United Way Drives Community Innovation

United Way of Peterborough & District announced the recipients of the organization’s Innovation Fund launched in February 2018. A total of $75,000 will be shared between two ground-breaking projects addressing issues of housing and homelessness in our community. United Way Peterborough’s funding model is based on extensive engagement and consultation with the community. The Innovation funding stream was developed based on advice from close to 2000 donors, partner agency representatives, volunteers and community leaders.

United Way will be providing $37,000 in funding to Homeward Bound. Homeward Bound as a whole Community partnership, provides the most vulnerable women and their children an opportunity to grow, to achieve a sense of wellness and belonging, have improved self-esteem and sustainable employment that will allow them the capacity to manage their own personal finances, build assets and be contributing members of the community rather than users of a service and a drain on the economy.  Jim Hendry, Chair of United Way’s Community Impact Committee stated “United Way was very interested in funding the work of the Homeward Bound program due to its innovative wrap-around approach which has not been seen before in our community.”

The second project funded by United Way Peterborough is the Host Homes project lead by A Way Home Peterborough. United Way will be providing $38,112 in innovation funding to kick-start the development of a Host Homes Project in Peterborough. Host Homes are a community-based, early intervention and prevention program for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Host Homes provide an alternative to emergency shelter, couch surfing and sleeping outdoors by matching youth at risk of homelessness with community volunteers willing to provide a safe place to stay in their home. This can be a short-term, respite stay or for longer than a year to support transition to permanent housing depending on the youth’s situation.

Jim Russell, CEO, stated “these projects speak to United Way’s strategic investment of donor dollars in our community. United Way is currently funding multiple projects working to address homelessness and the effects of poverty in our community.  These two projects allow us to support new ideas and approaches that also work further upstream to begin to prevent the issue from happening in the first place.”

United Way will be announcing the recipients of its neighbourhood funding at a press conference on Thursday May 10th.

Maegan (YES Shelter for Youth & Families) and Maddie (Host Homes)

Jim Russell, CEO United Way Peterborough & District

Bonnie (Ptbo Housing Corp) and Sheila (COMPASS)

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From all of us at the Peterborough & District United Way, we are wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! We're excited to continue our work with our amazing donors, partners, and volunteers in the years to come.

📅 Reminder: The tax deadline for charitable contributions is December 31.

Show your #LocalLove and donate to United Way Peterborough & District to help build community & change lives. 

Consider donating today, visit the link in our bio to learn more about our work and ways to give.
2025, what a year! 

We’re so grateful for the generosity, care, and community spirit that made these moments possible.

As the year comes to a close, this is also a friendly reminder that gifts made by December 31 are eligible for 2025 charitable tax receipting. Thank you for supporting your neighbours, today and all year long.

Learn more about the ways to give at the link in our bio.

Reminder: there is a secure mailbox located at the front of our office (277 Stewart St.) checked daily.
🚨Reaching Home Funding Applications Are Now Open!🚨

United Way Peterborough & District is happy to share that we are accepting applications from agencies for the Reaching Home program, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

👉 What is Reaching Home? It is 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.

Applications close January 22nd, 2026. Find eligibility requirements and full application details on our website:
🔗 uwpeterborough.ca/reaching-home/ or follow the link in our bio
To our neighbours,

As we head into the holiday season, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and commitment to community have meant so much to us throughout the year.

Whether you gave your time, made a donation, attended an event, or simply showed up for local causes, you helped make Peterborough & District a stronger, more caring place.

As of 12:00 pm today (Dec. 24), our office will be closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5. During this time, we hope you’re able to slow down, rest, and enjoy meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

From all of us at United Way Peterborough & District, we wish you and your loved ones a warm, peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, connection, and possibility.
After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, we are sharing the news that our CEO, Jim Russell, will retire in July 2026.

Since joining United Way Peterborough & District in 2011, Jim has been a steady and passionate force for community change, leading more than $36 million in revenue generation and championing critical work to address poverty, homelessness, and income inequality across our region.

Under Jim’s leadership, United Way Peterborough and District has strengthened its role as a trusted community partner through impactful research, including Housing is Fundamental, multiple Point-in-Time Counts, and The Gap reports on income adequacy and living wages.

Jim’s commitment to Peterborough & District, and to building a more equitable, resilient community, has left a lasting mark. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and look forward to celebrating his legacy over the coming months. 

Please join us in congratulating Jim on his incredible contributions to our community!
🎄✨Festive sweaters described in one word only!

We brought the holiday spirit in support of our @unitedwayptbo workplace campaign!

Which one’s your favourite? 🤨

#UnitedWayPTBO #BuildingCommunity
As the holidays approach, we wanted to share a quick update on our office hours.

Our office will be closing early on Wednesday and Thursday of this week as we celebrate the season with our staff, board and committees. We will then be closed beginning at noon on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) through January 5, returning to regular office hours in the new year.

If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please remember that help is available by calling 211, 24/7.

Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. 🎄✨
Looking for food support this holiday season? 

Please visit the City of Peterborough website for information on food banks and free meals. 

peterborough.ca/foodcalendar
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