduce the rate of poverty in our community, reduce barriers to employment, provide housing stability, increase the ability of low-income residents to manage their finances, and provide residents with the necessary tools to empower them to enhance the quality of life for their families.
With a small staff, The Help Centre delivers a wide variety of programs and services that are not addressed by other government or social service agencies. The Help Centre has become an organization most visited and referred to by clients and other agencies in Northumberland County. Their programs and services have a tremendous impact and contribute to healing and strengthening our community.
Impact Story
“My name is Betty and I am a 90 year old senior. I have worked with the Housing Support Worker at The Help Centre since July 2021. Since this time, The Help Centre has showed me great care and especially during the pandemic by doing wellness check-in calls to make sure I had access to medication, food and community resource. When I first called The Help Centre, I had been staying the winter months in a motel and spring and summer at my trailer. I could no longer afford to stay in a motel so they were able to find for me a temporary lodging that was closer to my income. This past summer my trailer had a water leak leaving much black mold. I contacted The Help Centre once again to get assistance to find an accessible place to settle and stop moving around as I’m getting too old to continue this. On October 1, I was able to move into my new home in Colborne. The continuous support in helping me find a home in this difficult time meant the world to me as I was getting scared I would end up homeless at 90 years old. I look forward to further supports from The Help Centre.” – Betty, Help Centre Client