Earlier this fall, I had the joy of walking one of my two daughters onto campus as she began her second year of post-secondary school. As we carried boxes, unpacked her belongings, and set up her space, I felt both pride and deep gratitude.
I was reminded of how fortunate we are to have the financial stability and the network of family, friends, and community support that allow her to pursue her dreams.
At this time of year, when gratitude is top of mind, I find myself reflecting on how much those supports matter. And I am mindful that many of our friends and neighbours do not have the same opportunities or stability to help them navigate life’s challenges.
Too many in our community are living on the edge, and the need is only growing.
Food Banks Canada’s 2025 Poverty Report Card shows that one in four Canadians are living with some form of food insecurity.
For some, this means worrying about running out of groceries. For others, it means skipping meals or going an entire day without eating.
Closer to home, the City of Hamilton data shows homelessness has risen sharply by 25 percent in just a short time from 1,600 people to more than 2,000.
Devin’s Story
Behind these numbers are real people with real stories. People like Devin.
For the past decade, Devin has stayed in shelters, but more often he chose the outdoors, where he felt safest.
He has a prosthetic leg and recently turned 60, while also navigating the challenges of mental health and addiction.
An outreach team from a United Way-supported agency helped Devin apply for a subsidized seniors’ unit, file his taxes, manage his insurance, and secure provincial benefits to cover rent. Step-by-step, these efforts opened the door to a brighter future.
Today, Devin has signed the lease on his own apartment. After years of instability, he finally has a safe place to call home.
Devin’s story is a powerful reminder of why United Way Halton & Hamilton exists. Our mission is to ensure that when people face obstacles, they do not face them alone. Stability and opportunity should not be privileges, they should be the foundation every person can rely on.
This Thanksgiving, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible community that makes this work possible. To our agency partners, thank you for delivering critical programs with dedication and compassion. To our donors, thank you for your generosity, which fuels life-changing support. And to our staff, thank you for your commitment to keeping our network strong and responsive.
How You Can Help
Yet as the need grows, so too must our collective action. Together, we can ensure that more individuals and families have the chance to experience stability and hope. There are many ways to help – through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about the importance of community support.
One of the most impactful ways is through becoming a Leadership Donor. A monthly gift of $100 or an annual donation of $1,200 or more helps sustain long-term solutions that children, families, and seniors across our region depend on. Your support fuels brighter futures for people like Devin and countless others.
Click here to donate and support programs that uplift our community.
As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, I invite you to reflect on the power of stability, gratitude, and community. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.
From all of us at United Way Halton Hamilton, Happy Thanksgiving!
Brad Park
President and CEO
United Way Halton & Hamilton
