United Way Peterborough and District Announces “Emergency Winter Response to Homelessness Initiative”

United Way Peterborough & District is pleased to announce its Emergency Winter Response to Homelessness Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program.

As the Community Entity for the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program, United Way Peterborough & District was recently informed of a $1.12 million incremental increase in funding,
bringing the total annual community allocation to $1,469,224. UWP convened a community conversation with agencies, city officials, and advocates, all of whom are dealing directly with the issue of
homelessness in the community. The purpose was to understand more clearly how best to invest the money as an emergency response to homelessness during the winter.

United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell notes “The leadership of the Federal Government in prioritizing ending homelessness is greatly appreciated. Our consultation identified 4 critical areas for the coming months.”

Those included:

• Outreach particularly outside of 9-5
• Safe after-hours drop-in space for people banned or choosing not to enter shelter system
• Health care outreach and COVID testing for homeless individuals
• Adding more permanent housing options for people experiencing homelessness

Ten community partners will be funded through to March 31, 2022. (see attached)

“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.”

-Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

The success of this initiative will be monitored through ongoing data collection. The United Way will produce a final report on the outcomes and impact of their Emergency Winter Response to Homelessness Initiative.

“This is clearly a stopgap, for the next 4 months. We want to make sure as much as possible that people do not die alone in the cold. What is critically needed is permanent safe, affordable housing for people.” Russell states.

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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 

🔗 Link in bio
📣 Peterborough and County, we’re only $105,000 away from our $1.6 million Community Campaign goal!

There’s still time to get involved, and every dollar counts - make a donation, buy your 50/50 tickets, attend PTBO Performs VI (and bid on the virtual auction presented by @llf_lawyers_llp , too) and share this EXCITING news with your networks! 

We want it all ❤️ for our community. 

#BuildingCommunity #ChangingLives
The Community Clothing Hub at @path_ptbo will be open this Saturday, February 7th from 10am-3pm for families and individuals to come pick out coats, boots, hats & mitts. 

📍 385 Lansdowne St. East

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