20 Nominations Open For United Way's Inaugural 'Women of Impact' Awards

United Way Peterborough & District has opened nominations for their inaugural ‘Women United’ awards to recognize 20 ladies who have gone above and beyond to make our community a better place.

File Photo.

The women nominated are those who create an impact in Peterborough City and County in politics, the arts and sciences, and several other fields.

“By sharing their stories, we can cement their place in history and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Together we are the impact and we shape the tapestry of and heart of Peterborough City and County,” according to a United Way Statement.

Nominees can be living or deceased. They can be inspired by neighbours, caregivers or volunteers who have:

• dedicated time towards a particular social cause or causes

• demonstrated impact in their profession, organization, or community

• advocated for the representation and empowerment of underrepresented groups

• distinguished themselves on the local/national/international stage

Nominations are open until April 14.

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United Way Reaches 63 Per Cent of Its $1.45 Million Fundraising Goal

United Way Peterborough & District has reached 63 per cent of its $1.45 million 2023 Community Campaign fundraising goal, announced at Peterborough Public Health (PPH) on Thursday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“For 82 years United Way has facilitated a community campaign to meet the current and emerging needs in Peterborough,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “This years campaign builds on that tradition of giving and public goodwill.”

The $1.45 million is a 10 per cent increase from last year’s goal, according to Russell.

“We are happy to update today on the success so far and the need to meet our goal, a goal which is 10 per cent higher than last year’s achievement and a goal that is based on the need in the community,” he said. “We are well on our way to meeting that goal but there is still time to give so that we can invest in building a strong, healthy and inclusive community for us all.”

During the media event, Peterborough Public Health donated $11,756.25 to United Way as part of its 2023 Workplace Campaign.

“The diverse projects served by United Way Peterborough address critical issues affecting the health and wellness of members of our community,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH’s medical officer of health. “It was an honour to support this year’s tremendously successful campaign and my congratulations to all those who participated for the important funds that have been raised for our community.” said Piggott.

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United Way Peterborough's 2023 Community Campaign Reaches 45 Per Cent of $1.45 Million Fundraising Goal

United Way Peterborough & District has reached 45 per cent of its $1.45 million 2023 Community Campaign goal in an update announcement at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board on Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The amount represents a 10 per cent increase over the success of United Way’s community fundraising effort last year according to Jim Russell, United way CEO.

“‘Together we can...’ the theme of this year’s campaign is illustrated through the numbers in this update to the community - it has been a fun and busy fall - 73 per cent of our workplace campaigns are in full swing, have been completed or are scheduled to begin in the next week or so,” he said.

Several fundraising efforts have been made since the launch on Sept. 6 including a Fear Factor Competition, a mini bicycle “fondo” race, a skating party, a ‘Seeing is Believing’ Tour, a wellness fair and barbeques.

“With approximately 40 per cent of Community Campaign revenue coming directly from workplace Campaigns, we are grateful for the many dedicated employees who go above and beyond to organize and execute their workplace campaigns, bringing their teams together having fun and raising much needed funds for our community.”  said Russell “Based on workplace campaign projections and individual gifts received, so far we are 45 per cent or $652,5000 towards our 2023 Campaign Goal of $1.45 million.”

The United Way’s cabinet — selected in late August — contributed more than $40,000 to the campaign.

“Our 2023 Campaign Cabinet is a dedicated group of 22 people who have been working tirelessly as ambassadors and leaders in our community,” said Jim Hendry, campaign cabinet chair. “Our Cabinet members are volunteers and they also support the campaign financially,”

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Motorcycles Rev It Up In the Inaugural United on the Highway Poker Run & Fundraiser

Motorcycle revved things up for the inaugural United on the Highway Poker Run that explored the historic downtown and toured through the Kawarthas on Saturday.

Motorcycle enthusiasts gear up to put up their kickstands and begin their Poker Run. The event was originally slated for July 15 but was rained out. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Bikers gathered at the Venture North parking lot before touring around the Kawarthas. They made stops at multiple locations to draw cards and win prizes, with all proceeds going to the United Way of Peterborough.

“The best fundraisers are the ones that are interactive and fun for everyone involved. People have been very excited about being able to play this classic game while exploring downtown Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” said Terry Guiel, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “As a motorcycle enthusiast myself, I thought this would be a unique way to mix my passions for the downtown, motorcycles and also raising money for amazing local organizations in our community.”

Some of the prize packages include $500 and $1000 worth of motorcycle prizes, a downtown shopping spree and a plethora of other prizes.

The riders finished the tour in downtown Peterborough then experienced downtown restaurants, pubs, patios and retail stores.

“When the rubber hits the road, kind hearts and strong passions for the community are even more revved up,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “We are so grateful to Terry and the team at the DBIA for driving this event, and for helping build a more resilient Peterborough. Bikers are very giving people and we want to thank everyone who is attending and who generously donated a prize.”

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United Way Investing $1.8 Million Into Eight Community Partners Addressing Critical Needs For Homelessness

United Way Peterborough has invested $1,798,667 in eight community partners to address critical needs to help end homelessness announced at the John Howard Society on Thursday morning.

48,914 people aided during the 2021-22 United Way Peterborough Campaign. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

The government-funded money is part of the ‘Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy.’

The funding runs through until March 31 next year.

“We all have a stake morally, economically and in particular as a human rights issue to end homelessness,” Jim Russell, United Way Peterborough CEO.

The following are the eight organizations being funded:

• Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR)

• Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC)

• Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough (EFry)

• One City Peterborough

• Fourcast

• John Howard Society of Peterborough

• Research for Social Change Lab - Trent University

• Peterborough Housing Corporation

This funding has been provided in addition to the ongoing, multi-year Reaching Home partnerships that the United Way holds with YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Fourcast and the Elizabeth Fry Society according to a press release.

"Our current shelter system is strained to meet the needs of all those community members experiencing homelessness. It is imperative that any investment is strategic, encourages partnerships, and puts the needs of those individuals, our neighbours, at the forefront of service and intervention" said Russell.

The following are the program descriptions and funding amounts:

• Pilot Garden Home Project - $150,000 (CMHA HKPR)

  • СМНА HKPR will enter into an agreement of purchase and sale with Metrosuites Inc., to build a modular pre-built garden home, that would be constructed and delivered as a turnkey one-bedroom building suitable for one individual currently on the City of Peterborough's by-name-priority list

• Finding Home - $488,489 (CMHA HKPR, CCRC and One City)

  • Support individuals who have been identified as being involved with Housing Unit Takeovers (HUTS), both the individual legally entitled to the unit and the individuals ‘squatting’. Through the coordination of services, the three organizations will work with the individuals involved in the HUTS to reach out and support them in a variety of ways with the ultimate goal of connecting them to appropriate housing.

• Pathway Peer Housing Program - $257,034 (EFry)

  • This project expands the ‘Wings of Change’ program to include criminalized men experiencing homelessness. EFry will employ a Housing coordinator and a housing worker with lived experience to provide secure safe/stable housing for criminalized men, with priority given to Indigenous men. The housing worker will assist with housing searches, provide advocacy and landlord mediation and housing rights training.

• Reaching Home Stabilization Fund - $139,808 (Fourcast)

  • The funding will be used to support and retain three to four identified landlords who are interested in housing clients on the By-Name-Priority List. The project will provide a dedicated fund to mitigate costs such as property damages due to tenant behaviour or the actions of guests wanted or otherwise) or hostile unit takeovers. Funds will also be used to fund the "Bridge Housing Option", a short-term accommodation designed to transition people from homelessness to permanent housing.

• Actualizing Community as a Housing Strategy - $235,977 (One City)

  • The project aims to provide better and more affordable housing by Building Client Capacity, Improving Agency Capacity and Increasing Community Capacity. To achieve these, funding for the project will be used to:

    • Hire a full-time case manager (Resident Life

    • Coordinator) to provide care in a 24/7 supervised house, giving residents a consistent support system and point of contact

    • Hire a part-time Housing Support Worker position to increase the current capacity of One City's housing team

    • Hire a capacity-building position, housed at One City and working jointly with John Howard as well as other community organizations providing housing services to explore community-building strategies within congregate housing

• Community Homes - $219,000 (One City)

  • The funding will be used towards the purchase and renovation of a house on Collison Crescent as an eight-bed facility which will provide transitional/supportive housing for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

• Hunt Terrace Supportive Housing - $197,512 (Peterborough Housing Corporation)

  • The project commits 40 units of The Hunt Terrace building at 555 Bonaccord St. as inventory to the Corporation City of Peterborough's By Name Priority List of people experiencing chronic homelessness, broken down as follows:

    • 20 units dedicated to Alternative Level of Care (ALC) beds from Peterborough Regional Health Centre

    • Six units are dedicated to the VON wait list for people requiring assisted living services

    • 15 units dedicated to the City of Peterborough By Name List of people experiencing homelessness

• Stop Gap - Overnight Drop In - $61,659 (One City Peterborough)

  • This funding is supporting One City's operation of Stop Gap, the overnight drop-in program at Trinity United Church. The program operates between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., seven 7 days a week, from Jan. 16 until April 30.

• Investigating Shelter (In)Justice in Peterborough - $49,188 (Research for Social Change Lab and Trent University)

  • Documenting how Peterborough's Coordinated Access System works in practice.

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United Way Aids Over 48,000 People Last Season; Launches Final Leg of Three-Year Campaign to Raise $5 Million

As United Way Peterborough & District kicks off the final season of its three-year fundraiser of $5 million, they reported 48,914 people aided in 2021-22 during a campaign launch at the Healthy Planet Arena on Wednesday.

Over 200 people attended the United Way’s campaign launch that was forced to go virtual the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The charity invested $1,819,022 into the community, supporting 230 local programs and initiatives during that stretch.

"Whether the reach of someone that gives a dollar a week or the reach is someone that gives us $10,000 once a year, that people really impact individual lives with their donations so that's really powerful and humbling quite frankly and encouraging," said Jim Russell, United Way CEO.

The campaign began in 2020. United Way’s goal was to raise $5 million in three years. Russell would not disclose how much money has been raised so far when asked until the campaign closes due to determining to budget and discussing the allocation of the funds.

Campaigns included supplying menstrual hygiene products and personal care kits, stuffing and distributing backpacks, providing warm clothing for the winter season and more.

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"Stand With Tim" Campaign Raises Over $14,000 For Non-Profit Organizations to Benefit Children

Community organization Peterborough Cares’ “Stand With Tim” campaign raised $14,270.59 for the New Canadians Centre (NCC) and United Way Peterborough & District’s "Backpacks for Success" program.

Backpacks are being stuffed at Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

The funds were received by both organizations at the Peterborough Police station on Saturday with Mayor Diane Therrien and Coun. Lesley Parnell in attendance.

The one-day fundraising event began on Aug. 19 on the corner of King and George Street where local musicians performed a free concert while volunteers collected donations. Musicians included SJ Riley, Shawn Hully, Cole LeBlanc, Baz Littlerock, Ariel Riley, High Waters and Joe McCulley.

There was $2,000 from the Peterborough Police Service to kickstart the fundraiser. The police service board gave $1,000, the police senior team gave $500 and the police board chair gave $500.

A GoFundMe was set up to aid in the fundraising efforts for those who could not attend the event.

Proceeds were split between the NCC and United Way. The latter’s campaign was using the proceeds to fill 690 backpacks with school supplies for children returning to class in September. They needed $15,000 to complete their goal since the demand for school supplies increased by 90 per cent according to the United Way.

During the last three years, proceeds went to homeless shelters. Acting police chief Tim Farquharson took a preventive approach this year by using the proceeds for children’s education. He says prison incarceration rates, crime and imprisonment correlate with the number of kids who fail to graduate high school.

“Anything we can do to encourage that chance to reach a potential by staying in school as long as possible, the better,” he said in a prior interview with PTBOCanada.

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"Stand With Tim" Campaign Raising Money For "Backpacks for Success" Program and New Canadians Centre

Community organization Peterborough Cares hosted its fourth annual “Stand With Tim” fundraiser to aid the New Canadians Centre (NCC) and United Way Peterborough & District’s "Backpacks for Success" to give backpacks to needing children on Friday.

Jamie Emos (pictured) collecting donations from the corner of King and George Street in front of The Venue. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In years past, proceeds typically go towards homeless shelters. This time, acting Peterborough Police chief Tim Farquharson is taking a preventive approach with this year’s fundraiser. He says prison incarceration rates, crime and imprisonment correlate with the number of kids who fail to graduate high school.

“Anything we can do to encourage that chance to reach a potential by staying in school as long as possible, the better,” he said.

Funds are shared between the United Way and the NCC with none going towards administrative costs. Roughly 690 backpacks with school supplies are needed for the former to get to schools in time for September.

The charity is gathering volunteers to stuff the backpacks on Aug. 30 to be available for pickup from schools the following day. No generic donor funds go towards the campaign but are collected separately.

United Way requires $15,000 to complete its goal since the demand for school supplies increased by 90 per cent according to Sara Mountenay, United Way communications officer.

“There are a lot of students whose parents simply can't afford to purchase the school supplies that everyone else has and take for granted because they're too focused on, let's face it, putting a roof over their head or paying for groceries so the demand this year was unprecedented,” she said.

NCC was chosen as the fundraiser beneficiary as the organization is in need of funding. He says he wants those families including the children to get off on the right foot and in a new country.

“We want new Canadians to come here and feel comfortable and reduce any challenges we can and set them up for success,” explained Farquharson.

The police service board gave $1,000, the police senior team gave $500 and the police board chair gave $500, totalling $2,000 to kick off the fundraiser.

A GoFundMe has been set up to aid in the fundraising efforts for those who could not attend the event.

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A Record-Breaking 34 Participating Restaurants Will Paint The Town Red For United Way

The 7th Annual Paint the Town Red event in support of the United Way Community Campaign will have a record-breaking 34 participating restaurants this year.

It takes place Wednesday, July 17th, and the participating restaurants will be donating 25 percent of their daily sales to support United Way of Peterborough. Last year’s event raised more than $16,000, bringing the total to over $75,000 since 2013.

Photo from Paint the Town Red Media Launch courtesy United Way of Peterborough

“I am thrilled be part of Paint the Town Red this year and even more excited to see restaurants in the County of Peterborough participating for the first time including Jack’s Restaurant in Lakefield and Rallis Burger Family Restaurant in Bridgenorth,” says David Goyette, Chair of this year’s United Way campaign.

Adds United Way Development Officer and Event Coordinator, Erica Richmond: “This is truly my favourite event of the year. I believe that food has the power to bring people together and this is consistently demonstrated during this event as community members support local businesses who are supporting our community. It’s a full circle of support bound together by food, conversation and local love.”

For a full list of participating restaurants, click here—and make sure to hit up one of them on Wednesday for a great cause!

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United Way Peterborough Launches Text To Give, One of First UW Organizations In Canada To Do So

Just in time for Paint the Town Red on Wednesday, July 19th, United Way Peterborough & District has launched mobile giving as part of its 2017 campaign. Local Foodies who can’t join in at Paint the Town Red (or even if they can) can now donate $20 to United Way Peterborough at any time via text message by texting UWPTBO to 20222.

"I am excited that UW Peterborough is innovating like this, and using technology to make it easy for people to donate on demand," says United Way 2017 Chair/PTBOCanada Co-Founder Neil Morton. "UW Peterborough is one of the first United Way organizations in Canada to implement mobile giving, and the smallest city to do so."

“The United Way Peterborough team will be making a strong push on social media and at local events to get the word out about our new text to donate program and we hope our community partners will spread the word as well," says Lisa Smith, Director of Philanthropic Impact, at UPW Ptbo.

HOW "TEXT TO GIVE" WORKS

-> Diners can make a $20 donation to United Way of Peterborough & District by texting UWPTBO to 20222.

-> Text to donate will be available to use throughout the campaign, so mobile users can text to donate at any time.

-> No portion of any amount donated is held by participating wireless providers.

-> United Way Peterborough receives 100% of each donation made by text message.

-> All mobile users can obtain a tax receipt for their donations made via text message by visiting the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada website.

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