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United Way Greater Toronto invests an additional $2 million to support people and neighbourhoods most impacted by poverty

UWGT will be providing long-term, flexible funding to 14 Indigenous and other equity-deserving agencies, and is focusing on agencies in Peel and York

October 12, 2023 (Toronto, ON)  –

United Way Greater Toronto is investing an additional $2,125,000 across neighbourhoods in Peel and York experiencing deepening poverty as well as agencies across the GTA led by and serving Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving groups.  

The funding expansion builds on the first phase of UWGT’s Anchor funding renewal of $33 million, announced in February 2023. The new investment enables agencies to respond to changes in their communities and engage in the strategic work necessary to build lasting solutions to critical challenges at the intersection of poverty, equity and geography. 

Recognizing the historic underinvestment in organizations led by and serving structurally disadvantaged communities, UWGT began the Anchor funding expansion process with a targeted invitation to organizations led by and serving Indigenous, Black, racialized and other equity-deserving communities.

 Anchor funding is a unique-to-United Way model that provides stable, flexible and renewable funding for both targeted programming and core operational support, working towards a goal to equip agencies to meet evolving needs and build long-term organizational strength.  

In 2021, the Barrett Family Foundation made a transformative gift to United Way, enabling UWGT to build on their commitment towards an equitable recovery from the pandemic. This gift helped to scale UWGT’s support for organizations and programs serving Indigenous, Black and other racialized populations impacted by poverty, driving long-term change while strengthening agency capacity and networks. 

The new Anchor Agency funding builds on the Barrett gift and has added an additional focus, by expanding service provision in neighbourhoods in Peel and York that experience higher concentrations of poverty.  

The agencies receiving new Anchor funding are:  

  • Afghan Women’s Organization 
  • African Community Services of Peel 
  • Anduhyaun Inc. 
  • CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals 
  • Centre for Independent Living Toronto (CILT) 
  • Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) 
  • Delta Family Resource Centre 
  • Embrave Agency to End Violence (formerly Interim Place) 
  • Lance Krasman Memorial Centre for Community Mental Health (Krasman Centre) 
  • Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training 
  • Roots Community Services 
  • Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. 
  • The Indigenous Network (formerly Peel Aboriginal Network) 
  • Yellow Brick House (Project Hostel) 

At a time when the community sector is struggling to meet unprecedented levels of need, this Anchor funding targets investment to what it takes to bring about a GTA without poverty: Putting equity at the centre. Supporting the leadership of communities most affected by poverty. And ensuring that responses to urgent needs are bolstered by strategic, forward-looking work. United Way Greater Toronto is pleased to partner with these dedicated organizations in our shared efforts to build inclusive, strong and vibrant communities.

Daniele Zanotti, President and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto 

Through this investment, UWGT is putting resources behind a truth Indigenous communities have long known: That we hold the solutions to the challenges facing our communities. Access to stable, flexible funding ensures we can direct resources to where they are needed most and set our communities up to thrive, now and into the future.

Jairus Skye, Executive Director of The Indigenous Network 

As we see rising operating costs and deepening needs in our community, it’s critical that we work in ways that we know have a positive and meaningful impact. For the children, youth, women, men, seniors and families we serve, that means culturally relevant programming and supports. This Anchor funding helps us not only provide vital services at a time when they are critically needed, but also work strategically and holistically to empower Black, African and Caribbean communities in Peel in lasting ways. 

Angela Carter, Executive Director of Roots Community Services 

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.  

  

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