United Way Announces Current Homelessness Response through Reaching Home Investment totalling $1.8 million

PETERBOROUGH, ON (February 2, 2023) – Today in the training centre of the John Howard Society on Stewart Street, United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell announced the current round of funding to address critical needs in our community related to homelessness. The United Way is the Community Entity for Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.

A total investment of $1,798,667 was distributed to 8 community partners. This funding has been provided in addition to the ongoing, multi-year Reaching Home partnerships that the United Way holds with YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Fourcast, and the Elizabeth Fry Society.

“Our current shelter system is strained to meet the needs of all those community members experiencing homelessness. It is imperative that any investment is strategic, encourages partnerships, and puts the needs of those individuals, our neighbours, at the forefront of service and intervention” states Russell.

Joining Russell at today’s announcement were representatives from the following organizations:

  • Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
  • Community Counselling and Resource Centre
  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough
  • One City Peterborough
  • Fourcast
  • John Howard Society of Peterborough
  • Research for Social Change Lab – Trent University
  • Peterborough Housing Corporation

The coalition of partners is dedicated to ending homelessness in Peterborough and will be administering programs encompassing outreach, supportive housing, purchasing housing stock, partnering with private sector landlords, transitional housing, research, winter warming room. Please see the attached summary for program descriptions and funding amounts.

Kathy Neill, Executive Director of the John Howard Society, who hosted the media event noted, “I am excited by the energy in this community and desire to work together as partners with the goal of ending homelessness.”

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our government is committed to supporting our most vulnerable, especially those in the Peterborough area who are experiencing or are at risk of being homeless. We will continue to do our part to help those who need it most and ensure no one is left behind,” shared Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion.

This funding will run through until March 31st, 2024 noted Russell. “We all have a stake morally, economically and in particular as a human rights issue to end homelessness.”

For further information, please contact: Jim Russell
CEO, United Way Peterborough
E: jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca
T: 705-742-8839

Social Posts

📬 It’s that time of year again!
We were thrilled to visit @miskinlaw this morning and are proud to announce Miskin Law as the Presenting Sponsor of Day of Caring 2026 with a generous $5,000 contribution. 

Day of Caring brings volunteers and workplaces together to support local agencies and strengthen our community through hands-on impact. Partnerships like this one make it all possible!

Thank you to the whole team at Miskin Law (including Leo🐶) for your leadership, generosity, and commitment to building a stronger Peterborough. We can’t wait to work together for an incredible Day of Caring 2026!
Our office will be closed today, Monday, may 18th and will reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th! Have a safe and restful  long weekend. 

Need support? Dial 211 to connect with a live agent and find assistance with food, housing, healthcare, employment and more.
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Today we stand for love, dignity, and inclusion.
 
Everyone deserves to live authentically and without fear.

United Way Peterborough & District remains committed to fostering inclusion, advancing equity, and supporting initiatives that uplift 2SLGBTQI+ communities across our region.
 
#IDAHOBIT
Last week, nearly 60 community members came together at our Solutions Summit to share ideas, build connections, and help shape the future of Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) work across Peterborough City & County. 

The conversations were thoughtful, honest, and inspiring, and we know there are still more voices to hear.

We’re now inviting the broader community to help inform how up to $300,000 through our new Priority Issues Fund will be invested over the next 18 months.
Whether you attended the Summit or not, we want your insight.

📝 Complete the Priority Issues Fund Survey before Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. and help shape this work moving forward.

🔗 Link in bio

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed their time, perspectives, and lived experience to this process. We’re excited to continue learning, evolving, and building this work, together!
Happy Mother’s Day 💖
 
To every mom and mother figure — your love and care make our communities brighter.
Do you have an idea to make your community better? 

This is your chance to bring it to life.💥 Apply to the Neighbourhood Fund for the chance to receive a small grant and turn your project into something real.

Every big change starts small and it could all start with you!

🔗 Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca 
🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 27 at noon
May is Leave a Legacy Month in Canada. It’s about more than a gift, it’s about the future you believe in.

A future where everyone in our community has the support they need to thrive.

Planned giving is a way to carry your values forward and make a difference for generations to come. 

Learn more by visiting our website www.uwpeterborough.ca
Today we honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.
 
We listen.
We learn.
We reflect.
We act.
 
🧡

#MMIWG2S
✨ Your mental health matters.
 
This #MentalHealthWeek, let’s nurture our minds and create space for honest conversations.
 
Need support? Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca to get connected. 💚
 
You’re not alone.
What a day❤️💪🌱.

Our Garden Box Community Build Day brought together volunteers, partners, and community members to build something truly meaningful, together!

Thanks to the incredible teamwork and generosity of everyone involved, this initiative was a huge success.

From start to finish, it was a reminder of what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose.
We’re so grateful to our partners @scotiabank, @cityptbo , and @chemonghhbc for helping make this day possible.

And we’re just getting started…

Join us next for Day of Caring on June 26 as we continue to show the power of a community coming together.
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