The United Way office in Wallaceburg is closing.
The United Way of Chatham-Kent said the outreach office will be closing April 1, 2020 and services will be delivered through an outreach model to meet people and partners where they are.
The agency added the change in service delivery will free up around $6,500 a year that was spent on office space and those dollars can now be used to improve services.
"These changes will increase the level of service we are able to provide to local residents in the Wallaceburg area," promised Steve Pratt, chief executive oficer of United Way of Chatham-Kent. "In 2018-2019, United Way-funded programs served 6,778 people in North Kent, and that number only continues to rise year-over-year."
The United Way also said programs are being duplicated and the funds can better be used to help those in need.
"Over the past few years, we have witnessed a transition in how people want to connect with our services at our Wallaceburg outreach office with more and more folks reaching out via telephone and online versus physically walking through our doors," said Brad Langford, president of United Way of Chatham-Kent’s Board of Directors.
The Wallaceburg library will now be used as a meeting place for those who still need face to face support. The branch offers a joint municipally funded program with Employment and Social Services that provides some of the same supports offered by the Wallaceburg United Way office.
"Not only are dollars unlocked, but our team as well because this will allow us to become more flexible to meet with individuals and families in need in the community where and when it works best for them," added Pratt.
Residents can call (519) 627-5292 or stop by the library and ask for an appointment. Staff is available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Brian Armitage, Director of Labour United, also wants to reassure the residents of Wallaceburg and area that he is still available to meet with them in-person, over the phone, or through email.
The United Way of Chatham-Kent funds an average of 30 programs and services every year that support over 40,000 local residents each year.
