Dear Friend,
With fall upon us, many of us return to familiar rhythms of daily life. While some can settle back into routines, for too many in our community, stability is still out of reach. All around us, we see growth in the GTA, but not everyone is sharing in it. Rising costs are squeezing families, forcing impossible choices between food and rent. Affordable housing remains a challenge. And too many of our neighbours are being left behind.
That’s why your support this year matters more now than ever — whether through a workplace campaign, participating in our CN Tower climb or a personal donation.
Here at United Way, we’re built for times like these. We’re tackling these urgent challenges head-on — from funding vital services close to home to bringing partners together on local solutions, to investing in long-term change. One example: our latest research report, Built for Good: Delivering the Housing Ontario Needs, [https://www.unitedwaygt.org/our-work/research-and-reports/] which lays out a clear plan to address the housing crisis and build the affordable homes our region needs now.
Work like this isn’t easy, but with you in our corner, we’re building strong communities across the GTA where people have a safe place to call home, put food on the table, connect to good jobs and find support when they need it most. Any way we can.
With sincere appreciation for your support,
Alka Graham
Director, Marketing, Donor Experience & Events
United Way Greater Toronto
Your support in action
Pushing for bold action on affordable housing
One thing is clear about our region’s housing crisis: it can’t be solved by the private market alone. Things need to change, and our latest report, Built for Good: Delivering the Housing Ontario Needs, lays out a plan to transform how housing is funded and delivered, prioritizing non-profit and co-op providers to create homes people can actually afford. And as the federal government designs its new housing initiative, we’ve led United Ways across Ontario to submit a joint recommendation calling for all levels of government to coordinate funding, scale investments in community housing and drive real, lasting progress.
Helping youth take their first step home
When Vertex lost stable housing, he also lost much of what gave life meaning, including his hope of becoming a barber. At Our Place Peel, a United Way–funded agency, he arrived looking for shelter and found more than a roof: he gained life skills, essentials to survive and employment support. With work came a new home and the chance to get back to his dream of studying hairstyling. Wraparound supports helped Vertex find stability — something too many are robbed of in today’s housing crisis. With you, we’ll keep building strong communities by bringing bold solutions and 40+ housing programs ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home.
Backing youth voices calling for action on unemployment now
Ontario’s youth unemployment is nearly twice the provincial average. That issue was front and centre at a Toronto City Hall gathering, where our President & CEO Heather McDonald joined youth, community and civic leaders to launch the Toronto Youth Employment Postcard Report. Drawing on the voices of 7,000 students, it calls for bold action, including the creation of 10,000 new jobs. Your support means United Way can fund programs that build skills and connect young job seekers with employers, helping to build strong communities. One example is Project SEARCH, which helps youth with disabilities transition from high school to work through mentorship and real-world experience.
Turning empty spaces into community places
We’re proud to support 8 80 TowerPOPS, a project turning underused spaces in high-rise neighbourhoods into vibrant gathering places. United Way joined residents to open the first two TowerPOPs sites in Cooksville, Mississauga and Rockcliffe-Smythe, Toronto — neighbourhoods home to many newcomer and racialized communities. With residents leading design, a parking lot and greenspace have become hubs for gardening, art, play, cultural events and community programming. By fostering physical activity and social connection, collaborative ideas like TowerPOPS show how community-led transformation builds healthier, connected neighbourhoods.
IN COMMUNITY, WITH COMMUNITY
United Way ClimbUP is back Nov. 15 and 16, and we’re celebrating 45 years of our CN Tower climb! Decades of stories and traditions have made this event unforgettable. Be part of the legacy! Register now to climb the 1,776 steps for community. Can’t participate, but still want to be part of the fun? Sign up to join the 500+ volunteers who make ClimbUP incredible for everyone!
Our own Heather McDonald, President & CEO, shares insights on leadership and the power of United Way in driving lasting change. Listen to The Discovery Pod episode!
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.