By Rachael Wilson
President & CEO,
United Way East Ontario
The following article originally appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on October 14, 2026.
At a time when local community needs are higher than ever, I have hope.
United Way East Ontario recently hosted A Good Morning with United Way, bringing hundreds of donors, supporters, volunteers, and community partners together for breakfast.
But it was more than a meal. It was a moment where our communities could unite around common vision, celebrate what we have accomplished together, and build momentum for the work ahead—and there’s plenty to do.
Recent data has shown, local youth are just as vulnerable now as they were five years ago. Many are still struggling with their mental health—some as young as 12 and 13 are even turning to opioids to cope.
United Way’s 2026 Financial Anxiety Index showed almost half of respondents in Ottawa have a financial buffer of one month or less to cover basic expenses. That means many people in our communities are one unexpected bill, one missed paycheque, or one life event away from needing help.
And despite these needs, resources and funding to address them are at an all-time low.
By Rachael Wilson
President & CEO,
United Way East Ontario
So, what gives me hope?
I’ve been visiting Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County, and Renfrew County throughout this year—my first as President and CEO of United Way East Ontario.
In my travels I’ve met so many people who care deeply about the challenges their communities are facing, and who are dedicating themselves to doing something about it.
I spent time at a second-stage housing program, where mothers finally had a chance to exhale and to stop worrying about where they would sleep tomorrow. There, I met staff who are helping women and children find safety and stability after some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
I saw after-school and summer programs filled with children who were laughing, playing, learning, and simply being kids. The rooms were so full of energy and joy that it was difficult to carry on conversations. But it was amazing to hear because behind every laugh was a child finding connection, belonging, and support.
I spoke with people supporting those who are rebuilding their lives after incarceration.
I met neighbours determined to create a different future for themselves and their families, who just needed the opportunity and support to do so.
These stories are all different, but they all happen for one reason: Because people care.
And at United Way, we are bringing caring people, with their organizations and communities, together to tackle some of the toughest issues—from poverty and mental health and addictions to youth homelessness and seniors living in isolation.
United Way exists because the most complex challenges facing our communities cannot be solved alone.
They require all of us.
And that’s why I’m so inspired, not just by the folks I met on my travels around the region, but by everyone I met at A Good Morning with United Way. There was a palpable feeling in the air that morning—the will to build a community where everyone can thrive, and to do it together.
United Way East Ontario is aiming to raise more than $21 million this year.
But our work is about much more than the dollars and cents.
Last year, thanks to our generous donors and caring communities, we helped support nearly 90,000 people across the region.
Your donation helps us do more than support local programs; we make sure people can find the support they need when life gets difficult; we create opportunities for people to build brighter futures; and most importantly, we ensure that when someone reaches out for help, they don’t just find a service—they find a community ready to stand beside them.
Because united, we can be a force for good.
United, we can turn your generosity into immediate community-wide support.
And united, we can bring hope to those in our communities who are struggling.
