Debbie blossoms

Debbie Riley, 50, has an intellectual disability that makes it difficult for her to secure and maintain employment.

A support worker referred her to Options Mississauga, a Social Purpose Enterprise initiative supported through a United Way grant. A Social Purpose Enterprise is a business operated by a non-profit organization to address social needs while also generating income. Through employment with Options Mississauga, Debbie is gaining work experience and earning a paycheque. She is also developing social skills by interacting with coworkers as well as customers.

Debbie’s mother Judy says Debbie has become more confident and independent since working at Options Mississauga.

“Being able to hold down a job and earn her own money has been wonderful for Debbie,” says Judy. “It has helped her blossom socially and grow as a person.”

Investing in quality of life

When Bruce’s world went dark at 33, a United Way funded agency helped him adjust to his loss of sight and learn to function independently. When baby James had his leg amputated, a United Way funded agency provided his family with resources, counselling and emotional support. When Debbie, who was born with an intellectual disability, required assistance securing and maintaining employment, a company supported through a United Way Social Purpose Enterprise grant, provided job training and employment in a supportive environment.

Approximately 171,030 people living in Peel, (14.8 per cent of Peel’s population) have reported living with either a visible or non-visible disability that impacts their ability to function daily. Last year your donations to United Way enabled 24,926 adults, children and youth with disabilities to live independently, gain needed employment skills and stay engaged in the community.

Living with a disability can be challenging to both the disabled individual and their family. United Way invests in respite for care givers, counselling, job training and employment, life skills, and social and recreational programs to help improve the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities and their families.

“United Way believes in providing opportunities that help create an inclusive community where everyone can participate and contribute,” says United Way President and CEO Shelley White. “Your donations strengthen families, help children and youth reach their full potential and create vibrant communities where everyone thrives.”

Volunteering to give back

21 year old Jessica Hogg has a learning disability that makes focusing on tasks difficult. The March of Dimes employment services program, a United Way funded agency, provided Jessica with strategies to deal with her disability. She also gained confidence and learned to believe in herself. She recently graduated from college with an Addictions and Community Services Worker diploma.

And that’s why now, she volunteers with March of Dimes supporting others with disabilities to conquer employment barriers and reach their full potential.

The Employment Services program assists people with disabilities to find and maintain employment by providing supportive services including job counselling, resume and interviewing skills and job placements.

“I just want to give back,” says Jessica “Because of my own challenges, I understand what our clients are going through, and I find it very rewarding to be able to help them.”

Employees spend a Day of Caring for United Way

220 Peel employees from 22 companies located in Peel Region didn’t show up for work June 2. Instead, they gave their time and talents to 20 United Way funded agencies participating in this year’s Day of Caring.

Day of Caring is a partnership between United Way of Peel Region, United Way-funded agencies, and workplaces/employee groups who want to provide a ‘hands-on’ day to complete a much-needed project or conduct a special initiative for charitable or non-profit organizations.

Day of Caring demonstrates the impact of volunteers in our community, and allows donors to experience first-hand the services provided by United Way of Peel Region and their agency.

Shelley White, President and CEO of United Way of Peel Region acknowledged the commitment of the volunteers. “We are sincerely grateful to the 22 companies and the 220 employees who participated in our spring Day of Caring. I am confident their experience will remain with them for a long time. They are more aware of United Way’s community impact and how their donation makes a difference in the lives of so many of our residents.”

Employees from the following companies participated:
ARI Financial Services Inc., Baxter Corporation, Best Buy, BMO, Citrix Systems, City of Mississauga, Davis & Henderson, E.I. duPont Canada Company, Franklin Templeton, Ingram Micro Inc., Intact Insurance Company, Medtronic of Canada Limited, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Montship Inc., PCL Constructors Canada Inc., PepsiCo Foods Canada, Pratt and Whitney Canada, Regional Municipality of Peel, Ricoh Canada Inc., TD Canada Trust, Tech Data Canada Inc., and UPS.

The following agencies participated:
African Community Services of Peel, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, Caledon Dufferin Victim Services, Caledon Community Services, Caledon Meals on Wheels, Catholic Family Services of Peel – Dufferin, CNIB, Family Education Centre, India Rainbow Community Services of Peel, Interim Place, John Howard Society of Peel, Nexus Youth, Ontario March of Dimes, Our Place Peel, Peach Ranch, Peel HIV/AIDS Network, Peel Senior Link, Rapport Youth & Family Services, Vita Centre and YMCA – GTA.

To read our full news release click here.
To view Day of Caring photos click here.

United Way says Thanks a Million to GE Canada and PepsiCo Canada

United Way of Peel Region said thanks a million – again – to two Mississauga-based corporations -- GE Canada and PepsiCo Canada -- for raising $1 million or more in 2010 for United Ways across the country. The annual Thanks a Million Awards are given by United Way of Canada-Centraide Canada to corporations, employers and labour organizations that have worked with their employees or members to raise $1 million or more during a campaign year.

This is the second time PepsiCo Canada received the Thanks a Million Award; the fourth time for GE Canada.

The awards were presented June 24 at United Way of Peel Region’s annual general meeting. 2010 Campaign Chair, Barbara Leavitt, told the audience of close to 200 that PepsiCo’s campaign was supported with “a high degree of commitment and enthusiasm from the leadership team and employee campaign committee. PepsiCo initiated a Leadership Challenge Grant of $50,000 from PepsiCo Foods and another $50,000 from PepsiCo Beverage. They made an additional corporate gift from PepsiCo Beverages of $50,000. PepsiCo Canada – including beverages and foods – provided a $1 for $1 match for employee pledges.”

PepsiCo also volunteers with United way – former president of PepsiCo beverage, Linda Kuga Pikulin is now serving on United Way of Peel Region’s Board of Directors and Anne-Marie Renaud, vice president of operations at PepsiCo Foods Canada is a new member of UWPR’s campaign cabinet.

Leavitt also announced that GE Canada won the award for the fourth consecutive year. She said “GE’s United Way theme to engage staff was GE and United Way: Healthy Lives, Healthy Community. Each GE business had a United Way champion whose job was to build spirit and enthusiasm for the campaign and actively promote face to face canvassing. The GE foundation provided a 50 cent on the dollar match on employee, retiree and special event gifts. They ran a national retiree campaign. As a result of their efforts GE had a 33% increase in donors over the previous year from 3,130 donors in 2009 to 4,184 donors in 2010.”

An additional 46 Thanks a Million winners who have locations in our community, but head offices elsewhere, were also acknowledged.

To view all our Thanks a Million winners and read our full news release, click here.

The President of Baxter Corporation elected as United Way of Peel Region’s new Board chair

At the Board of Director’s meeting immediately following the annual meeting June 24, Barbara Leavitt, was elected Board Chair. She has been President of Baxter Corporation since 2002. Ms. Leavitt has over 20 years of extensive leadership experience in the Canadian healthcare industry and is directly responsible for Baxter's commercial operations in Canada.

In addition to her work with United Way, Ms. Leavitt is actively involved at the Board level with MEDEC, (2011 -2012 Board Chair for the national medical technology association) and Catalyst (Corporate Advisory Board) and was recently certified as a Corporate Director by the Institute of Corporate Directors, Toronto. She was United Way of Peel Region's Campaign Cabinet Chair for 2010 and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors in 2010.

“I am honoured to be elected as chair of the Board of Directors,” Ms. Leavitt said. “I am very proud of the work of United Way of Peel Region and the difference we make in the lives of individuals and families in our community. United Way of Peel Region with the support of our business partners, individual donors and many volunteers improves lives, strengthens neighbourhoods and makes our community great for everyone.”

Other officers elected were Shaila Mehta, partner at Deloitte, as Vice Chair; Snigdha Malik, Branch Manager at Advent Financial Group, as Secretary; and as Treasurer, Norma Trim, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and Commissioner of Corporate Affairs with the Region of Peel.

The following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors for their first three-year term:

JUDY BURNS joined Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) in November, 2006. CCO is the provincial agency responsible for guiding cancer care delivery in the province.

LINDA KUGA PIKULIN is the former President of Pepsico Beverages Canada, a position she was appointed to in 2010.

SADAF PARVAIS is a champion of the inclusiveness vision at Ernst & Young.

JOANNE PATTISON joined the Region of Peel staff in 1984 and is currently the Supervisor of Performance Measurement for the Human Services Department.

JOHN RUSSO is a partner at Pallett Valo LLP. John practices in the area of commercial litigation, with a particular focus on contractual disputes, creditor remedies, asset recovery, enforcement of security, and insolvency.

MOTILALL SARJOO (SARJ) is employed by Chrysler Canada at the Brampton Assembly Plant, home of the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and the Chrysler 300C.

RAJ VENKATARAMAN, who is a Corporate Lending and risk management professional at GE Capital.

In addition to the newly elected officers, the following individuals are continuing as Board members: Barb Leavitt, Snigdha Malik, Louroz Mercader, Geovanni Mosquera, Carl Oxholm, Joseph Palumbo, Serge Rochette, Narendra Shah, Norma Trim.

Close to 200 volunteers, businesspersons, donors and staff from the United Way of Peel Region welcomed the new members of the Board of Directors at the UWPR’s Annual General Meeting. The event held at The Garden in Brampton was sponsored by Baxter Corporation.

To read our full news release click here.

Making a difference by sponsoring a Loaned Representative

What do The City of Mississauga, Edward Jones, GE Canada, Peel Regional Police Service, The Pepsi Bottling Group and the Regional Municipality of Peel have in common?  They are organizations that have helped our community by sponsoring a Loaned Representative (LR) to work with United Way during our public fundraising campaign. An Loaned Representative is an enthusiastic individual who is loaned or sponsored by a business, corporation or organization to participate in a unique professional development opportunity. They work alongside United Way staff, developing fundraising, leadership, project management, public speaking and teamwork skills. As part of a supportive and dynamic team, they will implement fundraising strategies and maintain ongoing relationships with hundreds of companies and organizations.

After completing the 16-week Loaned Representative Program, LRs return to their workplace energized with new skills, confidence, contacts, and a commitment to our community. The LR program runs from late  August to December and helps United Way reach fundraising goals by keeping our costs low, and maximizing the impact of donor dollars in our community.

Here are some examples of the difference your donation to the Community Fund makes to people with disabilities in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga:

$4 per pay ($104 per year) supports a person with an intellectual disability to try an activity for the first time.

$4 per pay ($104 per year) provides an inhaler to a child living with asthma, allowing them to participate in sports activities.

$5 per pay ($130 per year) provides 10 hours of computer skills training to a student who is struggling with writing skills

$10 per pay ($260) allows 2 children to participate in a 10 week social skills training program to help in the development of appropriate social skills

$17 per pay ($442 per year) will provide tutor training to 20 people so that they can develop the literacy skills they need on the job.

$24 per pay ($624 per year) allows 6 people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in a weekly activity in the community.

$40 per pay ($1,040 per year) provides 10 families the opportunity to spend 4 to 6 hours per week with other family members while their son or daughter, who has an intellectual disability, is supported to enjoy an activity in the community.

$40 per pay ($1,040 per year) provides a walker and special orthopaedic shoes to help one senior maintain mobility and stay active.

$50 per pay ($1,300) provides 30 hours of resource facilitation, preparing an adult or family to better advocate for themselves within the school system and the community.

$50 per pay ($1,300 per year) provides updated manuals and workshop training materials for specialty classes including computer basics, food handling and drivers’ license G1.

July 5 -Community Detour

Sept. 13 - Employee Campaign Chair Workshop

Sept. 20 - Employee Campaign Chair Workshop for Non-profit organizations

Sept. 23 - Campaign Kick-off

Sept. 23 - Day of Caringsponsored by

Sept. 28 -Community Detour

Oct. 5 - Community Detour

Oct. 29 - Region of Peel's Run, Walk and Roll 5K

Feb. 9 - Community Achievement Celebration