United Way Peterborough & District grants $366,079.96 to 35 local programs through Emergency Community Support Fund

We are proud to have partnered with United Way Centraide Canada and the Government of Canada to deliver the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) in Peterborough.

Over the past month, United Way Peterborough & District has received over 40 applications for community programs and services that support vulnerable community members. To date, 35 organizations have been approved for a total of $366,079.96. We are pleased to announce the ECSF is supporting the following:

  • $10,000 was invested in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough to provide virtual mentoring opportunities and small group activities to keep children feeling connected, safe and secure.
  • $10,000 was invested in Community Care Peterborough to assist seniors, caregivers and persons with disabilities living in poverty to attend medical and other essential appointments.
  • $10,000 was invested in Community Counselling & Resource Centre to provide services through an outside Housing Clinic ‘drop-in’ for homeless or precariously housed persons.
  • $10,000 was invested in Community Counselling & Resource Centre to assist individuals with community service orders find opportunities that provide physically distanced home projects and educational opportunities to complete their community service hours.
  • $5,000 was invested in Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough to provide virtual programming and social opportunities for individuals with Down Syndrome.
  • $6,135 was invested in Easter Seals ON to provide mobility and accessibility equipment to children, and supporting their families in the Peterborough region facing increased challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis.
  • $10,000 was invested in Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough to Elizabeth Fry Society Peterborough will increase their capacity to provide services to a greater number of service users, by developing alternative formats of program delivery and support.
  • $9,405 was invested in Five Counties Children’s Centre to allow children to receive their much needed treatment virtually at home and continue their progress while Centre sites are closed during Covid-19.
  • $11,689.62 was invested in Food for Kids Peterborough to continue feeding children who normally rely on breakfast programs every day to ensure they get the nourishment they need to grow and be healthy.
  • $10,000 was invested in Friends Reaching Individuals in Every Nation Doing Service (FRIENDS) to ensure that the FRIENDS location remains operational during the pandemic by supporting salary of the full time employee and the supplies needed.
  • $11,689.61 was invested in Good Neighbours Care Centre to maintain the food bank clothing store so those in need in Peterborough and the surrounding area may access it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • $10,000 was invested in Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakeland Muskoka to run Junior Achievement programs digitally on an online campus so students from grades 3 – 12 can continue building financial and business skills through the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • $12,500 was invested in Kawartha Child Care Services (Compass Early Learning & Care) to prepare the space offered in partnership with Kawartha Land Trust for the ‘TimberNook’ program based on COVID-19 protocols for six vulnerable children.
  • $9,449.62 was invested in Kawartha Participation Projects Foundation to provide personal supports that are essential to the activities of daily living for adults with physical disabilities.  Offered in one of our 5 Housing Locations, or in the client’s home.
  • $9,888 was invested in Kawartha Youth Orchestra to design, develop, and deliver digital resources for interactive music enrichment for school-aged youth, vulnerable seniors, and long-term care residents within the Peterborough community.
  • $5,085 was invested in Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation to retrofit a meeting room inside at the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society’s Peterborough location with Plexiglas and utilizing additional PPE safety protocols so that KHCAS staff can resume indoor visits with their clients.
  • $10,000 was invested in KSAC to support those affected by sexual violence and to influence social change within our community.
  • $12,000 was invested in New Canadian Centre for a training program in use of technology for newcomers with lower literacy levels.
  • $10,000 was invested in Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle to support part time staff who will assist NASC program workers with the challenges associated with providing our services during COVID-19
  • $23,500 was invested in Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre to enhance Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre’s ability to prepare and provide weekly nourishing meals for our most vulnerable community members, including our Elders/Seniors, homeless, youth-at-risk and single parent families.
  • $10,000 was invested in PARN as part of their HIV prevention strategy, provide weekly programming for 2-SLGBTQIA youth 12-24 in Peterborough and area, which includes inclusive education and social components to reduce isolation, build resiliency and strengthen awareness regarding identity, health and wellness.
  • $10,000 was invested in Peterborough Green Up Association to provide access to equipment and learning supports to move an adult from non-rider to confident commuter, providing independent, low-cost transportation.
  • $10,000 was invested in Peterborough Youth Services to the Community Response Team (CRT) that provides mobile crisis outreach services for ages 0-18. It is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of youth.
  • $11,689.61 was invested in Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry to resume the personal grocery shopping in the pantry that was replaced by hampers handout when COVID-19 started, and restock shelves to ensure that customers can come into the food pantry and shop for groceries tailored to their specific dietary and family needs.
  • $1,615 was invested in Sensity to purchase technology to promote social inclusion and support a person in the Peterborough area who is deafblind during COVID-19 isolation. Allowing them to connect with peers, participate in virtual activities organized by Sensity and of their own choosing, and engage their creativity through apps and games all of which would promote inclusion and reduce their sense of isolation
  • $10,000 was invested in Special Olympics Ontario – Peterborough & Area to enable individuals with an intellectual disability currently without access to electronic materials to access content to remain connected, informed, healthy and active.
  • $11,689.61 was invested in John’s Anglican Church – One Roof to provide large portions of healthy take away lunches for the clients, increasing the number of snacks people can take with them at the lunch meal pickup, providing additional food to clients who have kitchen facilities and working with Nourish to continue to provide food boxes to clients as well.
  • $10,000 was invested in Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough Inc. to train volunteers to take calls confidentially and non-judgmentally from anyone in our catchment area who may be in distress, particularly due to COVID-19 isolation and its effects.
  • $10,000 was invested in The Canadian Canoe Museum to rebuild social engagement and learning for isolated seniors through live virtual museum tours of the Canadian Canoe Museum’s collection and galleries.
  • $10,000 was invested in The Council of Persons with Disabilities to adjust the Community Accessibility evaluation Program (CAEP) and the Time in My Shoes (TIMS) program, moving them to a digital format. CAEP is offered to local businesses so they may enhance accessibility at their location. TIMS is an educational program aimed at raising awareness of the barriers to accessibility and inclusion for those living with disability.
  • $7,000 was invested in Township of Selwyn Public Library to provide programs that would include online book clubs, additional virtual children’s programs, and additional virtual adult programs such as online genealogy programs, trivia, and much more. Also, purchase a subscription to Hoopla, which provides public libraries the ability to offer patrons an enormous selection of digital video, music, audiobooks, and ebooks.
  • $12,000 was invested in Trent Valley Literacy Association to expand digital literacy training availability to new participants and purchase equipment and tools to reduce the digital divide for those already in service.
  • $10,000 was invested in Victim Services of Peterborough & Northumberland to purchase of a database with secure on-line text or chat capability to safely connect with clients during the pandemic.
  • $11,689.61 was invested in VON Peterborough Victoria Haliburton to prepare “Dinner on Us” care packages and drop them off at our client’s homes, since our adult day programs are not taking place.
  • $7,700 was invested in VON Peterborough Victoria Haliburton to purchase iPads and mobile internet hubs so that we can assist isolated clients to connect virtually with their family and friends.
  • $5,000 was invested in YMCA to purchase sports equipment for a modified camp that will adhere to provincial pandemic guidelines, which recommend that cohorts do not share equipment.
  • $11,354.28 was invested in Youth Emergency Shelter of Peterborough to promote the safety and well-being of youth experiencing homelessness through COVID-19, they will provide access to internet-based services for youth in emergency shelter and in their youth housing program for one year.

Click here to read the press release.

Social Posts

One week ago, we launched our 2026 Community Campaign! 🎉 

Thanks to Campaign Cabinet member, Trista Greer and @ftlom.inc we have the perfect little recap to relive it. ❤️

There are so many ways to be a Certified Neighbour. 

Want to get involved? Whether you’re a business or an individual there’s a role you can play in supporting our community! 

⬇️ Comment “CERTIFIED” and we’ll send you a DM and share the different ways you can support the Campaign! 

#85YearsUnited and we’re just getting started.
The Certified Neighbour Collection is officially here!

You saw it at our Campaign Launch. You asked about it. And now… you can officially get your own Certified Neighbour swag!

Our first drop is live with many ways to rep your neighbourhood, including:
❤️ the 2-Tone Hat
❤️ the Crewneck Fleece
❤️ the Tote

Check out the online store for yourself to see what else is available. 

The best part? Proceeds from every purchase go directly to supporting United Way Peterborough & District’s Community Campaign. The people, programs and organizations that are working to build a stronger community, together.

🛍️ Shop the colllection through the link in our bio

📤 Local pickup at @ricartpromo or shipping options available via Canada Post & Purolator!

Tag your Certified Neighbours in the comments. Share this post. Show us how you’re sporting yours. And let’s see just how far the Certified Neighbour crew can go!
85 years of caring. 85 years of community. And now, a new goal for the future. 

Today, United Way Peterborough & District celebrated 85 years of bringing people together to create lasting change in our community, and launched our 2026 Community Campaign with a goal of $1,585,000!

Together, we can make sure local people have access to the support, opportunities and resources they need to thrive.

Here’s to 85 years of making a difference, and to what we can accomplish together in the years ahead. 

📸 @jordanlyallphotography
Tomorrow is the big day! We’re launching our 2026 Community Campaign. ❤️

We will come together with community leaders, local businesses, supporters and neighbours to celebrate what lies ahead. 

And this year is a big one.

🎉 85 years of United Way in Peterborough & District
🤝 A new campaign led by @_thetiffanyshow 
❤️ New leadership under Jason Seguya
🎯 And tomorrow… we reveal our 2026 campaign goal.
Most importantly, we get to celebrate the people who make this community what it is, and talk about how each of us can show up for our neighbours in the year ahead.

Haven’t grabbed your ticket yet? There’s still time!

📅 Tomorrow, September 17
📍 Healthy Planet Arena
🕛 12:00–1:30 p.m.
🍽️ Hot lunch included
🎟️ $30

Get your ticket today at the link in bio!
We’re just TWO days away! 🎉

And we couldn’t be more excited to have Miskin Law (@miskinlaw) joining us as the Presenting Sponsor of our 2026 Campaign Launch.

For 85 years, United Way Peterborough & District has been bringing people together to create a stronger, more connected community, and we’re kicking off our next chapter with an incredible group of local leaders, businesses and neighbours.

This Thursday, we’ll gather at Healthy Planet Arena to celebrate 85 years of United, welcome our new CEO Jason Seguya, meet our 2026 Campaign Chair Tiffany Arcari (@_thetiffanyshow), and share what’s ahead for this year’s campaign.

📅 Thursday, September 17
📍 Healthy Planet Arena
🕐 12:00–1:30 p.m. | Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
🍽️ Lunch included
🎟️ $30 per person

Have you got your ticket yet? There’s still time to join us!

🎟️ Grab your ticket through the link in our bio.

A huge thank you to the Miskin Law team for helping us kick off this milestone year. We’re so grateful to have you alongside us as we launch the 2026 Community Campaign!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our office is closed today (Tuesday, September 15). Our team will remain available remotely, and will continue to monitor phones and emails. Thank you for understanding!

We look forward to seeing everyone at Campaign Launch THIS Thursday! Tickets are available online through the link in our bio.
We’re so excited to have the Peterborough County OPP Detachment Board and Siika Foods (@siika_foods) joining us as a Community Sponsors for our 2026 Campaign Launch! ❤️

Their support is helping us bring our community together as we kick off this year’s campaign and celebrate 85 years of United Way Peterborough & District.

We’re just days away from gathering local businesses, community leaders, supporters and neighbours at the 2026 Campaign Launch — and we want you there!

📅 Thursday, September 17
📍 Healthy Planet Arena
🕛 12:00–1:30 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
🍽️ Lunch included
🎟️ $30 per person

Come celebrate 85 years with us, meet this year’s campaign leadership, find out what’s ahead and help us kick off your Community Campaign

Have you got your ticket yet? Grab yours today!

🔗 Tickets available online at the link in bio.

Thank you, Peterborough County OPP Detachment Board and Siika Foods, for helping us launch 2026!
This Labour Day, we honour the courage of union members, advocates, and everyday workers who continue that fight today. ❤️
 
United Way Peterborough & District stands proudly alongside Labour.

Together, we build communities where everyone has what they need to thrive. 

 #LabourDay2026
🚚 Moving thousands of school supplies to fill more than 400 backpacks for local students is made easy thanks to the help of our wonderful friends @autoconnectsales 

✏️Thank you to Cheryl, Martin and the whole team for your support our of Backpacks for Success program. Your generosity makes a real difference in our community!
🎉 PTBO & COUNTY, SAVE THE DATE! 🎉

We’re kicking off something special. 85 years of United Way Peterborough & District and we want you to be there! 

Join us for our 2026 Campaign Launch, presented by Miskin Law [@miskinlaw] as we officially launch this year’s campaign and celebrate the incredible community that has carried the work of United Way forward for 85 years. ❤️

We’re especially excited to welcome 2026 Campaign Chair Tiffany Arcari [@_thetiffanyshow] whose leadership will help guide this year’s campaign, alongside Jason Seguya, our new CEO, as he joins our community for his first Campaign Launch in his new role. Let’s make it a special one😁📣!

📅 September 17, 2026
⏰ 12:00 - 1:30 [doors open at 11:30]
📍 Healthy Planet Arena

More details — including tickets — at the link🔗 in our bio!

85 years united. One community. A campaign to remember.
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