A youth violence prevention project that will use the arts to raise awareness is just one of 12 projects that will receive a United Way of Peel Region Neighbourhood Development grant this year. Other projects receiving grants include a community garden in Brampton, social and exercise activities for seniors in Caledon, and community meetings and recreation for Somali families in east Mississauga.
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“It’s amazing how something that happened to me that was so horrible, actually turned out for the best,” says 33-year-old Antoinette Antoine, reflecting on her past.

Antoinette’s childhood memories are not the type one treasures.
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United Way of Peel Region is investing $70,000 in four existing social purpose enterprises (SPE) to help them increase their capacity to provide jobs and skills training for people who face significant barriers to employment. In addition, United Way and the Region of Peel are jointly providing $40,000 to four agencies to help them explore concepts and develop plans for new social purpose enterprises, including an e-waste management service and a catering business run by women abuse survivors.
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Chefs from 10 of Mississauga’s finest restaurants responded with gusto to the challenge of serving up support for United Way at the 2009 Chefs’ Challenge on October 27. More than 400 guests gathered at the Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre to taste the gourmet samplings being served. And by the time celebrity chef Robert Rainford drew the event to a close, $70,000 had been raised for United Way’s Community Fund.
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More than 200 young leaders and community members came together at Leadership in Style to celebrate the collaboration of fashion and youth leadership. The event was presented by United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council at the Mississauga Civic Centre in November.
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Congratulations to Hill's Pet Nutrition on surpassing their 2009 campaign goal of $25,000 and raising more than $29,000 for United Way. In addition to early bird draws and other motivating initiatives, the United Way campaign committee feels the key to success was one-on-one conversations with staff about the impact their individual donation would have on our community. The campaign kicked off October 7 and wrapped up October 30.
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Want to avoid long line ups and crowded mall parking lots but still find that perfect gift? This holiday season make a donation in the name of a loved one through United Way’s online Gifts with Purpose program. Gifts with Purpose is an opportunity to give a gift that will help change lives, strengthen families and make our community better for everyone. Gift giving has never been so simple, yet so meaningful.
more...

Canadian tenor Michael Cuifo will perform at United Way’s Community Achievement Celebration (CAC) on February 4, 2010 at the newly renovated International Centre in Mississauga. The CAC event marks the conclusion of United Way’s 2009 campaign and honours all our volunteers and supporters.
more...

Help United Way honour outstanding workplace campaigns by making a Spirit Award nomination. We are looking for innovative and creative campaigns that have inspired employee participation while promoting team spirit and raising funds for our community. If you know of such a campaign, nominate it for a United Way Spirit Award.
more...

Do you love golf and have a broad network of business connections? If so, United Way invites you to volunteer for our 2010 Golf Committee. Golf Committee volunteers will participate in the planning and coordination of United Way’s annual golf tournament to be held July 5, 2010.
more...

A youth violence prevention project that will use the arts to raise awareness is just one of 12 projects that will receive a United Way of Peel Region Neighbourhood Development grant this year. Other projects receiving grants include a community garden in Brampton, social and exercise activities for seniors in Caledon, and community meetings and recreation for Somali families in east Mississauga.

“United Way recognizes that a neighbourhood that works together is safer, healthier and more productive,” explains CEO Shelley White. “That’s why we are investing $262,743 in projects that will bring neighbours together to develop solutions to local challenges.”

Through its Neighbourhood Development Grants program, United Way is investing in projects that address poverty and youth violence and that create opportunities for residents to become more involved in their communities.

Of the 12 projects receiving funding this year, seven are receiving Neighbourhood Development grants for the first time. The remaining five projects were first funded when United Way launched its Neighbourhood Development grants program last year. In keeping with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, the grants will be directed to several local registered charities that will provide financial oversight to the resident groups and organizations developing and implementing the projects.

Click here to read our full news release.

“It’s amazing how something that happened to me that was so horrible, actually turned out for the best,” says 33-year-old Antoinette Antoine, reflecting on her past.

Antoinette’s childhood memories are not the type one treasures.

“I remember my mother crying all the time and I remember my brothers and I being afraid to come home after school,” she says.

For years, Antoinette, her mother, and her two younger brothers lived under a reign of terror, being abused by her father. One evening after a violent assault, Antoinette’s mother reached her breaking point. It was a defining moment for the family. In nothing but their pajamas and socks, Antoinette, who was then 12, and her brothers, 7 and 5, left with their mother that night.

After staying with relatives for a night, Antoinette’s mother and the children found refuge at Interim Place, a United Way-funded agency that provides shelter, and community support and outreach services for abused women and their children.

The family’s 10-week stay changed their lives. Interim Place provided food, shelter, clothing and counselling for the family, and helped them start a new life free from violence and abuse.

“It was heaven for us,” says Antoinette. “It was a door to hope and it changed me. I went from being quiet with no confidence and no friends, to socializing with people and believing in myself.”

Today, Antoinette owns an event management company. She is the volunteer Board President of Interim Place Board of Directors and an active member of the Brampton Board of Trade.

“If it wasn’t for Interim Place, I can’t even fathom what kind of person I would be,” says Antoinette. “I know I wouldn’t have a fraction of the courage I have today.”

United Way of Peel Region is investing $70,000 in four existing social purpose enterprises (SPE) to help them increase their capacity to provide jobs and skills training for people who face significant barriers to employment. In addition, United Way and the Region of Peel are jointly providing $40,000 to four agencies to help them explore concepts and develop plans for new social purpose enterprises, including an e-waste management service and a catering business run by women abuse survivors.

“Social purpose enterprises are income-generating businesses created by non-profit organizations to support a social mission,” says Shelley White, United Way of Peel Region CEO. “By investing in social purpose enterprises, United Way helps provide job training and employment opportunities for youth, single parents, newcomers, and those who have been incarcerated or are living with mental illness or addiction.”

Click here to read our full news release with details on the grant recipients.

Chefs from 10 of Mississauga’s finest restaurants responded with gusto to the challenge of serving up support for United Way at the 2009 Chefs’ Challenge on October 27. More than 400 guests gathered at the Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre to taste the gourmet samplings being served. And by the time celebrity chef Robert Rainford drew the event to a close, $70,000 had been raised for United Way’s Community Fund.

“The Chefs’ Challenge provides a tremendous boost to our campaign. Over the past several years it has raised more than $650,000 for the Community Fund,” said Michelle Cole, United Way Board Chair. “This has enabled us to invest in programs, services and initiatives that meet immediate needs and work on long-term solutions to social challenges in our community.”

Click here to read our full new release.

More than 200 young leaders and community members came together at Leadership in Style to celebrate the collaboration of fashion and youth leadership. The event was presented by United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council at the Mississauga Civic Centre in November.

“This event is about building capacity in the young leaders of our community,” said Nicole Dupuis, Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate, United Way of Peel Region. “Over 90 volunteers came together from all walks of life and professions to contribute their time to this stylish and fun event. They took the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and passion by doing something they love.”

Leadership in Style was designed to attract young leaders from across Peel Region to either volunteer or support United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council. The fashion show included a dance performance and collections from five local designers. The event raised $1,075 for United Way’s Community Fund.

Leadership in Style was sponsored by Riavera Corp. The event was also supported by the City of Mississauga, Donato Salon and Spa and Nothing Sweeter than You.

Visit United Way on Flickr for photos of the event.

For more information about Leadership in Style or how to join United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council please contact Nicole Dupuis, Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate at 905.602.3622 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to read our full news release.

Hill's Pet Nutrition 2009 United Way campaign committee members: Gordon Dumesich, Vicki Vasile, Patricia Petitjean, Andrea Fitzpatrick, Adam Craig.

Congratulations to Hill's Pet Nutrition on surpassing their 2009 campaign goal of $25,000 and raising more than $29,000 for United Way. In addition to early bird draws and other motivating initiatives, the United Way campaign committee feels the key to success was one-on-one conversations with staff about the impact their individual donation would have on our community. The campaign kicked off October 7 and wrapped up October 30.

Want to avoid long line ups and crowded mall parking lots but still find that perfect gift? This holiday season make a donation in the name of a loved one through United Way’s online Gifts with Purpose program. Gifts with Purpose is an opportunity to give a gift that will help change lives, strengthen families and make our community better for everyone. Gift giving has never been so simple, yet so meaningful.

To make a donation through the Gifts with Purpose program, visit United Way’s website at www.unitedwaypeel.org, make a secure online donation through Canada Helps, and then either download and print a greeting card insert or order a postcard-sized printed insert that will be mailed to you. A minimum donation of $25 is required to receive the printed insert. A variety of cards are available, including those for Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Kwanzaa, in memoriam, weddings, graduations and general occasions.

Canadian tenor Michael Cuifo will perform at United Way’s Community Achievement Celebration (CAC) on February 4, 2010 at the newly renovated International Centre in Mississauga. The CAC event marks the conclusion of United Way’s 2009 campaign and honours all our volunteers and supporters.

The “James Bond” themed evening, sponsored by Baxter Corporation, will include a cocktail reception, three-course dinner with Halal entree, entertainment, and the Spirit Awards ceremony. Early bird tickets ordered by January 7 are $45. Tickets ordered after January 7 are $50. Order forms will be November 27.

Help United Way honour outstanding workplace campaigns by making a Spirit Award nomination. We are looking for innovative and creative campaigns that have inspired employee participation while promoting team spirit and raising funds for our community. If you know of such a campaign, nominate it for a United Way Spirit Award.

Please click here to download a nomination form. All nominations must be forwarded to Sue Mortimer at United Way of Peel Region by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Winners will be announced at United Way’s annual Community Achievement Celebration, being held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the International Centre in Mississauga.

For more information about the 2009 Spirit Awards you can visit our website at www.unitedwaypeel.org, call Sue Mortimer at 905 602-3644, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or contact your United Way representative.

Do you love golf and have a broad network of business connections? If so, United Way invites you to volunteer for our 2010 Golf Committee. Golf Committee volunteers will participate in the planning and coordination of United Way’s annual golf tournament to be held July 5, 2010.

The tournament is a major fundraiser for United Way and an excellent opportunity for you to show your support for our community and enhance your professional and personal profile. The committee will run for nine months during which time you will be required to participate in monthly and weekly teleconference meetings. In addition, your sales experience and positive relationships with suppliers will be an asset in soliciting silent auctions items as well as promoting tournament ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities.

To learn more about supporting our community by volunteering for United Way’s 2010 Golf Committee, contact Events Manager Lin Ferguson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 905-602-3625.

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United Way invests in 12 Neighbourhood Development projects

Upcoming Events

Community Achievement Celebration
- February 5, 2010

Leaders on the Links Golf Tournament - July 5, 2010