Each year, the York University community engages in the York Cares United Way Campaign to raise funds to help vulnerable members of the community facing crisis. The 2021 campaign, which ran from Oct. 26 to Nov. 30, was a success bringing in more than $183,000.
Faculty, staff and students came together to support the campaign, surpassing the $150,000 goal, and showcasing York’s commitment to creating positive change for its students and local communities.
York members responded to the call to right the future with overwhelming support, and participated in GetUP – United Way’s virtual physical challenge, tried the MaketheMonth.ca online poverty simulation tool, and used their personalized links to the pledge form to donate.
Dedicated staff worked together to plan and make this campaign possible. The 2021 York Cares United Way Campaign Committee, Division of Advancement’s Caterina Elzbet and Nadia Dar engaged many volunteers across the University and were assisted by the following staff: Stephen Childs, Karen Furlong, Tien Do-Ky, Alexandra Lucchesi, Ashley Goodfellow Craig, Vanessa Thompson, Ayesha Amanulla, Mario So Gao, Caitlin Drake Smith, Marion Frankian, Isabelle Montagnier, Johanne Roberge, Sue Bulof, Sharon Elliot, Vina Sandher, Lyna Truong, Donna Cope, Meaghan Morris, Mike Kasaboski, Scott Labron, Amal Awini, Farah Rafiq, and 30 executive assistants across the University who engaged their teams.
“On behalf of the York Cares United Way Campaign Committee, thank you York University for supporting our local communities,” said Elzbet. “We are truly a community of changemakers.”
Funds raised during the campaign were directed to United Way Greater Toronto in support of social services and organizations in Peel, Toronto, and York Region, some of which directly impact York community members.
To see the change made possible by supporting United Way Greater Toronto, visit the Alumni and Friends York Cares website.