United Way: A vital partner in Frontenac County
Rural Frontenac Community Services (RFCS), based out of Sharbot lake, is a long-standing recipient of United Way KFL&A. We have been a partner agency in Frontenac County for over 40 years, receiving funding for our youth program, Family Counsellor position and more recently the winter boots program.
In rural communities, residents face personal issues such as isolation – both social and geographic, domestic violence, poverty, mental health and addictions issues as well as having fewer service options compared to their urban counterparts. The Family Counsellor provides counselling on family and individual issues including relationship, addiction, grief, financial and self-esteem issues. In 2025, the family counsellor supported over 94 individuals.
The Family Counsellor is the only general counselling program available in rural Frontenac County. This program is free of charge and addresses the needs of families as well as individuals. As the residents of Frontenac County navigate economic uncertainty the Family Counsellor program acts as a vital bridge that connects vulnerable people to the larger service networks.
“One of the key aspects of the program is to be able to respond at what I call the speed of life. Assistance happens effectively and without delay, a rare commodity in today's world.
The Family Counsellor has a great ability to triage referrals to find the best services suitable for his clients. He can work with people personally or connect them to the most appropriate counsellor, therapist or organization(s).”
Bridging the Gap for Rural Youth funds our youth programming. Rural Frontenac Community Services provides youth, in North Frontenac and Central Frontenac Townships, the opportunity to enhance their well-being and self-sufficiency.
Youth in rural communities have unique needs due to the large geographic area, lack of public transportation and few safe spaces where youth can come together. Youth can become vulnerable and invisible. Through the support of United Way, Rural Frontenac Community Services creates space and programs for the youth where they can feel connected and engage within their community for their needs; be it recreation, community engagement, connection to services or volunteering.
From improved positive identity, self-esteem, and optimism, to healthy coping skills, increased physical activity and healthier eating, and increased awareness of risky behaviours and how to make healthy life choices the youth program is vital to our local youth. Programs include Kids Club after school programs, The Youth Hub in Sharbot lake, and ongoing Home Alone and Babysitter courses. In 2025, over 180 youth attended the programs.
Our youth tell us
“The youth hub gets me out of the house and I’m able to hang out with my friends and meet new people. The youth Hub teaches me skills like Cooking and Sewing.”
The youth hub is a safe place when I can go and be myself without feeling judged. The staff as well as the program itself has helped m evolved and become the person I am today.
The Warm Feet Project helps provide a warm pair of winter boots to children and youth. This program is intended to support families who otherwise may be or are unable to purchase winter boots for their children. Or who the additional cost of purchasing winter boots would cause a strain on the financial stability of the family. By providing children and youth with a pair of winter boots they are able to participate in outdoor winter activities, have reliable footwear to manage the winter climate helping to reduce falls and injuries from slipping on icy/ snowy ground. This program also reduces the strain on families' financials by giving them one less thing to purchase. In 2025/26 this program supported 158 youth in Frontenac County.
The United Way KFL&A has launched its annual campaign with an ambitious target for $4.250,000 this year. At RFCS, we hold events to help, in our own small way, meet that target
Thank you for all the amazing support! Every BBQ, bake sale, chili lunch and individual donation makes a difference and helps our community reach that goal!
