2025-2026 United Way WRC_Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 18
Leading New
Conversations
Supported by Gore Mutual, United Way
Waterloo Region began building the
foundation for a community conversation
about social enterprise and organizational
sustainability. Through community investments,
partner engagement, and planning activities,
United Way identified growing interest in
revenue diversification and mission-aligned
enterprise approaches across the non-profit
sector. During the year, United Way engaged
The Community Company to provide
specialized expertise and support the
development of a cross-sector learning
opportunity, including the design of a presession survey to better understand the
interests, experiences, and questions of
participating organizations. Together, this work
helped lay the groundwork for future
conversations
focused
on
innovation,
sustainability, and strengthening community
impact.
Donate a Mattress
Program
In March 2026, United Way Waterloo
Region helped launch Sleep Country
Canada’s Donate a Mattress Program
locally in partnership with Shelter
Movers, Argus Residence for Young
People, Starling Community Services,
and other community partners. The
program provides donated mattresses
and box springs to people moving from
homelessness or housing instability into
stable housing.
The need was immediate. In the
program’s first weeks, local organizations
—including oneROOF Youth Services,
House of Friendship, The Working Centre,
Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo
Region, and Adventure4Change—
requested 50 mattresses and box
springs to support clients across
emergency, supportive, transitional,
and permanent housing programs.
Shelter Movers coordinated deliveries,
helping ensure mattresses reached those
who needed them most. While demand
has outpaced available supply, the
program has already become an
important community resource, helping
more residents start their next chapter
with dignity and comfort.
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