Healthy People, Strong Communities

Improving Neighbourhood Health and Personal Wellbeing

Making Halton and Hamilton a great place for everyone.

Health and well-being can be influenced by where people live. The strength, resiliency and health of neighbourhoods have a major impact on residents’ current and future quality of life. United Way supports recreation, parenting, social and human service programs that provide the tools, confidence and supports needed to create vital communities. We also seek input from the residents through conversations and consultation in order to deepen our understanding of issues, promote action and strengthen neighbourhoods.

How We’re Changing Lives

We invest in programs that build skills for independent living, counselling for mental health issues, programs that allow people to feel connected, and research to understand root causes.

Issue

More than 40% of Canadians feel lonely some or all of the time, with the problem worse among those who live alone.

The economic burden of mental illness in Canada is an estimated $51 billion per year including health care costs, lost productivity and reductions in health-related quality of life.

59% of immigrants and visible minorities in Hamilton said they experienced discrimination in the past three years

Impact

People are involved in their community and feel a sense of belonging

3000

People have improved mental health and are better able to handle life's challenges

3000

visible minorities supported and inclusion promoted by helping people engage with their culture and celebrating diversity

3000

Changing lives. Together.

Carol’s Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSVtriwmwa4 My husband and I moved to a new neighbourhood in 2007, where we felt safe and connected to the community. But my life took an unexpected turn when I...

AJ’s Story

“I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety at about nine or 10 years old. From my family’s perspective, it came out of left field. I was a...

Nira’s Story

United Way Halton & Hamilton’s new Investment Framework is supporting the work of critical frontline agencies, including a long-time champion of women, girls, the gender diverse and 2S-LGBTQIA+Q2+ youth. The...

Colette’s Story

“I have always been a gregarious person, so the pandemic proved especially tough for me. Here I was confined all alone inside the seniors’ home where I was living. I...

Premji’s Story

“My wife, Shanta, has Alzheimer’s. Before I found United Way, it was very difficult. She’s the patient, but I was the sufferer—she didn’t know what was wrong, but I did,...

Mariya’s Story

“I was born in Kazakhstan, in a village called Merké, where I lived until I was 16. Then, I left to study medicine, and I met my husband, who is...

Are you or someone you know needing support?

Reach out by dialing 211—a free, confidential, 24/7 service available nationwide in Canada. Accessible in over 150 languages via phone, web, and text, 211 connects individuals to the appropriate information and services. Every day, this helpline offers a lifeline to care and resources for those in vulnerable circumstances, including seniors, newcomers, Indigenous communities, and beyond.