Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the honourable Mike Colle, Chinese community leaders, social services providers and various multicultural groups, as well as local politicians, will join United Way of Peel Region as it launches its first ethnic advisory council on May 31 at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre. The event, postponed from March 1 due to a huge snow storm, marks the establishment of the Chinese Community Advisory Council and the enhanced relationship between United Way of Peel Region and the Chinese community.
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Middle-aged Huseyin Cerci arrived in Canada in 1999 after living in the U.S. for nine years following his departure from his homeland, Turkey. In 2005, the single man with no relatives in Canada was jailed when the government discovered he was an illegal immigrant. Huseyin spent four months in custody before being granted refugee status. Today, the former engineering student has a job in construction and volunteers at a United Way-funded agency.
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United Way of Peel Region's 16th Annual Golf Tournament is just weeks away - Wednesday, July 4, at Lionhead Golf and Country Club.

Bookings are coming in fast and furious, and space is limited. Last year's tournament was a sell-out. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to golf with friends and colleagues for the benefit of United Way and the community.
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United Way's Loaned Representative program provides a unique professional development opportunity for your organization's emerging leaders. In this full-time, 16-week program, one or more of your employees can work alongside United Way staff to raise funds through hundreds of workplace campaigns in the community. Companies can either loan or sponsor an employee to participate in the program.
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CFL football is right around the corner, with The Toronto Argonauts kicking off their 2007 season in June. United Way is holding its annual football fundraising event at the game between the Argos and their archrivals, the Montreal Alouettes, on Friday, October 12.
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In honour of Hudson's Bay Company's (Hbc) 337th birthday, Hbc presented United Way of Peel Region with a cheque for $25,000.
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Plan now to attend United Way of Peel Region's Annual General Meeting.

This year's keynote speaker is Diane Dupuy, world-famous founder of the Famous People Players. This unique Canadian theatre group features performers who are developmentally challenged. Famous People Players has had two smash Broadway hits, worldwide tours, and support from the late Liberace, Phil Collins, Bill Cosby, the late Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman and others.

The theme of the AGM is transformation, a topic that Dupuy is expected to address with the power and passion that have made her a highly in-demand inspirational speaker. Discover how it's possible to realize seemingly impossible dreams.

When:	Friday, June 8, 2007 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (Complimentary Continental Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.)
Where:	BraeBen Golf Course 5700 Terry Fox Way Mississauga

Everyone is welcome to attend!

Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the honourable Mike Colle, Chinese community leaders, social services providers and various multicultural groups, as well as local politicians, will join United Way of Peel Region as it launches its first ethnic advisory council on May 31 at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre. The event, postponed from March 1 due to a huge snow storm, marks the establishment of the Chinese Community Advisory Council and the enhanced relationship between United Way of Peel Region and the Chinese community.

The purpose of this council is twofold: to enhance the relationship between UWPR and the Chinese community in Peel Region, and to provide recommendations to UWPR on engaging the Chinese community in a variety of ways.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Joseph Y. K. Wong, the former Board Chair of United Way of Greater Toronto and current Chair of Yee Hong Wellness Foundation. The Road Chosen, a documentary about an early Chinese immigrant's road to success, will be part of the presentation.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Jenny Qin, United Way Community Outreach Coordinator, at 905-602-3628 or jqin@unitedwaypeel.org.

Middle-aged Huseyin Cerci arrived in Canada in 1999 after living in the U.S. for nine years following his departure from his homeland, Turkey. In 2005, the single man with no relatives in Canada was jailed when the government discovered he was an illegal immigrant. Huseyin spent four months in custody before being granted refugee status. Today, the former engineering student has a job in construction and volunteers at a United Way-funded agency.

How did Huseyin turn his life around? He didn't have a job when he was released from jail and reluctantly accepted social assistance because he felt he needed to do something to "earn" it. A government official suggested that he volunteer for United Way. Soon, Huseyin found himself the "in-house handyman" at the United Way-funded agency. The agency helped him assimilate into the community, which led him to finding a job.

Huseyin has no regrets about not completing his engineering studies in Turkey. He'd had no choice but to quit in his third year of university tocare for his father after he suffered a debilitating stroke. But Huseyin has put his learning to good use. Recently he watched a bridge being built in his neighbourhood and noticed that there were some flaws in the construction process. He alerted a municipal official about his concern and the building of the bridge has stopped for the time being.

Both United Way and the community are fortunate to have Huseyin Cerci as a resident.

United Way of Peel Region's 16th Annual Golf Tournament is just weeks away - Wednesday, July 4, at Lionhead Golf and Country Club.

Bookings are coming in fast and furious, and space is limited. Last year's tournament was a sell-out. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to golf with friends and colleagues for the benefit of United Way and the community.

This year's ACE (title) sponsors are RBC, Deloitte, and Telus. A limited number of corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Kathryna Indewey, Campaign Manager, at 905-602-3642 or email kindewey@unitedwaypeel.org for more information.

For further information about the tournament or to book a foursome, contact Marilyn Caird, Communications Manager, at 905-602-3625 or mcaird@unitedwaypeel.org.
Click here to download a copy of the registration brochure.

United Way's Loaned Representative program provides a unique professional development opportunity for your organization's emerging leaders. In this full-time, 16-week program, one or more of your employees can work alongside United Way staff to raise funds through hundreds of workplace campaigns in the community. Companies can either loan or sponsor an employee to participate in the program.

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

"The LR program opened my eyes to the many issues that exist within Peel," says Andrew Griffith, a Loaned Representative in 2006. "From day one, I was able to see first-hand how this organization supports the many diverse programs that our community uses - from food banks to job search agencies. I felt energized to give my all to help raise as much money and awareness as possible."

Your participation makes it possible to raise more dollars for vital programs and services that improve lives and build a strong community. The Loaned Representative program is one of the ways United Way is able to keep costs low, helping to maximize donor dollars in our community.

Interested?

Not only does United Way provide comprehensive training, we give Loaned Representatives the opportunity to put their training into practice. The result? An employee that returns to your workplace energized with new skills, confidence, contacts and increased productivity.

Please contact United Way of Peel Region at 905-602-3650 for more information or to sign up for this exciting opportunity.

CFL football is right around the corner, with The Toronto Argonauts kicking off their 2007 season in June. United Way is holding its annual football fundraising event at the game between the Argos and their archrivals, the Montreal Alouettes, on Friday, October 12.

Right now you can order discounted tickets for the game and take advantage of excellent seat selection. Five dollars from every ticket sale is donated to United Way. What a great opportunity to get together with friends and co-workers for a fun night out in support of a good cause!

Click here to order your tickets for this always entertaining fundraiser.

In honour of Hudson's Bay Company's (Hbc) 337th birthday, Hbc presented United Way of Peel Region with a cheque for $25,000. Hbc includes the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters.

Photo: With the support of Zellers staff, Jennifer Quadros, store manager at the Square One Zellers, (centre) presents the cheque to Michael Prokaziuk (left), Campaign Manager and Shirley Crocker (right), Finance and Administration Director.

The current and future success of Peel is dependent on immigrants. But new immigrants face significant barriers to equitable participation in our society. One barrier is difficulty in having trade and professional skills from their homelands recognized.

The Peel Mentoring Partnership, supported by United Way, is designed to help foreign-trained skilled and professional newcomers find employment in their respective fields. From February 2005 through April 2007:
- 777 mentees have been screened;
- 407 matches with mentors have been made, with 100 still ongoing;
- 231 mentees have found employment;
- 177 mentees have found employment in their own field or a related field.