Dear Friend,
Tackling poverty’s big challenges takes all of us, including coordination between community agencies, local government and police services. Collaboration like this can make a real difference in critical moments, connecting people to support and helping keep vulnerable individuals safe.
FOCUS (Furthering Our Communities by Uniting Services), a partnership between United Way, the Toronto Police Service and the City of Toronto, does just that. It brings together 250+ local organizations across seven Situation Tables in Toronto. High-risk situations are identified weekly using a proven approach that ensures immediate, coordinated support — including referrals, mental health support and housing — while connecting people to longer-term wraparound services.
That could mean supporting a teen trying to exit gang involvement. Through FOCUS, coordinated partners provide interventions services, trauma counselling, a safe place for them and their family to stay. With the power of partnership and community, they’re connected to a brighter path forward.
Since 2013, FOCUS has responded to over 8,000 high-risk situations, impacting over 14,000 lives. Last year, risk was reduced 83% of the time. Its success has led other cities, from Ottawa to Surrey, B.C., to adopt the model.
Thank you for your support. It helps enable collaborations like this that build safer, stronger neighbourhoods here at home and beyond.
With sincere appreciation for your support,
Alka Graham
Director, Donor Experience
United Way Greater Toronto
Your support in action
Supporting women on the path to meaningful work
Rakhee arrived in Canada with a marketing degree and 15 years of experience from India, but she still couldn’t find work. Undervalued credentials, limited networks and the expectation of prior Canadian experience are some of the barriers newcomer women face in today’s tough job market. That’s where the MIAG Centre for Diverse Women & Families, and its United Way-funded Bridge to Employment for Women program, comes in. Through mentorship, hands-on work experience and tailored career support, Rakhee got her breakthrough. Read how she’s now making her mark as a business owner.
Join us on May 2 for Jane’s Walk
See the impact of your support for United Way Greater Toronto through a guided tour through Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park as part of Jane’s Walk on May 2. We’ll make eight stops to show how Community Hubs and grassroots organizations you support — along with green spaces and mobility infrastructure — strengthen neighbourhood well-being and opportunity. Local leaders will also share how upcoming investments, like the Thorncliffe Park Ontario Line station, could impact access to jobs and education. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the city-building decisions shaping life in these neighbourhoods.
Creating space for care
Vaughan now has its first respite care centre for adults living with dementia. Community & Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS) runs the centre in a heritage home they renovated with United Way support. This centre is one of 13 projects funded through our Expanding Community Space Grants. Part of the Community Real Estate Initiative, these grants help organizations retrofit their spaces to meet growing community needs. As more Canadians care for loved ones with dementia, your investment in community infrastructure helps ensure support is close to home.
IN COMMUNITY, WITH COMMUNITY
Mark your calendar for June 19 and join us for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Members. It’s an opportunity for the United Way community to come together to celebrate last year’s accomplishments and look to the work ahead. Registration opens soon, so save the date!
United Way volunteers have a huge impact in our communities, and we’re proud to celebrate them this National Volunteer Week (April 19 to 25). Want to get involved? Help out at our CN Tower Climb or run a fundraising campaign at your workplace.
Big thanks to the Brampton Steelheads for their incredible support! At their March 17 hockey game, ticket proceeds were donated to United Way. The club also gave away 2,000 tickets and made a generous $10,000 gift to help fight poverty.
Building community takes community.
With your support, we will build a GTA where everyone has what they need to thrive.
Any way we can.
Learn more about our work. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates about how your local love is making a difference across the GTA.