Neighbours Helping Neighbours, in the City we Love
Introducing GIVE 6IX
During a time when we’re all apart and feeling isolated, imagine thousands of Torontonians joining in solidarity to end poverty. What could that look like? Would you join in?
At YSM we believe the only thing stopping us from doing just that is simply getting out there and DOING IT! It will start small, with each of us doing something, one thing, anything, to positively impact someone’s day, situation, or even their life . . .
Don’t know where to start? Read on!
YSM is introducing GIVE 6IX, a “do-what-you-can, wherever-you-are” movement to inspire everyone in our city to take action and grow our collective potential to make a difference.
It’s easy. GIVE 6IX invites you to do or give 6 things (any 6 things!) in order to help someone struggling in Toronto, “the Six”, right now. You might feel your actions are small, but as more people GIVE 6IX – once everyone gets involved – the impact will grow. That’s when real impactful change happens. That’s how a movement begins.
Join with us to GIVE 6IX to the Six. We’re here to help you.
WHAT’S YOUR 6IX?
Give Financially:
Give 60 cents a day
Give 6 dollars a month
Give 60 dollars 6 times in 2021
Give 6 hours’ wages
Give 6 friends a call and ask them to donate to YSM with you
Donate to YSM and GIVE your 6IX today!
Start a fundraising event with your family and friends and support a charity you love. To create an event in support of YSM click here
Give Items:
Give 6 pounds of potatoes
Give 60 diapers
Give 6 backpacks filled with school supplies to your local school or community centre
Plant a vegetable or fruit garden and donate the fresh produce to local food banks near you
Give 6 cell phones or SIM cards to programs supporting street-involved youth, like our HOPE program, so they can apply for jobs, housing and more. Contact Eleanor Edwards at events@ysm.ca or 647 466 1865 for more information
Click here for to find YSM’s wishlist
Read 6 articles to learn about poverty in Toronto, start with our – GIVE 6IX articles:
- Bystanders No More
- Overcoming the Health Barrier
- Overcoming the Affordable Daycare Shortage
- Overcoming the Barrier of Isolation
- Overcoming Barriers to Employment
- Subscribe below to receive YSM updates about upcoming GIVE 6IX webinars and articles
Research 6 social service agencies working to alleviate poverty in your area or community
Learn about YSM’s plan to eradicate chronic poverty in Toronto in one generation
Have a conversation with 6 people experiencing homelessness, poverty or food insecurity
Further reading:
- Toronto Foundation’s Fallout Report or Toronto’s Vital Signs for key insights and stats about poverty in Toronto.
- Homelesshub.ca.
- Learn more about Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives
Give 6 hours at a food bank
Give 6 youth advice on their resumes
Give 6 practice job interviews
Give 6 drives or curbside grocery pick ups for a neighbour
Hand-make cards or bookmarks for 6 teachers, volunteers, postal workers or others in your community to show your appreciation for work and support
View current YSM volunteering opportunities, or check out Volunteer Toronto for volunteering opportunities across the city, to see if there’s a GIVE 6IX opportunity for you!
Promote GIVE 6IX to your employer, service club, faith group or book club
Carry small items such as granola bars, bottles of water, socks, gloves or gift cards to share with those who are struggling
Have phone numbers accessible and offer to call them on behalf of those in need in Toronto:
- Shelter Hotline: 1 (877) 338 3398
- Street Outreach: 311
- YSM: (416) 929 9614
Contact your city councillor, MP or MPP about an issue impacting those living in poverty. Learn more and download our letter/email templates here.
Encourage your company to partner with an employment service agency, like YSM, to offer interviews to those who are underemployed or seeking employment
Host a GIVE 6IX-athon, to raise funds by walking, golfing, crafting – or doing whatever you love! To create an event in support of YSM click here
Invite your community to participate in a new toy drive and give YSM or another charity a head start on holiday preparations to ensure parents and caregivers can offer their children special surprises when Christmas arrives!
Create a GIVE 6IX fundraising or donation drive, to help us gather needed goods, supplies or donations
Fundraise with friends by donating $6 and inviting 6 friends to do the same. Set up a fundraising page in support of YSM here
Organize a virtual event in support of an organization working to alleviate poverty in Toronto. To register your event in support of YSM click here
Contact YSM’s Community Engagement Specialist, Eleanor Edwards at events@ysm.ca or 647 466 1865 to discuss your GIVE 6IX options and ideas!
Share your GIVE 6IX experience on social media, using our main hashtag #GIVE6IX (and additionally #WhatsYour6ix #6ixForThe6)
Repost YSM social media content 6 times, to help us spread the word:
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook
Use our GIVE 6IX social media kit to make your own posts on social media
Invite 6 friends to learn about and participate in our GIVE 6IX initiative
Subscribe: GIVE 6IX LEARN
Subscribe to receive updates about upcoming GIVE 6IX webinars and articles.
YOU CAN GIVE 6IX IN TWO WAYS
Both are equally important and both will go a long way in helping transform lives in our city.
YOU CAN GIVE 6IX THROUGH YSM
YOU CAN GIVE 6IX ALL ON YOUR OWN
Regardless of whether you GIVE 6IX through YSM or on your own, we ask that you share what you’re doing on your social channels. It’s our hope that we mobilize everyone in our city. If we all pitch in we’re confident we can truly help transform the lives of so many in need.
Don’t feel limited – you can do anything that appeals to you, to make a difference.
Why 6IX?
YSM has been serving and supporting Torontonians for 125 years, but much work remains to be done. To acknowledge our milestone anniversary, we’re looking to widen our impact in Toronto, “the Six”, by launching an entirely new way to give, get involved and engage others to help neighbours struggling with poverty.
GIVE 6IX is an opportunity to give in a uniquely Toronto way throughout our city and beyond. It’s an invitation for neighbours to help neighbours, and to increase the community of support in the city we love in real, tangible and meaningful ways.
Participate with your friends, family, the co-workers you’re not able to see in person these days . . . give or do 6IX of anything you wish and support neighbours in your community.
“Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
So, what’s your 6IX?
OUR GIVE 6IX PARTNER
