Congratulations to the employees of Mississauga-based Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. for surpassing the company’s national United Way campaign goal by five per cent and for growing last year’s total by 15 per cent. This comes on the heels of 34% growth in the prior year.
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Join us in January as we honour the achievements of you and our many other valued volunteers and supporters at the United Way of Peel Region 2007 Community Achievement Celebration. The theme of the event is “United We Are Stronger”.
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Last month United Way of Peel Region Board member Harold Brathwaite received the People for Education’s first Annual Egerton Ryerson Award for Contributions to Public Education. The former Peel District School Board Director of Education, who joined United Way of Peel Region’s Board of Directors in 2006, has enjoyed a stellar career as an educator.
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As a recipient of United Way of Peel Region's newsletter, Way to Go!, your feedback is important to us. Your input will help us to make Way to Go! more effective and ensure that the articles are relevant to you. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey - link to survey.
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Marjana Shehaj arrived in Canada from Albania with her husband and two teenaged sons in October 2006 and settled in Mississauga. For five years before coming to Canada, Marjana, a graduate in electronic engineering, was self-employed as a graphic designer and software designer. But as bright and skilled as she is, Marjana knew she needed help in getting settled and oriented in a new society, so she turned to the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, a United Way of Peel Region-funded agency.

“When I came here, I went to Dixie Bloor Neighborhood Centre where I was helped by the settlement program for newcomers. From this program I got the right help when I didn’t know what to do to get settled properly. From this program I got support in getting information, advice, and free translation of documents to help me settle,” said Marjana.

Although she had studied English in Albania, Marjana never got the chance to practise it, so she signed up for the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program and then the Enhanced Language Training (ELT)/Co-op program. Marjana landed an eight-week co-op placement at ASI Technologies in Brampton. The company was so impressed with her work, she was hired after five weeks. In May 2007, she became a full-time employee at ASI where she serves as web developer. Today, Marjana praises United Way and the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre for getting her off to a good start in her new country.

Congratulations to the employees of Mississauga-based Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. for surpassing the company’s national United Way campaign goal by five per cent and for growing last year’s total by 15 per cent. This comes on the heels of 34% growth in the prior year.

In all, Hewlett-Packard Canada and its employees raised well over $500,000 during the campaign. This was accomplished through online donations, special events and a company match portion. “I am particularly proud of the committed volunteers, and all the HP employees who donated their time and energy to make this campaign such a great success, and to help make our communities a better place for all,” said Geoff Coutts, HP’s United Way National Campaign Chair.

The United Way of Peel coordinates national campaigns for companies that have head offices in Peel and multiple locations throughout Canada. Donations made through national campaigns are distributed back to the communities in which they were raised.

“Any way you look at it, this year’s campaign was very successful and a lot of fun,” continued Geoff. "HP is proud to be able to give back in some small way to the communities in which we operate.”

Join us in January as we honour the achievements of you and our many other valued volunteers and supporters at the United Way of Peel Region 2007 Community Achievement Celebration. The theme of the event is “United We Are Stronger”.

When:	Thursday, January 31, 2008
Time:	5:30 p.m. – Cocktail reception 6:30 p.m. – Dinner, Entertainment and Spirit Award presentations
Where:	Pearson Convention Center 2638 Steeles Ave. E., Brampton
Seats:	Early-bird seats -- $55/person or $440/table of 8 when order received by January 3, 2008. After January 3, 2008, seats will be $60/person or $480/table of 8. Download, complete and fax the form by January 21, 2008 to 905-602-3651.

Last month United Way of Peel Region Board member Harold Brathwaite received the People for Education’s first Annual Egerton Ryerson Award for Contributions to Public Education. The former Peel District School Board Director of Education, who joined United Way of Peel Region’s Board of Directors in 2006, has enjoyed a stellar career as an educator. He has served as Senior Adviser to the President of Seneca College and as Executive Director of the Retired Teachers of Ontario.

Brathwaite has won numerous awards for his educational achievements, including the Learning Partnership (2003), Urban Alliance on Race Relations (2002), and Peel Multicultural Community Service (2001). Today he serves as Co-chair of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and spent five years with the People for Education Board before recently retiring from that post.

“I think it’s important to recognize public education and to ensure all students have equal opportunity to be successful and help build our communities,” said Brathwaite.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Harold’s calibre and commitment serving as a Board member,” said Shelley White, CEO of United Way of Peel Region.

As a recipient of United Way of Peel Region's newsletter, Way to Go!, your feedback is important to us. Your input will help us to make Way to Go! more effective and ensure that the articles are relevant to you. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey - link to survey.

Between 2001 and 2006, the population of Peel increased by more than 17% to1,159,405 from 988,958.
This highlights the need for more government funding of Peel’s severely under-funded human services.