Did you know?

Since 2023, the number of nonprofits scaling back, shutting down, or facing increasing waitlists for their programs and services has only climbed. (The Ontario Nonprofit Network)

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Our community spaces report reveals that a majority of community service agencies in the GTA included in the study lease their space, with costs climbing significantly. (United Way Greater Toronto)

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Almost 75% of Canadians ages 18 to 34 say they lack a sense of community. The same amount also believes that “third places” like the YMCA, parks and libraries are the key to feeling more connected and 65% state they wish there were more in their community. (YMCA)

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Who cares about strong communities?

We do.

We live in neighbourhoods. Today more than ever, it is evident that those neighbourhoods aren’t equitable, that opportunities for kids are notably worse or better depending on where they grow up. We can interrupt this pattern through intentional investment that contributes to community belonging and brighter futures.

United Way is engaged in community coordination tables across the region, co-chairing 12 neighbourhood and population-based tables with the City of Toronto. Here the City, local agencies and United Way meet with one goal in mind: supporting local communities in responding to the issues they’re facing. Dedicated to urgent needs like food delivery during the pandemic, activities at these tables are evolving. Today, emergency readiness, response and recovery are in focus, with efforts underway to build capacity in managing climate, health and other crises. Heat relief pilots are being activated through Rexdale Community Hub (North Etobicoke table) and Thorncliffe Park Community Hub (East York Don Valley table) alongside the launch of a new city-wide table with its own mandate: breaking down silos to enable community resilience.

Community grants transform local residents’ dreams for their communities into reality. This year we built on earlier success in Toronto’s Jane-Finch neighbourhood and brought the Community Action Grant stream to Cooksville in Peel and South Markham in York Region. With these neighbourhoods undergoing revitalization, funding for resident and local agency-led initiatives will leverage local opportunities for greater community benefit. Over $1.13 million supports 27 diverse projects like digital training for newcomer job seekers, arts-based wellness for seniors and sport-related job opportunities for youth.

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United Way is dreaming big and building better, investing in community spaces and services. Part of our Community Real Estate Initiative, 14 fresh capital grants are jumpstarting new builds, revitalizing existing spaces and closing final funding gaps on transformational projects. Adding to last year’s first round of funding, that’s $4 million towards 27 projects that deliver immigrant supports, health services, food security, youth services and culturally holistic Indigenous services. Truly meeting today’s needs, including the urgent demand for affordable housing, many projects are mixed use, integrating housing and community services under one roof. More than 500 shelter beds and affordable units will be delivered through this year’s projects alone.

And Thorncliffe Park Community Hub, our newest Community Hub and another essential element of our Neighbourhood Strategy, deserves a special shout out. In November, when an electrical fire forced residents of two high rises to evacuate, the Hub delivered. Working with the City’s Emergency Response team and the Red Cross, it opened to provide shelter, food and support to care for 115 residents. What’s more, it demonstrated that Community Hubs by their very nature strengthen neighbourhood resilience.

Reasons to Hope

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