2024–2025
Impact Report
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and honour the land on which our organization works. This land is the traditional territory of many Indigenous communities, including the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, and Mississaugas, and we are grateful to live, work, and play, in the spirit of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant. We are privileged to share this land, and take time to reflect truthfully and be in community with Indigenous peoples in the spirit of Reconciliation.
UNITED IN ACTION
Our Year in Review
This past year has shown us just how much we need each other. Your generosity and commitment to our community have never been more important.
Together, we made an incredible impact—raising $12.1 million dollars to help those facing challenges in our community. This means local agencies can keep their doors open, more advocacy work is happening to create lasting change, and more people are getting the help they need, when they need it most. Whether it’s food, housing, mental health support, or other vital services, your support is making a real difference.
You turn hope into action. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every act of kindness keeps this work going. Thank you for standing with us, believing in the power of community, and standing United in ACTION. We can’t do this without you!
With gratitude,
Brad Park
President and CEO, United Way Halton & Hamilton
Susan Nicholson
Chair, Board of Directors, United Way Halton & Hamilton Deputy City Solicitor, Legal Services Commercial, Development, Policy, City of Hamilton
United for Community, United for Local Lives, United for Impact. The time is now to stand United in Action!
This online preview is a glimpse into the impact YOU made possible over the past year.
See how your support is helping tackle pressing social challenges through our three strategic areas of investment.
Poverty to
Possibility
Through our supported
programs, we help individuals become more economically independent, access affordable goods and services, and develop skills to prepare for a better future.
Employment
& Financial Security
Food Security
All That
Kids Can Be
Children and youth face many barriers that can prevent their healthy development and achievement. United Way helps children and youth realize their full potential.
Child & Youth
Supports
Family Supports
Healthy
People, Strong Communities
Wellness and belonging are the foundation of strong communities for everyone. Communities are healthier when people feel safe, valued and represented in their community.
Mental Health
& Safety
Community Inclusion
Your Local Love in Action
Watch our Impact Video to hear real voices from our community and see how your support brought hope and change to local lives.
Our Community in
Action
Programs supported
Agencies supported
Million has been invested in our local community since 2017 — all thanks to your support of United Way Halton & Hamilton
As a result of this support you helped:
Children and youth access basic needs and empowerment programs.
Seniors improve their wellness and sense of belonging.
Women who are facing systemic barriers to inclusion and prosperity.
menstrual hygiene products were distributed as a part of our Period Promise initiative.
All That Kids Can Be
“Thanks to United Way, Logan is learning to read and gaining confidence every day. This program is helping him unlock his potential, and we’re so proud of his progress.”
The Issue
Far too many children and youth are growing up without the support they need to reach their full potential.
When we invest early in their physical, emotional, and educational development, we can help prevent long-term challenges like school dropout, unemployment, poor mental health, and cycles of poverty.
With your support, United Way is funding programs that give young people the tools to succeed, like after-school activities, mental health services, positive mentorship, parenting supports, anti-bullying efforts, and initiatives that build confidence and self-esteem.
Together, we can help every child grow up with the opportunities and support they deserve.
Your Impact in Action
Thanks to your generosity, United Way Halton & Hamilton supported youth and their families across our region in reaching their potential in 2024–2025. Together, we’re helping young people stay on track, build resilience, and thrive. Here are just some of the outcomes your support made possible:
Community Issue
More children and families in Halton say they don’t feel safe in their neighbourhoods. As community ties weaken, isolation grows and support fades. Strengthening connections is key to creating safe, supportive communities where children thrive.
High school students face a critical gap in accessing mental health resources due to lack of awareness, accessibility, and effective communication. Addressing this gap is crucial to ensuring young people receive the support they need.
Single mothers in Halton and Hamilton face financial strain, stress, and social isolation, affecting family stability and child well-being. Accessible support services can build resilience, reduce stress, and create stable, nurturing environments.
Key Statistic
Impact
Key Statistic
48%
of parents feel their community is supportive, connected, and safe for children to grow.
Impact
100,385
Key Statistic
39%
of Hamilton high school students want to talk to someone about a mental health or emotional concern but don’t know where to turn.
Impact
98,872
Children and youth improved their emotional and physical well-being.
Key Statistic
1 in 8
single-parent families in Ontario is led by a woman – a number that continues to rise in Halton and Hamilton.
Impact
18,520
Families have more capacity to work through challenges and increased healthy engagement with their children.
Want to learn more?
Dive into the full All That Kids Can Be section of the report.
From Poverty to Possibility
“United Way’s support didn’t just give me a place to stay— they gave me hope, confidence, and the tools to build a future for me and my son.”
The Issue
Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is one of the most urgent challenges facing individuals and families in Halton and Hamilton.
Rising housing costs have made it increasingly difficult for many to secure a place to live, pushing more households to the edge financially. What was once a challenge for the most vulnerable is now a growing concern for people across income levels, putting added pressure on our communities and local support systems.
As more families struggle to find housing they can afford, the need for accessible, sustainable housing solutions has never been more critical. United Way is working with partners to respond to this crisis, because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
Your Impact in Action
Thanks to your support, United Way Halton & Hamilton helped individuals and families take meaningful steps toward financial stability in 2024–2025.
Together, we’re creating pathways out of poverty and opening doors to brighter futures. Your generosity is helping people build skills, gain employment, and access the resources they need to thrive. Here are just a few of the outcomes your support made possible:
Community Issue
Food insecurity is rising at an alarming rate in Hamilton, heavily impacting children and families. Expanding support systems is crucial to help community members move from surviving to thriving.
People with disabilities face barriers to employment due to stigma, discrimination, and inaccessibility. Creating inclusive workplaces is essential for building a stronger, more prosperous economy for everyone.
Rising living costs in Halton are pushing residents to the brink, making everyday essentials unaffordable. Ensuring financial stability is crucial to prevent people from slipping into poverty.
Key Statistic
Impact
Key Statistic
Since 2020, food bank usage has risen 42%, with over 900 daily users, 37% of them children.
Impact
50,862
People have increased food security
Key Statistic
In Ontario, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is 8%, compared to 5% for those without disabilities.
Impact
13,329
People work towards meaningful employment
Key Statistic
$26 per hour is the minimum needed to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation, and childcare.
Impact
9,007
People experience increased financial security
Want to learn more?
Dive into the full From Poverty to Possibility section of the report.
Healthy people, strong communities
“United Way’s support didn’t just help Don—it helped me, as a caregiver, find strength and peace during one of the hardest journeys of my life.”
The Issue
Healthy, thriving communities are built on inclusion, safety, and a sense of belonging for everyone.
But many individuals in our region, including seniors, newcomers, racialized communities, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, those living with mental health challenges, and others facing systemic barriers, often don’t experience that sense of belonging.
When people feel excluded or undervalued, it limits their ability to fully participate in community life, access support, and live with dignity and purpose.
Your Impact in Action
Thanks to your support, United Way Halton & Hamilton helped individuals and families across our region strengthen equity, wellbeing, and social connection in 2024–2025.
Together, we’re building more inclusive, compassionate communities, where everyone has the opportunity to feel supported and thrive. Here’s how your generosity helped make that possible:
Community Issue
Seniors in Canada face increasing social isolation, impacting their well-being. Strengthening community involvement and promoting social connections can improve quality of life and reduce isolation risks.
Intimate partner violence remains alarmingly high and is often unreported, especially in rural areas where women face unique barriers such as isolatioln, limited services, and delayed responses. Strengthening service coordination is essential to ensure timely, lifesaving support.
Mental health struggles are rising, especially among young adults in Hamilton and Halton. Prioritizing mental health support is essential for building healthy families and creating resilient, thriving communities.
Key Statistic
Impact
Key Statistic
30%
of Canadian seniors face the risk of isolation, highlighting social connection as a major challenge identified by the International Federation on Ageing.
Impact
77,521
People are involved in their community and feel a sense of belonging.
Key Statistic
Every 6 Days
in Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner. Rural women face Intimate Partner Violence rates of 75% higher than those living in urban settings.
Impact
43,391
People are able to access supports due to enhanced community service coordination.
Key Statistic
1 in 6
residents over 12 in Hamilton have mood or anxiety disorders, while 46% of Halton high schoolers report poor or fair mental health.
Impact
86,066
People have improved mental health and are better able to handle life’s challenges.
Want to learn more?
Dive into the full Healthy People, Strong Communities section of the report.
Hope and Recovery
“Without United Way, I wouldn’t be alive today. United Way saves lives on levels that people aren’t even aware of. Every dollar donated to United Way goes to help someone like me.”
What is the Network of Support?
When friends and neighbours in our community need support, they often rely on multiple services to navigate life’s challenges.
This interconnected system of care is what we call the network of support.
At United Way Halton & Hamilton, we serve as the backbone of this network — bringing together agency partners, community leaders, and donors to drive meaningful change. Through strategic investments, collaboration, and collective action, we strengthen the programs that provide essential services, including access to food, shelter, mental health support, employment opportunities, and more.
By uniting resources and expertise, we are building a compassionate, coordinated system that wraps around our community’s most vulnerable individuals and families, ensuring no one faces hardship alone.
Want to learn more?
Dive into the full Network of Support section of the report.
You Make This Work Possible
We’re incredibly grateful for the community champions, volunteers, organizations, and philanthropic families who stood with us this year.
Your support helped uplift our neighbours, strengthen local programs, and create lasting change across Halton and Hamilton.
Whether through time, generosity, or partnership, each of you played a role in building a more connected, compassionate community, and we truly couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you for helping build a stronger, more caring community.
Learn more about these community leaders’ contributions and support on pages 30-43 of our report.
Local Love In ACTION
This isn’t just giving, it’s amplifying your impact – addressing local challenges, supporting families, and empowering individuals in Halton & Hamilton. A big thank you to all of the contributors who stepped up and stepped forward in delivering the Local love Community Match, ensuring every campaign gift was matched.
View the community leaders and organizations, who contributed to the 2024–2025 Local Love Community Match. See how you can get involved today!
United for Community, United for Local Lives, United for Impact. The time is now to stand United in action!
United in ACTION is a reflection of the compassion, generosity, and strength that defines our community.
It’s about coming together to ensure no one is left behind, especially our most vulnerable neighbours. With your support, we’re helping seniors, families, newcomers, and youth navigate life’s toughest challenges, while ensuring local programs have what they need to stay strong and accessible.
Thank you for standing United in ACTION with us. Your support helps build a community where everyone feels included, supported, and able to thrive.
