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:

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:

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:

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.

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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?

Group of volunteers at Evergreen

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

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