HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY


The Province of Ontario is the second largest province in Canada by area -covering 1,068,582 sq km (412,582 sq mi) - and the largest by population, with a population of just over 10 million people. The Region of Peel is located within the Greater Toronto Area or GTA, on the shores of Lake Ontario . The GTA contains some 5 million citizens, approximately 800,000 of whom live in Peel. The Region of Peel is a diverse area, containing the large urban centers of Mississauga and Brampton, as well as the relatively expansive and sparsely populated Town of Caledon.
 

It is estimated that more than 25,000 Tamils live in Peel region of which 10% may be seniors. Hence there was a need to establish an association for the Tamil Seniors in Peel region. Senior Tamils society of Peel was established on May 24th 1999 at Yarl Co-op Building , Mississauga . At the beginning there were 77 seniors who showed interest to be as members of the society. Today, after 10 years, the membership of the society stands at 700 and is fast growing. During last two years, there is rapid growth in the activities of the society. The society held two Walk-a-Thons in the year 2003 and 2004 and the funds collected there from were distributed among Trillium Hospital, Credit Valley hospital and Brampton hospital. On the Canada day in 2004 the society established a Cultural, Recreational and Wellness Center for its members at Unit 215 at Hurontario street, 3085, Mississauga.

This center with acronym CROW contains a Library, a reading and meeting room, IT training center and indoor games facilities. Members meet frequently and discuss various issues. Free Computer training is provided to its members. Very soon Volunteer training will be provided. Seminars, Workshops to build awareness on health and cultural matters are frequently organized. An office was set up subsequently to attend to the needs of the members. A “Mother’s Front” was established as a sub group of the society to cater for the interests of the women members. The Front organizes health seminars for women and also actively take part in the cultural events. A magazine titled “Muthuvenil” in English and Tamil is published yearly from 2004. Two cultural events are held every year one in December for Christmas, New Year and Deepavali and the other in April for Tamil New year & Easter. The members and their children and grand children take part in these cultural shows. Members are taken on tours to places of interest. One of the major achievements of the society is the obtaining of two grants from Ontario Trillium foundation for executing various projects. We thank the organization from the bottom of our heart for recognizing our achievements by providing us the grant for the growth of our Association. We also forge partnership with other organizations and agencies in establishing cultural integration and building awareness. We have long way to go and have a vision for the future. Our society will serve not only the Tamil community but also other ethnic communities to carry the flag of Canada as a multicultural country.