Registered Charities in Peel are invited to apply for grants up to $10,000 to explore the possibility of starting a social purpose enterprise (SPE). Social Purpose Enterprise Technical Assistance grants totalling $50,000 are jointly offered by United Way and the Region of Peel. The grant is designed to support social purpose enterprise development from idea exploration, preparation and development to project launch and growth. Organizations are encouraged to attend an information session on August 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon at United Way, 5170 Dixie Road, Suite 300, Mississauga.

“Social Purpose Enterprises are income-generating businesses that also support a social mission,” explains United Way CEO Shelley White. “SPEs provide individuals outside the traditional workforce with employment and job training, as well as an opportunity to earn income, improve their housing, enhance life skills and self-esteem, and create better connections to their community.”

United Way launched its Social Purpose Enterprise initiative in 2007 as part of its poverty reduction strategy. The grants aim to help organizations identify potential business activities, conduct market research, assess organizational readiness and undertake business planning activities. Previous SPE technical grant recipients include a catering company that would provide job training and income for domestic abuse survivors, an eco-friendly e-waste management service that would train and employ seniors and youth, and a program that engages youth in producing and marketing original artwork.

“Successful social purpose enterprises assist in reducing poverty and help build more inclusive and healthy communities for everyone,” says Anita Stellinga, United Way’s Director of Community Investment.

The application deadline for the Social Purpose Enterprise Technical Grants is October 8, 2010 at 4 p.m.

To RSVP by July 28 for the information session, or for more information about this funding opportunity and how to receive an application, please contact Lorna Dixon, Senior Manager, United Way Community Investment, at 905-602-3621 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Theresa is empowered

Theresa Gyampah was being verbally, emotionally and physically abused by her husband who threatened to have her deported if she ever left him. As a newcomer to Canada, she didn’t know where to turn or who to trust. After enduring years of abuse, fearing for her life and worried about how her children were being affected, Theresa called a helpline and was referred to a local shelter.

“My kids were getting older and I could no longer expose them to the violence. Plus I was afraid if I didn’t leave he would eventually kill me,” she explains.

Staff at the shelter connected Theresa with the Violence and Abuse Prevention Program, provided through African Community Services and funded by United Way. The program aims to reduce violence and abuse within the African Canadian community through culturally sensitive and language-specific services. Theresa participated in workshops and group counselling that helped enhance her self-esteem and confidence, and assisted her in building a better life for herself and her children.

“The workshops made me realize I wasn’t alone and that there were other women who shared my pain,” says Theresa. “They also helped me understand that I had legal rights and that I deserved to be happy.”

Today, Theresa 49, and her three children live a life free from abuse. She is thankful for the support and caring she received from the staff at African Community Services, and volunteers at the agency to create awareness about abuse and empower other women in her community.

Your donations to United Way’s Community Fund are invested in programs and services that help build strong families, and support woman and children to build new lives free from violence and abuse.

Left to Right: Jacke Dheer of Rogers Television; Andrew Kania, MP, Brampton West; Eve Adams, Councillor, Mississauga Ward 5; Parminder Singh (Volunteer); Pam Hundal (Sponsor); Sonia Layne, Chairperson Malton Community Festival.

A Neighbourhood Development grant, jointly funded by United Way and Region of Peel helped bring more than1,500 Malton residents together for the Malton Neighbourhood Festival held in June. The two-day festival included a community BBQ and various activities and events such as crafts, face painting, a youth leadership conference, senior’s bingo, and a talent show. One of the highlights was the Canada Day Celebration and cake cutting ceremony.

This is the third year the festival has received a United Way Neighbourhood Development grant. The annual festival aims to help address issues identified by Malton residents and engage the diverse community in a celebration of pride and unity.

Through its Neighbourhood Development initiative, launched in 2007, United Way of Peel Region is investing in projects that address priority needs, create opportunities for resident engagement and enhance neighbourhood pride.

Grant recipients qualify for World Championships

I Rock with the One, recipients of a 2009 Youth in Action grant jointly funded by United Way of Peel Region and Region of Peel will represent Canada at the 2010 World Hip Hop Championship in Las Vegas in August. The group of young dancers from Mississauga, aged 12 to 16, won first prize at the 2010 East Coast Canadian Hip Hop Varsity Championship held in Montreal and qualified for the World Championships.

I Rock with the One, in partnership with the Gateway Centre for New Canadians received a 2009 Youth In Action grant to execute Project One: Inspire, a project that helped build leadership skills and enhance self-esteem in youth through dance and mentorship sessions held at three Mississauga high schools.

Project One: Inspire was one of 11 projects led and organized by youth in Peel that received a Youth in Action grant. The purpose of the grant is to motivate and encourage youth to become involved in their communities, to seek and empower youth leadership within neighbourhoods, and to raise awareness and inspire change regarding issues that are of interest to youth in Peel.

The Youth in Action grant was developed in 2009 by United Way’s Young Leaders Council, a group of volunteers between the ages of 20 and 35 years old who are committed to creating a legacy of volunteerism and spirited giving within Peel Region.

To learn more about United Way’s Young Leaders Council visit www.unitedwaypeel.org.

United Way of Peel Region’s 2010 public campaign kicks off at the Hershey Centre SportZone in Mississauga on September 17. This year’s theme, United We Can, emphasizes the power we have when we all come together for a common cause. Join us from 8 to 9:30 a.m. as we celebrate and announce our fundraising goal. Stay tuned for more details in the August issue of Way to Go.

United Way of Peel Region welcomes Marilyn Friedmann as its Chief Development Officer. In this position, Marilyn is responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of all functions pertaining to Resource Development including annual campaign, major individual giving, planned giving, the endowment fund and special gift initiatives.

Marilyn holds the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation. Her extensive career includes more than 20 years experience in marketing, fundraising and management consulting within the private and nonprofit sectors. Marilyn previously served as Vice President of Donor Development with World Vision and more recently as a marketing and resource development consultant with the international development organization Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA). Marilyn has also served with Nestle Enterprises, Manulife Financial, Mattel Canada, Sun Life Financial, Plan International of Canada, and several other organizations.

“We are very excited to have Marilyn leading our Resource Development team,” said United Way CEO Shelley White. “Her strong business skills and experience, combined with her passion and commitment for poverty reduction and humanitarian concerns make her a great asset.”

In 2007, Marilyn received accreditation with the Partnership Brokers Accreditation Scheme in the U.K., a program designed to build skills for designing and implementing effective multi-sector partnerships for sustainable development between business, government and civil society. In 2006, she received the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Marilyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Economics from The University of Guelph.

Laureen Rennie has been appointed Director of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG). She has been seconded from the Region of Peel to this position. PNSG was established in 2005 by United Way of Peel Region and the Region of Peel to champion a collaborative and comprehensive strategy for the successful integration of newcomers in the economy and all aspects of the Peel community.

In 2007, Laureen co-led a joint Community Investment Strategy review for the Region of Peel in partnership with United Way of Peel Region. During her 15-year career in human services, Laureen has held various management positions with responsibilities ranging from supervising daily operations, developing, implementing and evaluating employment programs and services to administering community grants, writing council reports and funding proposals.

Prior to joining PNSG, Laureen held the position of Project Manager, Peel Immigration Labour Market Survey with the Region of Peel. She also worked for the not-for-profit sector in the area of immigrant settlement and integration where she was instrumental in implementing the Peel Host Program.

Laureen has received many accolades for her community work. In 2004, she was recognized by the City of Toronto Mayor David Miller and Councillor Peter Li Preti for her contributions in developing and implementing grassroots initiatives in helping vulnerable populations in priority neighbourhoods. She is trained in the field of social work and is a certified cross-cultural trainer. She received a Certificate in Project Management from the University of Toronto in 2006.

For Jennifer Deathe and her husband Richard, the birth of their first child was a time filled with fear and emotional pain. Their son James was born with severe physical malformations to his legs, requiring the amputation of his left leg and extensive reconstructive surgery. Both parents felt devastated and helpless.

In a deep depression, Jennifer reached out to Caledon Parent-Child Centre, a United Way funded agency that provides support, resources and education that strengthens families and promotes the optimal development of children. In addition to medical referrals, the Centre provided Jennifer and Richard with emotional support and counselling to help them cope during their son’s surgery.

More than a year after the surgery, Jennifer, Richard and James, now 2, are doing great. His mom reports that James climbs, jumps and gets into mischief on a regular basis. Now with the help of a prosthetic leg, he is learning to walk.

September 17:
2010 Kick-off

October 21:
Day of Caring