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Four non-profits in Hay River get United Way NWT funding

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Tracy St. Denis is the chair of United Way NWT.

Four non-profit organizations in Hay River have received funding from the United Way NWT as part of its annual Community Investment Fund.

Three of the groups received $7,500 each — the Hay River Soup Kitchen, the Hay River Seniors' Society and the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

Tracy St. Denis is the chair of United Way NWT.
NNSL file photo

Plus, the Association franco-culturelle de Hay River received $3,750.

The funding was announced on March 9.

In all, 18 non-profit organizations around the NWT will receive up to $7,500 each in new funding for their 2021 programming for an overall total of $157,500.

"This year has been exceptional in many ways," said Tracy St. Denis, chairwoman of United Way NWT, in a news release. "We have had amazing opportunities to share funds with NWT programs and to help them pivot due to Covid-19 and have seen our communities come together in incredible ways to help support Northerners. It's been incredible to keep the momentum going."

In comments to The Hub, St. Denis complimented the work being done by non-profits in Hay River.

"What we've seen over the last three to four years in the partnerships between the Hay River non-profits and the United Way, it's really flourished," she said. "There's a great volunteer base and some great work being done in Hay River."

St. Denis added that the organizations are doing work that tie into United Way NWT's priority areas of helping children, promoting healthy communities and easing poverty.

"We're absolutely pleased to be able to provide some funding," she said.

With the most recent funding, the Hay River Soup Kitchen will provide meals and personal care items to people, the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities will help people access its emergency shelter, and the Association franco-culturelle de Hay River will offer a leadership camp and do some work around traditional knowledge.

The Hay River Seniors' Society will use its funding in a number of areas, including food security, homecare, transportation, and to buy a new television for its clubroom so seniors will gather there and not be isolated in their homes.

Sandra Lester, the vice-president of the Hay River Seniors' Society, said the organization appreciates the support from United Way NWT.

"I have to say we're eternally grateful for that," Lester said. "And we work very hard to try to put the money in the right places."