How a credit union and its employees are working together to help families in need

Two years ago, a group of staff at Your Neighbourhood Credit Union (YNCU) decided to help people experiencing poverty by volunteering and raising money for Ray of Hope. Their commitment sparked a wave of generosity that — in partnership with their employer — contributed more than $8,000 to our Community Centre programs.

Now, YNCU is sharing how other organizations can build on the causes their employees and customers care about to nurture a positive workplace culture and create a stronger community.

YNCU staff and their families participated in the Coldest Night of the Year walk in 2022 and 2023. This year, they raised more than $8,000 for Ray of Hope programs.

Good neighbours

Archie Bonifacio, YNCU’s Chief Community Officer, explains that YNCU and its employees believe in giving back. The organization invests in the neighbourhoods where it operates through grants, donations, and volunteering.

The relationship with Ray of Hope began with YNCU staff who participated in the 2022 Coldest Night of the Year walk. Many of them also chose Ray of Hope as the beneficiary of YNCU’s Good Neighbours Employee Volunteer Program, which allows staff to designate community investment dollars to causes they’re involved with.

“Coldest Night aligned so much with our organization’s focus on helping families in need — it really was a perfect fit,” Archie says. In fact, the level of enthusiasm for the cause among staff and members prompted YNCU to make additional corporate donations.

A sense of pride

Since then, YNCU has continued its support in other ways, including participating in and sponsoring the upcoming Ray of Hope Golf Classic which raises funds for our Youth Support Services programs.

“As a neighbourhood-focused, community-hearted organization, we don’t want to just write a cheque,” Archie says. “We look for causes that align with our purpose and that our staff and members want to get involved in. That engagement generates discussion and camaraderie and a sense of pride.”

“Staff are already talking about next year’s Coldest Night walk,” he adds.

How to start

Archie recommends that business owners who want to start their own corporate giving program ask themselves these questions:

1. What causes align with the purpose and values of your organization?
2. What causes excite your staff and membership/customers?
3. Who among your staff will be willing to get behind this cause by volunteering or leading activities?
4. Is this a cause you would want to support out of your own resources?

“YNCU believes in the triple bottom line: profit, people, planet. Profit is an important goal, but it’s not the only goal,” Archie says. “We thrive when our communities thrive.”

With so many of our volunteers taking a well-deserved summer holiday over July and August, we are looking for Group Meal Teams.

Group Meal Teams are extremely valuable partners in the Ray of Hope Community Centre’s (ROHCC) daily meal program. They provide, prepare and serve hot, nutritious meals for our community members who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, addictions or mental health concerns. Serving on a meal team is a chance to see first-hand how your support makes a difference.

Members of C3KW church prepare a meal at the Ray of Hope Community Centre

How it works

Teams have 8 to 12 members, and all members should be at least 18 years of age. To find an available date for your group, please click the gold Meal Team Calendar button at the bottom of our Volunteer web page.

Your group can choose to create your own meal plan, shop for ingredients and bring them with you to the ROHCC. Alternatively, ROHCC staff can acquire ingredients and have them ready when you arrive. In this case, your group simply brings a cheque for $850 with you. However, you MUST let Jaime Wright, Manager of Volunteer Services, know your preference in advance.

Find out more

Please contact Jaime at volunteer@rayofhope.net for more information about the meal program and the support that’s available to your group if you’d like to serve in this important way. Thank you!

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Play golf, help kids

Join us on Monday, June 19, 2023, for a fun-filled afternoon of golf and camaraderie at the beautiful Rebel Creek Golf Club. Test your skills in our putting challenge, closest to the pin and straightest drive contests. Our 2023 goal is to raise $60,000 for Ray of Hope’s Youth Support Services.

A dinner buffet, complete with prizes, follows your day out on the course.

Golf registration is $185 per person and $740 per foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Email golfclassic@rayofhope.net or call 519-578-8018 x 217 to find out more.

Last year’s event sold out quickly. Don’t be disappointed. Register today!

Registration and Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to noon
Tournament Tee Off: noon
Buffet Dinner and Prizes: 6:30 p.m.

We are truly grateful for the outpouring of support during the 2022 Golf Classic, and we are looking forward to a successful event in 2023. Hope to see you there!

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Help a neighbour in need

When you give, you make life a little easier for people in our community who are struggling with food insecurity. Thank you!

URGENT: The Marketplace food hamper program is running low on all items and the following are especially needed:

• Canned meat or fish
• Canned or jarred fruit and vegetables
• Boxed or canned pasta
• Pasta sauces
• Peanut butter
• Toiletries – diapers, deodorant, shampoo, feminine hygiene products

For more information, please contact us at: info@rayofhope.net. All donations are appreciated!

You can also feed hungry people through our secure donation page.