When people think of Ve’ahavta, what most often comes to mind are our outreach vans. The image of them hitting the streets of Toronto every night, ready with hot meals and warm clothing to treat people facing homelessness with dignity, respect and care. This is what Ve’ahavta is best known for.  

Because of you, this life-saving program has grown, and keeps on growing, to meet the demand. This past year alone we provided 73,719 hot, nutritious meals to people who might otherwise have gone hungry, helping them get through another impossible day.  

But, what you may not realize is that there is more to Ve’ahavta than the vans.  

I recently received a call from one of our long-time donors who lamented that the van, while important, really isn’t solving the problem of poverty for people. He suggested that what Ve’ahavta really needs to do is to help people get jobs.  

Funny he should mention it.  

For the past 14 years, Ve’ahavta has been helping people return to the workforce, or get back to school, or simply regain stability in their lives. 

This past year alone, 301 people came through our doors and 95% of them are now working, off to school, or getting the necessary supports to head in that direction.

I am really excited to announce that starting this month, as part of our new status as an Employment Ontario provider, we are augmenting our employment services to include job placements and services to support employers, in addition to our ongoing support of job seekers.  

Our goal is to equip people with the supports, learning, and community they need to become job-ready, employed and, ultimately, independently financially stable.

And of course, we do it all in a very ‘Ve’ahavta’ way. Driven by our Jewish values that hold sacred the value of each person, our team goes the extra mile to help people reach their goals and fulfil their potential.  

When you support Ve’ahavta by donating or volunteering, you’re not only giving someone a fish; you’re also helping teach them how to catch their own. 

Here is an amazing story of a single mom who changed her life and the lives of her children, thanks to you – Watch Lamarch’s story here. 

Thank you for supporting our ever-growing, lifesaving and life-changing Ve’ahavta! 

Cari Kozierok,
CEO, Ve’ahavta