Give where you live

If you live in Brampton, Caledon or Mississauga but work outside of our region, you can still support the community where you live by designating your payroll deductions to United Way of Peel Region.

Every dollar donated to the United Way of Peel Region Community Fund supports programs that will help achieve priority goals here in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon — making it possible for more children to grow up to be the best they can be, for more seniors, people with disabilities and newcomers to experience a sense of belonging and value within our community, and for people suffering from addiction, mental health issues, homelessness and other serious challenges to turn their lives around. In 2010, 56 agencies received funding and 99 programs were supported. Those agencies touched more than 400,000 people.

Our community’s need is greater than ever before. Please give where you live. You can donate online at www.unitedwaypeel.org.

You’re invited...

Because of you, United Way is “tackling” important issues within the community. Because of you, there are new possibilities for our community! Please join us in celebrating the difference that you make.

On behalf of United Way of Peel Region, we invite you to join us at our Community Achievement Celebration on Thursday, February 9, 2012.

We will be marking the conclusion of the 2011 campaign and highlighting United Way’s important work in the community. United, we can change lives today and build better futures for tomorrow, for everyone in our community.

This event is our opportunity to thank and celebrate the many individuals and organizations that have partnered with us in the 2011 United Way Campaign.

Please don’t miss out on this exciting night of fun, celebration and amazing prizes!

Thursday, February 9, 2012
5:30 p.m. - Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. - Dinner, Entertainment and Awards
International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga

Click here for event details and to register today.

Do you have the Spirit...or know of others that do?

Spirit Award nominations now being accepted

Do you know of an innovative and creative workplace campaign that inspired employee participation while promoting team spirit and raising funds for our community? If so, nominate it for a United Way Spirit Award!

All nominations must be delivered to United Way of Peel Region by 5 p.m. on January 6, 2012. Winners will be announced at United Way’s annual Community Achievement Celebration on Thursday, February 9, 2012.

Click here to see the list of Spirit Awards and to download a nomination form.

Community Impact: Supporting Peel’s children and youth

Did you know...

• 1 in 5 children in Peel are living in poverty?
• 32 per cent of children entering school are not ready to learn?
• In 2010, Peel’s Children’s Aid Society there were 11,654 calls to about children’s safety and well being,
• Suicide is the number one cause of death among young people in Canada?

When you give to United Way of Peel Region, your donations support a network of essential services providing basic needs and support, that build strong families and support children and youth to be the best they can be.

Thanks to generous donations, in 2010 United Way’s Community Fund assisted more than 23,000 families and children through:

• Breakfast clubs to ensure children receive healthy nutritious meals
• Counselling programs for youth to help them make positive choices
• Mentoring and leadership programs that lift confidence levels in children and youth
• Independent accommodations and supportive housing for youth experiencing a troubled home life
• Classes and workshops for parents to help them problem solve and manage their children’s behaviour
• Caregiver and toddler programs where they can socialize and participate in fun activities outside the home
• Youth in Action grants that encourage youth to participate in neighbourhood engagement
• Collaborating with Peel Children’s Youth Initiative, Region of Peel and other partners on youth and children’s issues and our need for increased government funding in our community to create change today and provide hope for tomorrow.

United Way is dedicated to working with community partners to ensure children in Peel have every opportunity to reach their full potential. Please help us by giving to United Way of Peel Region’s Community Fund today.

Community Impact: Aryan gets a great start in school

When Aryan Kumar Singh was four, his mother Nisha, had some concerns about him starting school. English is not the family’s first language and she worried how it might affect her son’s learning. She also worried about Aryan’s social skills.

“Aryan would often confuse Hindi with English,” explains Nisha. “Also, he is an only child and I worried about how he would get along with other children.”

Then a LION roared into the neighbourhood! LION, or Learning In Our Neighbourhood, is a mobile early learning centre that visits high-density, under-served areas of the region. On the LION, families with children under age 6 attend interactive programs focused on language, literacy and numeracy. They also receive parenting, health and settlement information and referrals.

The LION program is supported by United Way of Peel Region, Peel Children and Youth Initiative, Region of Peel - Children’s Services and more than 40 public and private community leaders.

Aryan and Nisha regularly attended LION programs for more than two years. During that time, Nisha watched Aryan become more independent and confident. He learned to play well with others, his English improved and his vocabulary expanded.

Aryan, now 6, attends grade one and is a happy and social participant in class. Recently he was chosen to read the morning announcements over the PA system.

“I’m so proud it brings tears to my eyes,” beams mom, Nisha. “I recommend the LION program to all parents. It helped Aryan get a great start in school.”

Click here for more information about LION.

General Mills employees stuff the bus for United Way

After its employees stuffed a mini school bus to the brim with warm clothing for the Boys & Girls Club of Peel, General Mills Canada unveiled that it had blasted through its 2011 fundraising campaign goal in support of United Way of Peel Region. On Tuesday, November 22, the company announced that it had reached new heights by raising $474,180 for the charity, an increase of more than 20 per cent over the results of its 2010 campaign.

Thanks to the generosity of General Mills Canada and its employees, United Way will be able to further its support of countless community services, programs and initiatives across the Peel Region. Additionally, due to the company’s “Stuff the Bus with Warmth” campaign, the Boys & Girls Club of Peel will have mountains of clothing to add to its annual clothing drive that will help keep the residents of Acorn Place warmly dressed this winter.

Volumes of Malton residents attend literacy event

Jecca Jaramilla and Jyothi Ala participate in activites at the free “Reading in your Neighbourhood” event on November 5, 2011.

More than 250 children and their parents attended Reading in your Neighbourhood at the Malton Library. The November 5th event was hosted by United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council (YLC) in support the national “Helping Kids Be All They Can Be” Day of Caring. The event featured storybook readings, word games, and arts and crafts. The event also included a workshop where parents learned the importance of reading and how to encourage their children to read at home.

“It is important for young people to get involved in the community,” said Diane Saldanha, co-chair of the Young Leaders’ Council. “This initiative gives YLC members an opportunity to support children with the tools they need to reach their full potential and be successful. Getting involved in initiatives like this helps us make a meaningful contribution to building a stronger, healthier community.”

The Young Leaders’ Council is a group of individuals 20-35 who are active and emerging leaders working together to promote the engagement of our generation within Peel Region. YLC empowers Peel's emergi ng leaders to strengthen the community and inherit the future of United Way of Peel Region.

Interested in learning more about YLC? Contact Jen Davis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 905-620-3622.

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

$2 a pay ($52) provides a warm winter jacket for a child or a month’s supply of baby formula for a family struggling financially.

$10 per pay ($260 a year) provides one child with a safe place to go after school for an entire year.

$12 per pay ($312 a year) enrolls three women who were victims of abuse and domestic violence in an 8-week support group with their children to enhance their life skills and learn about a wide range of community services.

$14 per pay ($364 per year) provides a newcomer with job search workshops so that he or she can secure the gainful employment necessary to support their family.

$40 per pay ($1,040 per year) assists a senior with purchasing a walker which allows them to be mobile and enhances their independence.

$40 per pay ($1,040 per year) provides a nutritious breakfast before school for 5 children for the entire school year, boosting their ability to learn and grow.

Feb. 9 - Community Achievement Celebration