I’m proud to say that I’ve donated to the United Way throughout my career at the University of Toronto. The reason: U of T is only as strong as the communities in which we are embedded, just as the University is a great strength of those communities.

This is particularly true of UTSC and Scarborough. In one of my blog posts I wrote that “People need places—and reasons—to gather, whether for connection/companionship, ambition or excitement/fulfillment. It’s these spaces and opportunities that give a community relevance, a reason for being. Without them, people set their sights on other places, and tell their stories without belonging.”

Through its efforts, the United Way supports a number of organizations in our communities which provide these opportunities for connection and reasons for being.

In Scarborough such organizations include the East Scarborough Storefront, East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club  and the Native Child and Family Services (Scarborough), Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, and TransCare Community Support Services.

I hope that you will join me and other members of the U of T community to participate in this year’s campaign. To make the process easier, you can donate online here. Should you prefer to donate by cheque, donation instructions are available on this webpage. 

If you have any questions, please contact the U of T United Way Team at unitedway@utoronto.ca.

Thank you.

Bruce Kidd
Vice-President & Principal,
University of Toronto Scarborough