During tough times, the community turns to United Way

As this full blown economic crisis takes it toll—the numbers of people who need help will increase dramatically in the months to come. United Way member agencies will be called upon more and more for financial counselling, employment training, food services and shelter.

None of us could have predicted the economic crisis that began last fall. There was no early warning system for a financial meltdown that most analysts say will get worse before it gets better. So it was all the more extraordinary that United Way Toronto’s 2008 Campaign was the second most successful campaign in our history and came just shy of reaching its goal.

Due to the remarkable efforts of everyone who worked on the Campaign and the incredible generosity of Torontonians, we will be able to stay the course and provide core funding to all member agencies.

"We may not have gotten as far as we wanted this year. But the money we raised will go a long way to helping our friends and neighbours, providing stability for front line agencies in uncertain times," said Frances Lankin. "This campaign proved yet again that united, we can accomplish great things."

With stable funding, United Way’s member agencies can continue to manage their operations and provide the ongoing and vital services that hundreds of thousands of people depend on every single day.

However, as this full blown economic crisis takes it toll—the numbers of people who need help will increase dramatically in the months to come. United Way member agencies will be called upon more and more for financial counselling, employment training, food services and shelter. The pressures to deliver will intensify, but United Way will continue to be there, delivering every available dollar to agencies on the front lines. We strongly believe that our focus right now must be on supporting our network of member agencies so that they’re able to meet the growing needs of the community.

More than ever before, we have to look for innovative ways to tackle issues, to meet urgent needs and sustain the work we have begun for underserved neighbourhoods, for youth and newcomers.

All of us at United Way will continue to provide strong leadership and stewardship, and to fulfill our role as community convener, bringing together all stakeholders—volunteers, agencies, and members in the public and private sectors.

And, as the community turns to United Way, we will continue to turn to the people of Toronto, because what this Campaign has demonstrated once again is that the people here always come through for each other—especially when times are tough.

During tough times, the community turns to United Way was a Feature Story in our quarterly newsletter, Community Matters: Winter 2009