On Thursday, April 11th, United Way Peterborough & District honored donors, volunteers, and workplaces for their dedication to the 2023 Community Campaign at The Venue in Peterborough. Over 100 community leaders gathered, filling the room with gratitude and joy. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Spirit Awards to 23 outstanding workplaces and individuals who exemplified extraordinary commitment to supporting their community through the United Way Campaign in 2023.

“Our success isn’t just measured in dollars, but in the lives touched and futures transformed. With $1.4 million raised, surpassing last year by 8%, we prove that when a community unites, the impact knows no bounds. Here’s to reaching greater heights together,” effused Jim Russell, CEO, United Way Peterborough & District.

“Gratitude fuels our journey towards a brighter future. It has been a privilege to act as United Way Peterborough & District’s 2023 Campaign Chair, and I extend heartfelt thanks to our community for their unwavering support. Together, we are creating a foundation of hope, compassion, and empowerment.” says Jim Hendry, United Way Peterborough & District’s 2023 Campaign Cabinet Chair.

“We invest in community and in people. With our donors’ support, we invest money into the community in a few different ways.” Said Betsy Farrar, Director, Community Impact at United Way Peterborough & District. “In addition to providing funding to 20 partner agencies, advocacy is a critical aspect of our work. Ultimately, our grand vision for Peterborough is that we get to a place where the United Way exists solely as a community builder as the crises we currently face have been resolved.”

Anne Ondercin, Director Philanthropy, United Way Peterborough & District, led the presentation of special Spirit Awards including a special thank you to Jim Hendry, for his significant efforts and dedication as he departed the role of Campaign Chair. “In our community, every contribution to the United Way campaign, whether it’s a donation or volunteer effort, is invaluable for funding essential social programs and initiatives. The Spirit Awards celebrate those who went above and beyond in 2023, highlighting their dedication and inspiring us all with their commitment to making a difference.”

Congratulations to United Way’s 2023 Community Campaign Spirit Award winners:

SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Spirit of the Community Award honours an individual, group or organization that personifies exceptional community spirit, team spirit and spirit of generosity through their significant overall partnership with United Way, deepening our community building partnerships. Congratulations to our 2023 Spirit of the Community honourees!

INSPIRING LOCAL LOVE AWARD

The Inspiring Local Love Award highlights campaigns that persevered through even the most challenging times to ensure they continued to support their local communities with United Way. Congratulations to our 2023 Inspiring Local Love honourees!

LABOUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD

The Labour Community Partnership Award honours a labour partner whose members have shown dedication to the community through exceptional financial and volunteer support, exemplifying the sustained and rewarding relationship between the labour movement and United Way. Congratulations to our 2023 honouree!

CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE AWARD

The Champions of Change Award recognizes the outstanding leadership of Campaign Champions who showed dedication, passion and tenacity, to inspire their colleagues to get involved and give back, to raise funds and awareness for key issues facing our community.  Congratulations to our 2023 Champions of Change honourees!

OUTSTANDING PARTNER AGENCY AWARD

This award acknowledges Partner Agencies that have shown outstanding efforts in informing and engaging employees while increasing donations in their United Way Campaign. We appreciate the all of our partner agencies and want to celebrate three agencies who went above and beyond in 2023 to support the community that supports them. Congratulations to our 2023 Outstanding Partner Agency honourees!

OUTSTANDING WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN AWARD (SMALL)

The Outstanding Workplace Campaign Award acknowledges workplace that have shown outstanding efforts in informing and engaging employees while increasing donations in a larger workplace, which we consider less than 100 local employees. Congratulations to our 2023 Outstanding Workplace Campaign honourees!

OUTSTANDING WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN AWARD (LARGE)

The Outstanding Workplace Campaign Award acknowledges workplaces that have shown outstanding efforts in informing and engaging employees while increasing donations in a larger workplace, which we consider 100 or more local employees. Congratulations to our 2023 Outstanding Workplace honourees!

   

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.
Donate To the United Way
Donate