New Horizons Federal Funding for Seniors

United Way Peterborough & District Deploys Federal Funding to Assist Isolated and Rural Seniors Affected by COVID-19

Peterborough, Ontario (May 13, 2020) – On Sunday March 29, 2020 the Prime Minister announced $9 million to support vulnerable seniors at risk to the COVID-19 Crisis, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Drawing on its knowledge of the community and in consultation with the City, Public Health, Age Friendly Peterborough, United Way Peterborough & District is very pleased to announce that $58,054 will be distributed to Community Care Peterborough to expand existing services for rural and isolated seniors in Peterborough County.

“Specifically, this investment will focus on expanding our successful food voucher and delivery program initiative that we first launched in Trent Lakes earlier this spring,” says Danielle Belair Executive Director of Community Care Peterborough. “It will allow us to expand this program to the communities of Apsley, Ennismore, Havelock, Lakefield, Millbrook and Norwood so that we can meet the needs of rural seniors who are feeling the isolation effects of COVID.  It will also help them with maintaining basic needs such as food, cleaning, and procurement of hygiene products.”

“While physical distancing is essential to protecting seniors from COVID-19, it risks isolating them from their community. That is why the Government of Canada is proud to work with United Way Canada to help support the needs of seniors during this difficult time. By using local expertise, this funding will help provide support tailored to the unique, local needs of seniors across the country. As we work together to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus, the government is supporting Canadians every step of the way.” ~ The Honorable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors

United Way CEO Jim Russell praises the rapid response of the Government during this time of crisis stating, “our federal government has clearly set a priority of ensuring the most vulnerable in our community are not forgotten during this pandemic. We all owe a debt of gratitude to seniors and this investment will help the most vulnerable seniors maintain connection and get the practical support they need.”

 About the New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) provides grants and contributions for projects that help improve the well-being of seniors and foster their social inclusion. To provide immediate essential services to seniors impacted by COVID-19, the Government of Canada is providing $9 million under the NHSP to be distributed through United Way Canada network. These funds will help organizations providing support to seniors dealing with the impact of COVID-19.

 Community Care Peterborough

Through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Transportation, and Telephone Reassurance Checks, Community Care Peterborough currently supports over 7,200 seniors and adults with physical challenges utilizing the help of over 800 dedicated volunteers through a network of eight local offices in the City and County of Peterborough.  www.commcareptbo.org

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Happy Family Day!

Today, we celebrate the love, support, and strength that families bring to our communities.

This year, we’ve investing in parenting supports for new and expecting parents, building strong and healthy communities where children, families and you can thrive.

Every act of care helps build stronger, more connected neighbourhoods 🏠.
For 1 in 4 Canadians who menstruate, period products aren't always in the budget. You can help address period poverty in our community by contributing to our Period Promise campaign.

This year, we're sharing our running total by item type on our website [link in bio], so you can see what we have, and what we still need, as we aim to offer a greater diversity of product to residents experiencing period poverty. - We're also accepting monetary donations, which will allow us to purchase items in bulk.

Product donations will be accepted at the United Way office (277 Stewart Street), Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM until Friday March 13. [Please note: We are closed February 16 for Family Day, and February 26 for Peterborough Performs and will not be present to accept drop offs.] 

If you’d like to get more involved with our 2026 Period Promise campaign, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team! We’d be happy to help you setup a collection at your workplace, share educational resources, or chat about any other ideas you may have.
From Campaign Launch to now - this community keeps showing up. We’re in the final stretch of our Community Campaign, and every act of generosity still matters ❤️!
When words aren’t enough to express how you feel, show your love with tickets to United Way Peterborough & District’s 50/50 raffle! 💖

For the month of love, we’re offering a guaranteed grand prize of ✨$1,000✨ A prize so irresistible, we wouldn’t blame you if you grabbed a few tickets for yourself too. 

👉 Still wondering if you should enter? Just know, that even if you don’t win, your community will. Fifty percent of the proceeds from every ticket sold go directly back to our community so we get the chance to spread the love throughout Peterborough.

🔗 Follow the link in our bio to enter our February 27th draw
🎉 Sponsor Spotlight: Friends of the Stage 🎉

💛 A huge thank you to our Friend of the Stage – Supporting Sponsors for stepping up in support of housing and homelessness initiatives in our community. Your contribution helps make this event possible, and we’re proud to celebrate you at the event and through our virtual auction presented by @llf_lawyers_llp (which launches in less than a week)!

Want to support this work and enjoy an incredible night of local live music and impact?

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — grab yours and join us at the show on Thursday, February 27th from 7-11pm @ptboshowplace 

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