York United Way expected growth in child poverty

from the York Region Era Banner

By: Chris Traber, Staff Writer
A United Way of Greater Toronto report revealing close to 30 per cent of Toronto families raising children live in poverty may be a sign of what we can expect here, United Way of York Region CEO Daniele Zanotti said.

“What we see in the data is the winds blowing north of Steeles. It’s a gentle wind right now, but we’re feeling it,” said Mr. Zanotti, who reviewed and advised on the sister organization’s study released this week.

“The number of vulnerable, low-income families is growing beyond Toronto’s borders,” he said.

The Toronto study reports 93,000 households, a 14-per-cent increase since 1990, are under serious financial stress.

The document also said the rest of the GTA’s 23 municipalities, including York’s nine, are relatively stable and improving.

But there are already signs of trouble in York Region, Mr. Zanotti said.

Mr. Zanotti cites a series of reports released by York Region, in partnership with the Community Reference Group, which he co-chairs with Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.

One in 10 York Region residents lives under the poverty line, according to the Just the Facts About Your Community report.

That’s 71,600 York Region residents, roughly the combined population of Aurora, East Gwillimbury and King — based on 2001 census figures because the 2006 information won’t be available until next May.

“The city doesn’t end at Steeles,” York Region Food Network executive director Joan Stonehocker said. “We have the same issues and others. We have a lack of transportation, most definitely a lack of affordable housing and large rural areas in the northern part of the region.

“In general, many poverty issues in York Region are invisible. We just don’t think it happens here.”

Ms Stonehocker, who joined the network in September, is encouraged by the province’s promise of a strategy to address poverty and by the region’s support of the eight food banks in her network.

Systemic policy changes are needed to address poverty, Mr. Zanotti said.

“In York Region, in particular, there are two pieces that scream for attention,” he said.

First, the health and social services funding gap in the 905 area, as highlighted in a September audit, must be closed. Another solution, he said, is more services close to home.

“We have to have programs you can walk down the street to. The social services network is so stretched. We’re not just losing ground, we’ve got to find ground,” he said.

Helping our most vulnerable neighbours remains his immediate objective.

“I still freak out about about the homeless guy lugging his cart around Richmond Hill,” he said. “We can’t get lost in the numbers. We have to get our feet on the ground. United Way is focused on delivering services to the ground.”

With the regional United Way '07 campaign at the midpoint, it’s at 51 per cent of its $9-million goal.

Visit unitedwayyorkregion.com for information on how you can help.

Visit yrfn.ca or call 905-967-0428 or 1-866-454-9736 toll free for Food Network information and how you can help.