More than 150 people were on hand for United Way of Peel Region's Annual General Meeting on June 8 at the BraeBen Golf Course in Mississauga. Among the highlights were the exceptionally inspirational remarks of keynote speaker Diane Dupuy, founder and President of the internationally acclaimed theatre company, Famous People Players.
more...

Support your community and have a ball doing it by playing in United Way of Peel Region's 16th Annual Golf Tournament, Wednesday, July 4, at Lionhead Golf and Country Club. Lionhead is one of the top tournament facilities in Canada and it beckons you and your friends and colleagues to enjoy a perfect day of golf and social activity.
more...

Help pull families out of poverty by attending Arabian Nights, a gala event featuring fine food and spectacular entertainment. The event will benefit KMH Family Assistance Services, United Way of Peel Region, and Hospice of Peel.
more...

Ashley was stressed. Her father was physically and verbally abusing her as well as her brother and her mother. As a result, Ashley's mother decided to separate from her abusive husband. The emotional upheaval hit Ashley hard. She was having difficulty completing her college courses and no longer had the motivation to continue her studies.
more...

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.
more...

Right now you can order specially discounted tickets for the big regular-season showdown between the Toronto Argonauts and their perennial archrivals, the Montreal Alouettes, on October 12 when playoff positions will be on the line.
more...

Beginning with a colourful and captivating Chinese ritualistic dance ceremony in which a new lion is brought to life by symbolically dotting its eyes and other body parts, United Way of Peel Region officially launched its first ethnic advisory council on May 31 at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre. The Chinese community, which numbers more than 40,000 people in Peel, now has another strong voice in United Way.

United Way's Chinese Community Advisory Council (CCAC) was formed to provide advice and support to United Way as it continues to engage diverse communities in its work. The Council is a voluntary community group whose purpose is to assist and provide recommendations to United Way on engaging the Chinese community.

"Diversity is one of Ontario's greatest strengths," Ontario's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle told guests at the launch. "The Chinese community's contribution to Ontario's economic and cultural richness has been significant. The creation of the CCAC will help United Way of Peel Region benefit from all that this vibrant community has to offer."

The CCAC will raise the awareness of access and support for United Way within the Chinese community. In addition, the council will endeavour to enhance the fundraising capacity of United Way within the Chinese community and encourage greater participation in United Way.

"The Chinese Community Advisory Council looks forward to working with United Way to ensure that every member of the Chinese community in Peel can make their dream a reality," said CCAC Co-chairs Nelly Gong and Josephine Bau.

The members of the CCAC are:

• Josephine Bau (Co-chair) - Administrative Coordinator, Region of Peel, Children's Services
• Shirley Cheng - Health Outreach Worker, Health, Region of Peel
• Ken Choi - Vice President, Buddha's Light International Association of Toronto
• Nelly Gong (Co-chair) - Agent, State Farm
• Ricky Ho - President, Edge Light Corp.
• Jack Jia - Publisher, Chinese News
• Man Yee Ling - Public Services Librarian, Brampton Library
• Jenny Qin - Community Outreach Coordinator, United Way of Peel Region
• Simon So - Coordinator, Bridging Project
• Frank Tang - Vice President, Mississauga Mandarin Association

The establishment of the CCAC is tangible demonstration of United Way's mission to engage with our community, through partnerships, to ensure that people are cared for, connected, and included.

More than 150 people were on hand for United Way of Peel Region's Annual General Meeting on June 8 at the BraeBen Golf Course in Mississauga. Among the highlights were the exceptionally inspirational remarks of keynote speaker Diane Dupuy, founder and president of the internationally acclaimed theatre company Famous People Players.

During the meeting, three new Board members were elected for a three-year term. At a Board of Directors meeting immediately following the annual meeting, Dr. Colin Saldanha was elected for a one-year term as Board Chair. Other officers elected were Vice Chair Joseph Palumbo, Executive Director, Career Development Centre and International Placement, Schulich School of Business, York University, and Bobby Sachdeva, Partner, Pallett Valo LLP, as Secretary. Marshall Platt, CA, a Partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, was re-elected as Treasurer.

Dr. Saldanha has lived in Mississauga for more than 20 years. He practises family, travel and occupational medicine. He also serves as a corporate physician to a number of businesses and government agencies. Dr. Saldanha has long-standing involvement in local organizations. He has demonstrated extensive leadership in the community, having served as President of the Peel Multicultural Council, Chair of the Peel Police Services Board, President of the Canadian Association of Police Boards, President and Chair of the Mississauga Board of Trade, and President of the Safe and Sober Driving Coalition. He currently serves as Chair of the Health Policy Committee of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council and the Mentoring Partnership. He was elected to United Way's Board of Directors in 2005 and has served as Secretary and Vice Chair.

The following individuals were elected to the Board for the first time:

Kamal Jolly is a resident of Mississauga. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and is a lawyer specializing in corporate law. She has extensive experience in all aspects of corporate and securities transactions with Torys LLP, Holland & Knight LLP, and TLC Laser Eye Centres. She is currently Vice President of Narang Investments Inc. Ms. Jolly served on the Ontario Review Board from 2002-2005. From 1993-1996, she served as Vice President with India Rainbow Community Services of Peel.

Norma Trim is a resident of Caledon. She is Director of Corporate Finance with the Region of Peel. She has extensive experience in financial management in a variety of sectors, including health and biomedical. Norma is a chartered accountant and has a Masters Certificate in Municipal Management. She has served as a community volunteer with youth and sport organizations in Caledon.

Teresa Wong is a resident of Mississauga. She is a Senior Investment Advisor and Financial Planner with BMO Nesbitt Burns in Toronto. Her investment career spans 30 years. Ms. Wong is a Canada Medal recipient, former governor of Sheridan College, and past president/chair of numerous business and charitable organizations including as founding president of Mississauga Chinese Business Professionals Association.

Continuing as Board members are Harold Brathwaite, Charles Courneyea, Michelle Cole, Matthew Curran, Paul Jones, Vijay Kanwar, Harminder (Harry) Mann, Louroz Mercader, Joseph Palumbo, Marshall Platt, Sue Ritchie, Bobby Sachdeva, Don Taylor and Janice Telfer.

Support your community and have a ball doing it by playing in United Way of Peel Region's 16th Annual Golf Tournament, Wednesday, July 4, at Lionhead Golf and Country Club. Lionhead is one of the top tournament facilities in Canada and it beckons you and your friends and colleagues to enjoy a perfect day of golf and social activity.

But hurry - there's no time to wait. Last year's tournament was a total sell-out. This is your last call to sign up for the community of Peel's most important and enjoyable fundraising event of the summer. Join the "who's who" of the private, public and non-profit sectors at this popular tournament.

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, Resource Development Manager, at 905-602-3642 or email kindewey@unitedwaypeel.org for more information.

To book your spot in this tournament, contact Marilyn Caird, Communications Manager, at 905-602-3625 or mcaird@unitedwaypeel.org.

Click here to download a copy of the registration brochure.

Help pull families out of poverty by attending Arabian Nights, a gala event featuring fine food and spectacular entertainment. The event will benefit KMH Family Assistance Services, United Way of Peel Region, and Hospice of Peel.

• Savour the exquisite cuisine of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Host Indian Cuisine and many more fine-dining establishments
• Enjoy exciting live entertainment
• Meet Toronto Raptors and other celebrities
• Bid on live and silent auction items, including a dinner with Raptor star TJ Ford, jewelry and vacation packages
• Bring friends and colleagues for a fantastic fun-filled evening

For tickets or information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Stephanie Bolton at 905-855-0739 or sbolton@kmhfas.com.

See you on August 16!

Ashley was stressed. Her father was physically and verbally abusing her as well as her brother and her mother. As a result, Ashley's mother decided to separate from her abusive husband. The emotional upheaval hit Ashley hard. She was having difficulty completing her college courses and no longer had the motivation to continue her studies.

At 20, Ashley sought the help of a United Way-funded agency. During her first counselling session, Ashley was shy. She held her head down, spoke very little and was ashamed that her problems had forced her to seek counselling.

But following a few sessions with the agency, Ashley opened up. She discussed her life and the problems she was facing. The one problem that bothered her most was the silence her family in the face of the abuse suffered at the hands of her father. Ashley did not want to interact with her family. She wanted to talk about the problem. She wanted it resolved. She wanted change.

Counselling for Ashley helped. She was able to identify the strengths that would help her in life. She regained the confidence to continue her studies and gradually her grades improved. Ashley was soon able to speak candidly to her mother about the abuse they experienced and they grew closer as a result. Finally, Ashley trained herself to think positively about life. She got a part-time job and helped pay her college tuition.

By the time Ashley had attended her last counselling session, she had never felt better, thanks to the support received through United Way. She is proud of her recent accomplishments and referred her brother to counselling so he too could turn his life around.

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.

"My experience with the United Way left me with many fond memories. It was wonderful to meet so many new people who care about their community and the people in it. I was so impressed with the amount of time, effort and commitment these busy people would put into helping others and it was terrific to help them to achieve their goals and, in some cases, to surpass them. I had no idea that so many people have a story to tell and that at some point, and in many different ways, most people benefit from the work of the United Way or they know of someone who does," said Jennifer Miller, a Loaned Representative in 2006.

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.

Right now you can order specially discounted tickets for the big regular-season showdown between the Toronto Argonauts and their perennial archrivals, the Montreal Alouettes, on October 12 when playoff positions will be on the line.

Take advantage of excellent seat selection. Five dollars from every ticket sale through United Way is donated to United Way. It's a wonderful opportunity to be entertained with friends and co-workers - all in support of a good cause.

Click on the following link and order your tickets for this always fun-filled fundraiser.

Peel Infant Development provides services and resources for 1,100 families whose children (age 0 - 5) either have a delay in their development or are at risk of experiencing a delay. Unfortunately, there are 177 babies and young children on the wait list and some will wait as long as 18 months. As a result, they may require more costly interventions and not achieve the same level of success had they not had to wait.

The resources raised by United Way of Peel Region volunteers and staff each year are carefully and responsibly managed. With combined fundraising and administration costs of just 16.6% of its total expenditures, United Way is a sector leader in keeping its costs well controlled.