A closer look at our neighbourhood work in the Weston community

Dear Friend,

A few weeks ago, I joined a group of dedicated United Way volunteers for a walking tour of the Weston community, one of Toronto’s many neighbourhoods. Each stop, a glimpse into this vibrant and proud community, and a look at the collective work being done right now to ensure residents can thrive. 

Our network of agencies, there each and every day, meeting local needs with on-the-ground solutions. United Way-funded agencies like Frontlines, providing nutritious, culturally-appropriate groceries and cooking tutorials for Black and racialized youth to address food security. And ENAGB, connecting Indigenous youth to culturally-relevant supports that address their mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. 

Passing by some of the older rental towers, home to many Weston residents, I reflect on our Vertical Legacy report. Across our region, many towers like these need significant repairs and pose health and safety concerns. Others have seen increasing rents leading to tenant displacement. Our research report outlines practical recommendations to revitalize aging towers and ensure their ongoing affordability, viability and vitality for the thousands of residents who call them home. 

And an integral part of the Weston community, United Way-supported Jane Street Hub, connects residents to everything from after-school programs, settlement services, health and dental services and community and civic engagement. This Hub, housing a number of frontline agencies, delivering services all under one roof — one of our 10 Community Hubs that are cornerstones of our neighbourhood work. 

Weston has a vibrant history, but — like many GTA neighbourhoods — growth and soaring housing and living costs threaten its future, by displacing the people, our agencies, Hubs and the community infrastructure that make this neighbourhood a home. 

Which is why we are digging deeper into our neighbourhood work to fight local poverty like never before. The urgency of our mission is clear: we must continue to invest, forge partnerships, drive innovative solutions and engage with local residents to meet emerging challenges today and for the future. 

And with supporters like you, we can. Together, we continue our vital work in neighbourhoods across the GTA, ensuring these places we live, work and play — these places we love — remain stronger than ever.

Daniele Zanotti
President & CEO
United Way Greater Toronto

Special thanks to everyone who joined us at our 2024 Annual Meeting of the Members, where our President & CEO Daniele Zanotti shared highlights of what we’ve accomplished together over the past year and welcomed a dynamic panel of local thought leaders discussing critical challenges awaiting us in the next decade, and how, united, we rise up to meet them. We also released our 2023-24 Annual Report, which highlights how we’re putting your dollars to work across our community, deepening our efforts and making strides towards more equitable communities across our region. Learn more about how your support, alongside thousands of other caring individuals across the GTA, is helping to strengthen neighbourhoods, address inequities and build a future without poverty.

We celebrated an amazing group of graduates from our co-led 2024 Leading Social Justice Collective along with our partners University of Toronto’s School of Cities. This incredible group of leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors committed themselves to dismantling systemic inequalities and building inclusive and equitable communities across the GTA. Thanks to all of our incredible teams — including our first graduates from Scotiabank and P&G.

Randee spent decades struggling with mental health challenges, going in and out of treatment, being given label after label that chipped away at her self-esteem. Then, she found a peer-led United Way-supported program, and it was there that she found an accepting community that welcomed her in. Randee now works at that very same agency, breaking down stigma and supporting people going through the same challenges she did. Your support helps ensure our neighbours can continue to access critical mental health services, including the 211 helpline, peer-led outreach, culturally sensitive counselling and addictions support.

We were proud to dance, cheer, celebrate and march in the Toronto Pride Parade again this year. Our staff, friends and family came out to connect and show solidarity and support to all our 2SLGBTQ+ friends and neighbours. As we work to build neighbourhoods that are safe and where everyone belongs, today and every day, we are United with Pride.

United Way ClimbUP returns this Nov. 9 and 10! Challenge yourself to climb all 1,776 steps of the iconic CN Tower — all while fighting poverty and building stronger neighbourhoods in the GTA. It’s tons of fun and we will be with you every step of the way! Plus, there are some amazing prizes and perks available exclusively if you register early. Come out and show your community what you can do!

Can’t climb, but still want to be part of the fun? We need 500 volunteers to help us make the climb better than ever this year. Learn more about different volunteer positions and sign up to be a volunteer at ClimbUP.

We at United Way are incredibly grateful to all our corporate partners for their unwavering support to building equitable communities — like McCarthy Tétrault. The Firm’s renewed five-year, $5M Inclusion Now gift will help ensure that Indigenous peoples, women, 2SLGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities and newcomers across Canada have opportunities to thrive. But that’s not all. As the housing crisis continues to impact Canadians, they’ve contributed an additional $1M to help us address homelessness nationwide. Thank you!