Improving lives across Niagara every day

In order for whole communities to thrive, the needs of every individual within them must be met.

United Way Niagara not only meets immediate, urgent and basic needs in the short term, we connect people and agencies with the resources they need to tackle systemic social issues that are often the root cause of these needs. By providing stable, three-year funding to support Niagara’s critical social safety net, agency partners have reliable funding, enabling consistent program delivery that meet community needs, today and tomorrow.

The issues facing our community are complex, impacting people every day. And when people aren’t at their best, they can’t contribute in the same way. The challenges people are facing are interconnected and often require more than one program or agency to make lasting change.

Mental Health, Social Isolation and Addiction

Mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Having positive mental health contributes to emotional, psychological, and social well-being at all stages of life. Learn more about how we’re
addressing complex mental health needs right here in Niagara.

Housing and Homelessness

Thousands of households in Niagara are in core housing need – spending too much of their income on housing costs. With the rising cost of living and rent prices becoming more and more unaffordable, the number of households at-risk will continue to grow. United Way strongly believes that having a safe and secure place to call home is something everyone deserves.

Hunger and Food Security

Hunger is a serious public health problem in Canada because individuals’ health and wellbeing are tightly linked to their household food security status. Healthy food is the fuel that allows us to live, work and play in our communities. No person should have to choose to go without it to prioritize other vital needs. Read about how we are responding to the need for accessible, healthy food locally.

Child and Youth Success

For the long-term success of youth in Niagara, we know that having support in the earliest years of life is vital. United Way believes that children should have the opportunity to be all that they can be. Learn more about how through mentorship, community engagement and healthy lifestyle encouragement, we’re making a difference in the youth population of Niagara.

Poverty and Basic Needs

Each of the issues United Way tackles can be a symptom of poverty in one way or another. When a person is impoverished, it’s not just because they lack a pay check or income. It begins to affect their social and mental well-being, overreaching into all facets of their life. Learn about how we’re addressing social capital and working to improve the quality of life for those in need, right here in Niagara.

Gender-Based Violence

When one person in a relationship overtakes control and begins a pattern of abuse, it can mean the complete breakdown of the family dynamic and puts partners and their children at immense risk. United Way Niagara invests in emergency shelters, court support and counselling for victims of gender-based violence.

SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP SOLVE THESE ISSUES

How You Can Help

Find out how you can take action today to help solve issues like this.

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