Greater Victoria's United Way has set what they call a "bold goal" of raising $15-Million over the next 3 years. President and CEO Patricia Jelinski says the organization is a multi-year funder so it makes sense to set a multi-year goal.
Jelinski says besides funding a network of social services United Way has launched a new 2-1-1 help line to benefit all islanders:
" You can go online at BC211.ca, you can call 211, you can text 211, and you get immediate help. There are trained information and referral specialists available 24/7, 365 days a year. It's completely confident. It's available in over 160 different language as and dialects."
Jelinski says callers will get immediate referrals and help for small things like advice on minor things like where to register a child for kindergarten, to more significant problems like where to receive respite care for loved ones.
Last year Greater Victoria United Way funded 109 programs which helped improve the lives of 111-thousand people.