The United Way of Peel Region’s Chinese Advisory Council is part of a collaborative group helping to enhance access to programs and services for Peel’s Chinese Community through the Peel Chinese Community Service Hub.

The Hub, which opened May 12 at 1177 Central Pkwy. W., is a culturally sensitive, language-specific, service centre for Chinese residents and immigrants of all ages. It aims to link Peel’s Chinese community with volunteer, employment and settlement services to enhance successful integration. It also serves as an information and education centre with a broad range of programs to empower community residents and strengthen the neighborhood. Peel is home to more than 60,000 people of Chinese origin who make up 9.4 per cent of Peel’s visible minority population.

The hub was a recommendation based on the 2008 report, The needs and challenges of the Chinese community by United Way’s Chinese Advisory Council. The Peel Chinese Community Service Hub is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. In addition to United Way’s Chinese Advisory Council, other collaborators in the project are the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professional and Businesses, Mississauga Chinese Business Association, Mississauga Mandarin Association, Region of Peel, and Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association.

United Way board member Dr. Colin Saldanha received the 2010 Mississauga Citizen of the Year Award on May 20. The Gordon S. Shipp Award is given annually to a Mississauga resident who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the community.

In addition to his extensive list of achievements, Colin has held several key volunteer positions with United Way. He is currently a member of our Board of Directors and Chair of our Advocacy Committee. He served as Board Chair in 2007-08 and is an active member of the Mississauga Summit Steering Committee.

While Yoshie Ikebe’s husband was at work, she felt lost. Her husband had sponsored her to come to Canada in 2007 and she longed to be a contributing member of society. She was 33, didn’t speak English very well, and wasn’t sure how her qualifications matched with the available job opportunities. In September 2009, while surfing the Internet, she came across a volunteer opportunity with The Cross Cultural Community Services Association (TCCSA), a United Way-funded agency.

As a volunteer with TCCSA, Yoshie improved her English while gaining valuable Canadian work experience. A year later, she applied for a paid position with TCCSA and was hired. Recently she was promoted to the position of Settlement Worker where she inspires and assists other newcomers to integrate successfully into Canadian society.

In May, 179 employees from 19 organizations across Peel united in record numbers to support our community by participating in United Way of Peel Region’s spring Day of Caring™. It’s the most participants at a spring Day of Caring™ since the event began in 2000 and more than double last year’s numbers. Collectively, volunteers today gave more than 1,000 hours of their time to complete 25 different projects at 18 local United Way agencies.

The spring Day of Caring™, generously sponsored by TD Canada Trust employees serving Mississauga, is an opportunity for employees to play a direct role in community building and experience firsthand how their contributions support local United Way-funded agencies. Volunteers worked on a variety of projects including participating in mock job interviews, helping out at the food bank, doing yard work, painting, gardening, spring clean up, and office duties.

“It is really inspiring to see the record number of volunteers,” said United Way CEO Shelley White. “By participating in Day of Caring™, volunteers experience a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a difference in our community while learning more about United Way-funded programs and services. They also save agency resources by undertaking projects that otherwise may not have been completed.”

For a list of participating agencies and corporations and to read our full news release, click here.

For more information on how to participate in the fall Day of Caring™ on October 21, visit www.unitedwaypeel.org. Click here to view the photo gallery.

RSA employees donate new BBQ tank to Credit Valley YMCA during Day of Caring.

From left to right: Gavin Georgeson, Carson Cheeseman, Emma Mallory, Chris Snook, Olga Mirka, Shane Vallance, Marie Richards, Tricia Ayotte, Ana Paula Marcos and (Jason Spencer missing from photo)

This April, RSA Group celebrated its 300th birthday and decided to give back by encouraging employees to fundraise, volunteer and donate items to their local communities.

RSA employees who volunteered for United Way’s spring Day of Caring™ helped out with whatever needed to be done - from gardening and putting together picnic benches, to painting and organizing closets. Despite rainy weather, employees were full of spirit and excitement. One group of employees who volunteered at the Credit Valley YMCA, were so motivated and inspired by what they saw, they purchased additional needed items including a new BBQ tank and some garden stepping stones for the agency.

Join us to hear Community advocate and poverty fighter Mark Chamberlain, share his insights at United Way’s 2009 Annual General Meeting to be held June 11 at 7:30 a.m. at Lionhead Golf and Country Club in Brampton. Mark is the President and Senior Partner of Trivairs Ltd. and serves on the boards of several innovation-based and social enterprise organizations.

The theme of this year’s event is “Building resilient communities.” The meeting will include reports from CEO Shelley White, Board Chair Michelle Cole, and a presentation of financial statements from United Way’s Treasurer Norma Trim. New board members will be elected and the 2009 Annual Report will be released.

A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided and everyone is welcome. There’s still time to register online at www.unitedwaypeel.org or contact Jacqueline Pereira at 905-602-3650 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Baxter Corporation president and United Way Campaign Chair, Barb Leavitt and Baxter’s Employee Campaign Chair John Minicucci were in good spirits after completing the 5k race.

Baxter Corporation President and United Way Campaign Chair Barb Leavitt and 127 Baxter employees participated in a variety of running events to support United Way at the Mississauga Marathon held May 14 to 16.

“It was a fabulous run for a great cause,” said Barb.

Two airline tickets to anywhere in North America (donated by RBC Insurance) are among the fabulous silent auction items available at United Way of Peel Region’s 19th annual Leaders on the Links golf tournament at Lionhead Golf and Country Club on July 5.

In addition to the silent auction, your day on the links will include a golf cart, locker, guest gift, on-course lunch, and three-course dinner.

Fees are $500 for a single golfer, $2000 for a foursome and $2,300 for a combination of a foursome and hole sponsorship. Proceeds from our Leaders on the Links tournament directly support United Way’s Community Fund which invests in programs and services that improve lives and help our community thrive.

Don’t miss out. There are limited spaces still available. Download your registration form at www.unitedwaypeel.org, complete form and fax to 905-602-3651 or mail to 5170 Dixie Rd, Suite 300, Mississauga, ON L4W 1E3.

Title sponsors for this year’s tournament are Deloitte, General Mills Canada Corporation, Purolator, RBC Insurance and Telus. There are still some great sponsorship opportunities available. To learn more please contact Lesley Allison at 905-602-3629 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information on Leaders on the Links visit www.unitedwaypeel.org or contact events manager Lin Ferguson at 905-602-3625 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We are also seeking additional items for the silent auction.

In April 2002, 6-year-old Nolan Cattell's father died of a brain tumour. With no siblings or relatives living locally, Nolan and his mother, JoAnn, were on their own.

JoAnn wanted her only child to have a male role model - someone he could learn from and have fun with while maturing. She contacted a United Way-funded agency that placed Nolan in a group program in 2003 where he could interact with other children in his single-parent situation. The ultimate goal of the program was to match the children to adult role models. Over the course of the program, the agency introduced Nolan to a young man named Nat Marchica and the two were officially matched in 2005.

Nolan and Nat shared something in common. Nat's father had passed away 10 years ago. Like Nolan, Nat had no relatives living nearby.

"My dad passed away when I was 19," said Nat when asked why he got involved in the United Way-funded program. "I wanted to help someone in similar circumstances."

Today, Nolan, age 13, and Nat have a strong bond. They engage in many activities together, including soccer, going to the movies, attending sports events, and playing with Nat's dog. The two try to get together on a weekly basis, usually on weekends.

When asked what is the most important thing Nat has done for him, Nolan replied with a smile on his face. "He's helped me with social issues - like girls."

How has Nat's relationship with Nolan affected his life? "It's changed it for the better. It makes a hard day better. It makes me feel like a kid again," said Nat.
More

June 11:
Annual General Meeting
July 5:
Leaders on the Links Golf Tournament