Five Counties Celebrates Golden Anniversary with Record-Breaking Year of Support for Kids and Families

By Scott Arnold

As it wraps up its 50th anniversary celebrations, Five Counties Children's Centre is marking another milestone year, serving more children and families than ever before while continuing to tackle the growing demand for services across the region.

Paralympic gold medallist Jon Thurston was keynote speaker at Five Counties’ annual meeting, sharing how a life-altering injury at 24 led him to gold in wheelchair curling at the 2026 Paralympics (photo courtesy of five counties)

It was a record-setting year for the local children's treatment centre, which supports children and youth with physical, developmental and communication needs in Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes.

According to its newly released annual report, Five Counties served 6,574 children and youth during the 2025-26 fiscal year, the highest number in the organization's history. Staff also delivered a record 56,687 client visits, nearly 1,300 more than the previous year.

The Centre supported 3,928 students through school-based rehabilitation services and spent more than 4,199 hours helping families, schools and child-care providers build skills and better support children in their care.

Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin said the numbers represent much more than statistics.

Behind every visit and referral, he said, is a relationship between staff, children and families, with the Centre's goal remaining the same: helping kids reach their full potential and supporting the people around them.

Despite the record year, wait times remain a challenge. As of March 31, there were 2,204 children waiting for services across the region. However, the Centre largely held its wait list steady despite an 11.8 per cent increase in referrals and serving 366 more clients than the previous year.

Fundraising continues to play a key role in reducing wait times, with nearly $750,000 raised last year to help hire additional clinicians and expand services.

The past year also saw the launch of the Centre's new Abilities in Action program for children with autism and their families who qualify through the Ontario Autism Program. Five Counties also successfully recruited a new pediatrician and additional physicians to help improve autism screening and support.

Beyond the numbers, 2025-26 was also filled with milestones.

The Centre officially opened an accessible backyard space in Cobourg last June, celebrated its 50th anniversary with events and storytelling throughout the year and received recognition from chambers of commerce in Peterborough, Lindsay and Cobourg for its work supporting local families.

The annual meeting also celebrated the people and organizations helping make that work possible.

The White family, including Suzette, Glen and Adam White, received the 2026 Dave Adams Legacy Award for their decades of involvement and support of Five Counties. Adam first came to the Centre as an infant after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and the family's connection has since grown into years of volunteerism and advocacy.

Long-serving board member and current vice-chair Kristy Hook was also honoured as she steps down after nine years on the Board of Directors.

Five Counties also presented its 2026 High-Five Community Awards, recognizing community partners and individuals helping make inclusion possible for children and families across the region.

To cap off the Centre's golden anniversary year, local Paralympian and wheelchair curling gold medallist Jon Thurston delivered the keynote address, sharing his journey from growing up in Dunsford to standing atop the podium at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

For Five Counties, it was a fitting end to a golden year defined by growth, resilience and a continued commitment to helping children and families thrive.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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