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As 91��ɫ staff and faculty members continue to work together to raise $150,000 for the United Way Greater Toronto as part of the 91��ɫ Cares United Way campaign, community members are encouraged to challenge their perspective on poverty.

Living on a limited budget is tough, and for those living in poverty, making the month can be a difficult challenge. A new online tool, has been launched to help Canadians understand the experience of living in poverty. It is the first online poverty simulator in Canada, and is designed to offer a unique way to engage, build empathy and raise awareness about the complicated issues related to poverty in our local communities such as housing, mental health, food security, child poverty and employment.

The tool challenges participants to make the month on a limited budget and is meant to offer a glimpse into the challenging decisions that people living with limited resources can face in their daily lives. Participants engage in a virtual situation where they are asked to make difficult choices, and are able to see the resulting challenges for those living in poverty.

Try on your own, with your family or colleagues at work and see if you can make the month. If you want to make this into an interactive virtual team building experience with discussion and facilitation from United Way, contact yucares@yorku.ca. The 91��ɫ community is committed to creating positive change for our students, our communities and the world around us.

91��ɫ is home to more than 7,000 staff and faculty. As of Nov. 10, 91��ɫ’s staff and faculty have raised over $53,000, making us closer to reaching our goal of $150,000. This year, the 91��ɫ Cares United Way campaign committee will share some facts as we progress through the campaign. Below is a breakdown of the top five groups with highest dollars raised and high participation rates. Kindly note that some Faculties and groups are larger than others.

Top five groups with highest dollars raised:

1. Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies – $9,662.40
2. Schulich School of Business – $8,929
3. Faculty of Science – $6,974
4. Faculty of Health – $6,005.12
5. Office of the VP Finance & Administration – $4,325.24

Top five groups with highest participation rate:

1. Office of the VP Advancement – 3.7 per cent
2. Libraries – 3.27 per cent
3. Office of the VP Equity, People & Culture – 3.22 per cent
4. Faculty of Education – 3.07 per cent
5. Office of the President – 2.81 per cent

GetUP – United Way Greater Toronto’s virtual physical challenge

Don’t forget to in support of our community to help raise funds for people and families experiencing poverty. All you need to do is ‘’ and move your body for 280 minutes. Participate in a physical activity of your choice. It’s a chance to get your heart pumping, show some local love and raise much-needed funds for our network of 280 community agencies. Join the “91��ɫ-91��ɫ Cares” team or register your own team, just be sure to indicate 91��ɫ is your school or workplace and include 91��ɫ in the team name. now or visit for more information.

Questions and inquiries can be directed to yucares@yorku.ca.

For more information and to see stories of people who faced barriers and overcame them, visit /alumniandfriends/united-way/.

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