United Way Peterborough & District Announces Disbursement of Federal Funding

On May 19, United Way Peterborough & District launched a call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified donees adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ECSF is funded by the Government of Canada and is being administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

Today, United Way Peterborough & District is pleased to share an update on the recipients of this funding. 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:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough
  • Community Care Peterborough
  • Community Counselling & Resource Centre
  • Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough
  • Easter Seals ON
  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough
  • Five Counties Children’s Centre
  • Food for Kids Peterborough
  • Friends Reaching Individuals in Every Nation Doing Service (FRIENDS)
  • Good Neighbours Care Centre
  • Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakeland Muskoka
  • Kawartha Child Care Services (Compass Early Learning & Care)
  • Kawartha Participation Projects Foundation
  • Kawartha Youth Orchestra
  • Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation
  • KSAC
  • New Canadian Centre
  • Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle
  • Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
  • PARN
  • Peterborough Green Up Association
  • Peterborough Youth Services
  • Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
  • Sensity
  • Special Olympics Ontario – Peterborough & Area
  • John’s Anglican Church – One Roof
  • Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough Inc.
  • The Canadian Canoe Museum
  • The Council of Persons with Disabilities
  • Township of Selwyn Public Library
  • Trent Valley Literacy Association
  • Victim Services of Peterborough & Northumberland
  • VON Peterborough Victoria Haliburton
  • YMCA
  • Youth Emergency Shelter of Peterborough

United Way Peterborough & District is proud to support the important investment of $366,079.96 into our local communities.

“The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially those who were vulnerable pre-COVID. Through our federal government’s response, 8 million Canadians are receiving a guaranteed income of $2,000, 3 million workers have been supported with the wage subsidy, thousands of organizations, including those serving vulnerable women and children, have been able to keep their doors open and keep people safe. Through this investment of $366,079, our government has partnered with the United Way to provide additional supports to 35 local organizations caring for our neighbours in their hour of need. There is more to be done, to be sure. The Safe Restart agreement with Ontario carves out $5 billion over the next eight months for the province to support things like putting in place safety measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19, managing public spaces and critical services, and ensuring that public transit is safe to use. Our government will be there with you every step of the way.” says Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha.

“These times of COVID-19 call for leadership. Our Federal Government has demonstrated a commitment to the Not-for-Profit sector and a deep belief in the resilience of local communities. United Way is delighted to partner with the government in supporting leading agencies who are meeting the needs of our vulnerable neighbors now.” says Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough and District.

“Charities and non-profit organizations are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, acting as lifelines for many vulnerable Canadians,” says The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “The Government of Canada is pleased to work with its trusted partners to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so they can continue to help those most in need during this crisis.”

Media Contact:

For more information, contact Jim Russell, CEO at United Way Peterborough & District at 705-742-8839 x26 or by email at jrussell@uwpeterborough.ca.

Social Posts

✨ Half the world is under 30. In Canada, that’s 35% of us.

Young people aren’t just the future, they’re changemakers right now. 💪

On #InternationalYouthDay, United Way Peterborouh & District celebrates their leadership, their courage, and their vision for a better world. 🌟💛
🎒🚗 What a day! We filled the Fords and our hearts @autoconnectsales

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to Fill the Fords on Saturday, donated supplies, volunteered, sponsored the event, grabbed a BBQ lunch courtesy of @kingstmarket, enjoyed some ice cream from @central_smith, and helped us celebrate the incredible generosity of our community.

We’re so grateful to Auto Connect Sales, our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, media friends, and every single person who helped make this day possible. Your support will help local students start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

But we’re not done yet! 🎒

There’s still time to help. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, we’re collecting new backpacks and school supplies at the United Way Peterborough & District office and at participating community collection locations until THIS FRIDAY, August 14!

Every backpack, every box of crayons, every notebook and every donation helps us get closer to ensuring local students have the tools they need to succeed.

✨Comment “BACK TO SCHOOL” and we’ll send you the full list of participating businesses running supply drives.
Exciting News! 💫 The Reaching Home deadline has been extended!

Applicants now have until Wednesday, August 19 to submit your proposals.

Please keep in mind: 
👉 Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to the following community priorities:
• Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing
• Eviction prevention
• Outreach
👉 Funding covers the period October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028
👉 New application deadline August 19, 2026

ℹ️ What is Reaching Home? It's 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.

Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca
We 💙 GM Financial!

A huge thank you to our friends at GM Financial for dropping off our first Backpacks for Success donations of the season! We’re so grateful for partnerships like these in our community. 

💡 As part of their workplace drive, employees received a work from home day in exchange for making a donation. What a creative way to encourage workplace giving!

Our Backpacks for Success supply drives wrap up on August 14, but there is still time to help! Join us on August 8 at Auto Connect Sales for our Fill the Fords event. We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting school supplies, so stop by, say hello, and help us fill the Fords! 👋🎒
We’re growing, evolving, and looking for an experienced Director, Finance & Administration to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of United Way Peterborough & District by providing strategic leadership across finance, administration, governance, and organizational operations, ensuring we remain a strong and sustainable partner for our community.

📍 Peterborough, ON
💼 Full-time
💰 Starting salary: $83,106; salary range up to $93,536
📅 Apply by August 14, 2026

Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit? Visit our website [link in bio] to learn more and apply, and please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity within your networks.
❤️Won’t you be our neighbour? 

Stay tuned, @_thetiffanyshow will be sharing the full story (and her inspiring Campaign Chair speech) soon. You won’t want to miss this!

#CertifiedNeighbour #UnitedWayPTBO
Don't miss out 👉 United Way Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Reaching Home program!

ℹ️ What is Reaching Home?
Reaching Home is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada by providing funding to communities to address local housing and homelessness needs.

Important details:
⭐ Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to community priorities, including:
• Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing
• Eviction prevention
• Outreach

⭐ The funding period is October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028

📅 Applications close August 4, 2026.

Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca
Meaningful conversations are the first step toward meaningful change. This morning, our CEO, Jason Seguya, had the opportunity to meet with MP Harrison (@emmaaharrisonmp) to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.

Part of the conversation focused on the recently published Financial Anxiety Index, a national research project undertaken by United Way Centraide Canada and conducted by Léger. The findings are clear: nearly half of Canadians say they could cover their basic expenses for only one month or less if their income were interrupted, and many report that their financial situation has worsened in recent months. The research also highlights that single parents, newcomers, and young people are among those experiencing the greatest financial strain.

Jason also had the opportunity to elaborate on United Way Peterborough & District’s role as the Community Entity for the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program. For more than a decade, we have worked with local partners to administer federal homelessness funding, convene organizations across the sector, and support innovative, collaborative responses that help prevent and reduce homelessness in our community. Since 2020, more than $8 million in Reaching Home funding has been distributed locally to strengthen supports and services for those experiencing homelessness.

We appreciate the opportunity to share these insights and discuss the importance of coordinated community responses to poverty, housing insecurity, and homelessness. We look forward to continuing the conversation with MP Harrison in the months ahead as we work together to build a stronger, more connected community.
Breaking News: Jimothy has officially RSVP'd to our Fill the Fords event on August 8! 🎉

Want to join #Jimothy? Stop by Auto Connect between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to donate new school supplies in support of our Backpacks for Success initiative. Together, we'll help fill the Fords and backpacks so that students of all ages can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed . 🎒📚💙
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