Brian

More than 10 years ago Brian Koo had a stroke which paralysed his left side, leaving him bedridden and unable to speak.

After almost a year in the hospital, Brian came home and fell into a deep depression, spending his days sitting in front of the TV.

“I couldn’t even bring myself to get dressed,” he recalls.

A concerned friend brought Brian to CareFirst, a United Way funded agency that assists seniors in living healthy, socially active and independent lives. Now Brian, 66, is energized about life again. He attends luncheons, outings and especially enjoys the weekly Karaoke.

“After the stroke, I couldn’t speak and the Karaoke helped me regain my voice,” says Brian. “My spirits have been lifted and now I feel like I have a reason to get dressed in the morning.”

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James

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

Today James works as a handyman doing renovations and odd jobs and has a place to live. 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, partially supported 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.

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Carlos

When 46 year old Carlos and his two sons were targeted by Columbian guerillias, he escaped to Canada looking for safety and a new beginning.

“It was difficult leaving my whole life behind, but I truly feared if I didn’t leave, my sons and I would be killed,” says Carlos.

After arriving in Peel, Carlos was referred to Catholic Cross Cultural Services (CCCS), a United Way funded agency. CCCS provides newcomers with services that help them settle and integrate successfully in Canada. CCCS connected Carlos and his sons with community resources that assisted with legal issues, ESL classes, housing and finding a school for his two boys.

“When I got here I didn’t know what to do or where to go,” says Carlos. “CCCS and United Way saved our lives.”

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Maggie

When a tumour on four year old Maggie's optical nerve robbed her of her vision, her parents reached out to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), a United Way funded agency that supports those who are visually impaired.

"An early intervention specialist helped Maggie adjust to her blindness, and also gave her sensory and Braille activities to prepare her for school,” says Maggie’s mom Lisa. “A mobility specialist taught Maggie how to get around independently using a cane.”

Lisa, a teacher, feels the United Way funded services provided through CNIB are vital to her daughter’s development.

"I don't know what we would have done without CNIB," she says. "As a teacher I work with children every day. But there are things, like learning to read Braille that I just can't help Maggie with."

Maggie is now a happy, active first grader who enjoys playing in the park and taking piano lessons.

"With the help of United Way and the CNIB, Maggie has surpassed all expectations." says Lisa.

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Surjit

When Surjit’s husband died suddenly, she lost her zest for life and didn’t leave the house for more than four months.

“I felt depressed and didn’t want to face people,” she says. “All I wanted to do was stay home and stare at the walls.”

A representative from the South Asian Women’s group, hosted by Malton Neighbourhood Services and supported by United Way, reached out to Surjit. The group provides social, physical and educational activities that assist senior South Asian women in living healthy, active and independent lives. Surjit participates in light exercise, yoga, social outings and educational workshops. She has even learned to use social media and keeps in touch with friends and family through email and Facebook.

"I love this group," says Surjit. "Being able to come here and share my feelings and socialize has given me my life back. I can’t imagine what I would do if I couldn't come here.”

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Hailey

Less than six months after the birth of his daughter Hailey, Steve was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, an illness that causes dramatic shifts in mood, energy, thinking and behaviour from mania to depression and back again.

Steve got the help he needed to stabilize his condition through a combination of counselling and medication.

“Mental illness doesn’t just impact the individual,” says Steve’s wife Trudi. “It impacts the entire family.”

Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere (FAME), a United Way funded agency that provides counselling and resources to families coping with mental health issues, provided the necessary supports both Trudi and Hailey needed.

Today, Hailey, a first grade student, attends weekly counselling sessions at FAME to talk about any concerns she has and to gain an understanding of her father’s mood swings.

“It is vital to us that she knows that my illness is in no way her fault,” says Steve. “FAME has helped her to understand mental illness in an age appropriate way.”

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Donna

When she was eight months pregnant, Donna Woods was beaten and strangled unconscious by her boyfriend. She lay on the floor clinically dead, without oxygen for more than four minutes. Miraculously the kicks of her unborn son revived her as paramedics arrived on the scene.

Her abuser was sent to jail for attempted murder and Donna was referred to Interim Place, a United Way funded agency that supports abused women and their children.

“They were amazing,” says Donna as she recalls her experience with the agency. “They housed me, fed me and made me feel safe. They were there 24/7 helping me heal and move forward with my life.”

Today, Donna is a single mom, author and successful business woman who owns her own company. She is a community volunteer who advocates for anyone in need, and is currently writing a book to assist other abused women who need help.

“I give thanks every day that support was there when I needed it,” she says.

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Dadrien

Dadrien Brown immigrated to Canada in 2009. He felt like an outsider, he was homesick for his birth country and he was unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. An acquaintance referred him to African Community Services (ACS), a United Way funded agency. ACS’s Youth Development Program and the Mentorship program helped Dadrien connect with the community while building his confidence and leadership skills.

“Now I have a sense of belonging and purpose,” says Dadrien. “The staff at ACS gave my life stability and directed me to resources that assisted me in going back to school for upgrading and getting into University. They gave me a foundation to build my life on.”

Dadrien is now in his second year at York University. This summer he is working with ACS as a Youth Coordinator Assistant. In his free time he enjoys singing and volunteering in the community.

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James

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.

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Tong & Irene

When he was employed as a chef, Tong Mai worked many long hours. But after retiring 10 years ago, he found himself sitting in front of the television all day. His wife, Irene, kept busy doing housework.

Tong grew restless and Irene longed for more, so they contacted Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association, a United Way funded agency that provides programs and services to support, educate and enhance the lives of seniors in our community. Since connecting with Carefirst, the couple, who have been married more than 50 years, are having the time of their lives. Tong, 82, and Irene, 75, participate in Tai Chi, English classes, Karaoke, and computer training. They have expanded their social network and enjoy social outings and events, while living an independent, healthy and active lifestyle.

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Jennifer

Jennifer Kilchenmann, 27, has always enjoyed an active lifestyle, despite having just 6 per cent vision in her left eye and 60 per cent vision in her right. She works out at the gym, enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, and socializes with friends and family. However, when looking for work, she often felt stigmatized by potential employers who couldn’t see beyond her visual impairment.

A friend told Jennifer about the Ontario March of Dimes, a United Way funded agency that helps people living with physical disabilities enhance their independence and community participation. Jennifer worked with March of Dimes staff to update her resume and hone her job search and interviewing skills. Additionally, the agency’s employment placement specialist spoke with employers on her behalf to discuss her skills and ability to function in the workplace. Today with the help of visual aide devices, Jennifer is gainfully employed and loves her job as a sales associate with National Sports.

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Aaliyah

Ten-year-old Aaliyah Parks has Autism Spectrum Disorder, a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. It is also a developmental disability where individuals have difficulties communicating and relating to others. Aaliyah must work hard to learn social skills that come naturally to most of her peers. When she was 9, Aaliyah was referred to Brampton Caledon Community Living (BCCL), an agency funded in part by United Way. It supports individuals with developmental disabilities, in partnership with their families and the community, to lead enriched and meaningful lives. BCCL provides respite care for Aaliyah which allows the Parks family a few hours a week where they can focus on each other or other things in their lives. The agency also provides resources and programs that allow Aaliyah to practice social skills in a safe environment, and enhance her confidence and community participation. The Parks family take things one day at time but they are relieved to know BCCL is there to help.

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Boys and Girls Club of Peel

Just as a blank canvas is a potential masterpiece for an artist, a child’s dreams can represent infinite possibilities. Supported in part through a United Way neighbourhood development grant to the Boys and Girls Club of Peel, a group of Mississauga children created a beautiful neighbourhood mural that represents hope and happiness.

Guided by local artists Lydia Panart and Mina Vancardo and supported by Boys and Girls Club staff, it took the 25 children from Acorn Place almost a year to design and create the mural.

The mural project, titled the Voice of Acorn Place, began as a fun art project to develop children’s creativity. However, as word spread through the neighbourhood, more children joined in and parents and grandparents came to watch the work in progress. Eventually, the entire neighbourhood became engaged. For many, the nine-panel mural represents the community; each piece is beautiful on its own but its full strength and beauty is only realized when all the pieces come together as one.

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Ron

Joining the growing number of people unemployed due to the recession was difficult for Ron Carnwell, 56. So much of his
self-esteem and pride was tied to working. Struggling with feelings of confusion, hurt and betrayal, Ron contacted Family Services Peel (FSP), a United Way funded agency. Ron participated in the agency’s Working to your Full Potential program, which provides counselling and workshops that assist people in finding employment. Ron’s counsellor kept him motivated, energized and hopeful. Eventually with support from FSP, Ron found another job. He is grateful that when he needed help, it was there.

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Sandra

After researching Canada, Sandra Bocarro felt it would be an ideal place to immigrate and raise a family. She arrived in 2004. But despite being a highly educated professional, she had difficulty finding employment. She had always lived comfortably in her homeland but now she was struggling to make ends meet and keep food on the table.

Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre, a United Way funded agency, matched Sandra with a professional mentor who helped her network and apply her transferable skills to find employment. Today at 38, Sandra is employed and living in Mississauga with her husband and two children.

“Without the help of my mentor, I’d still be groping around in the dark,” she says. “The whole experience has really taught me the power of being resilient.”

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Theresa

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.

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.

Today, 49-year-old Theresa, 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 now volunteers at the agency to create awareness about abuse while empowering other women in her community.

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Robin

Robin Persaud had lost his job, separated from his wife and children, and become homeless. Diagnosed with depression and a mood disorder, he had attempted suicide twice but couldn’t afford the medication he needed to get well. Then he heard about the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), a United Way funded agency. Robin credits CMHA with saving his life. Staff provided the resources and assistance that helped him obtain a source of income, find housing and, most importantly, stabilize his mental illness. Today at 39, Robin is healthy, his children have their father back, and he is filled with hope for a brighter future.

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Troy

At age 9 Troy Taylor felt a void in his life. His parents had separated when he was 4 and he had gone several years without a consistent male role model. As a result, he started to put less effort into his schooling and didn’t have much faith or trust in commitments by male authority figures.

To fill the void and get Troy on the right track, his mom reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel (BBBSP), a United Way funded agency. Initially Troy participated in group outings and activities. At age 10 he was matched with his first big brother through the One to One Friendship program. After being a little brother for nine years Troy graduated from the program.

Now 19 and studying mechanical engineering at the University of Guelph, Troy credits BBBS with making him the man he is today. Despite his busy schedule, he still makes time to serve as a youth mentor with BBBS as well as volunteer in his community.

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Antoinette

“It’s amazing how something that happened to me that was so horrible actually turned out for the best,” says 33-year-old Antoinette Antoine, reflecting on her past.

Antoinette’s childhood memories are not the type one treasures.

“I remember my mother crying all the time and I remember my brothers and I being afraid to come home after school,” she says.

For years, Antoinette, her mother, and her two younger brothers lived under a reign of terror, being abused by her father. One evening after a violent assault, Antoinette’s mother reached her breaking point. It was a defining moment for the family. In nothing but their pajamas and socks, Antoinette, who was then 12, and her brothers, 7 and 5, left with their mother that night.

After staying with relatives for a night, Antoinette’s mother and the children found refuge at Interim Place, a United Way-funded agency that provides shelter, community support and outreach services for abused women and their children.

The family’s 10-week stay changed their lives. Interim Place provided food, shelter, clothing and counselling for the family, and helped them start a new life free from violence and abuse.

“It was heaven for us,” says Antoinette. “It was a door to hope and it changed me. I went from being quiet with no confidence and no friends, to socializing with people and believing in myself.”

Today, Antoinette owns an event management company. She is the volunteer Board President of Interim Place Board of Directors and an active member of the Brampton Board of Trade.

“If it wasn’t for Interim Place, I can’t even fathom what kind of person I would be,” says Antoinette. “I know I wouldn’t have a fraction of the courage I have today.”

Dawson

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I’d ever have to use a food bank,” says Dawson Reid, 55. But when the plant where he worked stopped production, Dawson lost his job.

“I’ve been working since I was 18. But now with the economy being what it is, it’s hard to find a job,” he says.

Dawson takes part-time jobs cleaning and painting and his wife Patricia travels four hours a day by public transit to her factory job. Despite their efforts, they struggle to pay for the bare necessities. After rent and utilities, there isn’t much left. They turn to the Mississauga Food Bank, a United Way-funded agency, to help make ends meet.

“I don’t want our daughter to suffer,” says Dawson as he explains having to choose between either buying groceries or paying for a school trip for 8-year-old Natasha. It’s a grim decision.

“It gets so frustrating working and living from paycheque to paycheque,” says Patricia. “You get so tired but you just have to find a way to go on.”

The Mississauga Food Bank helps people go on. It serves 5,500 people each month and another 4,500 people through its three member food banks. In addition, Foodpath supplies food to 13 school breakfast programs, shelters for abused women and homeless teens, a soup kitchen, two literacy programs and two addiction recovery programs.

Dawson keeps looking for work and copes with life one day at a time. Like so many others, he is hopeful that the economy will bounce back soon. In the meantime, the Food Bank makes the struggle bearable.

“You never really appreciate these services until you really need them,” says Dawson. “I’m grateful to United Way and the Food Bank for being here in our time of need.”

Joshua

A day after he was born in January 2002, Joshua Roul was diagnosed with nerve damage to his left shoulder as the result of a difficult delivery. As serious as this situation was, it paled in comparison to what happened next.

“I had been heavily medicated due to complications because of the difficulty of the birth, and did not realize that there was something not quite right with his eyes until he was two days old,” explained Joshua’s mother, Jodi Roul.

“At this time, I saw that neither of his pupils was in the centre of his iris. Joshua was diagnosed with Ectopic Papillae et Lentis (dislocated pupils and lenses).”

To make matters worse, when Joshua was only six weeks old, he developed an abscess that required surgery. “Between doctor’s appointments, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and tests, we had not fully comprehended the impact this would have on his and our lives as a family,” said Jodi.

Eventually, Joshua was referred to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) - Halton-Peel, a United Way of Peel Region funded agency. A CNIB Early Intervention Specialist came to the Roul home to evaluate Joshua’s condition.

“Amanda [the Early Intervention Specialist] and I discussed what services she could offer through the CNIB,” said Jodi. “Amanda was always there to ensure that Joshua was getting the services and stimulation he needed to reach his developmental milestones. Without the help of the people at the CNIB, families and individuals affected by vision loss would have nowhere to turn for help.”

Today Joshua is 7 years old. With the help of visual aids and an Educational Assistant he is able to fully participate in his grade 2 class. He lives a very active life and travels across Ontario and the northern United States as a competitive cheerleader with Power Cheer Toronto.

Benneta

In 2006, 39-year-old Benneta Solomon, her 41-year-old husband Boby and their two children aged 3 and 12, immigrated to Canada looking for an improved quality of life and more opportunities.

Boby found work within a couple of months, but Benneta was not as lucky. She had been an electronic engineer in India and was hoping to find similar employment in Canada. Despite sending out many resumes, she did not receive a single call for an interview. With only one income, the family struggled.

“We hoped to have a good life in this country,” says Benneta. “All we wanted was to work hard, buy a home, and live the Canadian dream.”

Through her local library, Benneta connected with Brampton Multicultural Community Centre (BMCC). United Way supports agencies like Brampton Multicultural Community Centre that assist newcomers and immigrants with successful settlement and integration, and help them reach their full potential as productive members of society.

“Counsellors at BMCC helped me with my language skills, resume, job search skills and gave me the information I needed to upgrade my credentials,” says Benneta. “They also provided childcare, which allowed me to participate in the program while helping my daughter prepare for the transition to daycare.”

Today, Benneta works as a customer service representative for an electronics company. The position will help her gain Canadian work experience while providing a stepping stone to a career in her field. She is proud to be a homeowner and a contributing member of our community, and appreciates the help she received through BMCC.

“Coming to BMCC was an important turning point for me,” says Benneta. “I found the programs and services to be extremely valuable resources.”

Che

In 2003, 78-year-old Che Kin Cheng and his wife Siuyan, 72, had been married for more than 50 years. They had worked hard all their lives, raised three children, and were enjoying travelling during their retirement. However, their journey together would be cut short, when Siuyan was diagnosed with cancer.

“After my wife became ill, she needed a lot of rest,” says Che. “We couldn’t travel much anymore.”

A friend connected the couple with Carefirst, a United Way-funded agency that provides social programs, health care and supportive services that assist seniors in enjoying an enriched quality of life in the community.

Volunteer visitors from Carefirst helped with household duties and provided companionship to the couple during Siuyan’s two-year illness. Siuyan was eventually moved to the hospital where she succumbed to her illness in 2005. Grief-stricken, Che felt empty, depressed and alone.

“I didn’t know what to do,” says Che. “I would spend days just sitting and looking at the wall and remembering my wife.”

Che again reached out to Carefirst and began attending several social and educational programs. United Way supports seniors as they seek to live healthy and independent lives by funding programs, services and initiatives like Carefirst that provide social opportunities to isolated seniors.

Now 84, Che is excited about life again. He volunteers with Carefirst and is a member of the agency’s Wellness Committee. He participates in several social groups and activities including karaoke, the Happy Together Support Group, and monthly birthday celebrations. In addition, he attends Tai Chi classes and loves to entertain others by playing the piano and singing at group gatherings.

“I feel happy now and my life has a purpose again,” says Che. “I have lots of friends and I am not alone anymore.”

Nolan and Nat

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.

Paul

Paul Williams has been participating in the Boys and Girls Club of Peel program in his McHardy Court neighbourhood since he was 14. Now at 19, he is a member of his neighbourhood Youth Council.

The Youth Council, funded through United Way’s Neighbourhood Development grants, empowers youth to engage residents in working together to make their neighbourhood a clean, safe and healthy place for everyone.

As part of the Youth Council, Paul helps plan activities that build youth leadership and promote neighbourhood pride. His involvement has enhanced his leadership skills, broadened his horizons, and made him a positive role model for children and youth in his community.

“Before joining the Council I had never been outside of Ontario,” he explains. “Through the Council, I have travelled to places like Calgary and Ottawa, and experienced new things outside of my neighbourhood.”

Younger children now look up to Paul and his participation with the Council has inspired him to go to college to become a social worker.

“I want to work with kids and help them reach their potential,” he says.

Robert

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.

Enter Destination Café.ca, a social purpose enterprise supported by United Way of Peel Region.

The café, operated by Supportive Housing in Peel, is staffed by mental health consumers and serves fair trade and freshly roasted coffee. Its mission is to support people with mental health issues through employment in a safe and flexible environment that promotes self-confidence and skill building.

Through its Social Purpose Enterprise Fund, United Way tackles a stubborn root of poverty — the challenges in finding and keeping a job faced by people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or other conditions and situations.

A social worker connected Robert with the café and now, at age 27, he works as the manager of marketing and advertising. He also serves customers and credits the café for building his confidence and providing him with skills to move forward with his life.

“Growing into the business services role, Robert has been tremendous in thinking what is best for the customers, staff and the business,” says Shirley Hannigan, Robert’s job coach and coordinator of the café’s Work Well program. “He understands the product and is amazing at explaining the fair trade, organic coffee business.”

Once a shut-in, living with and dependent on his family, Robert now has meaningful employment, a network of friends and support, and lives independently.

“I’m proud of what Robert’s doing at the café,” says Robert’s father. “It’s given him more confidence and allowed him to live on his own and make his own decisions. He still maintains good contact with his mother and me but we don’t have the every day strain of feeling responsible for him. It’s a good thing.”

Just before becoming ill, Robert had applied to Humber College’s Marketing program. His acceptance came shortly after being diagnosed, so he declined the opportunity. But now he has the confidence and skills to think about one day returning to school and build on his experience at the café.

"I don't think I'd be anywhere close to where I am now if I didn't have the café," he says.

Vanessa

Thirty-one-year-old Vanessa Ramnarine, her husband Tony, and their two daughters Eva, 6, and Amy, 4, have always been a tight-knit family with strong family values. When a flyer from her daughter’s school asked for participants for its eight-week Family and Schools Together (F&ST) program, Vanessa was all for it. That’s because it offered the chance for parents, children, social service professionals, community volunteers and school staff to meet at school for dinner and quality family time.

“I liked the concept of the program and I thought it would be a really nice thing to do with the kids,” she says. “In these tough times, it allowed us a family night out that we otherwise couldn’t afford.”

Funded by United Way and provided through Family Services of Peel, F&ST strengthens family unity and supports families in helping their children do well at school, at home and in the community. The goal is to improve health, social and academic outcomes for children and reduce the risk of delinquency, substance abuse and school failure in adolescent years. It also provides an opportunity for parents to become more involved in their child’s school.

The Ramnarines are one of approximately 120 families that have graduated from F&ST. United Way supports programs like F&ST that empower children and youth to reach their full potential.

“You can see the effect the program has on your child,” says Vanessa, who since attending F&ST has joined the parent council at her daughter’s school. “At one time Eva was hesitant to participate in school activities, but since F&ST she loves school and has become very outgoing. She is developing great leadership skills.”