$13.93-million goal announced for 2011 campaign

Cheers and applause erupted from an exhilarated audience as United Way of Peel Region Campaign Chair Tim Bzowey announced a fundraising goal of $13.93-million during United Way’s Campaign Kick-off at the Hershey Centre SportZone on September 23.

“It takes all of us, united, to affect long-lasting change,” said Bzowey to the crowd of more than 500 supporters. “Bringing people together is what United Way is all about. That’s why I’m so proud and excited to be chairing the 2011 campaign.”

Last year donations to United Way’s Community Fund served more than 400,000 people of all ages in Peel. After government, United Way is the largest funder of social services in our community

“By uniting the caring power of our community, we can meet immediate needs and address underlying root causes of social problems,” said United Way of Peel Region CEO Shelley White. “United, we can reduce poverty, create opportunities for newcomers, stop domestic violence, provide support for seniors, and strengthen families, children and youth.”

The highlight of the event was Vice-President of Operations for PepsiCo Foods Canada, Anne-Marie Renaud’s announcement of the 2011 PepsiCo Canada Leadership Challenge Grant. The grant, supported jointly by PepsiCo Beverages Canada and PepsiCo Foods Canada, will match dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $100,000, all new leadership gifts of $1,000 or more to United Way’s Community Fund.

The event also featured a mock football game to demonstrate teamwork, Town of Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison and Tricia Groutsche, who shared her inspirational story on how United Way has positively impacted her life. Following the goal announcement, close to 400 volunteers United in Action to complete seven clean-up projects in neighbourhoods across Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.

United Way’s Kick-off was sponsored by RBC Insurance. Other supporters included: Apparel Promotion, Canada Dry Motts, City of Mississauga, General Mills, Hershey Canada, Lowe’s Canada, PepsiCo Beverages Canada, Safe City Mississauga, Safe City Brampton, Starbucks, Town of Caledon, Ultima Foods Inc. – Yoplait and University of Toronto Mississauga

United Way unites community for neighbourhood clean-up

On September 23 close to 400 volunteers United in Action to help clean-up neighbourhoods in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. The clean-up took place following United Way of Peel Region’s 2011 campaign kick-off.

“In addition to launching our 2011 public fundraising campaign, this year our United in Action kick-off aims to bring our community together to build strong vibrant neighbourhoods where residents can thrive,” said United Way CEO Shelley White. “United Way is all about community partnerships, collective action and providing opportunities for residents to enhance their quality of life and make Peel a better place to live and work for everyone.”

The United in Action project is A collaboration between United Way and various community partners including city councillors, Caledon Dufferin Victim Services, City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, EcoCaledon, Safe City Brampton, Safe City Mississauga and University Toronto Mississauga (UTM).

Three of the neighbourhoods targeted for clean-up were indentified through research funded by a United Way Neighbourhood Development Grant. The research conducted by UTM Professor of Geography Dana Wilson and UTM students, builds on previous studies by University of Toronto graduate students and will enhance the understanding of neighbourhood resources, strengths and priority needs.

Clean-up projects included graffiti removal, mural painting by local students, gardening and litter pick-up.

Tricia finds a career path

“Over the last few years, I’ve struggled with unemployment and dead end jobs, but now I finally feel I have a future.” says Tricia Groutsche, 30.

For most of her life, Tricia has searched for a place to belong. She immigrated to Canada with her parents and four siblings when she was a little girl. The family struggled financially and moved from place to place. As a young adult, Tricia felt she had no direction in her life.

While caring for her dying grandmother, she realized she had a passion for cooking. “When my grandmother was ill, I moved in with her and took care of her,” says Tricia. “I found enjoyment and satisfaction in planning and preparing nutritious meals for her.”

After her grandmother passed away, an employment counsellor referred Tricia to License to Cook, a social purpose enterprise (SPE), hosted by St. Leonard’s Place Peel and funded by a United Way SPE Grant.

SPEs are income-generating businesses that also support a social mission, through License to Cook, Tricia received job training, and is now gainfully employed as a cook. She has enhanced social skills and self esteem, and was recently accepted into Humber College’s Chef Apprentice program.

“If it wasn’t for United Way and the License to Cook program, I don’t know where I’d be,” says Tricia. “From the moment I entered St. Leonard’s I felt a sense of welcome and belonging. Now I am employed at a job I love, I have direction in my life and a path to a successful future!”

Click here to learn more about St. Leonard's Place Peel.

Julie feels she is making an impact

"There but for the grace of God, go I," says Julie Girardi. The senior administrative assistance at Grant Thornton LLP has volunteered as a United Way Employee Campaign Chair for eight years.

"United Way supports so many people from so many walks of life," she says. "When I give to United Way, I know I am supporting vital programs and services that people in our community depend on."

Although Julie has a successful career now, she knows what it is like to go without.

"There have been times in my life when I have struggled,” she admits. “I know the need for United Way funded services first-hand. There are no guarantees in life. Any one, at any time, may find themselves in need."

Julie is very excited about this year's campaign. A bake sale and grilled cheese lunch are among her many fundraising ideas. She also plans to use incentives such as draws and prizes to drive pledge participation.

"Of all the Grant Thorntons in the GTA, our branch [Mississauga] has the highest participation rate," she proudly exclaims. "And I'm confident that this year our rates will be even higher."

For Julie, volunteering as an ECC is fun but also fulfilling and rewarding. She says. "Spreading awareness about United Way funded agencies and helping raise funds to support them, makes me feel like I am making an impact in our community."

The Grant Thornton LLP United Way employee campaign kicks off in October.

Unity in Diversity Gala was a great success

A capacity crowd of 250 people were entertained by African drummers at the Unity in Diversity Gala held September 24 at the Hilton Toronto Hotel in Mississauga. The event hosted by United Way’s Black Community Advisory Council (BCAC) featured inspirational guest speaker Dr. Sheldon Taylor, professor of African Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto, and Grammy Award winning artist Liberty Silver, and comedian Jay Martin.

The evening included an awards ceremony where the following individuals were recognized for their contributions to the community: Harold Braithwaite (education); Madeline Edwards (volunteerism); Shelley Challenger and Michael Steele (business); Wambui Karanja (community work) and Jay Martin (arts/media).

Registration opens for Day of Caring

Register today for Day of Caring taking place on October 20 and you will experience a rewarding day of volunteering.

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 volunteerism and allows supporters to learn more about how their donations help individuals and families in our community.

Agency projects include: gardening, painting, yard work, computer instruction and more.

To register of learn more about projects available, click here.

For further information, please contact Lin Ferguson, Events Manager at 905-602-3625 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Day of Caring participants will receive a baseball cap courtesy of our Day of Caring sponsor - TD Canada Trust and its employees.

Board the Community Detour -- October 5 from 1 to 4 p.m.

See our community like you’ve never seen it before. Join United Way of Peel Region and our partners on a unique and inspiring tour of local United Way funded agencies. The Community Detour bus tour allows you to see and hear how we are working together to support individuals and families and build strong vibrant neighbourhoods.

The Community Detour bus departs from our United Way office, located in the Sussex Centre at 90 Burnhamthorpe Road West. The bus will be boarded at Sussex Gate, located right off Burnhamthorpe Road West. A bagged lunch will be provided.

To reserve your seat for this informative and moving journey, register online or contact Nicole Dupuis at 905-602-3622 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

City of Brampton kick-off campaign

Brampton City Manager Deborah Dubenofsky, centre, with the city's Senior Management Team, from left, Dennis Cutajar, Tom Mulligan, Julian Patteson, Mo Lewis, and United Way of Peel Region Chief Executive Officer Shelley White, right.

The City of Brampton officially kicked-off its 2011 United Way Employee Campaign on September 8 with a BBQ in Gage Park. Since 1999, City of Brampton employees have raised almost $1 million dollars in support of the United Way of Peel Region.

Hershey's supplies kids with backpacks

In August, employees at Hershey’s ran a “stuff the backpack” event to support youth from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, a United Way funded agency. The enthusiastic and generous employees at Hershey’s exceeded their initial goal of 50 backpacks and donated a total of 72 backpacks filled with school supplies.

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:

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

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

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

$10 per pay ($260 per year) provides 45 youth between the ages of 13 and 24 with eight sessions of leadership development workshop to help them develop leadership skills.

$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 Job Search Workshops.

$17 per pay ($442 per year) provides a couple with a 16-hour parenting course including textbook which will improve their parenting skills and improve their relationship with their children.

$17 per pay ($442 per year) provides tutor training to help 20 individuals develop the literacy skills they need to better themselves on the job.

$40 per pay ($1,040 per year) will safely match and support a child with a carefully screened adult mentor to provide friendship and guidance for one year.

$40 per pay ($1,040 per year) provides a woman who has been abused by her partner with a year of confidential 24-hour crisis counselling so that she and her children can be safe.

$45 per pay ($1,170 per year) provides one educational speaker event for 100 family members and caregivers so they can gain relevant information on the Ontario Disability Support Program, Drug Interaction, Crisis Management, Navigating the Court System to enable them to make informed decisions and increase their coping abilities.

$56 per pay ($1,456 per year) provides monthly information sessions for one year to newcomers on important topics that will help them make informed decisions about their settlement.

$69 per pay ($1,800 per year) provides support and encouragement to a newcomer autistic child through the purchase of special supplies and activities.

Oct. 5 - Community Detour

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

Feb. 9 - Community Achievement Celebration