Friday
September 23
2022

Mayoral Debate on Homelessness Announced for October 5, 2022

Homelessness in Peterborough has been a growing issue. The most recent Point-in-Time Count found that 47 people were sleeping rough the night of the survey, which is a 350% increase from the previous count. More disturbing is the increase in people experiencing chronic homelessness, defined as being unsheltered for 6 or more months within the last year, and that number was 125 representing a 45% increase since the last count.

United Way of Peterborough & District, in partnership with One City Peterborough, the Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University, and All Saints’ Anglican Church, is pleased to announce a debate between City of Peterborough mayoral candidates that is exclusively focused on homelessness in our community.

“The starting point for any response to homelessness is to adopt a Human Rights orientation to developing community responses” states Dr. Naomi Nichols of the Research for Social Change Lab.

“We are pleased to be collaborating with One City and United Way in hosting this event and look forward to the responses from the candidates.” Christian Harvey, Executive Director of One City Peterborough notes,

The debate, taking place at All Saints’ Anglican Church on Wednesday October 5th from 7:00PM-9:00PM will be open to both in-person and virtual audiences. There will be questions sent in advance to all of the candidates, as well as an opportunity for community members to ask questions both in-person and virtually.

Dr. Naomi Nichols, Director of the Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University and Jim Russell, CEO of United Way will act as co-facilitators for the evening.

“The issue of homelessness and the ravages it has on those experiencing it, cries out, indeed demands leadership, in particular political leadership. We are keen to hear how these candidates will lead our community in ensuring safe affordable, supportive housing for all.” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough.

City of Peterborough Mayoral Candidates Debate on Homelessness

On behalf of the hosting organizations, United Way Peterborough & District is pleased to formally invite you to our upcoming debate on homelessness. In collaboration with One City Peterborough and Trent University’s Research for Social Change Lab, we are hosting a debate for City mayoral candidates to discuss their plans to address the pressing issue of homelessness in our community.

Date: Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM

Location: All Saints’ Anglican Church – 235 Rubidge Street or online

Audience: In-person and livestreaming

Candidates: All certified candidates for Mayor of the City of Peterborough

Moderators: Naomi Nichols, PhD, Director of Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University Jim Russell, Chief Executive Officer, United Way Peterborough & District

Format:
• Opening remarks and Overview of Homelessness in Peterborough

• Structured question period – 5 questions total, asked 1 at a time and candidates each have an
equal amount of time to respond. Questions have been collaboratively written by the hosting
agencies with community member input.

• Community question period – community members attending both in-person and virtually will be
able to pose questions. The moderators will facilitate this question period.

• Closing remarks

For more information, please contact:

Betsy Farrar, Manager of Community Impact
United Way Peterborough & District
T: 705-742-8839 ext. 28 E: bfarrar@uwpeterborough.ca

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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❤️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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