Last night a group of young professionals decided they would rather get involved in making our community better than stay at home and do nothing. 

London and Middlesex’s next generation of young leaders gathered at Museum London for the official launch of United Way’s newest initiative, GenNext.   The event, Would You Rather?, was an evening of inspiration and a call to action.

Keynote speaker Marc Kielburger addressed the crowd and awareness booths offered GenNexters (people in their 20s and 30s) the inspiration and knowledge they needed to get involved and take action.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better launch event.  The energy in the room was uplifting, and Marc's message of courage and the simple reality that any of us can make an impact with even the smallest act truly inspired me” says Nawaz Tahir, volunteer chair of the GenNext Advisory Committee and partner at Lerners. “I hope the GenNexters in our community now feel they have a charitable vehicle to call their own - to pursue our vision of making an impact in our community.” 

With the launch event over, GenNext will focus its energy on developing philanthropy and volunteer opportunities, featuring projects that will challenge our community to learn, act and give back.  Some of these projects include one time volunteer opportunities and dinner events, local organizational information sessions and community fundraising events. 

“The whole motivation behind GenNext is to inspire the next generation of leaders, give them opportunities to get involved and take the initiative to be leaders in shaping a community where everyone matters,” says Andrew Lockie, CEO, United Way of London & Middlesex. “This is just the beginning. The GenNext website is a great resource and is just the foundation of what is to come.” 

About Marc Kielburger
Marc Kielburger is one of our generation’s most inspirational speakers and is an accomplished social advocate, leadership specialist, Nobel Prize nominee, and New York Times best-selling author.  Marc is also the co-founder of Free The Children and Me to We.

About GenNext
United Way of London & Middlesex launched GenNext as an initiative to engage young people in their 20s and 30s to be more actively involved in shaping our community.  GenNext’s mission is to mobilize our generation to make a positive impact in our own community though awareness, involvement and giving.  Learn more at www.gennextuw.ca.

About United Way
The largest non-government funder of social services in London and Middlesex County, United Way creates real, lasting change to improve the quality of life of all people in our communities. United Way identifies and understands the root causes of social issues; brings together research, experts and resources; initiates and invests in the most needed and proven programs; and develops leaders and skills to strengthen the charitable sector. Learn more at www.uwlondon.on.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Johanna Mesjarik, Communications Coordinator
www.uwlondon.on.ca
jmesjarikuwlondon [dot] on [dot] ca
519-438-1723 ext. 346
United Way cell: 519-318-1200