Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough Launch Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser At Lansdowne Place

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough has launched its annual Holiday Gift Wrapping Station at Lansdowne Place from Dec. 9 to 24.

Photo courtey of Peterborough Bigs.

The fundraiser is for youth mentoring programs run by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

The station is above the stairs at Lansdowne Place and is staffed entirely by volunteers. They offer gift wrapping with a recommended donation based on the gift size.  

Throughout the campaign, the station will host appearances by local government representatives including Mayor Jeff Leal, MPP Dave Smith and MP Michelle Ferrari.

“This holiday season, we’re proud to help the community add a special touch to their gifts by making a meaningful difference for youth in our community,” says Zoe King, Peterborough Bigs executive director. “Every donation supports brighter futures and stronger mentorship opportunities.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Kinsmen Minor Football League Registration Open For the Fall Season

The Kinsmen Minor Football League (KMFL) has opened registration for the 2024 Fall Season.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The League will consist of a Junior Division (kids born from 2014-2016) and a Senior Division (kids born from 2011-2013).

Weekly practices start on Aug. 26, Saturday games begin Sept.14 and the season concludes on Championship Day on Nov. 2. 

Cost is $395 with Early Bird pricing of $345 in effect until July 1.

All equipment, excluding mouthguards and cleats, is provided.

“We are very excited to open our 2024 Season,” said Bryan Junkin, KMFL president. “Due to the generosity of this community through sponsorships and fundraising, we are able to keep our player costs at last year's level and add a large amount of new player and training equipment.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

National Youth Week Events in Peterborough From May 1 to 7

The City of Peterborough and community organizations are hosting National Youth Week from May 1 to 7.

National Youth Week is a movement that celebrates youth and their active participation in their community. Each year, the City’s Recreation and Parks Services Division partners with various organizations to host a wide range of activities for youth to promote National Youth Week and encourage youth participation in community programs. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Events include a First Friday Art Crawl, an expedition to Jackson Park to learn about birds, create a needle-felted Baby Yoda and play drop-in sports.

The entire lineup of free events for youth 10 to 19 is available online.

Events will occur at various locations including the Peterborough Museum & Archives, the Peterborough Public Library, the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, Jackson Park and Downtown Youth Space.

National Youth Week serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of providing youth with opportunities to lead, innovate and inspire according to Councillor Lesley Parnell, Community Services (Recreation and Parks, Fire Services, and Arenas) Portfolio Co-Chair.

“Beyond promoting activities for youth, it’s a time for us to reflect on how we, as a community, can better support the next generation to make Peterborough a more inclusive, vibrant and forward-thinking city,” she said. “Our City is committed to nurturing the dreams and capabilities of our young people.”

“Our youth play an essential role in social and cultural life of our city,” said Councillor Gary Baldwin. “Their insights and enthusiasm are the key to our community’s continued growth and prosperity.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Tebey Golf Classic Returns To Support Youth Mental Health For May 30

To support youth mental health, the Tebey Golf Classic with Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosted at Wildfire Golf & Country Club on May 30th.

Golfers, sponsors, partners and donors more than $200,000 has been raised since 2017. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

Foursomes are available for $1,200. It includes a shotgun tee-off, meet and greet with Tebey, access to private in-person VIP acoustic performance with Tebey and special guests (TBA), activities and contests throughout the course, lunch and supper, prizes, professional photos of your foursome and the opportunity to play one of Ontario’s top private courses that has hosted PGA tour events. 

A $240 tax receipt will be provided to all foursomes, with funds raised to support Youth Mental Health programming through Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

“I’m really looking forward to getting home for our annual golf fundraiser with GPSHF, Your Family Health Team Foundation,” said Tebey. "As someone who has expressed my own challenges with mental health well-being over the years, it's really important to me to support initiatives in this area of health services. I am especially proud to give back to these organizations like Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter for Youth and Families who provide essential and valuable assistance in my hometown area of Peterborough.”

A shotgun tee-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., with an outdoor acoustic performance at 7 p.m. 

“These funds help us to reduce wait times and to provide specialized services for children, youth and families,” said Gord Langill, Peterborough Youth Services executive director. “Mental health issues are affecting more people in more complex ways, and resources are limited, so every fund-raised dollar makes a difference.”

From YES Shelter for Youth and Families Executive Director “The Tebey Golf Classic is one of the highlights of our year at YES,” said Aimeé Le Lagadec, Yes Shelter executive director. “This incredible event has become crucial to the support provided to young people and families struggling severely with their mental health while experiencing homelessness in Peterborough."

Foursomes for the tournament can be booked online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Applications Open For the 2024 Peterborough Youth Council

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Peterborough Youth Council 2024 term for anyone between 12 and 21 who lives or attends school in town.

File Photo.

The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in our community. Members bring their ideas and energy to organizing and participating in community events. Youth Council members attend monthly meetings and collaborate with Recreation and Parks Services staff to plan community events.

This Council counts towards volunteer hours for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

“I’ve enjoyed working with outstanding young people on the Peterborough Youth Council over the years,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “The Youth Council contributes a lot of valuable perspectives to community events, in turn members gain valuable experience and make new friends. I encourage anyone who is interested to apply.”

“The young people in Peterborough are the future of our community. We value their perspectives and welcome their input,” said Councillor Gary Baldwin. “Peterborough Youth Council is an opportunity to develop our leaders of tomorrow, while offering lots of fun along the way.”

Applications are due by April 26 at 4:30 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Transit To Provide Grade 8 Transit Quest Program During March Break

Peterborough Transit has partnered with Active School Travel Peterborough to provide the Grade 8 Transit Quest program from March 8 to March 17.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The program encourages students to use public transit by providing a free transit pass during March Break.

The Quest’s purpose is to increase students’ familiarity of the Peterborough Transit system as they begin to travel independently. Peterborough Transit alos wants a goal of making transit a mode of transportation that is both normal and accessible for local youth. Children aged 12 and under ride transit free year-round.

As incentive, students will receive a destination passport along with their transit passes which features free or discounted travel destinations.

“This is a great program to encourage kids to get familiar with Peterborough Transit routes,” said Ashley Burnie, GreenUp program coordinator. “Transit is an ideal transportation option for students to get to part-time jobs, shopping or seeing friends across town.”

Active School Travel Peterborough will be distributing the Grade 8 Transit Quest destination passports and free transit passes to Grade 8 classes in the City of Peterborough this week.

Ten destinations are featured in the Transit Quest destination passport including the Sport and Wellness Centre, the Public Library, the Museum and Archives and the Art Gallery of Peterborough, among other local businesses. Participants are encouraged to post to social media with #PTBOTransitQuest to share their journey and return their passports to their teacher to be entered into a class raffle.

New to the program are on-bus orientations for classes upon request.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

YMCA and Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Partner To Create Provide Recreational Opportunities For Urban Indigenous Youth

After a Community Development Grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the YMCA of Central East Ontario has partnered with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre’s Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative School Program to create a recreational platform for urban Indigenous youth announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The youth are from the Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative School Program and have been granted recreational instruction, access to recreational facilities and specialized classes.

The two-hour program occurs twice a week at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, Balsillie Family Branch. Activities may include weight training, powwow dancing, self-defence and more. The second day is dedicated to free time with available activities such as basketball, pickleball, swimming and conditioning.

“We are excited for this opportunity to partner with the YMCA, supported by a generous grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities,” says Ashley Safar, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre executive director. This partnership and funding will increase access and enhance our ability to provide engaging and culturally enriching recreational programs tailored to the needs and interests of youth in our Waawiye Kinoomaagzijig Alternative Secondary School Program.”

This funding covers YMCA staff assistance and instruction, external instructors, equipment, transportation and gym clothing for the participants. The grant aims to remove any financial obstacles and ensure Indigenous youth’s engagement in the program.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Downtown Youth Space Launching Next Tuesday

Downtown Youth Space (DYS) will kick off programming for the 2023/2024 school year on Tuesday as announced by The City of Peterborough

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

DYS is a free drop-in program for anyone 12 to 18 years of age, offering supervised recreational programming by the City of Peterborough’s Recreation Division. It is located at 201 McDonnel St., inside PACE at the former PCVS school in downtown Peterborough.

Hours of operation are every Tuesday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to June 21 next year.

“I am proud the City continues to offer this important, safe, fun, free welcoming space and opportunities for our youth,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “Easily accessible to not only downtown youth but all youth via active transportation or transit.”

DYS offers the following programming:

• Free wi-fi and snacks

• Pool table, foosball, air hockey, ping-pong

• Crafts, sports, board games

• Special events

• Access to laptops and printers

• PlayStation, Wii, Xbox 360

• Homework help after school

• Help with creating a resume and applying for jobs

• Sports program Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Junior Achievement Receives $172,500 As Skills Development Fund From the Provincial Government

The Ontario government has invested $172,500.00 in Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA NEO) to help students engage with information and pilot programs to cultivate interest and education in skilled trades at the Peterborough Truss & Floor on Thursday morning.

Youth under the JA Neo program developed their own business ‘Fresh Picked Feats’ that sells locally-grown vegetables and had their products showcased during the press conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money helps JA NEO educate and help students understand the importance of skilled trades. Kids will work with community and business leaders to help youth understand and activate their potential for the jobs of tomorrow by extending their programs and focus on skilled trades for full-time students.

“There was always going to be a demand for somebody in skilled trades. It doesn't matter what the economy is doing, we need plumbers, we need electricians, we need carpenters because these are all things we use on a daily basis” explained Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “It not only provides a job but a career path for your entire life.”

“Explore other opportunities that are out there. Not all trades jobs are dirty,” said John McNutt, JA Neo president and CEO. “It's a different world out there and just ask them to take a look.”

The youth also will be involved in JA NEO’s World of Choices Program to be exposed to potential career paths, understanding day-to-day tasks in a variety of careers while learning about and challenging the myths surrounding them.

They can also learn how to organize and operate a business related to a very important sector of our economy.

“Having programs like this available to our youth will set them on a path to be able to prosper in the future,” said Smith. “Ontario’s skilled trades are vital to the growth of the economy and our government’s ‘Plan to Build’, offering careers that lead to secure jobs and a good quality life.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.