How a rapidly growing York Region is bridging the gaps
In the face of the growing need, York Region and the United Way Toronto have partnered up to deliver essential services to the region’s most vulnerable populations.

TheStar.com
Oct. 31, 2016
Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO, York Region

The partnership between York Region and the United Way Toronto has been extremely valuable as we deal with the challenges that come with unprecedented growth and a vast geographical area.

York Region is now one of Canada’s fastest-growing large urban municipalities with nearly 1.2 million people and approximately 25,000 new residents moving here every year. The region borders Toronto to the south and Lake Simcoe to the north and includes nine municipalities, tracts of agricultural land, and an abundance of natural resources. Overall, York Region is a diverse, vibrant and prosperous area with a very good quality of life.

While we celebrate a steady influx of new residents and businesses, like all rapidly growing municipalities, we face some daunting issues including homelessness, an aging population and a growing number of vulnerable people with complex needs, such as mental health and addiction problems.

In response, regional council helped to facilitate the partnership between York Region and the United Way by adopting innovative social service strategies and providing ongoing financial support. By working hand-in-hand with the United Way, we are able to anticipate challenges, get ahead of problems and build community capacity.

In the face of growing need, regional council created the human services planning board, which has been focusing its efforts on housing affordability and progressive employment. York Region’s staff and the United Way have come together to lead the planning board’s many initiatives like bringing the Career Navigator program to York Region. This program is designed to develop meaningful career opportunities for youth facing multiple barriers.

The United Way is also a member of the York Region Community Partnership Council. The partnership council’s mandate is to develop and implement the region’s immigration settlement strategy. Most recently, the focus has been on helping Syrian refugees settle into their new homes after escaping the horrors of war. I am proud to say that as of September 2016, 285 privately sponsored refugees have moved into our region and a further 137 private sponsor applications are in process.

Every year, York Region and the United Way collaborate to ensure that precious financial resources are directed to as many worthy agencies and programs as possible. In 2016, the region provided $5.5 million for 51 projects that will benefit low and moderate income residents. For example, we are supporting the Alzheimer Society of York Region and its A Brand New D.A.Y program, which provides structured and individualized mental health supports, respite, and a recreational and social daycare program for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Most recently, York Region and the United Way produced a joint report on homelessness. The document, Understanding the Numbers: Working Together to Prevent, Reduce and End Homelessness in York Region, provides us with a much better picture of homelessness across the region.

Through the data collected, we found that there is no one single contributing factor to homelessness and that it exists across all demographics. And, for the vast majority of people homelessness is a one-time, temporary situation.

With this report in hand, we will build on our current initiatives, address service gaps and analyze the effectiveness of our programs and services. Ultimately, our goal is to achieve the provincial target of ending chronic homelessness within 10 years.

York Region and the United Way have a long history of developing solutions and supporting our most vulnerable citizens in a time of need. Through collaboration, these professionals have made a positive difference in the lives of our residents. I applaud everyone for their compassion and unwavering commitment to helping others. Your contribution to York Region’s exceptional quality of life is invaluable.