Helping neighbours in need

All the while, looking towards long-term community development. Our mission today: “To become THE fundraising organization on which West Island community groups can count on for growth, solidarity and resources, so that ALL West Islanders can gain access to vital programs and services, when needed.”

As a fundraising umbrella organization, WICS distributed $550,000 last April, bringing the cumulative total to over $ 3.1 million since our inception. Last year alone, we helped 25 different community groups, who in turn helped 28,000 residents, including 10,000 children.

The needs of our community are real, and growing. We have seniors living with a loss of autonomy requiring meals at home; at-risk youth needing guidance; women who have been sexually assaulted; caregivers needing support; families in crisis; disadvantaged residents requiring the basics; citizens living with disabilities, mental illness, cancer or arthritis; and children and families living in poverty. The programs and services our community groups provide are important to maintain a strong and healthy West Island community, which becomes especially important in an aging society. We need to ensure their continuity, allowing them to respond to the demand for services.

As a concerned citizen, what can you do? Support WICS. We are proud to state that 100 per cent of all donations received are distributed back to our community. We are able to do that, as we have eight strong corporate partners behind us who cover all of

our administrative costs: Pfizer, Avon, Desjardins-Caisse Populaire Ste. Geneviève de Pierrefonds and the Federation, IMS, Merck Frosst, Novartis, Schering-Plough and Tenaquip.

WICS also benefits from a truly dedicated and professional Board of Directors, as well as a Fund Distribution Committee. The 12 individuals on the Fund Distribution Committee ensure that your donation is not only going to the right place, but that the monies are being well used. This committee visits each group twice a year, studies their financial statements, and has open and honest discussions about the priorities and preoccupations of the group. With this thorough process in place, who better understands the needs of the community?

One in five West Islanders turns to a community group for help each year. We may not be personally affected today, but these needs are real — these are societal issues, not rare occurrences. A family member, a dear friend, or even you may need the help of one of these precious community groups one day.

It’s now 2007. Ten years have passed since WICS was born. We have been successful in achieving many goals in pursuit of our original vision. We have succeeded in establishing our credibility with prominent corporate partners, key opinion leaders in the community and a core of generous and supportive donors and volunteers. Twenty-five non-profit community groups depend on us to at least continue funding at the current levels. They look to us for leadership and our ability to appeal to decision makers and the media about local issues. They have confessed the gravity of their needs and they grapple with uncontrollable risks: reduced government funding, increased costs and increased demand for their services.

When you don’t know about something, you can act indifferently, or plead ignorance. But, now you know. You know why West Island Community Shares was created. You know that there are groups whose needs are not being met. You know that there are more groups that we would like to assist. Let’s address together the obvious needs of the West Island. Giving locally makes sense. You can make a difference.

— Heather Holmes is the interim executive director of West Island Community Shares.ꆱ