Our Day of Caring event brings the community together while demonstrating the power of volunteering. Local businesses partner with United Way Peterborough & District to assist in completing projects at United Way funded agencies. These projects vary and can include construction, restoration, community special events or agency work. By providing a team of volunteers, companies help member agencies complete important tasks. Day of Caring is a unique event that allows businesses to get directly involved in their own community while promoting team building, boosting morale, and increasing your company’s community profile. The Day of Caring program connects businesses with volunteer opportunities that matter to you and your community.
Learn More: Day of Caring
Since the Backpacks for Success program launched locally in 2003, United Way Peterborough & District has provided more than 13,000 backpacks containing grade-appropriate school supplies to local youth in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are financially vulnerable. Each year, this program sees community donors and volunteers come together to make a tangible difference by ensuring that local students are provided with the tools they need to be successful.
Learn More: Backpacks for Success
Returning for 2026- The Ultimate Burger Battle is our month-long celebration of local flavours, community spirit, and giving. Participating restaurants will create signature ultimate burgers, and a portion of each sale helps support United Way’s initiatives across Peterborough and District.
Learn More: Ultimate Burger Battle
We know the need for warm winter coats in our community is great, not just for local youth but for economically vulnerable adults as well. In 2023, we collected and distributed 1,844 coats to residents of Peterborough City and County who were unable to purchase their own.
Learn More: Coats for Community
Peterborough Performs is a one-of-a-kind evening of live music and community impact. Featuring local musicians, this special event brings people together for one unforgettable night in support of our most vulnerable neighbours.
Join us Thursday, March 4, 2027 as we celebrate local talent, build awareness, and stand united for change.
Learn More: Peterborough Performs
Menstruation products are a basic necessity. But if you’re living in poverty – or vulnerable in other ways – access to tampons, pads, cups or menstrual underwear, can be challenging.
Learn More: Period Promise
Today, United Way Peterborough & District is announcing an important leadership transition.
As Jim Russell prepares to retire after nearly 15 years as Chief Executive Officer, we extend our deepest gratitude for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to building a stronger community. Jim`s impact on this organization and the people we serve will be felt for years to come.
At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Jason Seguya as our next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 6, 2026. Jason brings experience leading mission-driven organizations and a strong commitment to collaboration, community engagement, and positive social impact.
As we look ahead to our 85th year of serving Peterborough & County, we are excited for the future and confident in the leadership that will guide us into this next chapter.
Please join us in thanking Jim for his years of service and welcoming Jason to the United Way movement.
Read more at the link in our bio.
After nearly nine years with United Way Peterborough & District, we’re saying goodbye (but not really goodbye) to Rhonda Gilchrist as she begins an exciting new chapter as Executive Director of The Mount Community Centre. Rhonda has been a steady hand, a fierce advocate, a problem solver, and a champion for this community in every sense of the word.
For those of us lucky enough to work alongside her, we’ll miss her wisdom, her humour, the stories of her beloved pets, her unwavering dedication, and her ability to somehow make even the most challenging days feel manageable.
While we’re sad to see her go, we couldn’t be happier to see her step into a role that aligns so perfectly with her passion for building a stronger, more connected community.
Thank you, Rhonda, for everything you’ve given to United Way, to our team, and to Peterborough. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish next. Please join us in congratulating Rhonda!
This #ThankfulThursday, we`re sending a huge shoutout to all our Day of Caring sponsors! 📣✨
These incredible businesses are helping make #Peterborough and County a better place to live and we couldn`t be more grateful for their partnership.
➡️ Interested in being part of Day of Caring? Send us a message to dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca to learn how you can get involved!
🍎 THEY’RE BACK! 🍎
A great educator can change the course of a life.
They stay after class. They cheer students on. They build confidence, spark curiosity, and help young people discover what they’re capable of.
This year, say “thank you” in a way that gives back.
Our Thank an Educator certificates are back and available now! When you make a $25 donation to United Way Peterborough & District’s Backpacks for Success program, we’ll send a personalized digital certificate (you get to choose from 4 options) for an educator of your choice, letting them know they’ve been honoured in recognition of the difference they’ve made in local students lives.
It’s a meaningful way to celebrate a teacher, EA, principal, ECE, coach, or mentor while helping local students head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.
✨ Honour an educator
🎒 Support local students
❤️ Create a lasting impact
Because the people who help students succeed deserve to be celebrated.
Link in bio!
#ThankAnEducator #BackpacksForSuccess
[Part 3/3] If you`ve been following along, here are the remaining agencies supported through our Agency Capacity Fund! 🌟
➡️ From 2026–2029, 20 funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.
The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest funding stream within our new impact model, supporting organizations that are making a difference across #Peterborough and county every day.
Stay up to date on United Way Peterborough & District`s work and upcoming funding opportunities by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
🤳 Visit uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/ for the full list
[Part 2/3] 📣 United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support 20 agencies through our Agency Capacity Fund! Funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years from 2026-2029. This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.
🔗 To see our full list of partner agencies, please visit: uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/
June is National Indigenous History Month.
We honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples: their histories, cultures, and ongoing leadership.
As a network, we have deepened our engagement by inviting network-wide individual and collective reflection, and we continue to reflect on our commitment to reconciliation.
#IndigenousHistoryMonth
[Part 1/3] United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support 20 agencies through our Agency Capacity Fund! ✨️Funded partners will receive a total of $75,000 over three years from 2026-2029.✨️ This annual investment of $500,000 into local social service organizations provides flexible operational funding, improving stability within the non-profit sector.
👉️ The Agency Capacity Fund is the largest stream within our new Impact Model. Stay tuned for updates on how we will allocate up to $300,000 for the first cycle of our Priority Issues Fund, which will support the advancement of Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) work across the community. We’ll also be announcing the recipients of our Neighbourhood Fund early this summer, and in the fall, we’ll be working to determine our research and social planning agenda.
📲 Find our full list of partner agencies on our website: uwpeterborough.ca/partner-agencies/
💌 YOU`RE INVITED! 💌
Day of Caring is Friday, June 26, and we`re looking for volunteers ready to roll up their sleeves and make a meaningful difference for local agencies across our community.
Will it be a day of hard work? Absolutely.
Will it make a lasting impact for the organizations and people who rely on these agencies every day? Without a doubt. 💯
Volunteer projects include gardening, landscaping, painting, outdoor maintenance, and assisting in an event day of. Whether you`re a seasoned volunteer or looking for a new way to give back, there`s a role for you!
📲 Interested in volunteering? Send us a DM or email dayofcaring@uwpeterborough.ca to learn more and sign up.
🌈 Pride Season begins!
We celebrate diverse expressions of love, queer joy and chosen familiesm, while continuing the work toward equity and safety for all.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #PrideMonth
From the Campaign trail to the quiet in-between moments. A look back at a year that’s shaped us. As we step into our 85th year, we’re carrying it all forward ❤️.
🌸 It’s time to break the stigma.
Menstrual health matters and access to products and education should never be a barrier.
Through the Period Promise campaign, United Way Peterborough & District is working to address period poverty in our communities.
On Menstrual Hygiene Day, we call for dignity, access, and inclusion for all.
#MenstrualHygieneDay
