Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. a collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the province and throughout our board as it was announced that a provincial agreement with C.U.P.E. educational workers was achieved. For our Board, C.U.P.E. represents roughly 800 support staff, including educational assistants (EAs), early childhood educators (ECEs), school office staff, custodial and maintenance staff, librarians as well as others. We thank all our C.U.P.E staff for the valuable services they provide to our students and to our schools and we are very pleased that a full strike was averted.
One of our goals as a LDCSB community is to be welcoming and to be that Good Samaritan, the one who crosses the road for another, especially when we see a need. We are very fortunate to have United Way in our community whose mandate is to ‘cross the road’ for others and to address the needs of our community.
What do we know about the needs in our community! *
- 1 in 7 people in London live in poverty
- 1 in 5 children in Elgin-St. Thomas, live in poverty
Examples of how United Way has responded:
- 2410 people accessed affordable housing, financial literacy training or emergency shelter, helping them meet urgent basic needs and work toward long-term solutions
- 10,366 students in St. Thomas and Elgin County accessed school snack programs provided by Eat2Learn
- 12, 279 Good Food boxes were distributed by neighbourhood resource centres ensuring low-income families have regular access to vegetables and fruits
What do we know about the needs in our community!
- 1 in 5 will experience a form of mental illness at some point in their life
- Adults with severe mental health problems and illnesses die up to 25 years sooner than adults in the general population
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian youth
Examples of how United Way has responded:
- 18,155 families and seniors accessed physical activity, healthy food or nutrition programs that build healthy habits and increase belonging
- 28,398 calls were made to the CMHA Middlesex Support Line which provides confidential 24/7 therapeutic listening and support to adults experiencing distress
*Source: United Way Elgin Middlesex Website
Within our Board we have launched our United Way Campaign for 2019. Through our personal donations and fundraising initiatives, we can make a difference knowing that our efforts contribute to many positive changes in the lives of people in our communities.
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa