Dear Friend,
Across our region, many are grappling with rising real estate and rental costs — including the community spaces that are at the heart of the neighbourhoods they serve, housing vital programs and services that are lifelines for thousands of people across the GTA.
These spaces are where people experiencing homelessness can find a warm bed or hot meal — especially now, as winter sets in. Where survivors of intimate partner violence find safety and refuge. Where communities come together, for support and to support one another.
But as rising costs put them under threat of closing or being forced out of neighbourhoods, we’re working to ensure essential programs and services remain close to home. Today, we’re sharing some examples of your support in action — from grants empowering local neighbourhoods and our Community Real Estate initiative to individuals who found hope because community spaces were there, doors open, offering critical supports.
Together, we are ensuring these spaces are available today and for the years to come so that everyone in every neighbourhood can access the things they need, not just to survive, but thrive. Any way we can.
With sincere appreciation for your support,
Alka Graham
Director, Marketing, Donor Experience & Events
P.S. ‘Tis the season! As the year ends, you can help us continue our vital work in 2025. If you are able, make a gift today and your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar!* Your support will help protect community spaces across the GTA and connect 1.8M people each year to food, shelter, mental health supports and more.
Your support in action
See our report on community real estate come to life
Rising rents are pushing essential community spaces out of the neighbourhoods where they’re needed most. That’s why our latest research report, Essential Spaces: Real (Estate) Solutions to Community Needs, is shining a spotlight on this urgent issue and our new Community Real Estate initiative is mapping out bold solutions. From funding 10 new Community Hubs to launching grants and innovative partnerships, we’re ensuring these vital services stay rooted in the neighbourhoods they serve. Learn more about the research, its findings and how we’re tackling this challenge in our Q&A with United Way’s Ruth Crammond, Vice President of Community Infrastructure.
We’d also like to invite you to join us on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. for a spirited panel discussion, featuring Monica Bryce, Acting Director, Integrated Business Services, York Region Community and Health Services; Matti Siemiatycki, Director, Infrastructure Institute at the School of Cities, University of Toronto; Ann Watson, Executive Director, Inn from the Cold, and our own Ruth Crammond. Register to attend the panel discussion at The Atrium at the York Region facility at 17150 Yonge St. in Newmarket. If you can’t make the panel, you can drop by The Atrium to explore our interactive exhibit from Jan. 7 to 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Everyone deserves shelter this winter
Housing costs remain high, leaving many in our community struggling to keep a roof over their heads — an urgent need as temperatures drop. Your generosity funds 40 programs that offer critical housing supports to youth like Serpil, who found safe shelter and stability through a United Way-supported housing program. There, Serpil found the wraparound supports she needed to improve her mental health, build relationships and graduate high school. This winter, make a gift that can bring people out of the cold and on the path to a brighter future.
Standing together against intimate partner violence
From November 2023 to November 2024, there were 62 recorded gender-related killings of women, children and gender-diverse individuals in Ontario. We’re digging in on this urgent issue by supporting women through more than 100 programs, a third of which address gender-based, intimate partner and family violence. These programs have helped 47,000 survivors find safety and rebuild their lives. We also teamed up with United Ways across Ontario to pen an open letter to Premier Ford with recommended actions to end intimate partner violence (IPV). Recommendations include adopting Bill 173, which recognizes IPV as a provincial epidemic, because IPV not only has a devastating impact on survivors — it affects us all as a community.
IN COMMUNITY, WITH COMMUNITY
Our local gift guide is packed with socially conscious goodies from across the GTA, each one showcasing how our work connects our neighbours to employment, income opportunities and other vital services. Give a gift that means more this season.
Huge thanks to our amazing climbers, volunteers and sponsors who stepped up at United Way ClimbUP last month. Together, you raised an incredible $1.7M in support of United Way’s work fighting local poverty. Want to climb the CN Tower next year? Get notified when registration opens for ClimbUP 2025.
United Way voting members play an essential role in our fight against poverty. Members are invited to attend our Annual Meeting of the Members to vote on key appointments, review the annual audited financial statements, hear reports on our work and more. Interested? Apply before March 3, 2025.
Double your impact today! Thanks to a generous anonymous donor all one-time donations made to United Way Greater Toronto before Dec. 31, 2024, will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $650,000. That means your gift will have twice the impact and ensure we can continue to meet immediate needs for our friends and neighbours across the GTA. And remember, all donations made before the end of the year count towards your 2024 tax credits!
Building community takes community.
With your support, With your support, we will build a GTA where everyone has what they need to thrive. Any way we can. Learn more about our work. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates about how your local love is making a difference across the GTA.