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#UNIGNORABLE tower isn't real, but poverty is: United Way

The agency is using augmented reality in its campaign to increase awareness about a problem many people don't know exists in our communities
2019 10 28 United Way tower
Using augmented reality, the United Way Greater Toronto tower is designed to make us aware of how many people are struggling with poverty in York, Peel and Toronto. Supplied photo/United Way GTA

The #UNIGNORABLE tower isn't real, but the 116,000 individuals and families in York, Peel and Toronto and York Region who are struggling to put a roof over their heads are very real.

The United Way Greater Toronto is using augmented reality to erect a tower on the Toronto skyline as part of its #UNIGNORABLE campaign to increase awareness about the fact more people are living in poverty in the GTA than anywhere else in the Canada —  and to encourage action on the issues that hold people back.

You can experience the tower and see a part of the skyline you didn't know exists with United Way's #UNIGNORABLE Tower app, available on Google Play and the App Store.

For an IRL experience, visit the #UNIGNORABLE exhibit in Brookfield Place to Nov. 8 to reimagine Toronto's skyline and explore the issue of poverty in the GTA. Visitors are encouraged to share their experience on social media using #UNIGNORABLE.

You can help United Way fight poverty by making a donation by texting POVERTY to 20222.

"Poverty is a big problem in the GTA. But we've got a strong network to tackle it and a region of people ready to show their local love," Daniele Zanotti, president and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto, said in a news release.

"United Way's network of community agencies helps the person experiencing homelessness find shelter, helps newcomers get settled in a new environment, gets workers skilled-up and connected to good jobs, gives kids the best start in life, and supports women escaping domestic violence. Together, we can connect people with the opportunities they need to thrive."