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.
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.
Why not get creative?
We’re offering some suggestions below to get your juices flowing – our GIVE 6IX categories list different possibilities to make a difference in the lives of people in need. But don’t feel limited – you can do anything that appeals to you, to make a difference.
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 and GIVE your 6IX today!
Give Items:
Give 6 pounds of potatoes
Give 60 diapers
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
Read 6 articles to learn about poverty in Toronto – start with our GIVE 6IX article Bystanders No More
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
Subscribe below to receive YSM updates about upcoming GIVE 6IX webinars and articles.
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
View current YSM volunteering opportunities, 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
Encourage your company to partner with an employment service agency, like YSM, to offer interviews to those who are underemployed or seeking employment
Contact your city councillor about an issue impacting those living in poverty. Voice your support for:
- Access to public transportation
- Affordable / rent geared to income housing
- The need for more subsidized daycare spots
Host a GIVE 6IX-athon, to raise funds by walking, golfing, crafting – or doing whatever you love!
Create a GIVE 6IX fundraising or donation drive, to help us gather needed goods, supplies or donations
Organize a virtual event in support of YSM’s GIVE 6IX initiative
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 hashtags
#6ixForThe6
#WhatsYour6ix
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.
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