February 22, 2024 (Toronto, ON) – In response to trauma and stress experienced due to conflict in Israel and Gaza, compounded by a heartbreaking local context of rising hate crimes, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, United Way Greater Toronto is committing $150,000 to support Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim serving organizations in addressing mental health challenges.
Over the past months, United Way Greater Toronto has been actively engaged in conversations with organizations and leaders from Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim communities. Recognizing the profound impact of ongoing events, this investment is expected to support over 2,500 people across the GTA, funding specialized and dedicated case management support, counseling, and group programming. This commitment will support organizations already working to address the mental health challenges within their communities.
This new contribution is in addition to over $6,000,000 in annual funding supporting community led initiatives across Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim communities, including on-going mental health programming, seniors’ isolation activities and services, access to culturally appropriate food for low-income households and more. United Way Greater Toronto acknowledges the deep and direct emotional toll this conflict has here in our own communities. Our organization remains dedicated to ongoing collaboration with community leaders and organizations to ensure our support is responsive, impactful, and respectful of the diverse needs within these communities.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to:
Joshua McLarnon
Director of Communications, United Way Greater Toronto
jmclarnon@uwgt.org
(905) 952-7479
About United Way: As the largest non-government funder of community services in the GTA, United Way Greater Toronto reinforces a crucial community safety net to support people living in poverty. United Way’s network of agencies and initiatives in neighbourhoods across Peel, Toronto and York Region works to ensure that everyone has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Way’s work is rooted in ground-breaking research, strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA’s greatest challenges.