Kelly lived on the street with no home, no future and no hope. 

But with the support of United Way, she turned her life around.  She found a job and an affordable place to call her own.  Kelly now has stability and hope, which is what everyone needs to really go places. 

Poverty is a far-reaching, complex issue. It’s also a lasting one. Once in the cycle of poverty, it’s difficult to overcome and can continue for generations.

Calgary has one of the highest standards of living in Canada, but many Calgarians live in poverty, trying to make ends meet with low-paying work or multiple part-time jobs. United Way is committed to supporting families and individuals in need with, for example, basic needs such as toiletries, accessing affordable housing and groceries, bagged lunches for the working homeless and nutritious meals and snacks for hungry children at school. We also give vulnerable Calgarians the tools they need to move out of the cycle of poverty for good, such as vocational, parental and financial training, transit passes to find and get to work, and access to low-cost recreational activities– but we couldn’t do it without your help.

Support United Way and help Calgarians move from poverty to possibility.

Read more United Way stories and find out how your support can make a difference in someone's life.