Innovative Local Impact

How 211’s data-sharing is transforming social services in Canada

Most people know 211 as a 24-hour phone line available in 150 languages to help users navigate the complex network of human services — but the data this service collects are used for so much more. Find out how this data makes a lasting impact at a community level. This is the first story in our series on Innovative Local Impact, crafted in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada.

Why More Canadian Businesses are Becoming Social Purpose Companies

Seven out of 10 Canadians believe companies should be able to show how they are bettering the world. Are social purpose companies the future? Find out why more local companies are embracing social purpose, and how it is impacting both their communities and bottom line. This is the second story in our series on Innovative Local Impact, crafted in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada.

How This Canadian City is Curbing Youth Homelessness

Affordable housing was one of the top issues on young people’s minds in the last federal election — even before COVID-19 highlighted the intense vulnerability people who are homeless face. As housing becomes less affordable in mid-size and major cities across the country, there’s a need to strategize how to prevent youth homelessness, both during the crisis and afterward. Our third story in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada.

How Drop-In Centres in Winnipeg are Working Together to Support Families

Cities throughout Canada face pressure to meet the needs of families with low income, who lack resources for food security, education, and mental well-being — and this pressure will only continue to grow post-COVID-19. United Way Winnipeg’s partnership with the Government of Manitoba is an example of flexible funding that’s fostering innovation in family support. This is our fourth story in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada.

COVID-19 will “absolutely exacerbate homelessness in Canada,” say advocates

Approximately 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, and there are even more who are underhoused. Housing advocates say these figures may increase, due to economic instability during the coronavirus pandemic. Our fifth story in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada examines how a movement to close the housing gap influenced the federal government’s first national housing strategy.

This Impact Lab is Transforming Calgary’s Social Sector

With limited resources and stringent competition for funds, social sector organizations are increasingly expected to do more with less, particularly during the current pandemic and economic crisis. In Calgary, The Social Impact Lab is encouraging collaboration over competition by bringing together non-profits and businesses. This is our sixth story in partnership with United Way Centraide Canada.

This Montreal project is helping citizens take the lead on community development

A project in Montreal is flipping the philanthropic model on its head, by enabling community members to be the ultimate decision makers. The Collective Impact Project is helping 17 neighbourhoods in Montreal fight against poverty and social exclusion through a unique model. This article, our seventh in a series with United Way Centraide Canada, highlights the journey and learnings of this collaborative project.

“Way beyond a charitable model”: This collaborative initiative is transforming Scarborough’s Golden Mile

While economic development of suburban communities can decrease poverty, it may also come at the expense of local residents through an increased cost of living, pushing them out of their own neighbourhoods due to unaffordability. This is our eighth piece in a series in partnership with the United Way Centraide of Canada.