United Way Greater Toronto is putting out a “rallying cry” for support in efforts to end poverty across York Region and the GTA.
The social service organization has launched the Any Way We Can campaign to spur support as it looks to expand its services and outreach. The campaign has a 10-year vision toward helping more people and adding more services into York Region, including community hubs.
United Way Greater Toronto vice-president of corporate communications and public policy Anita Stellinga said it is a way to engage with the community and do everything possible to ensure people have what they need to thrive.
“We want to create this opportunity as a rallying cry,” she said. “We wanted to talk about the challenges our community is facing but also come with a conviction around the solutions that we know will make a difference.”
Anita Stellinga said there are more than 800,000 families are living in poverty in the GTA, about 126,000 of which would be in York Region, both figures higher than they were pre-pandemic.
“People are really struggling,” she said. “We’re going to have to do more… (The campaign is) in a sense, it’s an alarm around what’s happening across the GTA and really driving forward some of the solutions.”
The campaign features promotional videos and images, highlighting the work the United Way is actively doing. The agency partners with organizations across the GTA to deliver services to those in need. It also offers “cluster tables” to bring together government and stakeholders to invest in neighbourhood well-being, and community hubs that aim to provide a one-stop model of social services, health care services and recreational spaces for a community.
There are eight such hubs throughout Toronto, but with a 10-year outlook, said United Way hopes to add 10 more hubs, spreading some into York Region and Peel Region.
The hubs will “make sure there is a real integration,” Stellinga said, adding that they will work with governments and communities to figure out ideal locations for new hubs. “It will take all of us.”
United Way partners with local agencies likes of Blue Door, providing funding for efforts to address housing, homelessness and poverty.
The hope is that the campaign can generate more for the United Way from the private sector and community, Anita Stellinga said.
“We know that this work is hard. That it’s not overnight. As we see the issues unfolding, it’s going to take relentless determination and collective effort. It’s not us alone,” Stellinga said. “We can’t do this without the work of support and individuals in our community. People are dependent on these services.
“We need unwavering support and we need to stand united to fight local poverty,” she said.
More information is available at anywaywecan.ca
