Editor's Picks

This week, we talk about our new Get in the Way of poverty campaign, voter turnout, Community Hubs, ClimbUP and our next Diving Deeper panel.

The Toronto Youth Employment Table, co-chaired by United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT) and the City of Toronto, is launching the Toronto Youth Employment Charter at a press conference. The Charter is an invitation for employers to take the lead in tackling the crisis in job opportunities faced by young Torontonians. The press conference will also celebrate 2,000+ youth gaining employment this summer through United Way-funded and partner agencies.

Fewer than one in three eligible voters cast a ballot in Ontario's last municipal election. Today, United Way Greater Toronto and the Democratic Engagement Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University launched Voice the Vote, a non-partisan, community-led campaign working to change that ahead of the October 26 municipal election.

This week, we reflect on growing financial anxiety and the programs and partners that help people meet urgent needs in times of crisis.

Registration is now open for the 2026 United Way Greater Toronto CN Tower climb which will be held on November 14 and 15. United Way is inviting people from all walks of life, and every fitness level to step up and be connected to a bigger movement - all in support of communities across Peel, Toronto and York region. Last year’s ClimbUP raised a record-breaking $2 million, helping 1.8 million people across the GTA access vital services through our network of over 300 agencies.

This week, we reflect on welcoming spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, creating local solutions to local challenges and supporting jobs for youth.

When United Way Greater Toronto’s President & CEO Heather McDonald appeared before the Council of the Regional Municipality of Peel, she spoke about the challenges facing residents. Her answer was collaboration.

This week, we reflect on how our Community Real Estate Capital Grants are helping to add new community spaces and upgrade existing facilities. We're also exploring employment programs for people with disabilities, our work in Thorncliffe Park and an award-winning participant from the ILEO Storefront Starter program.

This week, we reflect on how collaboration fosters safe communities, meaningful work, a new respite care centre and an upcoming opportunity to see our work in action at Jane's Walk.

This week, we reflect on what needs to happen to support women, a new housing initiative and our latest report on the impact of funding cuts on immigrants and refugees.

Across the GTA, more and more families are turning to food banks. But food insecurity is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Solving it means addressing poverty itself. 

This week we explore Toronto’s mental health crisis, how Community Action Grants are driving resident-led change across the GTA, and how United Ways are having their say in Ontario’s next Poverty Reduction Strategy.