Giving Back

As I look back over the past year at UTS, from the time when we were all trying to grasp the ramifications of this pandemic to today, there are countless examples of generosity by UTS community members stepping up to care for each other and for the future of our school. COVID-19 has sharpened our resolve to focus on what truly matters in our lives.

One of the most dramatic examples was the response by alumni, parents, and staff to the UTS Emergency COVID-19 Bursary appeal last spring. When we made the appeal, we had no idea how many UTS families would have their employment and health negatively affected by COVID-19 and how much funding would be required to ensure that our students could continue their UTS education. Within two weeks, $94,000 was donated for emergency financial aid and incredibly, this turned out to be the exact amount of funding that UTS families needed. Every dollar mattered and because of the generosity of our donors, we were able to keep 100 percent of our students at UTS. Thank you!

While this year highlighted the need to care for our physical and mental health, also rising to the forefront of our collective focus were issues of anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, which together form one of our strategic pillars at UTS. Thanks to virtual platforms that have become the norm as our gathering place, UTS alumni, parents, staff, and students have come together to deepen our understanding and ultimately, support one another. UTS now officially has a Community of Support and with no geographical barriers for virtual gatherings, alumni from all over the world are able to take part, with the benefits resonating at our school and throughout our entire community. A visit to the UTS website will provide many specific stories as to how this generosity has played out. Indeed, the UTS community is healthier, more aware, and stronger thanks to the focus and resolve of everyone to foster greater equity and inclusion.

The pandemic led us to focus on basic needs for our students, and as such, the UTS building project continues to be a priority for the school. We extend the utmost gratitude to all our donors who helped rebuild our school; now we also need to outfit it. Thank you to everyone who is answering the urgent call to donate funds now so that we may have everything from desks and chairs in our classrooms to cutting-edge equipment in place for our return to 371 Bloor in November. Thank you for putting the needs of our students first!

This year has served as a lesson for all of us to take pause and focus on what truly matters. I hope that you are taking the time to look after yourselves and your loved ones. And, I thank you for your inspirational generosity which we see each and every day in the positive messages that you share, your many good deeds, and your resolve to ensure that UTS continues to flourish now and for the future. Martha Drake

Executive Director, Advancement