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.

The challenge

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.

poverty-the-challenge
35,000

Canadians are homeless on any given night

1 in 6

children live in households that struggle to put food on the table

11%

of working-age Indigenous people are unemployed

Our Work

We invest in three key areas to help people move out of, or avoid, the cycle of poverty.

Housing stability

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.

Food security

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.

Employment and financial stability

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.

Our impact

Thanks to your generous support, we’re investing in opportunities for everyone to have a better future.

Programs moving people from poverty to possibility
1,074
Support for nutritious and affordable food programs
$15.3 million
Investment in employment and financial literacy initiatives
$16.8 million
Resources for improving access to safe and affordable housing
$19.7 million
A changed life made possible by you

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.

Read Pam’s story
Pam