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Summer 2009

Dear [contact-first],

Over the past months I have thought often about the United Way Mission, about how it expresses everything we stand for and how it guides our efforts every single day. Given the exceptionally difficult times we are living in, I think it’s appropriate and important to reiterate our Mission here, in this issue of Community Matters.

To meet urgent human needs and improve social conditions by mobilizing the community’s volunteer and financial resources in a common cause of caring.

A common cause of caring—as demonstrated by the indefatigable work of volunteers, and the community spirit and generosity of Torontonians—is what enabled our 2008 campaign to raise $107.5 million dollars. It’s what has allowed us to maintain core funding for our member agencies and stay on track with our long term strategic objectives. And I know it will inspire our efforts as we ramp up for the 2009 campaign and reach out once again to a compassionate city.

In this issue you will learn about two unique United Way agency initiatives. The first is about feeding young people’s minds—helping them get back on track academically and socially. The second is simply about feeding people—helping them access fresh and affordable food in their own communities, something they just didn’t have before.

We have received reports from many of our agencies telling us what it’s like on the front lines—how the downturn in the economy is affecting their services and the people who rely on them. The level of their commitment and their untiring efforts is truly an inspiration to all of us. It reaffirms my deep belief that bound by a common cause of caring, we can take on whatever the future brings. United we can!

President and Chief Executive Officer
United Way Toronto

United we can!

United Way Toronto’s Annual General Meeting, held on June 4th, took place in the midst of an extraordinarily challenging and unpredictable economic environment, the likes of which no one present had ever encountered before.

The importance of stable funding in these unstable times cannot be overemphasized. It means that 200 agencies across Toronto can continue to provide urgent health and social services to individuals, families and children. With an 9.6% unemployment rate that’s higher than the national average and the number of people receiving EI up 85% over last year—the demand for these services is climbing at a fast rate.

Read highlights from the AGM: where funds are being disbributed in 2009, how United Way continues to tackle root causes of complex social issues, and watch the 2009 Campaign video.

Good food markets tackle food insecurity

Food insecurity is about people who regularly cut back or skip meals... it's about parents who don't know if they can feed their children even if they forego food themselves... and it's about the elderly who can neither access nor afford the food they need for adequate sustenance. While food insecurity is most prevalent among people on social assistance, it's also a fact of life for over 50% of the working poor. And it has a host of short and long-term physical and psychological implications – among them, hunger, malnutrition, and learning and development issues.

Read the stats about food insecurity in Toronto and find out how United Way is helping

85 youth get a chance to hit REPLAY

85 students who were suspended from school were fortunate enough to participate in the 2007/2008 REPLAY program at St. Stephens Community House, a United Way agency that offers one of seven suspension programs in Toronto.

REPLAY provides an alternative learning environment for young people who have been suspended from school or who have not been attending, with the hope that they can be re-integrated into a school program.

Read about REPLAY's 97% success rate, leading to a brighter future for these youth and their families.

The lunch program is full

More people need more services than ever before.

We recently asked United Way member agencies to tell us about what they are seeing ‘on the ground’ meeting needs from individuals and families affected by the economic downturn. As many described their struggles to deliver services amid a rapidly growing demand for help, the word "increase" was the common denominator. Then, from one of our agencies, we learned this: "the lunch program is full ... people are very hungry and needy" and these eleven short words said it all.

Read about increased demand at United Way agencies for job assistance, employment programs, free bread programs...

Our Honour Roll has moved online

United Way Toronto uses a variety of ways to thank our donors and recognize their generous commitment to the community. Historically, as part of its recognition approach, United Way has distributed an annual "Honour Roll" in the Globe and Mail. This year, in an ongoing effort to maximize our commitment to the environment, we have profiled our honour roll publication on our website instead. Visit our online Honour Roll and provide your feedback on this publication and our new approach.

Thanks A Million Awards

In 2008, thousands of individuals, organizations and labour organizations came together to make their local communities better places to live. The following organizations and their affiliated unions contributed $1 million or more to United Way – Centraides across Canada.

See all the 2008 Thanks A Million Award recipients...

Sistering - A Woman's Place

Executive Director Angela Robertson explains that member agency Sistering goes beyond providing homeless and low-income women with the basic needs that most people take for granted.

The Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living

Member agency Bernard Betel is a home away from home for seniors living in the priority neighbourhood of Westminster-Branson at Bathurst and Steeles.

Passionate about our community

What Wendy Loiselle likes most about her job at Woodbine Entertainment Group is that it allows her to get into the community and make a difference, including organizing WEG's annual United Way Campaign.

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