Dear Friend,
Community spaces are much more than just buildings. They’re where people access food, mental health support, employment services and housing supports, where they find connection, dignity and care. But right now, with stretched resources and facing economic uncertainty, many of these spaces are at risk.
And we’re rising up to these challenges with solutions. This month, we announced over $2 million in our new Expanding Community Space Grants to support 13 community real estate projects across the GTA. These grants will help community agencies jump-start new builds, renovate existing spaces and close critical funding gaps on transformational projects — ensuring they can remain right where they need to be, connecting people to vital services.
We know secure and quality space is a vital piece of the puzzle, which is why we’re helping community organizations push back against rising costs and take control of their future. And we’re just getting started. These new grants are part of our broader Community Real Estate Initiative, a bold evolution of our 70-year history supporting a strong social safety net.
Together with you, we’re deepening our work to ensure community spaces stay embedded in neighbourhoods, where they belong, for years to come. Any way we can.
With sincere appreciation for your support,
Your support in action
Strengthening community spaces
Across the GTA, 13 community spaces are being transformed to better serve residents, thanks to your support and United Way’s new Expanding Community Space Grants. Projects include renovations for a new Parkdale food hub that will serve 15,000 people each year, upgraded play spaces for refugee children and their families in Mississauga and Vaughan’s first not-for-profit respite centre for individuals living with dementia. These investments will do more than renovate buildings — they’ll help build healthier, more connected communities. Learn more and explore all the projects we’re currently funding across the region.
Connecting people to safe, supportive homes
When Diana came out as a trans woman, home stopped feeling safe. She was struggling financially and living with people she barely knew. That all changed when she found a LOFT Community Services program providing housing and mental health support for adults undergoing gender transition — one of 40+ housing programs supported by United Way. Today, Diana lives in a stable, more affordable place where she can be herself, with roommates who understand her journey and wraparound supports that help her thrive. Thanks to your generosity, we’re not just providing shelter — we’re creating a foundation for safer, happier lives.
Fuelling momentum in the Greater Golden Mile
Our Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) initiative, co-convened with BMO, continues to drive growth in Scarborough’s Greater Golden Mile by connecting residents to in-demand jobs and supporting local entrepreneurs. In April, we celebrated the third cohort of entrepreneurs who completed training through ILEO’s Storefront Starter program — and have already generated over $130,000 in revenue. And May kicked off ILEO’s Construction Union Employment Pathways Program*, a first-of-its-kind effort between community agencies, unions and construction firms to prepare jobseekers for a career in the trades. These milestones show what’s possible when we bring cross-sector partners together to ensure development creates opportunity for residents.
*This Employment Ontario project is funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario
Bringing people, services and community together
At last month’s Diving Deeper: Community Hubs panel we learned how United Way-supported Hubs improve access to services and foster belonging. Leaders from AccessPoint on Danforth, Jane Street and Dorset Park Hubs shared how having services under one roof supports residents’ long-term well-being. We heard about a newcomer mom who came to the Dorset Park Hub seeking a food bank and found parenting workshops, housing support and connection. Today, she leads the Hub’s newcomer circle. Missed the panel? You can watch it here.
IN COMMUNITY, WITH COMMUNITY
Our Community Action Grants support neighbourhood-focused projects that drive local change, and we’re bringing them to Jane Finch, South Markham and Cooksville. Stay tuned for more or learn about this funding opportunity!
Congratulations to the 25 recipients of the 2025 Toronto Community Champion Awards, presented in partnership with the City of Toronto. Many United Way-supported organizations received recognition for their work, which included a special shoutout during a Toronto Blue Jays game!
Building community takes community.
With your support, we will build a GTA where everyone has what they need to thrive. u003cstrongu003eAny way we canu003c/strongu003e.rnrnLearn more about our work. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates about how your local love is making a difference across the GTA.