Poverty
United Way is helping to meet the basic needs of our community’s most vulnerable people, giving every Canadian the opportunity to realize a better future.
People who lack necessities like food and shelter can’t get ahead in life. Those who struggle to find work or manage their finances aren’t able to reach their full potential.

Canadians are homeless on any given night
children live in households that struggle to put food on the table
of working-age Indigenous people are unemployed
We invest in three key areas to help people move out of, or avoid, the cycle of poverty.
United Way is helping every Canadian access an affordable, safe and permanent place to live – from Housing First programs and emergency shelters, to advocating for affordable housing.
United Way is working to provide everyone with access to enough nutritious, affordable and appropriate food – through community gardens, school breakfast programs and food banks.
United Way is helping Canadians find meaningful jobs, manage expenses and support their families – from job skills training and continuing education opportunities, to financial literacy programs.
Thanks to your generous support, we’re investing in opportunities for everyone to have a better future.
Providing food for her family wasn’t always easy for Pam. Thanks to United Way, the single mother of four found a local food-sharing program that provides the healthy staples she needs to help her kids grow.

Invest in helping every person in your local community realize a life of opportunity.