UNITED WAY SASKATOON AND AREA QUARTERLY UPDATE
FEATURES
UNITED WAY SETS AMBITIOUS $4 MILLION GOAL
United Way Saskatoon and Area announced an ambitious goal to raise $4 million this year to support 40 local community programs and initiatives, helping make our communities stronger and better for everyone.
AUNTIE SUITE IN YWCA HOPEFUL HEART’S PROGRAM RECEIVES CREE NAME
United Way Saskatoon and Area is honoured to announce the Cree naming of the auntie suite in YWCA Saskatoon’s Hopeful Heart’s program. The name was revealed during a short ceremony in the new transitional housing wing.
NEWS
Introducing a fun, new way to continue supporting LOCAL communities.
United 50/50 YXE is an opportunity to have a little fun, possibly win some money, but most importantly join a movement creating positive change in our local communities.
Joining the game starts at five dollars, and a draw is held every second Friday. Plus, there is an option to become a member, so you can be entered into every new game, increasing your chances of winning.
Every dollar raised by United Way Saskatoon and Area goes directly back into our communities through investments in over 40 local initiatives aimed at Moving People from Poverty to Possibility, Helping Kids Be All They Can Be, and Strengthening Our Community.
Many of these initiatives are focused on positive health and mental health outcomes for families and youth. Others offer career readiness and mentorship for youth, women, struggling families, and individuals experiencing homelessness. And quite a few deliver early childhood education, literacy, and support for families with small children. All of these initiatives contribute to thriving and stronger local communities.
Buy a United 50/50 YXE ticket today and show your support for our community.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF IMPACT
United Way celebrated Sheri Benson and her incredible 30 years of service with United Way Saskatoon and Area. Sheri’s unwavering commitment to building strong, inclusive communities and tackling complex social issues has left a lasting mark on our region.
UNITED STEELWORKERS PRESENTED WITH W.A. MILNE AWARD
United Way was honoured to present USW representatives with the W. A. Milne Award at this year’s AGM. Thank you to USW leadership and membership for being a vital part of United Way.
$30,000 RAISED FOR NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN WILDFIRE EVACUEES
In a powerful display of compassion and community spirit, Saskatoon residents and organizations have come together to raise over $30,000 in aid for evacuees affected by the devastating wildfires sweeping across northern Saskatchewan.
At its peak, over 8000 evacuees were hosted in Saskatoon. Many of them women with young children.
CUMMINS SASKATOON DONATES BIKES TO EGADZ
For the second year in a row, the incredible team at Cummins Saskatoon has donated a fleet of brand-new BMX bikes to youth at EGADZ Youth Centre.
Their continued generosity means even more young people get to experience the freedom, fun, and independence that comes with having a bike of their own.
SHAPING A STRONGER FUTURE
United Way Saskatoon & Area has released its Community Investment Strategy for 2025–2027, outlining a bold, community-informed vision for addressing local challenges. Built on extensive consultations with diverse community voices—including Indigenous leaders, youth, seniors, and 2SLGBTQ+ advocates—the strategy identifies key priorities: youth supports, mental health, housing and homelessness, sexual health education, and culturally grounded Indigenous programming.
The strategy also emphasizes more accessible funding processes and a renewed commitment to equity, inclusion, and measurable impact. With this roadmap, United Way aims to deepen its role as a catalyst for positive change across Saskatoon and area.
$20,000 INVESTMENT IN FIRE SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR FIRST NATION COMMUNITIES IN SASKATCHEWAN
United Way is proud to have helped facilitate a $20,000 donation from Scotiabank to Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management (SFNEM). This generous community investment will support vital fire prevention and emergency preparedness initiatives across First Nation communities in the province.
UNITED WAY PROVIDES EMERGENCY FUNDING TO SIX COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
United Way Saskatoon and Area invested an additional $320,000 in funding to further support local community-based organizations providing critical services for at-risk children, women and youth.
UNITED WAY CELEBRATES OVER $3 MILLION RAISED BY COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EFFORT
In response to a growing demand for community support services driven by an affordability crisis, homelessness, and opioid and HIV epidemics, United Way Saskatoon and Area donors and volunteers mobilized to raise $3.3 million through United Way’s annual, local community fundraising campaign.
PERIOD PROMISE DISTRIBUTES THOUSANDS OF PERIOD PRODUCTS
United Way and Saskatoon & District Labour Council proudly partnered again this year to raise awareness of period poverty with a period product collection drive.
If you missed the campaign, you can still contribute a financial donation HERE or contact us if you or your workplace would like to help distribute the products to community-based organizations in Saskatoon and area.
A TRUE HOME FOR YOUTH, BY YOUTH
Youth in group homes are some of the most overlooked segments of vulnerable populations in our community, but a team of young people from EGADZ are making their voices heard and changing how policy governs at least one youth home in the province.
UNITED WAY INVESTS $50K INTO YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMMING
United Way Saskatoon and Area was proud to join the board and staff of Chokecherry Studios for the grand opening of their new space on Avenue B North and celebrate the organization’s fifth anniversary serving youth in inner city Saskatoon. As a show of their continued support, United Way provided $50,000 in unrestricted funding to Chokecherry.
UNITED WAY DONATES A MONTH OF GROCERIES TO STC EMERGENCY WELLNESS CENTRE
United Way purchased a month’s worth of groceries for Saskatoon Tribal Council’s emergency wellness centre.
INNOVATION & IMPACT
TRAILER FOR THE FOUR IMPACT VIDEOS
CROCUS CO-OPERATIVE – SASKATOON, SK
DALMENY SENIOR CENTRE – DALMENY, SK
REDBERRY LAKE BIOSPHERE REGION
TURNER LAKE & BIRCH NARROWS COMMUNITY FOOD CENTRE
COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
2024-25 ANNUAL REPORT
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
STATEMENT ON SASKATOON BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS’ LETTER
United Way welcomes the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners’ letter to the Saskatchewan Minister of Health, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Minister of Social Services requesting increased long-term support for people with complex needs experiencing homelessness.
OPINION: SASKATOON CAN SOLVE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS WITH PROVEN STRATEGIES
United Way CEO urges the city to seek solutions that have worked elsewhere, such as Medicine Hat, to solve homelessness.
WHY HARM REDUCTION MATTERS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT: JEANNIE COE
United Way hosted guest speaker Jeannie Coe, a nurse practitioner in Saskatoon to share insight into harm reduction and why it matters.
SHOPPERS FOUNDATION WELCOME BOOST TO FIGHTING PERIOD POVERTY
Moon Time Connections and United Way are grateful for the generous donation by Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health to the Province of Saskatchewan, but continue raising donations and distributing free period products.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
United Way Saskatoon and Area is a community of local volunteers and donors working together to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. On our Volunteer Database, you can search through a variety of volunteer opportunities in our community.
Check it out! And if you don’t see the right opportunity for you, bookmark the page and visit regularly. It’s updated daily.
