Empowering Families to Thrive Through Uncertainty
As my two daughters move into new phases of their lives, I am filled with pride, excitement, and a growing awareness of the uncertainty that lies ahead.
My oldest is actively looking for a part-time job. She is applying, following up, and doing everything right, yet opportunities have been hard to come by.
She’s eager to gain experience, build confidence, and save for college. But the path forward is no longer as straightforward as it once was.
My youngest is immersed in her university studies, yet she too worries about the future. With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, she wonders how secure her career path will be and how quickly the landscape might change.
As a parent, I want to reassure them, and say that hard work will lead to opportunity. But I also know the world they are entering is more complex, more competitive, and less forgiving than the one I knew at their age.
What my daughters are experiencing reflects what many families across Halton and Hamilton are facing every day.
The Youth Employment Challenge
The unemployment rate among Canadian youth aged 15 to 24 reached 14.7 percent as of September 2025. Behind that statistic are young people eager to work, gain experience, and contribute, but struggling to find their footing. For families already stretched by rising costs, that uncertainty can have ripple effects on financial stability, mental health, and how they plan for the future.
This is where community support makes a real difference.
Investing in Pathways to Opportunity
Your United Way invests in employment and financial security programs that help people navigate these transitions with dignity and support.
From mentoring initiatives that connect underserved youth, newcomers, and racialized professionals with experienced guides, to job readiness and employment connection programs for individuals facing mental health or addiction challenges, these services open doors that might otherwise remain closed.
We support programs that build essential skills, from literacy and computer training for adults, to construction trades programs that offer hands-on experience for youth facing barriers to employment.
United Way also invests in pathways for individuals with developmental disabilities, helping them transition from high school into further education, volunteer placements, and meaningful work.
These programs do more than address immediate needs. They restore choice, dignity, and hope. They help families move from worrying about what lies ahead to believing in what is possible.
Family Day reminds us that none of us builds a future alone. When we invest in families, in young people, and in pathways to opportunity, we strengthen our entire community.
Together, we can help ensure that the next generation does not just navigate uncertainty, but has the support they need to thrive.
Wishing you and your loved ones a meaningful Family Day.
Brad Park
President and CEO
United Way Halton & Hamilton
