Everyday Stories of Connection
Goal 1: Improve the community’s health, social well-being and safety
- NEW TransHelp: Caring for Our Customers
- NEW Sharing Important Health Information with Educators in Peel
- Affordable Housing Vital for Community Safety and Well-Being
- Peel Paramedics: A Crucial Link in the Chain of Survival
- Housing Staff Goes a Step Beyond to Help Tenants in Need
- Health Partners: Bringing Fun and Safe Activities to Peel Playgrounds
Affordable Housing Vital for Community Safety and Well-Being
For Alfred “Bud”,Millbrook Place, the Region’s newest modest-income
housing complex for seniors and singles in Mississauga is “just the
greatest place to live.”
Although illness and gambling caused Bud
to become homeless, it wasn’t long before staff in Housing and Property
arranged to move him first to a shelter, and eventually to Millbrook
Place, which has given him a new sense of purpose.
With his illness
under control, Bud volunteers his time by participating in social
activities and helping fellow residents whom he regards as his new
family. “The staff and counsellors made this happen for me,” Bud says.
Peel Paramedics: A Crucial Link in the Chain of Survival
Whether it’s assisting mothers with the safe delivery of a baby or successfully resuscitating victims of cardiac arrest, the superbly trained and prepared paramedics of Peel are essential front-line troops in bringing emergency medical services to the community.
Joseph, a heart attack survivor expressed his gratitude to the paramedics who saved his life. He and his family attended an appreciation awards reception recognizing the outstanding contributions of paramedics in preserving human life.
They presented four Peel paramedics with the Stars of Life Award. Our paramedics are adept at handling complex resuscitations with the right combination of rapid response, drugs and intervention. For residents like Joseph, they are crucial links in the chain of survival.
Housing Staff Goes a Step Beyond to Help Tenants in Need
Whether it’s assisting residents with finding affordable housing or linking them to the appropriate community agency for assistance, staff members in the Region’s Housing and Property department often go the extra mile to help those in need.
Employees often encounter affordable housing applicants who - while they are deemed able to live independently – experience certain difficulties in their day-to-day lives that may prevent them from completing a simple task, such as reading or filling out a form.
Recently, Housing and Property staff visited an applicant at home who needed help completing an application. The staff member walked the tenant through the application, and also took time to refer the resident to a local agency that could provide additional support if needed. Today, the tenant is happy with his new apartment and grateful for the extra support he received.
With encouragement from Regional staff, tenants not only find affordable housing but are also given the help they need to better cope with difficult situations in their lives. Going the extra mile for someone in need enriches the lives of those who need help, and also those employees whose role it is to provide support and assistance.
Health Partners: Bringing Fun and Safe Activities to Peel Playgrounds
Peel’s Health department is committed to serving our school communities with quality programming that truly makes a difference in the lives of children.
This is also one of the drivers of a successful program called P.A.L.S. (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools). Teaching school-aged children how to reduce playground bullying and stay physically active are two key priorities for Health staff in Peel’s Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention division.
In 2003, Peel launched the P.A.L.S. program. P.A.L.S. encourages all children to participate in activities regardless of their gender, size, or ability in an effort to increase physical activity, decrease chronic disease, reduce bullying, and enhance leadership skills and positive self esteem.
One student said, “I’ve learned how much exercise you can get by playing the games.” With over 90 schools currently participating in the P.A.L.S. program, its impact does not stop with recess, but expands as children bring the games, along with the spirit of co-operation and inclusiveness, into their backyards and neighbourhoods.
The children’s enthusiasm for the program and the satisfaction of making a tangible difference through the P.A.L.S. program is inspiring for Peel Health staff as well as teachers and partners in the schools. Perhaps one of the benefits of the program is best described in the words of a young student; “It's fun and kids that don't have a friend, get a friend.”
TransHelp: Caring for Our Customers
Jayne is an 18-year veteran TransHelp driver who has transported thousands of Peel residents unable to use conventional transit. On April 26, 2004, Jayne was credited with saving a passenger’s life.
At approximately 6 a.m., Jayne had just picked up the second of four dialysis patients, when one of them began to show signs that he was not well. Jayne immediately alerted TransHelp dispatch, advising them she was taking her passenger directly to the nearest hospital and requested another bus to pick up the other passengers. While re-routing her bus, the sick passenger took a turn for the worse, passing out in his seat. Jayne called dispatch again to send emergency medical help.
Once safely stopped at the side of the road, Jayne knew that she had to do something until the ambulance arrived. Drawing on her training, she performed CPR until the ambulance arrived and the passenger was put in the care of emergency responders. Jayne’s quick thinking and quick response saved the dialysis patient’s life.
Jayne later commented, “This job is an important part of my life. I love it and I’m grateful for it. TransHelp eases our passenger’s lives by giving them independence. It’s a good thing for the community and I feel good at the end of the day because I’ve helped people.”
Jayne and other TransHelp employees assist citizens of the Region of Peel who rely on medical services by transporting them to and from their medical appointments. We are proud of the dedication and training of our employees who care about the citizens they serve.
Sharing Important Health Information with Educators in Peel
When educators in Peel expressed a need for more health information and resources, Peel Health did some research. They then published The School Health Profiler, a 12 page bi-annual document aimed at providing Peel teachers - kindergarten to grade eight - with information and curriculum support to encourage and improve school health teaching. This helpful teaching tool features classroom activities, resource information, online links, teaching tips, and detailed health information.
Peel Health received high marks following the distribution of the document to 10,000 teaching and support staff in both the public and Catholic school boards. Educators called the publication very informative and requested the document to be published two or more times each year. Since then, a new Web page was developed where teachers can access more information, classroom activities and be linked to additional online links and resources.
Peel’s School Health Profiler promotes health, builds relationships between teachers and public health, and facilitates access to health information. Since its release, the document has won several prestigious national and international communication and education awards.
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Goal 2: Assess and manage all aspects of growth that affect Peel services to ensure a more liveable region
- Planning Services Instrumental in Shaping a Liveable Region
- Liveable Peel Initiative Supports Sustainable Development
Planning Services Instrumental in Shaping a Liveable Region
There are many diverse challenges the Region is focusing on: the demands of growth; protecting environmental, agricultural and natural resources; and achieving a more sustainable land use and transportation system.
Planning services are all designed to conserve current resources for Peel residents, as well as preparing for long-term growth.
Projects include: the Regional Official Plan, transportation planning for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, research and studies, and community programs such as Geographic Information Systems Day and the Peel Children’s Water Festival.
Liveable Peel Initiative Supports Sustainable Development
Ever wonder what Peel Region will look like in the next 50 years?
Over the past four decades, Peel’s rapid population growth and development have transformed what was once a rural area of farms and villages into a diverse and dynamic blend of urban, employment, and residential areas. As Peel continues to grow and change, Regional Council and staff work hard to create long-term plans that will maintain quality programs and services for its residents.
Given the challenges faced by a changing and diverse community, as well as new Provincial initiatives, such as the Places to Grow Act and Greenbelt Plan, staff introduced an initiative called Liveable Peel. Liveable Peel takes a closer look at how community growth, aging and change impacts Regional programs and services, Provincial initiatives and also examines what can be done to manage the demands on Regional resources. To accomplish this, focus will be placed on the analysis of four indicators of sustainable development – people, culture, economy and the environment.
More importantly, Liveable Peel has a strong connection to the corporate Strategic Plan which focuses on meeting the everyday needs of the community and sustaining Peel’s quality of life for future generations. Through leadership, partnership, commitment and excellence, Peel will continue to move forward for the betterment of the community for years to come.
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Goal 3: Preserve, protect and enhance Peel’s natural environment and resources
- Public Works Ensures Water Quality and Safety for Peel
- Peel Residents, Staff, Volunteers and Sponsors Unite for Spring Environment Days
- TransHelp: A Quality and Environment-Friendly Regional Service
Public Works Ensures Water Quality and Safety for Peel
Staff in Public Works is vigilant about ensuring safe drinking water
and is alert of the need to protect this precious resource and the
environment.
The Systems Operations team implemented an
award-winning, innovative method to sustain water quality more
effectively in the distribution system and reduce the volume of
treated water discarded in the process. This approach demonstrates
the Region’s continuous improvement efforts in service delivery,
environmental protection, and public health and safety.
Peel Residents, Staff, Volunteers and Sponsors Unite for Spring Environment Days
Every spring, Regional staff, volunteers, and Peel citizens unite for the common cause behind Environment Day—a special one-day event that collects over 50 tonnes of household hazardous waste, reusable goods and a variety of recyclable items.
A crew of 60 staff, community volunteers and selected contractors direct up to 2,000 residents who drive into selected recycling locations to drop off waste material and donate non-perishable food items. In return, residents can buy recycled products at cost and get a trunk load of free bags of garden compost.
In the last Spring Environment Days drive, items in good condition went to Goodwill Industries.
The annual event has proven to be a great way for residents to clear out items and hazardous material. Together, residents and staff support a good cause, clean up our community and protect the environment.
TransHelp: A Quality and Environment-Friendly Regional Service
The TransHelp division of the Social Services department believes in finding healthy and cost-effective solutions for Peel citizens.
From the beginning, TransHelp has used propane for all its vehicles - the most economical and environment-friendly fuel available. Unfortunately, the propane industry has not kept up with the technology needed to fuel today’s vehicle or the equipment needed to continue converting vehicles to propane.
To meet their customers’ needs, TransHelp employees, in partnership with various suppliers, researched the fuel industry and were able to locate an electronically-controlled fuel injection propane system called the Sequin to overcome initial start-up issues. Since then, TransHelp employees have been able to achieve an increased fuel mileage of approximately 22 per cent, resulting in similar cost savings for fuel used on vehicles equipped with this same system.
With help from suppliers, the forward-thinking and dedicated TransHelp staff overcame start-up challenges to develop the best possible long-term solution. In the spirit of continuous improvement and customer safety and satisfaction, employees are presently working with another local energy company to improve the fuel quality used for all of their vehicles for years to come.
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Goal 4: Contribute to a strong regional economy
- NEW Building Affordable Housing and Service Facilities in Peel
- Region and Goodwill Unite to Manage Reusable Material and Create Jobs
- Regional Representatives and Residents Join Forces to Conserve Water
Region and Goodwill Unite to Manage Reusable Material and Create Jobs
The Public Works department has joined forces with residents
and Goodwill Industries to help manage waste, recycle reusable
merchandise and provide vocational programs and services to people
who face employment barriers.
In partnership with Ontario Works,
Goodwill offers training and job opportunities at Peel’s Community
Recycling Centres (CRCs) in Brampton and Bolton, both with Reuse
Retail Stores.
The organization has turned a janitorial contract into a
beneficial training program to help Ontario Works clients acquire job
skills and open opportunities for them to enter the workforce. Public
Works has also recommended that Goodwill operate the current
Battleford CRC and future CRCs planned for Clarkson and Heart Lake.
Regional Representatives and Residents Join Forces to Conserve Water
If new homeowners in Peel are concerned about increased water and sewer bills, Regional service representatives will not only assist by providing possible explanations for why a water bill is high, but also provide information on preventive measures they can take to reduce costs and indirectly preserve a precious natural resource.
Even in new homes, the problem may be leaky toilets or fixtures that have not been installed properly. As Regional staff point out, the culprit can sometimes be a filter system installed to catch particulate matter in water.
Water rates soar if these filters are not operated, checked and maintained regularly. However, our service representatives take preventive steps to alert homeowners to such problems and explain how residents can avoid repeating unusually high charges for water consumption.
Building Affordable Housing and Service Facilities in Peel
The Region’s Facilities Asset Management division of the Housing and Property department takes great pride in providing professional expertise and exceptional customer service to every project.
In the community, they are responsible for constructing well-designed/energy-efficient social housing and affordable rental complexes, long-term care facilities and other Regional facilities.
Employees make certain that every dollar used for development, construction or space planning is beneficial to the quality of life for occupants, the Region’s overall economy, and ultimately cost-effective for Peel taxpayers.
From construction to administrative staff, Facilities Asset Management contributes to the development of new housing, additional rental income and employment.
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Goal 5: Be a citizen-focused Regional government
- NEW Sharing Important Health Information with Educators in Peel
- Volunteers Provide Invaluable Link for a Healthy Community
- Enhancing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
- Building Blocks: Teaching Children about Literacy and Violence-Free Play
- TransHelp: Enhancing the Lives of Those Unable to Use Conventional Transit
Volunteers Provide Invaluable Link for a Healthy Community
The Region definitely has cause to celebrate during the annual National
Volunteer Week every April.
Currently, more than 1,000 volunteers
forge valuable links between the Region and residents, particularly
when it comes to community health and well-being.
A case in point is
Kam, a dedicated Public Health volunteer who continues to provide
special support to Amerdeep, a Brampton resident and recent
immigrant, who desperately needed help caring for twin baby girls,
while her husband worked shifts. “Kam came as a stranger, volunteered
for a minimum three hours a week, and now she is a very good friend,”
says Amerdeep. “Whatever Public Health Volunteer Services has done
for me was just great. It has inspired me to volunteer and give back to
my community.”
Enhancing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
A government must focus on the needs of all citizens and make services accessible, especially for residents with visible as well as invisible disabilities.
The Region of Peel has taken a proactive approach to addressing issues affecting persons with disabilities with the assistance of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), made up of dedicated members of the community.
Led by Glenn Barnes, Chair of the AAC, with staff support from the Region’s Accessibility Co-ordinator, the Committee advises the Region of Peel on identifying and removing existing barriers and preventing any new barriers for persons with disabilities.
The goal is to improve access and opportunities for all Peel residents while improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities by ensuring they have the benefit of accessing a full range of Regional services and programs.
Building Blocks: Teaching Children about Literacy and Violence-Free Play
The Region’s Children’s Services facilities provide professional and nurturing care to some of Peel’s youngest residents.
Staff, together with the Peel Committee on Sexual Assault (PCSA) and the Peel Committee against Woman Abuse (PCAWA) raised awareness about a project called “Building Blocks for Violence Free Play and Learning.”
The committee worked with various local agencies to produce Building Blocks, along with a resource guide for parents and teachers. Staff also received project training and orientation which helped them to bring similar ideas into their everyday classroom teaching.
As children began interacting and building structures with the blocks, staff saw first-hand how using the blocks promoted language and literacy, and reinforced values such as co-operation, sharing and resolving conflict.
After hearing about the program at Regional child care centres, many parents have been using the blocks at home with their children.
Regional staff and local partners have been instrumental in promoting the Building Blocks program, allowing them to reach out to a bigger part of the community to spread the message of violence-free play and learning.
TransHelp: Enhancing the Lives of Those Unable to Use Conventional Transit Joanne, a long time customer with TransHelp, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to TransHelp for the important service they provide each day. On October 19, Joanne was honoured at World Vision Canada for her 30 years of service. She felt that this accomplishment would not have been possible had it not been for the services offered by TransHelp and their staff.
Joanne has cerebral palsy and uses two canes for balance. When she started working at World Vision Canada in 1974, para-transit systems such as TransHelp and WheelTrans did not exist. To get to work, she took the regular TTC transit and often paid full fare for taxi rides to work. When World Vision moved to Mississauga in 1978; Joanne moved too. In 1981, when TransHelp began providing service under the Region of Peel, she was one of their first customers. She uses the service on a daily basis and credits TransHelp for helping her get to work safely each day.
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Revised:
Friday February 17 2023
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