• Our Focus Areas

Focusing on the needs of our community.

For decades, United Way Centraide North East Ontario has been a part of the social fabric that connects our community.

We work to understand and respond to our community’s most critical needs and target your investments where they will show the greatest results.

Poverty to Possibility

For many people in our community, poverty is a daily and difficult struggle. It forces people to make impossible decisions like paying rent or putting food on the table. The complexity of poverty has many contributing factors. Its social and economic issues impact entire communities and everyone who lives in them.

OUR GOAL

Meet the basic needs of our community’s most vulnerable people, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed.

United Way Centraide North East Ontario along with our partners are helping to provide the foundational building blocks of a good life. This includes ensuring that essential services such as emergency shelter, food, employment, financial sustainability support and training programs are available when and where they are needed.

YOUR SUPPORT

Your support makes a difference. In 2024-2025:

162,240 nutritious meals, snacks and food boxes were provided improving access to healthy food

11,940 shelter nights were provided to keep unhoused individuals safe

income tax preparer with a client

2,487 clients supported through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

mesntrual hygiene supplies, tampons, pads

5,100 individuals were supported with menstrual hygiene products 

Building Strong Communities

A community is only as strong as its most vulnerable citizens. On far too many occasions, residents find difficulty in accessing essential services they need to succeed. These barriers are often amplified for seniors, people living with disabilities and newcomers, leading to challenges like social exclusion and mental illness.

OUR GOAL

Improve access and availability of the resources needed to revitalize and strengthen neighbourhoods.

At the core, the foundation for a strong community starts with investing in services and supports for people and families in need. We all share in the benefits of a healthy, vibrant, prosperous community.

YOUR SUPPORT

Your support makes a difference. In 2024-2025:

2,200 people accessed mental health supports to improve their sense of security and wellness

1,354 safety and recovery treatment sessions were available to survivors of violence and trauma to rebuild their lives

volunteers

3,924 volunteers mobilized to support front-line agencies

Day of caring at AWYF

112 community agencies supported through United Way's Volunteer Resource Centre

Helping Kids Be All That Kids Can Be

Children and youth are one of our community’s greatest assets. The reality is, far too many young people are struggling. Poverty, food insecurity, mental illness, safe places and spaces, and a lack of early years supports can have life-long effects including their ability to finish high school. United Way sees the potential in our youngest citizens and that youth engagement and targeted community supports are instrumental in life-long success.

OUR GOAL

To give children and youth in our community the support they need to get a great start in life, do well in school and reach their potential.

YOUR SUPPORT

Your support makes a difference. In 2024-2025:

Happy kids eating lunch

4,056 children and youth participated in mental health and emotional support actvities

602 children directly supported through United Way- funded programs

282 children received one-to-one mentoring support

1,231 literacy and numeracy session were provided to children and youth