Classes help overwhelmed parents

“All I ever wanted to do was be a mom,” says Karla Oates, 33. “But I never imagined it could be such a nightmare.”

As a Child and Youth Worker, Karla had always dreamed of having her own family. But when her dream became a reality she was overwhelmed by the many challenges and frustrations she experienced. As a mother of three young children, Keegan, 10; Liam, 6; and Hannah, 5, she was often at her wits ends as to how to deal with some of their behaviour.

“There were times where I would just sit on the floor and cry because I didn’t know what else to do,” she says.

It was during one of these meltdowns that she reached out to The Family Education Centre, a United Way funded agency that enriches the quality of family life through parent-to-parent education, support and training. Karla and her husband Rodney, 40, participated in the agency’s Parenting Young Children course.

Having a safe space to share concerns with other parents helped Karla and Rodney understand that they were not alone. In addition, through the classes they learned to focus on the positive and how little changes can have a big impact on family life.

“The Family Education Centre really changed our life,” says Karla. “Now, the kids are happier, and together we are all more connected as a family.”

Still time to support United Way

With only a few weeks remaining in its 2010 fundraising campaign, United Way is reminding Peel residents to pitch in and donate to help reach its $13.75-million goal and preserve the lifeline of programs and services that support our community.

“The last two years have been difficult for many people in our community as the recession has taken its toll,” says 2010 Campaign Chair Barb Leavitt, President of Baxter Corporation.

United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of social services in Peel. People from all walks of life and in many different circumstances receive assistance including newcomers, youth, abused women and children, and families and individuals who are homeless or hungry.

Last year, more than 420,000 people received help through United Way funded programs and services. Without this vital network of support many of these people have nowhere else to turn.

Donations to United Way’s Community Fund support services, programs and initiatives that improve lives, strengthen families and children, and build vibrant neighbourhoods and communities. In addition to funding local services, United Way draws together partners from many different sectors to tackle complex social issues, works to strengthen local social service agencies, and speaks out for social change.

We all have a role to play in creating a great community. United we can give hope and help build better futures. Every donation counts and every dollar makes a difference.

To find out how you can help click here.

All donations received (or postmarked) by December 31 are eligible for a 2010 tax receipt.

We're nuts about the Nutcracker

Here’s your chance to enjoy the arts and help support our community at the same time! Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre is offering a special promotion to benefit United Way.

When you purchase tickets to The Nutcracker (December 4 and 5), enter the promotional code UNITED and 20 per cent of your ticket price will be donated to United Way's Community Fund.

To learn more about this great opportunity, click here, visit www.livingartscentre.ca or call the Living Arts Centre box office at (905) 306-6000.

Take the stress out of the holidays

Change a life this holiday season by making a donation in the name of a loved one through United Way’s online Gifts with Purpose program. Gifts with Purpose provides an opportunity to give a gift that will help change lives, strengthen families and make our community better for everyone.

Your donations to Gifts with Purpose support United Way’s Community Fund which invests in vital social programs and services that hundreds of thousands of residents in our community depend on daily.

To make your donation today and help create a better tomorrow, visit United Way’s website at www.unitedwaypeel.org, make a secure online donation through Canada Helps, and then either download and print a greeting card insert or order a postcard-sized printed insert that will be mailed to you. A minimum donation of $25 is required to receive the printed insert. A variety of cards are available, including those for Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Kwanzaa, in memoriam, weddings, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and general occasions.

Computers and knitting needles mix it up

Prior to this summer, Geraldine Batey, 67, had never used the internet or even turned on a computer. But with some savvy guidance from 17-year-old Sagarika Paul, she can now search online for recipes and knitting patterns. Geraldine and Sagarika met through the Intergenerational Project, an initiative made possible through a Youth in Action grant funded by United Way of Peel Region and the Region of Peel.

The Intergenerational Project brought together 13 youth and six seniors to volunteer their skills and learn from one another. Local youth taught seniors how to use computers and seniors shared traditional hobbies such as knitting, chess and crafts. Geraldine saw the program advertised in her local paper and thought it would be a great way to connect with young people.

“I really enjoyed talking with the young people about their lives and learning how to surf the internet,” she says. “And it felt great to share my knitting skills.”

Sagarika was eager to work with seniors from her community.

“It was an awesome experience and it totally made my summer,” she says. “The elders had a lot of knowledge and wisdom to share and I found them very inspiring.”

A $1,200 Youth in Action grant to COSTI Immigrant Services provided the resources to bring the youth and seniors together. Sumanpreet Kaur, 18, a recent graduate of Central Peel Secondary School and a COSTI volunteer, led the project.

“I am very proud to have been part of such a wonderful project,” says Sumanpreet. “Everyone who participated had a great time and expressed a sense of empowerment in learning new skills.”

The Youth in Action grant program was developed by United Way’s Young Leaders Council, a group of volunteers between the ages of 20 and 35 who are committed to creating a legacy of volunteerism and spirited giving within Peel Region. The grants provide funding for youth-led projects that aim to enhance community life.

“By bringing youth and seniors together, the project helped bridge communication and combat stereotypes that each of the groups may have had about each other,” explains COSTI Youth Worker Susanna Tang. “It also helped reduce isolation and strengthen independence among seniors by teaching them how to access information through the internet and contact friends and family through email.”

To learn more about United Way’s Youth in Action grants visit www.unitedwaypeel.org.

UTM honoured for leadership giving

2010 UTM United Way campaign team: Student Chair Melvin Sert, Leadership Chair Dr. Anthony Wensley, UTM Prinicpal Professor Deep Saini, Employee Campaign Chair Paul Handley, United Way of Peel Region President and CEO Shelley White and United Way Resource Development Manager Susan Kulkarni.

University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) recently received a certificate in honour of 10 years of generous leadership giving to United Way.

Carlson Marketing runs an amazing campaign

Carlson Marketing employee bake sale

Carlson Marketing had their best-ever United Way campaign this year. The 2010 campaign ran from September 24 to October 1 and saw a 10 per cent increase in participation and a 20 per cent increase in individual pledges which helped them achieve an amazing grand total of $102,000!

These great results were achieved by one on one meetings with employees to communicate and create awareness about United Way, great incentives, and fundraising events such as online bingo, a silent auction, a raffle and a bake sale. Great work Carlson Marketing!

Celebrate community achievement with United Way

Mark your calendar for United Way of Peel Region’s Community Achievement Celebration (CAC) taking place Friday February 4, 2011 at the International Centre. The CAC celebrates the conclusion of United Way’s 2010 campaign and honours all our volunteers and supporters. More details to come in our next issue of Way To Go.

When he was 22, Robert Ditchburn lost touch with reality. He was consumed with thoughts that his coworkers were talking about him behind his back and that his employer was trying to harm him.

Alarmed by Robert's behaviour, his father took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and given medication. Robert had joined the ranks of the 1 in 5 people in Canada who will personally experience a mental illness. Robert returned to work two years later but relapsed when he stopped taking his medication. After a two-month hospitalization,

Robert lost his job and feared for his future. He agonized over how he would get his life back on track. More

December 4, 5
The Nutcracker
at the Living Arts Centre
20% of ticket price donated to UWPR with promo code UNITED.

February 4, 2010
Community Achievement Celebration

Posters:
Download 11x17 or 8.5x11 posters featuring the stories showcased in the 2009 Annual Report. Click here!