CMHA HKPR Seeking New Volunteer Member for Board of Directors

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) are accepting applications to our Board of Directors this November, announced on Monday.

File Photo.

CMHA is looking for the following from their candidates: 

• Commitment to the Mental Health of people in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) community

• The ability to commit to attending monthly board meetings (in-person/virtual) plus participating in committee work requiring additional regular meetings

• Brings diverse perspectives

• Clinical Settings

• Healthcare

• Accounting

• Information Technology

• Leadership

• Passionate community connector with fundraising experience

• Has experience with community-based mental health

• We strongly encourage applications representing minority and Indigenous backgrounds and from individuals with Lived Experience

Applications are found online.

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PRHC Foundation Seeking Volunteer Campaign Ambassadors

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation seeks volunteer ambassadors for the Foundation’s Campaign for PRHC.

(From left to right) Lesley Heighway, President & CEO; Jane Lovett, Manager, Community Giving & Engagement: and Hanna Méthot, Community Giving & Engagement Coordinator. Representatives of the PRHC Foundation team are headed out into the community to recruit Campaign for PRHC Ambassadors, gather patient and donor stories and share how donor support is shaping the future of patient care at PRHC. Photo courtesy of PRHC.

Everyone is welcome as an ambassador, according to Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO.

“Our family, friends, and neighbours from across the region have told us that they think of PRHC as a cornerstone of the community, where the excellent care they received was part of some of the most meaningful moments of their lives,” she said. “We’re grateful that our supporters want to share their stories and inspire others.”

Volunteers help raise the funds needed to empower world-class care close to home, introduce lifesaving services, attract top healthcare professionals and inspire solutions to the hospital's critical challenges according to a press release.

“The ambassadors program will support that – connecting volunteers enthusiastic about our donorfunded regional hospital and the health and future of our area, who want to celebrate what PRHC means to them and what’s possible through the power of community,” said Heighway. “If you have a story about the great care you received, a message for staff, or want to say thanks and connect with our community through a fundraising event, please let us know. We want to help you share that passion.”

To volunteer as a campaign ambassador, email foundationeventsonline@prhc.on.ca or call 705-876-5000.

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Volunteer Peterborough Receives $3,250 Donation From RTOERO to Help Spread Volunteer Opportunities Through New Welcome Brochures

District 36 Peterborough of Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTOERO) has donated $3,250 to Volunteer Peterborough to help connect residents with meaningful volunteer opportunities in a cheque presentation at the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce on Monday morning.

(From left to right) Kathryn Reynolds, Pat Smith, Annette Thomson, Hilda Jolley and Lois Tuffin. District 36 has about 1,300 members, serving the City of Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funds will be used to design, print and launch welcome brochures for new residents in the region.

“As soon as people arrive in Peterborough, they're going to be handed a piece of paper that shows, 'here's how you can get introduced to your community and here's how you can contribute,’” said Lois Tuffin, Volunteer Peterborough founder. “It just saves everybody a lot of time and it's also going to help a lot of non-profits get new blood and new talent so we can do more as a community.”

The welcome brochure initiative will kick off with a launch event for realtors and other professionals who frequently engage with newcomers. The idea is to ensure the brochures effectively reach those most benefit from community involvement.

District 36 funding is part of RTOERO's annual community grants program. Since 1968, the organization has been comprised of teachers, school and board administrators, educational support staff, and college and university faculty in retirement.

“We find throughout the community what needs to happen and sometimes it's through word of mouth,” said Kathryn Reynolds, RTOERO president, District 36 Peterborough.

Districts apply for grants each year to support community projects. In 2024, RTOERO funded 31 projects for a total of $122,252.

Reynolds says that retirees and seniors often have extra time on their hands and volunteering both helps the community and keeps everyone busy.

“Many seniors have the time and inclination to volunteer, but don't know where they can contribute, especially if they're new to the community,” she explained. “Our grant will help Volunteer Peterborough raise awareness. Ultimately, this will strengthen community connections and well-being.”

Each year, a RTOERO member committee assesses each grant submission's merits. Projects touch on everything from environmental sustainability to healthy and accessible communities according to a press release. Since the inception of the community grants program 24 years ago, almost $2.1 million has been donated to more than 600 programs and projects.

“Our non-profits are vital lifelines for so many services in this community. It's hard to even fathom how many meals get delivered, how many people who are lonely get visited and arts programs thrive,” explained Tuffin. “Volunteers are the lifeblood behind all of that and they add a huge capacity to our community.”

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Community Care Peterborough Reveals New Video to Rally Support and Volunteers

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) has released a new promotional video of its services to attract volunteers and financial support to continue serving seniors, announced at their office in East City on Tuesday morning.

Catherine Pink, CCP director of support services (left) and Chris LeBlanc, CCP director of donor and public relations (right) with the “Life Changes, Community Doesn’t” being presented publicly for the first time. In 2023, Community Care Peterborough volunteers provided nearly 85,000 hours of service. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The video, ‘Life Changes, Community Doesn't,’ tells the story of a former volunteer named Sophie who uses the same services she once helped provide. The video highlights Community Care Peterborough’s programs, such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, wellness programs and support for those returning home from the hospital.

“This video reflects a powerful truth—circumstances may change as we age or face challenges, but our community is always there,” said Danielle Belair, CCP CEO. We want people to know that they play a critical role in sustaining this network of care.”

While all positions for volunteers are needed, Drivers are one of the higher priorities for CCP.

“We’re looking for roughly 30 drivers but extras are always good, explained Catherine Pink, CCP director of support services. “Every just one day a week. Every little bit helps.”

In addition to raising awareness of the organization's services, the video serves as a call to action for community members according to a press release.

Community Care Peterborough is actively seeking new volunteers to help deliver meals, provide rides to medical appointments, and offer companionship through its various wellness programs. The organization is also appealing to donors to help fund these critical services, as demand continues to grow.

“Our volunteers are the heart of what we do,” said Belair. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to reach as many people or provide the level of care our clients deserve. We hope this video inspires others to get involved and help us keep this community strong.”

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Meet Your Volunteer Matches With New Features and Shows

By Lois Tuffin

Already, we see a change in the volunteer landscape as more people step forward to help organizations who have sought new champions for their causes.

Volunteer Paula Greenwood shares her passion for connecting people while talking with a student at Trent University’s Volunteer Expo on Wednesday (Sept. 11). Photo by Genevieve Ramage

Since we launched VolunteerPeterborough.ca last year, an increasing number of people have jumped into working with charities that matter to them. Their enthusiasm has spread to their friends and Volunteer Peterborough continues to make their searches easier.

We felt the same energy at Trent University’s Volunteer Expo on Wednesday as students sought new interactions. At our table, many groups shared their success stories. For instance, PARN’s manager stated that half of her volunteers signed up due to her posting on our website.

Starting this month, we have added extra features to our online presence when non-profits buy certain memberships. For example, volunteer managers can now filter the list of 1,357 registered volunteers by interest and skill. From there, they simply send out messages within the platform to connect with people ready to help.

This saves them hours of time by reaching a targeted group of interested individuals. Sure, you can post to social media but only our site has the perfect audience.

Also, when new jobs get posted, email alerts go out to any volunteer who aligns with its criteria. This is offered to anyone with an enhanced or premium membership. You can get this for $25 a month and get great results.

Non-profits can still register on VolunteerPeterborough.ca without buying in. You can create a profile of your organization, then post opportunities for the best results. Think of us like Indeed where you describe roles you need to fill.

Volunteers will also discover new features when they log in. A list of opportunities that match their skills and interests will await them right in their profiles. That simplifies their ability to discover new postings without searching for them.

For those who prefer in-person connections, we have great news! Volunteer Peterborough invites residents and non-profit groups to attend two new Meet Your Match Volunteer Fairs.

After hosting a wildly successful event in the city, we decided to branch out into Cavan and Selwyn Townships. This pair of event aims to introduce more people to organizations that operate close to home and to open their eyes to how they can make a difference.

The first event takes place at the Bridgenorth Community Hall, 836 Charles Street, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Next, we head out to the Cavan Community Centre from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Dozens of organizations have been invited to set up booths to share details about how to get involved in their causes. In both cases, visitors can drop in for free after school, before dinner or after work.

This project is generously funded by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)’s Power for Change Project. Our organization thrives on harnessing the power of individuals to make their communities better, so this is a perfect fit.

We are grateful to have OPG’s support so we can support more organizations who rely on volunteers to run their programs in Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Ennismore, Millbrook, Cavan, Bailieboro, Fraserville, Ida, Mount Pleasant, Springville and anywhere in between.

Any non-profit within the Townships is welcome to buy a booth at either event, which includes dinner. To book one today, email volunteer@volunteerpeterborough.ca.

These fairs build on the momentum created by our 160-plus agencies – with more welcome to join the movement. Watch for additional shows in other locations in 2025.

Thank you to everyone who has signed on as a supporter as we get rolling. It takes a village!

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The Inaugural 'Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair' Saw Roughly 500 People Pair With Over 40 Organizations

Volunteer Peterborough saw roughly 500 people opt to sacrifice their time for the greater good at the inaugural ‘Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair’ at the YMCA of Central East Ontario last Wednesday.

Volunteer Peterborough already has more than 1,000 volunteers and 120 organizations on VolunteerPeterborough.ca. after the Fair. Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

The organization is a matchmaking service for prospective volunteers to pair with organizations to suit the former’s needs. It launched its online match-making portal last summer.

At the fair, the 500 volunteers explored and signed up with 41 different groups. There were 65 volunteers signed up with Musicfest, 14 people signed up to attend the Kiwanis Club's next recruitment meeting, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra filled all the jobs on its wish list and the Turtle Trauma Centre left with three pages of names according to a press release.

From here, the group will participate in Trent University’s Volunteer Fair and is seeking funding to host Meet Your Match events in Peterborough County to assist smaller charities and rural residents.

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Meet Your Match at the Volunteer Fair at the YMCA On May 8

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, the inaugural Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair is being hosted at the YMCA of Central East Ontario on May 8.

Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

The event is hosted by Volunteer Peterborough which creates a matchmaking service for organizations to find prospective volunteers that suit each other’s needs, interests and more.

The fair runs from noon to 4 p.m.

The organization and VolunteerPeterborough.ca were established in early September last year. Since then, 985 volunteers and 118 organizations have signed up.

Some organizations that are attending the event are:

• YMCA

• Peterborough ElderDog

• Camp Kawartha

• Victorian Order of Nurses Peterborough Victoria Haliburton (VON PVH)

• Community Care Peterborough

• Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN)

• Circles of Support and Accountability

• YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

• Peterborough Folk Festival

• Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

• Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre

• United Way Peterborough and District

• New Canadians Centre

• Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough

• Peterborough Symphony Orchestra

• Canopy Support Services

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough

• Mapleridge Recreation Centre

• Lang Pioneer Village

• YourTV

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families

• Peterborough Humane Society

• PARD Therapeutic Riding

• Peterborough Child & Family Centres

• Fleming College Simulation Centre

• Kawartha World Issues Centre

• Ontario Public Interest Research Group Peterborough

• Peterborough Musicfest

• 4th Line Theatre

• Fowler’s Corners and Lakefield Lions Clubs

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC)

• Home Care Workers Co-op and Cooperative Care Alliance

• For Our Grandchildren

• PATH - Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes

• Serenity Lane Animal Sanctuary

• Trent Valley Literacy Association (TVLA)

“Volunteering is also a great way to gain new skills and experiences while impacting your community. Become part of something bigger than yourself by contributing to local and global causes,” as stated in a press release.

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Hometown PTBO: Lois Tuffin Running the Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair at the YMCA On May 8

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Lois Tuffin about how she came to town, her favourite eats and Volunteer Peterborough's 'Meet Your Match Volunteer Fair' on May 8 at the YMCA from noon to 4 p.m.

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Peterborough Bigs In Need of Big Brothers/Sisters; At Least 60 Children In Program Needing Mentors

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) are dire need of mentors to join their organization as at least 60 to 70 kids involved in the program are without a mentor.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The number of children entering the Bigs program has doubled over the past year according to Brent Shepard, Peterborough Bigs executive director.

“It's an ongoing need,” he explained. “We found that there has been an increase in the number of children requesting to come into our programs and waiting for a mentor.”

Children in the program are entered into a waiting pool and get matched based on what best fits both the mentor and the child.

As a result of the matchmaking system, children can wait from roughly six months to a year before being paired up with a Big.

“Because we want the child's interest to be matched with the volunteer's interest, it can sometimes take longer depending on what volunteers come in,” said Shepard.

Shepard also encouraged potential suitors to join Peterborough Bigs, citing several testimonials from mentors who are getting more than what they bargained for but in a positive way.

“We hear over and over again that someone that wants to mentor with us will come to the program and want to give back to the community,” he explained. “What they always underestimate how powerful of an experience it is for them once they start mentoring. They realize how much impact they make for how little investment they need to make and they'll talk to their friends about how it's a highlight of their month.”

The program allows flexibility for mentors, as they spend, on average, two to four hours a month seeing their ‘little’; however, the time spent can be increased at the request of the ‘big.’

Children in the waiting pool remain active with Peterborough Bigs, with several activities offered.

Activities include sports tickets, event tickets, holiday parties, a children’s camp and more.

Mentors can volunteer online at Peterborough Bigs’s website.

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Volunteer Peterborough Makes Its First Hire of a Program Manager

Volunteer Peterborough had made their first hire in Geneviève Ramage to the position of program manager.

Ramage has a degree in Humanities. Since going live in September, Volunteer Peterborough has signed up almost 70 organizations and more than 350 volunteers. Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

Ramage was most recently the Communications Coordinator with GreenUP and worked at the Night Kitchen. Ramage has been a lifelong volunteer in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Tkaronto/Toronto and Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville Australia areas.

“With my expertise in building sustainable symbiotic relationships and experience in coordination and communications, I look forward to building more capacity at Volunteer Peterborough,” said Ramage.

“Having an employee to liaise with both member organizations and volunteers will allow Volunteer Peterborough to move forward even more quickly,” explained Lois Tuffin, founder and steering committee chair. “We will be able to recruit more volunteers and pair them up with organizations in need.”

Telecare Peterborough has contributed funds to support this first staff position. They have two mandates: active listening for struggling people and providing opportunities for people to volunteer in their community.

“The Board of Directors was very keen to be part of a group working to increase volunteerism in community,” explained Merrill Graham-Alton, Telecare Peterborough’s coordinator. “Many Telecare volunteers volunteer elsewhere. The opportunity to volunteer in multiple places is very enriching for Telecare’s volunteers.”

Volunteer Peterborough is a matchmaking portal for volunteers and organizations to find each other. Simliar to a dating or employment site, it matches skills and availability with groups’ needs. All of these services are also available in person.

Ramage will work out of the Peterborough Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce offices at 175 George St. N. and can be reached by emailing volunteer@volunteerpeterborough.ca.

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