Thursday
February 02
2023

United Way Announces Current Homelessness Response through Reaching Home Investment totalling $1.8 million

PETERBOROUGH, ON (February 2, 2023) – Today in the training centre of the John Howard Society on Stewart Street, United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell announced the current round of funding to address critical needs in our community related to homelessness. The United Way is the Community Entity for Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.

A total investment of $1,798,667 was distributed to 8 community partners. 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.

“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” states Russell.

Joining Russell at today’s announcement were representatives from the following organizations:

  • Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
  • Community Counselling and Resource Centre
  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough
  • One City Peterborough
  • Fourcast
  • John Howard Society of Peterborough
  • Research for Social Change Lab – Trent University
  • Peterborough Housing Corporation

The coalition of partners is dedicated to ending homelessness in Peterborough and will be administering programs encompassing outreach, supportive housing, purchasing housing stock, partnering with private sector landlords, transitional housing, research, winter warming room. Please see the attached summary for program descriptions and funding amounts.

Kathy Neill, Executive Director of the John Howard Society, who hosted the media event noted, “I am excited by the energy in this community and desire to work together as partners with the goal of ending homelessness.”

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government is committed to supporting our most vulnerable, especially those in the Peterborough area who are experiencing or are at risk of being homeless. We will continue to do our part to help those who need it most and ensure no one is left behind,” shared Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.

This funding will run through until March 31st, 2024 noted Russell. “We all have a stake morally, economically and in particular as a human rights issue to end homelessness.”

For further information, please contact: Jim Russell
CEO, United Way Peterborough
E: jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca
T: 705-742-8839

Social Posts

✨ Half the world is under 30. In Canada, that’s 35% of us.

Young people aren’t just the future, they’re changemakers right now. 💪

On #InternationalYouthDay, United Way Peterborouh & District celebrates their leadership, their courage, and their vision for a better world. 🌟💛

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✨ Half the world is under 30. In Canada, that’s 35% of us. Young people aren’t just the future, they’re changemakers right now. 💪 On #InternationalYouthDay, United Way Peterborouh & District celebrates their leadership, their courage, and their vision for a better world. 🌟💛

🎒🚗 What a day! We filled the Fords and our hearts @autoconnectsales

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to Fill the Fords on Saturday, donated supplies, volunteered, sponsored the event, grabbed a BBQ lunch courtesy of @kingstmarket, enjoyed some ice cream from @central_smith, and helped us celebrate the incredible generosity of our community.

We’re so grateful to Auto Connect Sales, our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, media friends, and every single person who helped make this day possible. Your support will help local students start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

But we’re not done yet! 🎒

There’s still time to help. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, we’re collecting new backpacks and school supplies at the United Way Peterborough & District office and at participating community collection locations until THIS FRIDAY, August 14!

Every backpack, every box of crayons, every notebook and every donation helps us get closer to ensuring local students have the tools they need to succeed.

✨Comment “BACK TO SCHOOL” and we’ll send you the full list of participating businesses running supply drives.

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 17977156352900950
🎒🚗 What a day! We filled the Fords and our hearts @autoconnectsales A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to Fill the Fords on Saturday, donated supplies, volunteered, sponsored the event, grabbed a BBQ lunch courtesy of @kingstmarket, enjoyed some ice cream from @central_smith, and helped us celebrate the incredible generosity of our community. We’re so grateful to Auto Connect Sales, our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, media friends, and every single person who helped make this day possible. Your support will help local students start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn. But we’re not done yet! 🎒 There’s still time to help. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, we’re collecting new backpacks and school supplies at the United Way Peterborough & District office and at participating community collection locations until THIS FRIDAY, August 14! Every backpack, every box of crayons, every notebook and every donation helps us get closer to ensuring local students have the tools they need to succeed. ✨Comment “BACK TO SCHOOL” and we’ll send you the full list of participating businesses running supply drives.

Exciting News! 💫 The Reaching Home deadline has been extended!

Applicants now have until Wednesday, August 19 to submit your proposals.

Please keep in mind:
👉 Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to the following community priorities:
• Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing
• Eviction prevention
• Outreach
👉 Funding covers the period October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028
👉 New application deadline August 19, 2026

ℹ️ What is Reaching Home? It`s a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.

Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18335213140268318
Exciting News! 💫 The Reaching Home deadline has been extended! Applicants now have until Wednesday, August 19 to submit your proposals. Please keep in mind: 👉 Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to the following community priorities: • Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing • Eviction prevention • Outreach 👉 Funding covers the period October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028 👉 New application deadline August 19, 2026 ℹ️ What is Reaching Home? It's a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs. Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca

We 💙 GM Financial!

A huge thank you to our friends at GM Financial for dropping off our first Backpacks for Success donations of the season! We’re so grateful for partnerships like these in our community.

💡 As part of their workplace drive, employees received a work from home day in exchange for making a donation. What a creative way to encourage workplace giving!

Our Backpacks for Success supply drives wrap up on August 14, but there is still time to help! Join us on August 8 at Auto Connect Sales for our Fill the Fords event. We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting school supplies, so stop by, say hello, and help us fill the Fords! 👋🎒

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 17926542303383216
We 💙 GM Financial! A huge thank you to our friends at GM Financial for dropping off our first Backpacks for Success donations of the season! We’re so grateful for partnerships like these in our community. 💡 As part of their workplace drive, employees received a work from home day in exchange for making a donation. What a creative way to encourage workplace giving! Our Backpacks for Success supply drives wrap up on August 14, but there is still time to help! Join us on August 8 at Auto Connect Sales for our Fill the Fords event. We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting school supplies, so stop by, say hello, and help us fill the Fords! 👋🎒

We’re growing, evolving, and looking for an experienced Director, Finance & Administration to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of United Way Peterborough & District by providing strategic leadership across finance, administration, governance, and organizational operations, ensuring we remain a strong and sustainable partner for our community.

📍 Peterborough, ON
💼 Full-time
💰 Starting salary: $83,106; salary range up to $93,536
📅 Apply by August 14, 2026

Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit? Visit our website [link in bio] to learn more and apply, and please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity within your networks.

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 17938345407299556
We’re growing, evolving, and looking for an experienced Director, Finance & Administration to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of United Way Peterborough & District by providing strategic leadership across finance, administration, governance, and organizational operations, ensuring we remain a strong and sustainable partner for our community. 📍 Peterborough, ON 💼 Full-time 💰 Starting salary: $83,106; salary range up to $93,536 📅 Apply by August 14, 2026 Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit? Visit our website [link in bio] to learn more and apply, and please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity within your networks.

❤️Won’t you be our neighbour?

Stay tuned, @_thetiffanyshow will be sharing the full story (and her inspiring Campaign Chair speech) soon. You won’t want to miss this!

#CertifiedNeighbour #UnitedWayPTBO

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18097552412614110
❤️Won’t you be our neighbour? Stay tuned, @_thetiffanyshow will be sharing the full story (and her inspiring Campaign Chair speech) soon. You won’t want to miss this! #CertifiedNeighbour #UnitedWayPTBO

Don`t miss out 👉 United Way Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Reaching Home program!

ℹ️ What is Reaching Home?
Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada by providing funding to communities to address local housing and homelessness needs.

Important details:
⭐ Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to community priorities, including:
• Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing
• Eviction prevention
• Outreach

⭐ The funding period is October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028

📅 Applications close August 4, 2026.

Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18019432256905534
Don't miss out 👉 United Way Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Reaching Home program! ℹ️ What is Reaching Home? Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada by providing funding to communities to address local housing and homelessness needs. Important details: ⭐ Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to community priorities, including: • Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing • Eviction prevention • Outreach ⭐ The funding period is October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028 📅 Applications close August 4, 2026. Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca

Meaningful conversations are the first step toward meaningful change. This morning, our CEO, Jason Seguya, had the opportunity to meet with MP Harrison (@emmaaharrisonmp) to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.

Part of the conversation focused on the recently published Financial Anxiety Index, a national research project undertaken by United Way Centraide Canada and conducted by Léger. The findings are clear: nearly half of Canadians say they could cover their basic expenses for only one month or less if their income were interrupted, and many report that their financial situation has worsened in recent months. The research also highlights that single parents, newcomers, and young people are among those experiencing the greatest financial strain.

Jason also had the opportunity to elaborate on United Way Peterborough & District’s role as the Community Entity for the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program. For more than a decade, we have worked with local partners to administer federal homelessness funding, convene organizations across the sector, and support innovative, collaborative responses that help prevent and reduce homelessness in our community. Since 2020, more than $8 million in Reaching Home funding has been distributed locally to strengthen supports and services for those experiencing homelessness.

We appreciate the opportunity to share these insights and discuss the importance of coordinated community responses to poverty, housing insecurity, and homelessness. We look forward to continuing the conversation with MP Harrison in the months ahead as we work together to build a stronger, more connected community.

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18105429731035646
Meaningful conversations are the first step toward meaningful change. This morning, our CEO, Jason Seguya, had the opportunity to meet with MP Harrison (@emmaaharrisonmp) to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities. Part of the conversation focused on the recently published Financial Anxiety Index, a national research project undertaken by United Way Centraide Canada and conducted by Léger. The findings are clear: nearly half of Canadians say they could cover their basic expenses for only one month or less if their income were interrupted, and many report that their financial situation has worsened in recent months. The research also highlights that single parents, newcomers, and young people are among those experiencing the greatest financial strain. Jason also had the opportunity to elaborate on United Way Peterborough & District’s role as the Community Entity for the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program. For more than a decade, we have worked with local partners to administer federal homelessness funding, convene organizations across the sector, and support innovative, collaborative responses that help prevent and reduce homelessness in our community. Since 2020, more than $8 million in Reaching Home funding has been distributed locally to strengthen supports and services for those experiencing homelessness. We appreciate the opportunity to share these insights and discuss the importance of coordinated community responses to poverty, housing insecurity, and homelessness. We look forward to continuing the conversation with MP Harrison in the months ahead as we work together to build a stronger, more connected community.

Breaking News: Jimothy has officially RSVP`d to our Fill the Fords event on August 8! 🎉

Want to join #Jimothy? Stop by Auto Connect between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to donate new school supplies in support of our Backpacks for Success initiative. Together, we`ll help fill the Fords and backpacks so that students of all ages can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed . 🎒📚💙

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Open post by unitedwayptbo with ID 18114858235730862
Breaking News: Jimothy has officially RSVP'd to our Fill the Fords event on August 8! 🎉 Want to join #Jimothy? Stop by Auto Connect between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to donate new school supplies in support of our Backpacks for Success initiative. Together, we'll help fill the Fords and backpacks so that students of all ages can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed . 🎒📚💙
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