United Way’s impact on poverty

From 1996 to 2006 the number of Peel residents living in poverty has increased by an alarming 57 per cent. Vulnerable populations – our children, seniors, people living with disabilities and newcomers – are falling further and further behind because provincial and federal funding has not kept up with community needs.

United Way of Peel Region (UWPR) is committed to building vibrant neighbourhoods and communities by reducing poverty, eliminating hunger and ensuring people have access to affordable housing.

UWPR’s Community Fund supports agencies and initiatives that help people cope with root causes of poverty, such as illness, disability, unemployment and fixed income, as well as issues such as poor health, education barriers, violence, abuse and homelessness which can happen as a result of poverty.

Last year, donations to UWPR tackled poverty in a variety of ways:

• Funding for breakfast clubs so school children would start their day with a healthy breakfast, ensuring they are ready to learn at school;
• Awarding Social Purpose Enterprise grants to organizations providing gainful employment to single parents, persons with disabilities and others outside the traditional workforce;
• Partnering with Enbridge Gas Distribution for the Winter Warmth program, which assists individuals and families having a hard time paying their utility bills during the winter months;
• Collaborating with Social Planning Council of Peel, Fair Share Peel Task Force, and the Region of Peel on a social assistance review to demonstrate our community`s need for increased government funding in the fight against poverty in Peel.

“United Way’s poverty reduction strategy aims to assist those most vulnerable to poverty,” says Community Investment Vice President Anitia Stellinga. “The Community Fund invests in a network of programs and initiatives that support recent immigrants, single parents, seniors, persons with disabilities and families with children. The goal is to make sure individuals and families have opportunities to be involved in their communities, meet their basic needs and have access to resources that help them cope.”

For more information on Peel`s poverty issue, please download Portraits of Peel: A community left behind.

United Way of Peel Region funding fights hunger

Seven agencies that support youth, and fight hunger and poverty in Peel are receiving a total of $192,778 in United Way funding. Phase 2 Community Priorities Funding was approved by United Way of Peel Region’s Board of Directors when previously distributed funds became available for reinvestment.

“United Way’s Community Priorities Fund is investing in building a solid, reliable human care service network,” says Anita Stellinga, United Way vice-president of community investment. “It aims to meet the immediate needs, while also tackling underlying, root causes of challenging social issues in our community.”

Catholic Family Services, The Good Food Brampton Community Kitchen, will receive $15,000 to teach youth from the Eclypse program about nutrition, food planning and preparation as well as to enable them to take food home to share with their families.

“Community Kitchens are a way to address the growing concern our community has with food security by bringing people together to learn about, plan and prepare good quality food,” said Susan Harris, Clinical Director with Catholic Family Services of Peel Dufferin. “This funding provides an opportunity for youth to build awareness and learn skills, while they create community support around an issue that is vital to us all – food.”

Other agencies receiving funding are:

The Knights Table, Our Pantry program, in Brampton , will receive $15,000 to increase its capacity to provide food, resources and social supports such as counselling and budgeting workshops to families and individuals who are homeless or in need of program services.

Rapport Youth & Family Services, Eclypse program in Brampton will receive $99,469 to support an after school program that provides a safe and supportive environment for youth where they can access social services, education, employment and health resources.

Anba Abraam Coptic Centre, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Mississauga will receive $15,000 to enhance services. The Food bank provides food to individuals living in ten postal codes in Mississauga through two locations.

Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, Kids Fun Club & Kitchen Connection in Mississauga will receive $3,309 to build on an existing homework club that provides healthy snacks for children and also teaches youth basic culinary skills.

Eden Community Food Bank (ECFB), Emergency Food Relief & Advocacy Service in Mississauga will receive $30,000 to support food bank operations that provide emergency food relief and advocacy support to up to 500 hungry families in western Mississauga. The program provides service in several languages.

Sikhs Serving Canada, Seva Food Bank in Mississauga will receive $15,000 to provide safe, healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to people of low income and engage the community through volunteer opportunities.

Dealing with tough times

Four years ago, James Kwiatkowski was living on the streets and forced to eat from garbage bins.

Today James has a place to live and works as a handyman doing renovations and odd jobs. But he still struggles to make ends meet and buy groceries.

“Right now work is slow,” says James. “It's difficult to work steadily during this uncertain economy.”

One thing James can depend on is a hot nutritious meal, thanks to a meal program, provided through a United Way funded agency.

“Worrying about finding my next job can be stressful but not having to worry about my next meal is a great relief,” he says.

Employees spend a Day of Caring in the community

More than 100 employees from 22 Peel-based companies traded their briefcases and file folders for brooms and paint brushes. They shared their time and talents with 16 United Way-funded agencies across Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga by 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.

“It was a day when workplace volunteers from every sector rolled up their sleeves and spent time making a difference in their community,” says Shelley White, CEO, United Way of Peel Region. “Each employee has a unique and personal experience they will remember long for a long time. The return on their investment of time to our United Way agencies is significant. Every volunteer hour translates into dollars an agency can shift from its operating budget to client services.”

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. It provides employee volunteers with an experience that will last for a lifetime bringing them closer to community initiatives and seeing their United Way agency and donation in action.

Click here to see the list of participating agencies and businesses.
Click here to view photographs.

Hewlett-Packard donates back packs

An employee from Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co. distributes back packs donated by the company to children at the Boys and Girls Club of Peel, Acorn Breakfast Club on October 5. The Boys and Girls Club of Peel is a United Way funded agency empowering children to be the best they can be.

Labour Council launches fundraising campaign

Members from the United Way of Peel Region joined members of CUPE 966, OPSEU 506, OPSEU 277, OPSEU 519, CUPW Toronto, USW District 6, CLC, IAMAW 717T, BMDLC, OFL, USW 7536, CUPE 66, COPE 343, CAW 1285, SEIU Local 1, CAW 584, USW 9042, USW Peel Halton, CUPE Peel Council, and representatives from the OFL and the CLC.

More than 50 representatives from 21 union locals united at a breakfast to launch the Brampton Mississauga and District Labour Council United Way Campaign. Highlights of the event included speakers: President of the Brampton Mississauga and District Labour Council Motilall Sarjoo; CAW 584 President Dave Champagne, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour Sid Ryan; United Way President and CEO Shelley White; and a young woman who shared her personal story about how United Way funded programs changed her life. The Council aims to raise $15,000 for United Way.

United Way and the Canadian Labour Congress signed a formal partnership over 20 years ago to work together for the good of our communities.

Leadership Donor spotlight: Humphrey Mitchell

“I see the good work United Way does day in and day out for families, children, youth and seniors in our community, and that’s why I give,” said Humphrey Mitchell, executive director of Peel Children’s Centre and a United Way Leadership Donor.

Humphrey has always had a passion for volunteering. He grew up in a home where volunteering was a way of life.

“My parents were volunteers in our community and also donated to many charities,” he explains. “Then when they were older and struggled with health issues, they depended on some of the services they had supported throughout their lives.”

Humphry believes we all have a responsibility to support our community and he encourages people to give both donations and their time.

“When you give to United Way, you help make the community better for all of us and that feels good on a personal level,” he says. “My parents would often say ‘you should give what you get and often you will get what you give’.”
Humphrey has worked and volunteered in children’s services since 1975. In 2008, he received the Elizabeth Manson Award for his work in children’s mental health.
The 2011 PepsiCo Canada Leadership Challenge Grant provides matching funds for new or increased gifts of $1,000 or more to United Way’s Community Fund. For information on becoming a Leadership Donor click here.

Union locals support our community

"We want to make Peel a better place for everyone," said President of local union CAW 584 and United Way Labour Committee Chair Dave Champagne.

The married father of two young children, Dave was born and raised in Peel. He has been part of the local union leadership team for more than a decade and an active volunteer in our community for close to 20 years. He is committed to strengthening the relationship between labour unions and United Way to improve the quality of life in Peel.

"Our union members are engaged with various United Way funded agencies and are passionate about making a difference in the community where we work and live," said Dave. "Unions have a long tradition of supporting community initiatives and our contributions are filling some of the greatest needs within our community.”

At the Labour United Way fundraising campaign launch in September, Dave issued a challenge to individual local unions to donate $1 per member. In response, local CAW 584 donated $500 to United Way's Community Fund. The Union has a long-standing history with United Way and shares its commitment to reducing poverty, strengthening families and building vibrant neighbourhoods.

Young Leaders’ Council hosts literacy event on November 5

United Way of Peel Region's Young Leaders Council invites you to Reading in Your Neighbourhood on November 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Malton Library, 3540 Morning Star Drive in Mississauga. This is the second annual Day of Caring event hosted by the council. The theme of this year’s event is Helping Kids Be All They Can Be.

Reading in Your Neighbourhood is a free event and provides an opportunity for children ages three to eight to build literacy skills with fun and interactive activities. Parents will also get an enhanced understanding of new ways to support children's literacy development. Activities for the day will include a story time, arts and crafts, and a workshop for parents. Everyone is welcome. Come for an hour or stay all day!

To register visit www.ylcread.eventbrite.com.
Youth interested in volunteering please visit www.volunteerylc.eventbrite.com.

Joint hospital campaign raises $77,015 for United Way

Senior leaders from The Credit Valley Hospital, Trillium Health Centre and William Osler Health System today announced the results of the second annual Tri-Hospital United Way Campaign. Together, the staff, physicians and volunteers of the three hospitals contributed $77,015 to support United Way of Peel Region and United Way Toronto.

“Our local hospitals were clearly inspired by their campaign slogan of United we can make a difference,” said Shelley White, President and CEO of United Way of Peel Region at today’s wrap-up event at The Credit Valley Hospital. “The generosity of the staff, physicians and volunteers will help support vital agencies and programs in neighbourhoods in Peel and Toronto.”

The three hospitals — which have sites across Peel Region and Toronto — ran their United Way campaign from September 21 to October 20.

Click here to read the full news release.

Get your Esso Gift Card today!

Get your $25 Esso United Way Gift Card and support our community as well as United Ways across Canada. For every gift card purchased, Imperial Oil donates $2 to United Way -- Centraide.

The limited-edition Esso Gift Card can be used to purchase all Esso products and services and is available at more than 600 Esso-branded retail sites across Canada or online at www.myessogiftcard.ca.

The Esso Gift Card is available through November 30, 2011, while quantities last.

Here are some examples of the difference your donation to the Community Fund makes to families 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.

$5 per pay ($130 per year) provides 10 children with two weeks summer camp.

$8 per pay ($200 per year) provides a daily snack program for a single-parent child ensuring the proper nutrition to maintain a healthy active lifestyle.

$14 per pay ($362 per year) provides a newcomer with the tools to secure the gainful employment necessary to support their family free of social assistance, though free Job Search Workshops.

$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.

Oct. 5 - Reading in your Neighbourhood

Feb. 9 - Community Achievement Celebration