Welcome To Women United Speaker Series

Welcome to the Women's United Speaker Series, where we celebrate the voices, achievements, and experiences of women from diverse backgrounds. Our speaker series is a platform dedicated to fostering empowerment, inspiration, and community among women. Through engaging talks, insightful discussions, and shared experiences, we aim to explore a wide range of topics relevant to women's lives, careers, and passions. Join us as we come together to learn, connect, and support each other on our journeys towards success and fulfillment. Welcome to a space where women's voices are heard, valued, and celebrated. Welcome to the Women's United Speaker Series.


Past Webinars

On March 25th we held our first Speaker Series Event with great success. A huge thank you to Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, Director of First Peoples House of Learning, Trent University, for her mesmerizing and engaging stories and insights, to Maryam Monsef for her thoughtful questions and her impeccable time-management skills, and to Lynn Zimmer, for graciously providing more time for Dawn's story to be heard.

In case you were unable to attend, but would like to watch it now, click the button below. (Although you'll need the passcode U$Q$c!k2 to access).

On Monday April 29th we had the pleasure of listening to Lynn Zimmer tell her story of co-founding the first women's shelter, Interval House. If you missed it, please clink the link below to listen (although you'll need the Passcode: t2QS=a!B)

On Monday May 27th we had the honour of listening to Emily Whetung share her experiences and tell us who inspires her. If you missed it please click the link below to watch. You'll need the passcode: 2Txj3.pk to listen.


Social Posts

2025, what a year! 

We’re so grateful for the generosity, care, and community spirit that made these moments possible.

As the year comes to a close, this is also a friendly reminder that gifts made by December 31 are eligible for 2025 charitable tax receipting. Thank you for supporting your neighbours, today and all year long.

Learn more about the ways to give at the link in our bio.

Reminder: there is a secure mailbox located at the front of our office (277 Stewart St.) checked daily.
🚨Reaching Home Funding Applications Are Now Open!🚨

United Way Peterborough & District is happy to share that we are accepting applications from agencies for the Reaching Home program, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

👉 What is Reaching Home? It is 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.

Applications close January 22nd, 2026. Find eligibility requirements and full application details on our website:
🔗 uwpeterborough.ca/reaching-home/ or follow the link in our bio
To our neighbours,

As we head into the holiday season, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and commitment to community have meant so much to us throughout the year.

Whether you gave your time, made a donation, attended an event, or simply showed up for local causes, you helped make Peterborough & District a stronger, more caring place.

As of 12:00 pm today (Dec. 24), our office will be closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5. During this time, we hope you’re able to slow down, rest, and enjoy meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, connection, and possibility.
After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, we are sharing the news that our CEO, Jim Russell, will retire in July 2026.

Since joining United Way Peterborough & District in 2011, Jim has been a steady and passionate force for community change, leading more than $36 million in revenue generation and championing critical work to address poverty, homelessness, and income inequality across our region.

Under Jim’s leadership, United Way Peterborough and District has strengthened its role as a trusted community partner through impactful research, including Housing is Fundamental, multiple Point-in-Time Counts, and The Gap reports on income adequacy and living wages.

Jim’s commitment to Peterborough & District, and to building a more equitable, resilient community, has left a lasting mark. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and look forward to celebrating his legacy over the coming months. 

Please join us in congratulating Jim on his incredible contributions to our community!
🎄✨Festive sweaters described in one word only!

We brought the holiday spirit in support of our @unitedwayptbo workplace campaign!

Which one’s your favourite? 🤨

#UnitedWayPTBO #BuildingCommunity
As the holidays approach, we wanted to share a quick update on our office hours.

Our office will be closing early on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as we celebrate the season with our staff, board and committees. We will then be closed beginning at noon on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) through January 5, returning to regular office hours in the new year.

If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please remember that help is available by calling 211, 24/7.

Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨
Looking for food support this holiday season? 

Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals. 

peterborough.ca/foodcalendar
❤️It’s Thank You Thursday!❤️

Thank you to the whole team at J & M Automotive who welcomed us into their shop to present a generous gift to @unitedwayptbo 

We also want to thank @darcybonner2829 Campaign Cabinet member, for helping build these strong community connections. 

We’re so grateful for local businesses who step up for our community! Remember that every dollar raised here, stays here supporting our 20 outstanding partner agencies.
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