United Way Peterborough and PATH to Keep Everyone Warm With Coats For Community Campaign Launch

In an effort to address the needs of adults for the upcoming colder weather, United Way Peterborough & District, in partnership with Peterborough Action For Tiny Homes (PATH), has launched its annual Coats for Community campaign, announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Jim Russell, United Way CEO (far left); Bev Assinck of PATH (second from left) and PATH volunteers in the coat room in preparation for cleaning and repairing before being redistributed to the public. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign is an expanded version of the original Coats for Kids initiative which was started in 1986.

The Coats for Community campaign collects winter essentials—coats, boots, sleeping bags, blankets, and more-for infants, children, youth, families, seniors, and unhoused individuals across Peterborough. Items are distributed through United Way agency partners and other local organizations throughout the winter.

Donations are collected and distributed continuously throughout the season, rather than through a single-day pickup event.

Participating agencies include: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children's Foundation, YWCA, One City, Good Neighbours, New Canadians Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, YES Shelter For Youth & Families, among others.

Last year, 2,200 coats were collected and distributed, surpassing the 1,844 in 2023. While there is no specific goal for the number of items to be collected, Beverly Assinck of PATH says the campaign aims to gather as many as possible for this year’s campaign.

“We really are asking people to dig deep, as deep as we can,” she said.

In addition to winter jackets, the campaign is also asking for donations of the following:

• Extra-large boxes or bins for collection sites

• Heavy-duty coat racks

• Sleeping bags and blankets

• Winter boots

PATH is hosting a special three-day public drop-off event from Oct. 16 to 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at their facility located at 385 Lansdowne St.

Ongoing donation hours, starting Oct. 19, run on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their facility.

The majority of the donated items are being distributed through agencies in Peterborough and the County. PATH is open for community members to pick up coats individually on the first Saturday of each month at their facility, starting on Nov. 1, with April 4 as the last date.

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Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes Hosting BBQ Fundraiser For Aug. 23

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is hosting a BBQ fundraiser to aid their causes at their site on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is located at 385 Lansdowne St. E. It has food, sweet treats, games, live music and a plant and vegetable sale. Cost for food and drinks will be on a sliding scale starting from 50 cents.

A rainout date has been scheduled for the following day on Aug. 24.

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PATH and One City's "Tiny Home" Project Available For Tenancy Starting Friday

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and One City Peterborough have completed their first ‘Tiny Home’ project, with tenancy availability opening on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

This project was initiated in September last year following planning approval by the city under its 2023 Additional Rental Unit (ARU) guide. The project was funded by charitable donations from PATH and One City donors and building gifts and materials from Kingdon Timber Mart and Gus’s Kitchen and Bath.

PATH provided design and contract management, along with arranging for 1500 volunteer hours toward the completion of this project, ensuring that the house was completed on time and within budget. The resulting 400-square-foot home is a fully equipped, accessibly designed, affordable private home that adds to One City’s growing supportive housing stock.

One City currently provides housing support to 34 people in their congregate housing program, all of which are congregate housing sites. This project is their first single-occupancy housing unit.

“There is a distinct need for this kind of private accommodation for people who are transitioning from being unhoused,” said Michael Van Der Herberg, One City property development manager. For many people who were previously unhoused, living in a shared space, while cost effective, is not ideal for personal recovery.”

Plans are underway for similar units to be constructed in the coming year at an estimated cost of $100,000 or less per unit, according to PATH. Low-cost construction is key to making these tiny homes affordable. PATH will continue to work with community partners, local builders, and city staff to provide design studies, permit applications and construction support to help make this possible.

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United Way and PATH Extend Coats for Community Initiative

United Way Peterborough & District and Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) shared an update on the Coats for Community initiative from the PATH location at 385 Lansdowne Street East.

Photo courtesy of United Way Peterborough & District.

Both organizations partnered to expand the reach for the Coats for Community winter clothing program in early fall.

From Oct. 23rd to Oct. 26, the initiative accepted over 600 new and gently used winter coats. The community can continue to donate winter gear and other essential items every Wednesday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at PATH on Lansdowne.

“The PATH Community Clothing Hub has been operating for a year and we have been able to give out coats to many people over this time,” said Bev Assinck, PATH volunteer and Board member. “With the addition of Coats for Community, we will be able to support more than 1,000 people to be warmer and safer this winter. This partnership with United Way provides a great boost to the Peterborough community to look after everyone who needs to

“We’ve changed our approach to meet people where they are at and make winter gear available throughout the entire winter,” said said Betsy MacDonald, United Way Director of Community Impact. "

In previous years, Coats for Community held a 1-day event where people had to line up to receive a coat. Instead, people can now access multiple different locations throughout the winter when they find themselves in need of a coat.

“Each year we see an increased number of community members in need to coats, and we expect this year to be no different,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “We are so grateful to announce that Cogeco has stepped up to help us keep up with this growing demand.” Cogeco generously sponsored this year’s Coats for Community initiative, contributing $2,500 that will go towards buying coats in all sizes.

“We are proud to support United Way’s Coats for Community program, which provides warm winter attire to those in need, ensuring that everyone in our community can stay warm during the colder months,” said David Feeley, Cogeco Manager of Programming and Community Relations. “By coming together to support this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to compassion and inclusion, making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours.”

The community can bring their new and/or gently used winter coats, snowpants, hats and mittens to PATH at 385 Lansdowne Street East. Volunteers will accept donations on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Other items accepted include pants, shirts, hoodies/sweaters, blankets, towels, socks, underwear, boots, long underwear, mittens, toques, raincoats, hand warmers, sleeping bags, solar blankets, reusable shopping bags and $5 Tim Hortons gift cards.

The following are pick-uplocations:

Good Neighbours

164 Sherbrooke St.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Please note that ID and registration is required

• Adult and child coats available

Trent Valley Literacy Association

Brookdale Plaza (825 Chemong Rd.)

Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Adult coats only

TRACKS Youth Program Environmental Science Centre at Trent University

(1600 West Bank Drive) Ground Floor – Office B106

Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Limited quantities of adult and child coats

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$10,000 Donation Helps Launch Morning Drop-in Program In Partnership From PATH and Elizabeth Fry Society

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) has donated $10,000 to support the Morning Drop-in Program at the Trinity Community Centre (One City Peterborough) in partnership with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough as it reaches its two-year anniversary in January next year.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fry Society.

PATHs has been a community partner of the Morning Drop-in since October last year according to a press release. The partnership has been centred around providing clothing and other textile-related resources to those who access the program. It continues to state that along with the donation, PATH volunteers will take on a more active role at The Morning Drop-In, facilitating the Community Resource Room (clothing and hygiene supplies) and other programming (to be announced later).

“Elizabeth Fry wishes to express our deep appreciation to PATH for their donation, community partnership and the services they will help to provide for our community,” said Kristal Jones-Craighead, Morning Drop-in Program Facilitator. “When organizations work alongside each other, capacity is increased. The Morning Drop-in Program will provide direct service experience and mentorship to PATH volunteers and enables them to create relationships and trust as they provide this service for our unsheltered neighbours.”

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough has operated the Morning Drop-in Program since January 2023. Located at 360 Reid St. in partnership with One City Peterborough, the Program is a space where community members can gather, share a light breakfast, enjoy a cup of coffee, access the Community Resource Room (clothing/hygiene items), washrooms, and showers, connect with housing outreach workers, access harm reduction supplies, participate in community programs and have the occasional dance party.

Some program highlights include:

• 428 days of Morning Drop-in service

• Served an average of 46 guests per day

• 19,688 meals served

• Housing Outreach accessed approximately 260 times

• The full impact report can be viewed online

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Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes Submits Temporary Rezoning Application to City For Affordable Housing

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) submitted a completed application for a temporary rezoning to the City for affordable housing, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The rezoning is for 385 Lansdowne St. E. and the Peterborough City Planning Department has approved the application. It will be presented to the City Council General Committee on Aug. 26.

A site development agreement pre-consultation has been conducted with City staff, Planning, the Building Department, and Fire Services to establish the parameters for the site's development and operation.

“This is the first step in providing a valuable community resource to address homelessness in the City of Peterborough and will enable us to offer secure, heated sleeping cabins and supporting amenities for 24 unhoused individuals,” said Keith Dalton, PATH board member.

The plan is to build 30 sleeping cabins for unhoused people at the former Peterborough Humane Society building. Habitat KPR has agreed to sign a three-year lease with PATH for the latter to use the tiny homes in April of last year.

The program is currently funded for the first year of operation and PATH will seek support from Peterborough citizens and provincial and federal levels of government to extend this service for three years according to a press release. This is being done while PATH proceeds with its Phase 2 program for community-funded permanent, affordable housing.

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Peterborough Concert Band Hosting PATH Benefit Concert For Oct. 15

The Peterborough Concert Band is holding a special musical program, ‘The PATH Forward’ to benefit Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) for Oct. 15 at Market Hall.

The performance is conducted by Juno-nominated Music Director Saman Shahi as Kate Suhr and Megan Murphy will guide the audience through a program that features big band standards, classical gems, new compositions and vocals. A celebratory reception hosted by PATH volunteers will follow the concert.

All tickets are $40 ($44 including HST and fees). They are available by phone (705-775-1503), at the box office and online. Live streaming tickets are also available online and are $10 each.

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Peterborough Concert Band Holding Special Performance to Benefit PATH On Oct. 15

The Peterborough Concert Band is holding a special musical program, ‘The PATH Forward’ to benefit Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) for Oct. 15 at Market Hall.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Concert Band.

The performance is conducted by Juno-nominated Music Director Saman Shahi as Kate Suhr and Megan Murphy will guide the audience through a program that features big band standards, classical gems, new compositions and vocals.   

The proceeds benefit PATH to help provide transitional housing for unsheltered citizens in Peterborough. 

The performance runs from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Market Hall, located at 140 Charlotte St. A reception will follow the performance. Tickets are $44 (including HST and fees) and are available through Market Hall online.

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New PTBO Strong Restaurant Booklet Launched to Support Mental Health

Peterborough diners can save on local eateries while supporting mental health initiatives as PTBO Strong has launched their fundraising restaurant book, ‘Reversing the Trend.’

The deals cannot be combined with any other offer. Photo courtesy of PTBO Strong.

The booklet has various buy-one-get-one-free deals for over 50 different throughout Peterborough. Some participating restaurants include Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Curry Mantra, P.J.’s Diner, The Pin, Brothers Pizza and more.

They can be purchased online for $30 and supports mental health initiatives from organizations such as A Right to Heal (that also carries the booklets for purchase), Elizabeth Fry - Ellen House, Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

“We are happy about that as it helps a little with our fundraising,” said Sheila Nabigon-Howlett of PATH. “I have used the booklet several times and found it great on all occasions. It’s a great deal for the diner also for mental health advocacy in Peterborough and of course for the restaurant owners as well.”

“We are so thankful to be included as the recipients of the Peterborough Strong Restaurant Book,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “It has been an incredibly tough couple of years for our clients and member agencies with the rising cost of food and living. These proceeds will allow us to purchase much-needed food items to keep our food bank shelves well stocked for our community members in need.”

More restaurants will be added to the booklet in the near future according to Tim Burke, PTBO Strong co-founder. They expire in July of next year.

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Volunteers Sought For Cleanup of 30 Sleeping Cabins For the Unhoused at Former Peterborough Humane Society Site

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is seeking volunteers on five consecutive Saturdays to clean up the new site for 30 sleeping cabins for the unhoused, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of PATH.

The cleanup is at the former Peterborough Humane Society building on Lansdowne Street East. The first scheduled date is this Saturday with June 24 as the last day. Times have yet to be scheduled for the cleanup dates at this time.

The announcement of the cabins was made on April 25, as Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) has leased the property on a three-year deal to PATH to build the cabins.

The houses are meant to create a transitional living center for individuals in the community who are unhoused. 

The area requires The City of Peterborough to rezone the area as ‘temporary use’ in order to build the cabins. They are expected to be built by 2024.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) TRISH CAMPBELL, PATH CHAIR; SUSAN ZAMBONI, HABITAT PKR CEO, KEITH DALTON, PATH LAND ACQUISITION WORKING GROUP LEAD AND JENN MACDONALD, HABITAT KPR COMMUNICATIONS AND DONOR SERVICES MANAGER. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The following are all the dates for cleanup:

• May 20

• June 3

• June 10

• June 17

• June 24

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