United Way of Peel Region has received two-year funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the development of the Peel Newcomer Strategy. In collaboration with the Region of Peel, United Way established the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group in November 2005 to more effectively integrate immigrants into the community and the workforce.
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In the April issue of Way to Go!, United Way of Peel Region introduced its 2007 Campaign Cabinet Chair: Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of the Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada) Co. Now, meet the other members of our 2007 Campaign Cabinet.
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The Mentoring Partnership has received a 2007 Urban Leadership Award in the category of City Initiatives from the Canadian Urban Institute. The award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the public realm and the quality of urban life.
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If you're looking for a professional development opportunity that is rewarding in more ways than one, check out United Way of Peel Region's Loaned Representative program.

Running for 16 weeks from September 4 to December 21, 2007, the Loaned Representative Program assists individuals to develop/enhance skills and gain knowledge, which in turn provides them with a heightened skill base to help them advance at their current place of employment.
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From May 1 to July 10, employees of Baxter Canada, which provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions, donated 6,670 volunteer hours across Canada to their respective communities, which included United Way of Peel Region-funded agencies. The company's 300 Mississauga employees accounted for almost two-thirds of the hours contributed (4,200).
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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...

Three years ago, 66-year-old Harold told a United Way-funded agency, where he had been volunteering for many years, he would live in his car if he had to. He was in jeopardy of being evicted from his subsidized housing for not keeping it clean and for not paying his rent. Harold had multiple health concerns, such as diabetes, depression and mid-stage dementia, which were not being managed. He had absolutely no family contact.
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The fourth of July was a day of celebration for United Way of Peel Region as more than 230 golfers representing 56 companies and organizations raised $67,000 in net proceeds at United Way's 16th annual golf tournament. The event took place at Lionhead Golf and Country Club.
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At the June United Way of Peel Board meeting, recommendations for Phase II funding under the Community Priorities Fund were approved in the amount of $459,929. The Community Priorities Fund provides strategic financial support to social service agencies and programs in Peel. For 2007/08, 53 social service agencies and 108 programs will receive United Way funding. These include eleven new programs and two new agencies: Learning Disabilities Association Mississauga and Erin Mills Youth Outreach.

United Way funds the Counselling and Support program offered by Learning Disabilities Association of Mississauga. The program provides free counselling and support for adults, youth and children who have a learning disability or suspect they have one. Also funded by United Way is Erin Mill's Youth Outreach program for youth aged 12 to 24 and their families. The program promotes, supports and delivers coordinated neighbourhood programming for after-school, March Break, summer vacation and professional development days.

"Although the amount available for Phase II was $459,929, a total of $1,672,979 was requested and, as you can imagine, the task for the Allocations Committee was challenging. However, the committee was diligent in its work and conducted a thorough review to ensure that funded programs met our funding objectives," said United Way Community Investment Chair Sue Ritchie.

Phase II of the Community Priorities Fund 2007/08 was publicly launched on February 16, 2007 to both currently funded and non-funded agencies in the Region on Peel. As a demonstration of United Way's commitment to invest in a solid, reliable human care service network and to invest in programs and services that address root causes, the focus of the funding was targeted to three of United Way's priority areas: reducing hunger, homelessness and poverty, helping abused women and children, and supporting seniors to stay healthy and independent. In addition, each priority area focused on specific targeted populations, funding objectives and outcomes.

"I would like to thank the Allocations Committee and Community Investment Cabinet for their hard work on this. They managed the extra workload with a solid commitment to the process. The Phase II funding process meant long evening meetings, a lot of extra work in preparing and reviewing funding applications. However, they met the extremely tight deadlines with efficiency, professionalism and grace," said Anita Stellinga, United Way's Director of Community Investment.

United Way of Peel Region has received two-year funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the development of the Peel Newcomer Strategy. In collaboration with the Region of Peel, United Way established the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group in November 2005 to more effectively integrate immigrants into the community and the workforce.

Peel Region is one of the fastest growing regions in Canada and is a main destination for newcomers to Ontario. According to the 2001 census, newcomers comprise approximately 43% of the Peel population vs. 27% of the Ontario population. 62.6% of Peel's population growth between 1996 and 2001 was due to immigration into Peel and there are now over 93 distinct ethnic groups and more than 60 different languages spoken.

The vision of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group is to ensure the successful integration of newcomers into all aspects of community life through a coordinated and integrated community plan. Representatives comprising the group include members from the Region of Peel, settlement service providers, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Sheridan College, Brampton Board of Trade, the Peel District School Board and the Peel Catholic School Board, and funders from the provincial and federal government.

The initiative is currently focused on hiring staff and securing office space for this project. Once staff are on board, the next step will be to conduct community consultations to gather information. This will include consultations with target groups such as newcomers, settlement agencies, language training providers, business, labour market and mainstream social service agencies, employers, employment agencies, hospitals, boards of education and faith groups.

In the April issue of Way to Go!, United Way of Peel Region introduced its 2007 Campaign Cabinet Chair: Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of the Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada) Co. Now, meet the other members of our 2007 Campaign Cabinet.

• Jake Dheer, Station Manager, Rogers Television, Dufferin-Peel
• Kevin Fancey, President, Chubb Security Canada Inc.
• Ted Fauteux, Director, Resource Development, United Way of Peel Region
• Steve Hall, Director, Corporate Energy Management, Region of Peel
• Robert C. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Purolator
• Barbara Leavitt, President, Baxter Corporation
• Blake Macaskill, Senior Manager, Vendor Finance, GE Capital Solutions
• Cathy MacDonald, Senior Vice-President, Rogers Communications Inc.
• Sucharita Maitra, Principal, Canadian Sales Training, Edward Jones
• John McVey, Vice-President and General Manager, Bantrel Co.
• Jim Muzyka, President, MCC Mobile Computing Corporation
• Carl Oxholm, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Joseph Palumbo, Executive Director, Career Division Centre, Schulich School of Business, York University
• Dr. Colin Saldanha, 2007 United Way Board Chair
• John Salt, Vice-President, Distribution & Operations Planning, Canadian Tire Corporation
• Paul Sherman, Executive Director, Rapport Youth & Family Services
• Sean Smith, President, Canada, IKON Office Solutions
• Robert Smuk, President and Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup Fund Services Inc.
• Pamela Tomasevic, Superintendent of Education, North Field Office, Peel District School Board
• Shelley White, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Peel Region

The Campaign Cabinet consists of volunteers from local businesses, unions and community organizations who come together to encourage company campaigns throughout Peel Region. They develop goals for each year's campaign and make calls on leaders in local businesses to help make that goal a reality.

The Mentoring Partnership has received a 2007 Urban Leadership Award in the category of City Initiatives from the Canadian Urban Institute. The award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the public realm and the quality of urban life.

United Way of Peel Region is a partner in the Mentoring Partnership in Peel as part of its commitment to help newcomers settle and integrate. The Mentoring Partnership links foreign-trained professionals and mentors in their respective fields to accelerate their access to employment.

Beginning as an idea generated at the first Toronto City Summit in 2002, the program was developed by The Maytree Foundation and the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), under the leadership of Ratna Omidvar, Executive Director of The Maytree Foundation. The Maytree Foundation and TRIEC established the Mentoring Partnership in Toronto, Peel and York to accelerate the employment of foreign-trained professionals in their respective areas of expertise.

Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre is the lead service provider in partnership with Malton Neighbourhood Services, Employment Access Services and Caledon Community Services. The Peel corporate partners in The Mentoring Partnership include Deloitte, RBC, the City of Mississauga, the City of Brampton, the Brampton Board of Trade, the Mississauga Board of Trade, GE Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Region of Peel, TD Bank and the University of Toronto at Mississauga.

"Congratulations to Ratna, The Maytree Foundation, TRIEC and everyone involved on receiving this prestigious award! It is well deserved. The Mentoring Partnership is making a significant difference in facilitating the employment and integration of skilled foreign-trained professionals," said United Way CEO Shelley White.

The award was presented at a ceremony in June.

To learn more about the Mentoring Partnership, visit
www.mentoringpartnerhsip.com.

If you're looking for a professional development opportunity that is rewarding in more ways than one, check out United Way of Peel Region's Loaned Representative program.

Running for 16 weeks from September 4 to December 21, 2007, the Loaned Representative Program assists individuals to develop/enhance skills and gain knowledge, which in turn provides them with a heightened skill base to help them advance at their current place of employment.

Loaned Representatives provide support to United Way of Peel Region's hundreds of workplace campaigns. These individuals will collaborate with the Resource Development Managers to implement successful strategies and maintain ongoing relationships with a portfolio of accounts, providing direction and support. Each Loaned Representative will report to a Resource Development Manager, who acts as their coach and mentor.

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?

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

From May 1 to July 10, employees of Baxter Canada, which provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions, donated 6,670 volunteer hours across Canada to their respective communities, which included United Way of Peel Region-funded agencies. The company's 300 Mississauga employees accounted for almost two-thirds of the hours contributed (4,200).

The initiative is part of the company's "70 Days of Caring" program to commemorate its 70th anniversary and to demonstrate its commitment to the long-term health and well-being of the communities in which its staff work and live. The program is modeled after United Way of Peel Region's Days of Caring, which take place twice a year (spring and fall) and gives employees in the community an opportunity to volunteer at various United Way-funded agencies.

"I am proud of the volunteerism spirit and the level of leadership and commitment that has been demonstrated by our employees," said AnnMarie Mercer, Director of Human Resources & Communications and Executive Sponsor of Baxter's Global Citizen program. Activities in Peel ranged from painting at a neighbourhood centre and preparing food hampers for a food bank, both of which are social service agencies funded by United Way. As a member of United Way of Peel Region's Campaign Cabinet, Baxter Canada President Barbara Leavitt is also proud of her team's volunteer efforts.

Heather MacDonnell, Baxter's Senior Communications Specialist, said that the program is a great team-building exercise, enabling groups of employees to get together to do something productive in a non-work environment. She pointed out that the goal of Baxter is to have voluntarism embedded in its corporate culture. She strongly recommends that if other organizations wish to adopt their own Days of Caring, they should begin by forming employee teams to provide the communication and leadership necessary to make it a success.

In celebration of its 70th anniversary and its 70 Days of Caring, Baxter held a boat cruise on July 4 for its employees. Dollars raised for this event were donated to the United Way. The group raised over $2,000 for United Way that evening.

"It was a fabulous night; I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to celebrate with them," said an elated Kimberley Souliere, United Way Resource Development Manager.

Baxter Canada employees participate in "70 Days of Caring" to commemorate the company's 70th anniversary and to demonstrate their commitment to community improvement.

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.

When:	Thursday, August 16
Time:	6 p.m.
Where:	Residence of Ron Starr President, Deanlee Management Inc. 1665 Blythe Road, Mississauga
Cost:	$100 per person $190 per couple $900 per table of 10

• 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

Several attractive sponsorship opportunities are also available.

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

See you on August 16!

Three years ago, 66-year-old Harold told a United Way-funded agency, where he had been volunteering for many years, he would live in his car if he had to. He was in jeopardy of being evicted from his subsidized housing for not keeping it clean and for not paying his rent. Harold had multiple health concerns, such as diabetes, depression and mid-stage dementia, which were not being managed. He had absolutely no family contact.

The United Way-funded agency took the lead role by securing a referral for Harold to a family doctor. He remains in supportive housing, but every aspect of his care is managed by the agency's Personal Support Worker team - from medical appointments and medication, to groceries and meal preparation, to cleaning and laundry.

Today, Harold has come a long way from being on the verge of homelessness. He is engaged in communal activities, treated with respect by the supportive housing staff and other residents, and allowed to age gracefully in a comfortable place he can call home.

The fourth of July was a day of celebration for United Way of Peel Region as more than 230 golfers representing 56 companies and organizations raised $67,000 in net proceeds at United Way's 16th annual golf tournament. The event took place at Lionhead Golf and Country Club.

"The golf tournament really jump-starts our campaign and we are deeply grateful for the enthusiastic support of the Peel business community," United Way CEO Shelley White told the golfers during dinner. "By participating today, you are helping to create social change so everyone in our community can thrive. You are partners with us in the important work of community building."

The tournament was supported by three title sponsors: Deloitte & Touche LLP, Telus and RBC Insurance.

"Our tournament is organized by business leaders as one way to give back to our community," noted 2007 Tournament Co-Chairs Frank Abate and Bill Zakarow. "Through United Way, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people are improved each day. The services, programs and initiatives supported by United Way help make our community a better place to live and work."

Peel Region is last in the province for availability (per capita) of subsidized child care spaces? In 2006, we estimated that only one child out of nine has access to child care due to lack of space availability. Furthermore, this gap is increasing as the child population in Peel grows faster than regulated child care spaces are created.

On July 5, the provincial government announced that Peel Region will receive $9-million to sustain child care spaces and increase the wages of child care workers?