Children & Youth
Empowering children and youth with the support they need to break the cycle of poverty is essential for their long-term success. This includes opportunities for healthy social, emotional, and physical development, to reduce the risk of facing challenges later in life.
United Way Focuses On
- Social Development
- Emotional Development
- Mentorship
- Counselling and Mental Health Support
- Child and Youth Homelessness
- Recreation Programs
- School and Weekend Food Programs
- Education Programs
- Systems Navigation and Advocacy
- Youth Empowerment
- Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities
- Tutoring or academic Support
The Issues – what we know
- 34.2% of children and youth lived in housing that did not meet national standards. (Children and Youth in Waterloo Region: A Demographic Profile (2025) Children & Youth Planning Table)
- 1 in 3 food recipients served by the Cambridge Food Bank is a child, reflecting broader regional and national trends. (Cambridge Food Bank)
- The percentage of gender-diverse youth who reported experiencing homelessness was nearly double that of cisgender youth (23% compared with 12% for both boys and girls). (Youth Impact Survey, 2023, Children and Youth Planning Table)
Your Impact
These numbers reflect the 2025 reporting period.
$394,000
Dollars Invested
13,467
People Helped
9
Funded Partners / Programs
Our Response
Through our network of funded partners, working together, people experiencing hate, gender-based, and family violence can access essential supports to find safety, heal from harm, and build safer futures.
Funded Partners
