From local challenges to bold solutions, explore what we’re doing to build a GTA where everyone can thrive.
Any way we can.
Editor’s picks
December 06, 2025
December 2025 Newsletter: Together, we can end the year with hope
This week we’re reflecting on the end of the year, our annual holiday gift guide and how you can double your impact before the end of the year through our gift match.
December 02, 2025
United Way Greater Toronto’s local gift guide
Welcome to United Way’s 2024 Gift Guide! It’s full of socially conscious goodies from local creators and United Way supported programs.
December 01, 2025
United Ways of Ontario Submission to the Ontario 2025-2030 Poverty Reduction Strategy Renewal Consultation
Meaningfully addressing poverty in Ontario requires bold leadership. The Ontario Government can substantially reduce poverty across the province through measures that ensure financial stability, access to safe, accessible and affordable homes, and critical community services that help people thrive.
November 17, 2025
United Ways of Ontario Call for the Province to repeal Schedule 12, Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025
Ontario is at a critical point. Housing need is rising, homelessness is growing, federal investment is starting to move but new home construction is slowing in Ontario. Decisions made now will set the course for years. The legislative changes to the Residential Tenancies Act in Schedule 12 of Bill 60, move policy in the wrong direction and will serve to escalate the homelessness crisis across Ontario. The focus should be on keeping people housed while new supply comes online.
November 10, 2025
Living Wage Week: The (Real) Cost of Living in the GTA
At United Way Greater Toronto, we understand that earning a living wage to cover one’s basic necessities is essential to financial stability. We know that along with housing stability, access to services and opportunities to engage in shaping our neighbourhoods, financial stability is a foundation for equitable communities. And we believe investing in these building blocks and the opportunities they create for everyone to thrive benefits us all.
November 08, 2025
November 2025 Newsletter: Building real solutions for the housing crisis
This week we’re talking about how we’re fighting the rise in homelessness, food insecurity and cost of living in the GTA.
United Way’s Living on the Edge reveals what life is like for one in four families in the GTA living in poverty and how we’re helping them find stability.
2025 | UNITED WAY | PARTNER CONTENT | 
Guiding United Way through the next decade
Your impact brought to life.
See stories of people and partners tackling local issues.
December 02, 2025
Guiding United Way through the next decade
In this exclusive Q&A, Heather opens up about what drew her to the role of President and CEO and her vision for the next decade of impact across Peel, Toronto and York Region.
By directing federal funding locally and shaping policies rooted in community needs, United Way Centraide Canada helps all 57 United Ways, including ours, do more for a strong community services sector and a better GTA.
November 28, 2025
Building housing for the people who need it most
Our region’s housing outlook is bleak. With insights from United Way’s Built for Good report, this article breaks down how non-market housing works and what it will take to build the affordable homes people actually need.
November 28, 2025
Developing a ‘quick’ and ‘slow’ approach to managing crises
In 2023, when an influx of African asylum seekers faced limited support, we were there to fill the gap. Now we’re tackling the systemic issues behind the crisis to prevent it from happening again.
November 28, 2025
How UWGT is helping to tackle the issue of youth unemployment
Youth unemployment in Ontario remains stubbornly high. United Way supports innovative programs that are shaping a region where every young person gets their chance to succeed.
November 28, 2025
Ensuring agencies stay in the communities they serve
Through our Community Real Estate Initiative, United Way is stepping in so community organizations can stay rooted in the neighbourhoods that need them most.
Community Stories
September 19, 2025
Opening pathways to food, community and purpose
At the end of the month, Anna had only $50 left after rent was paid. That’s when she found United Way-funded York Region Food Network (YRFN), a place for immediate food support, belonging and purpose.
July 31, 2025
Supporting women on the path to meaningful work
Rakhee arrived in Canada with skills and experience but didn’t know how to get a foot in the door. Through a United Way-supported women’s employment program, she gained the confidence, training and support she needed to build a stable future.
July 24, 2025
Opening doors to stable homes for youth
Stable homes are the foundation for everything else. A United Way-supported program helped Vertex find housing and start building a future.
August 10, 2023
“I can start believing in the possibilities”
A United Way-supported peer program helped Randee find community and overcome mental health struggles.
May 30, 2024
Breaking down barriers to employment for youth
A United Way-funded program is helping Demica find a new career path — and a new outlook on life.
Street kids are not just rebels without a cause—and they want (and need) your help.
March 12, 2020
How food banks in Canada work—and why they’re necessary
With rising unaffordability and income inequality in Toronto and the GTA, food banks are needed more than ever
Trans and non-binary people are just that people. Let’s skip the intrusive questions and build relationships
April 29, 2019
Accessibility in Toronto and the GTA is everybody’s issue
There’s a growing movement to break down barriers to participation in everyday life. Are you on board?
October 16, 2020
A neighbourhood lens on food security
Maybe you’ve heard the term ‘food desert,’ but what about ‘food swamp’? Here’s what that means—and why you might be living in one without even knowing it. Food insecurity doesn’t always look like you think.
January 21, 2019
Low-cost—or free!—mental health services in Toronto and the GTA
A guide to finding affordable counselling and other mental health resources in your neighbourhood
November 03, 2021
Dilprit and Rajbinder Grewal
Dilprit and Rajbinder Grewal’s biggest philanthropic priority is making sure everyone in their community has what they need to thrive.
November 03, 2021
Bernard Dorval and Francine Côté
Bernard Dorval and Francine Côté have committed to spending the next chapter of their lives helping others to realize their dreams.
Anyone living anywhere in Canada can pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 to reach a Service Navigator for information on community-based health, social and government services in or near their community.
September 02, 2020
5 steps to building a more inclusive workplace
United Way partner McCarthy Tétrault shares five steps they’ve taken to build a more inclusive workplace. They want more companies to follow their lead.