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Local Love

Your Guide to Living Well and Doing Good

Editor’s picks

December 05, 2024

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 03, 2024

Community spaces: from problem to solution

Last month, United Way Greater Toronto released Essential Spaces: Real (Estate) Solutions to Community Needs. We sat down with Ruth Crammond, Vice President, Community Infrastructure, United Way Greater Toronto, to learn more about the research, its findings, what it means for United Way Greater Toronto – and why it all matters.

November 21, 2024

Living Wage Week: Financial stability means living wages

At United Way, we know that the equitable neighbourhoods and communities we work towards are only achievable if people are able to enjoy financial stability along with housing stability, access to services and opportunities to engage in shaping their communities.

November 16, 2024

The Star shines a spotlight on our work

This week we’re talking about the Toronto Star’s special section highlighting the impact of our work, from enabling employment solutions to helping at-risk youth find housing and more.

October 19, 2024

Protecting our community spaces

This week we’re talking about community real estate and protecting essential neighbourhood spaces. Any way we can.

October 15, 2024

A new era of impact: Building on 20 years of United Way work in neighbourhoods

United Way Greater Toronto looks back at 20 years of neighbourhood work in community, with community.

September 21, 2024

A bigger, bolder United Way

This week we’re talking about our bold new campaign and the work we’re doing to end local poverty and build a strong GTA. Any way we can


2024 | UNITED WAY | PARTNER CONTENT |

Lisa Gonsalves, board chair of United Way Greater Toronto, looks into the distance.

United Way Greater Toronto looks ahead to the next 10 years

With the region’s population expected to grow to 9 million by 2035, the agency is thinking about how it can continue to best serve the region.

November 15, 2024

Developing employment solutions for underrepresented people

A multipronged approach between the city, corporations, agencies and United Way is helping boost employment for marginalized communities.

November 15, 2024

United Way Greater Toronto moves into social purpose real estate

With some agency spaces in precarious spaces, the response is aimed at providing long-term stability in a region experiencing rapid growth.

November 15, 2024

Helping at-risk youth find the housing they need

REST Centres promotes independent and stable living for young people.

November 15, 2024

Listening to Indigenous voices to support Indigenous peoples

The Indigenous Partnership Council was created out of the need for greater partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations.

November 15, 2024

United Way Greater Toronto looks ahead to the next 10 years

With the region’s population expected to grow to 9 million by 2035, the agency is thinking about how it can continue to best serve the region.

November 15, 2024

Collaborating across sectors to help neighbourhoods and communities rise

With an integrated approach that brings together residents, private sector and the city, United Way is working to ensure economic growth across Peel, Toronto and York.


Community Stories

July 18, 2024

How two sisters navigated their settlement journey

With hard work and a helping hand from a United Way-funded agency, Muffad and Shenawar built new lives in Canada

June 12, 2024

Keeping neighbourhoods affordable 

United Way Greater Toronto is partnering on supportive housing initiatives and community land trusts to ensure people stay housed

June 03, 2024

“Everything has to start with a stable home” 

A United Way-funded program serving the 2SLGBTQ+ community connected Diana to wraparound support, safe housing and her peers

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.

June 07, 2023

ARCHIVED – Connecting Indigenous women to jobs—and each other 

A United Way-supported employment program for Indigenous women connected Amber to the support she needed to land her dream job.


Issues

Issues

Empowering the Next Generation of Black Leaders

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Issues

What is social capital and why does it matter

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Issues

Why income inequality is at the root of all problems

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April 23, 2020

What people just don’t get about youth homelessness in Canada

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


Life

Life

9 revolutionary ways to make self-care a priority

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Life

I’m poor and I’m a great mom. Come at me.

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May 17, 2019

Cool, you’re an ally, but trans and non-binary folks need more

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?


Places

Places

How communities can stop gentrification from erasing GTA culture

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Issues

Land acknowledgements: uncovering an oral history of Tkaronto

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Places

The surprising ways city parks create barriers

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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


Philanthropy

Philanthropy

How Donald K. Johnson is opening doors to giving

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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.


Partnerships

Partnerships

Breaking barriers for systemic change

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January 23, 2024

211 connects people with the vital social and community resources they need

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.

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