Volume 3, Issue 1

United Way invests $7-million in local community

United Way of Peel Region is allocating $7,031,422 from its Community Priorities Fund for 115 programs offered through 55 community agencies serving Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.
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National Volunteer Week –
Volunteers a key to United Way’s success

Project links skilled immigrants to mentors in their field

When 29-year-old Christine He talks about her dream of one day having a home and children, her eyes flood with tears.
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Show you care on June 17

Every year, United Way of Peel Region designates Days of Caring to provide volunteers from companies across Peel Region the opportunity to demonstrate the power of volunteering.
more...

United Way annual golf tourney tees off July 6

As the weather slowly but surely warms up, it’s time to look forward to United Way of Peel Region’s annual golf tournament on Thursday, July 6 at Lionhead Golf Club.
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At 91, Wally is happy to be at home

Walter, or Wally as he prefers to be called, is 91 years old. Born in London, England, he came to Canada by ship when he was 7 years old.
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Lend us your hands, so we can lend ours

Is your organization interested in taking advantage of an excellent training and professional development opportunity provided by United Way of Peel Region?
more...

Success By 6 Peel takes off!

United Way invests $7-million in local community

Children from the “Family Time” program at Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services recite a poem together during a recent celebration. The agency is one of 55 supported through United Way’s Community Priorities Fund.

United Way of Peel Region is allocating $7,031,422 from its Community Priorities Fund for 115 programs offered through 55 community agencies serving Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. The funding runs from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 and represents a 2.4% increase over last year. In addition to these funds, donors to the 2004 campaign gave $2,858,000 to be forwarded to other United Ways and charities throughout the Region of Peel and across the country.

However, this year’s funding announcement comes with a warning about the strain on health and human service agencies in our community.

“This year agencies indicated that they would have liked to receive more than $2-million more than we had to give,” said United Way’s Executive Director Shelley White. “Additionally, we are unable to provide funding for new programs or expansion of existing programs to meet increased demand.”

The team of reviewers noticed several troubling trends while assessing this year’s funding applications:

Significant rent increases for agencies, leaving fewer dollars available for direct program expenses;
The continued move by most funders towards project-based funding rather than core program funding. This makes it difficult for agencies to sustain vital programs over the long term.
Increased demands for service; population growth, clients with complex problems, and wait list issues are challenges that agencies are continuing to face.

The Community Priorities Fund is United Way’s largest funding stream. It has two purposes: to invest in a solid, reliable human care service network and to invest in programs and services that address root causes of important human care need in our community. Applications for funding were assessed according to alignment with one or more of United Way’s five priority areas:

Strengthening families and children
Alleviating hunger, homelessness and poverty
Supporting seniors to live healthy and independent lives
Helping newcomers and immigrants to settle and integrate
Helping abused women and children

“Clearly, United Way has never been more important to our community,” explained White. “We need to do everything we can to ensure that agencies in our community can not only maintain core services but also have the capacity to create new programs to address emerging needs. We also have to work closely with all levels of government and other funders to meet the needs in Peel.”

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National Volunteer Week – Volunteers a key to United Way’s success

As thousands of organizations across the country celebrate National Volunteer Week April 17 to 23, United Way of Peel Region salutes the hundreds of people who are helping to build a strong and healthy community.

“Volunteers are key to the success of United Way,” emphasizes Anita Stellinga, Director of the Volunteer Development initiative for United Way of Peel Region. “They perform a variety of roles in our organization and each one makes a unique contribution.”

Between them, Board Chair Steve Hall and Community Investment Cabinet member Bill Goursky have volunteered for United Way of Peel Region for more than 20 years.

Steve, Director of Corporate Energy Management for the Region of Peel, has volunteered for United Way in several different capacities. He has served on the Board since 2000 and was a member of the Campaign Cabinet from 1997 to 2003. During his tenure on Cabinet, he headed several divisions, including Public Sector, Health, Retail, Leadership and Manufacturing. Steve has also been a Citizen Reviewer for allocations and was a partner in organizing United Way of Peel’s former Walkathon.

Steve’s involvement with United Way goes beyond volunteering, however. In 1991, as a lineman for Brampton Hydro, he was seconded to United Way as a Loaned Representative. He continued in that role for five consecutive campaigns. “During that time I learned new skills and acquired the tools that helped me get promoted into a management position,” he said.

Bill Goursky is a retired Executive Director of the Social Development Council of Etobicoke. The Brampton resident offers his help to the Community Investment department of United Way of Peel Region. “I actually started volunteering many years ago while in high school,” he said. “Each year I would go door to door, seeking donations for what was then known as the United Red Feather Appeal and then the United Appeal.”

Bill is involved in the Citizen Review process, which evaluates funding applications. “I had the privilege of not only being a team member, but also chairing a Citizen Review team,” he pointed out. In addition, Bill is a member of the Community Investment Cabinet, which makes the recommendations for funding to agencies.

Both Steve and Bill urge people to pitch in and help their community during National Volunteer Week.

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Project links skilled immigrants to mentors in their field

When 29-year-old Christine He talks about her dream of one day having a home and children, her eyes flood with tears. She and her husband moved here from China three years ago to start a new life in a country they’d heard was friendly and multicultural.

But while her husband was quickly employed, Christine hasn’t been as lucky. Despite holding a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, a Masters degree in Chemistry, and a diploma in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs from Seneca College, Christine has been unable to find work in her field.

That may be about to change, thanks to the Mentoring Partnership, launched in Peel on February 28.

Supported by United Way of Peel Region and several other strategic partners, the Mentoring Partnership matches skilled immigrants with experienced professionals in their occupational fields. The program was developed by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) to increase the integration of skilled immigrants into the workforce so their enormous potential can be realized.

To expand the roster of available mentors, TRIEC has established a “Circle of Champions”, civic and business leaders who both mentor skilled immigrants and promote the practice of mentoring in their community. United Way Executive Director Shelley White is a member of the Circle of Champions.

In Peel, immigrants will be matched with mentors through community agencies that have been delivering mentoring programs for a number of years. Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre will coordinate the program. Access will also be provided through the Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Malton Neighbourhood Services and Caledon Community Services, all United Way-funded agencies.

Christine has been matched with Barbara Leavitt, President of Baxter Corporation, a medical products and services company focused on providing critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. They have already met twice and Christine is encouraged by the advice and list of contacts she received.

Christine is excited about the prospect of finding a good job and starting the work of turning her dream into reality. She’s also thinking ahead to how she can provide some payback for the support she’s received.

“Perhaps one day I can be a mentor someone,” she says.

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Show you care on June 17

Every year, United Way of Peel Region designates Days of Caring to provide volunteers from companies across Peel Region the opportunity to demonstrate the power of volunteering. The volunteers come together to pitch in and share their time, talent and a little bit of elbow grease with United Way-funded agencies. It's a rewarding experience and lots of fun! Join us on June 17 as we help others in the community through Days of Caring.

There are many types of volunteer opportunities available. Activities can include painting, cleaning and outdoor yard-clean or less active tasks such as mock job interviews and serving meals to seniors. Participants will learn more about the agencies funded by United Way of Peel Region and the services they provide while spending a rewarding day making a difference in the community.

This year, volunteers will be able to commit to a specific project that best suits their capabilities and interests. Once the projects are provided by the participating agencies, United Way will send the list to interested organizations, who will sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. The day begins with a breakfast rally at United Way of Peel Region before volunteers head off to their assigned projects. The Day of Caring sponsor provides a T-shirt and box lunch to each participant. Each volunteer, however, will be responsible for their own transportation.

If your organization is interested in taking part in a Day of Caring, please send your name and contact information to Stephanie Charlton as soon as possible and you will be sent the project list as soon as it becomes available.

If you have any questions, you can also call Stephanie at 905-602-3625.

This is a great opportunity to see firsthand how your United Way donation makes a difference in our community. Don't miss the opportunity to participate.

Can’t participate on June 17 or would like to take part in another Day of Caring? Mark September 30 on your calendar for our fall Day of Caring.

Thank you for caring!

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United Way annual golf tourney tees off July 6

As the weather slowly but surely warms up, it’s time to look forward to United Way of Peel Region’s annual golf tournament on Thursday, July 6 at Lionhead Golf Club.

This is an excellent opportunity to mingle with friends and business associates for a good cause. Don’t delay – get your foursome together today! See you on the course!

United Way extends its gratitude to the tournament's title sponsors – Canon, Deloitte, Genworth Financial Canada, Maxell Canada, RBC Insurance and Telus. Also, a special thanks goes out to Symcor Inc., which designed and produced our tournament brochure.

There are still some excellent sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Stephanie Charlton at 905-602-3625.

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At 91, Wally is happy to be at home

Walter, or Wally as he prefers to be called, is 91 years old. Born in London, England, he came to Canada by ship when he was 7 years old. He still remembers how excited he was.

“I joined up with the Canadian Army in 1941 during World War II,” recalls Wally. “In the spring of 1942, I served in D-Day. I was in Germany in 1945, then came home after four years away from the kids.”

After the war, Wally spent his entire career in the printing industry, retiring as a plant manager in 1978. “My wife died in July 2001,” he says. “We were married in 1935. I wish she was still here…she had Alzheimer’s disease. She was a lovely lady.”

Today, Wally relies on the services of Peel Senior Link, a United Way-funded agency that provides personal care and home-making services to seniors. It makes independent living possible for people such as Wally who might otherwise need to enter more institutional settings, such as long-term care facilities and hospitals. Peel Senior Link maximizes independent living, helping seniors live with dignity, stability and safety.

“Peel Senior Link is wonderful,” says Wally. “They help you if you can’t do everything. They save you from going on to a nursing home. There are so many things you can’t do by yourself when you get to be my age. It’s lovely to be on my own with the help of Peel Senior Link. When Maria [Peel Senior Link staff member] comes in, she wakes me up and makes me laugh. They really cheer me up.”

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Lend us your hands, so we can lend ours

Is your organization interested in taking advantage of an excellent training and professional development opportunity provided by United Way of Peel Region? Our Loaned Representative program is a full-time, 16-week initiative (August 29 to December 16, 2005) in which individuals from various sectors work hand in hand with United Way staff. Together, they support and service employee workplace campaigns throughout the community. Your organization can either loan or sponsor an employee to participate in the program.

Following a week of comprehensive training, Loaned Representatives roll up their sleeves and begin work with United Way’s professional fundraisers to implement successful strategies and maintain ongoing relationships with hundreds of organizations. Loaned Representatives work independently and interdependently in a supportive and dynamic team environment.

So, what do Loaned Representatives get out of the program? Plenty. They receive training in public speaking, problem solving, sales and negotiation techniques, project management and time management. They also gain a unique opportunity to learn about our community and the programs and services supporting people in need. The Loaned Representative program also presents an exciting opportunity for employees who are preparing to step into a new job, management role, nearing retirement or returning from a pregnancy or parental leave.

“It is an eye-opening experience, and while you are working to help United Way, the benefits you receive back, such as the people you meet, the things you learn from them and knowing you are truly helping to make a difference, are incredible.”

- Pat O’Neill, 2004 Loaned Representative
Administrative Coordinator, Office Services,
Planning and Building Department, City of Mississauga

What are the benefits to your organization? Loaned Representatives return to their workplaces energized with new skills, confidence, contacts and increased productivity. In addition, your organization is profiled in all workplace presentations made by your Loaned Representative. United Way will also acknowledge your organization in its annual report and Final Achievement Celebration.

For further information and to find out how your organization can participate in the Loaned Representative program, call Marilyn Matthews, Campaign Manager, at 905-602-3639.

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Success By 6 Peel takes off!

More than 4,000 parents and children laughed, sang and danced to the music of children’s television characters Maggie and the Ferocious Beast and Ailsa, the Caledon Mother Goose, at the launch of Success By 6 Peel on February 12. The initiative, operating in partnership with United Way of Peel Region, is dedicated to providing opportunities for children in Peel to grow and develop to their fullest potential from birth to age six. It is a collaboration of more than 60 partners in business, labour, education, recreation, health, social services and government. The launch took place during the Early Years Family Fair at the Mississauga Convention Centre.

“Success By 6 is about giving our children the best start; giving them opportunities for learning, growing and thriving at an early age, before they start school,” said Jim Grieve, Chair of Success By 6 Peel and Director of Education for the Peel District School Board. “We need to continue to build bridges and build the initiative to enhance programs for the youngest children, their families and caregivers in Peel Region.”

In Peel, there are more than 100,000 children between the ages of 0 and 6 and this number is increasing by 14,000 every year. Disturbingly, as many as 3 in 10 children are entering Grade 1 without the experience they need to prepare them for successful learning. Children of all backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances are included in this figure.

“The most important thing we can do as a community is invest in our children. Successful children grow into successful adults,” said Shelley White, Executive Director of United Way of Peel Region. “In communities across North America, Success By 6 has provided parents, caregivers and service providers with the information and resources they need to nurture healthy, happy children. United Way is proud to be a partner in Success By 6 and thrilled to work with our corporate, government, and social service partners to provide children in Peel with the opportunity to reach their potential.”

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Upcoming Events

June Day of Caring
June 17, 2005
various United Way agencies
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United Way of Peel Region Annual Golf Tournament
July 6, 2005
Lionhead Golf and Country
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Did you Know?

... that three in 10 children in Peel are not ready to learn when they start school? (Statistics Canada).
As one of the partners in Success By 6 Peel, United Way of Peel Region is helping children become properly prepared for learning and thriving by the time they reach Grade One.
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