Faithworks Sunday - a Presentation from One City Peterborough

On Faithworks Sunday, St John’s invited local nonprofit One City Peterborough to share some details of their work within the local community. One City’s Fundraising and Communications Coordinator Mackenzie Clark delivered the following presentation.

Thank you for inviting us here this morning to share about the work of One City Peterborough. Our work is only possible because of the people who make up our community: volunteers, staff, partners across the city, and supporters like you. Our vision is that everyone belongs and that together we flourish, and that isn’t just a slogan; we are only as vibrant, healthy and alive as the most vulnerable among us.

Our community is facing very real challenges. We are living in the midst of a housing crisis and deepening poverty. There is no single solution that will fix everything at once, and as a result, our work spans a spectrum. Some of what we do are immediate, practical responses - things that may feel like, and in truth are, “band-aids” - because people need help today. Other parts of our work aim to create long-term stability and systemic change. We see all of it as essential. Every layer of support matters, and none of it is possible without coming together as a broader community.

Immediate Relief

At Trinity Community Hub, we serve over 93,000 meals a year and support many people who are living rough - often more than 100 individuals at any given time. Our Overnight Shelter runs at full capacity, with hundreds of turnaways each year simply because the need surpasses what our current system can offer. These programs are lifelines. They meet urgent needs: warmth, food, rest, and connection. And they are strengthened by partnerships with organizations like Kawartha Food Share, paramedics, Fourcast, PARN, E Fry, Cocaine Anonymous, and many others. These collaborations multiply the impact far beyond what we could accomplish alone.

Longer-Term Stability

Alongside crisis response, we invest deeply in long-term stability. Our housing program supports people as they find and maintain stable homes. We currently own 7 houses plus a tiny house, in order to increase affordable housing stock for folks who may otherwise not have access. Our Circles of Support and Accountability program (CoSA) helps individuals safely reintegrate into community. We offer employment supports and even access to veterinary care free to people on OW and ODSP in Peterborough, because stability requires attending to all aspects of a person’s life.

These programs rely on strong partnerships as well: PATH (who helps us build tiny homes!), CMHA (provides subsidies so we can offer rent that is affordable), FourCAST (provides housing supports to several residents), and the City of Peterborough (offers staffing funding for one of our homes) - all working together to build a more connected and supportive community.

Creating and Learning Together

We also run creative and educational programs that help people express themselves, build relationships, and continue learning. Our arts and poetry drop-ins, The River magazine, and our podcast create spaces where people can share stories, connect, and explore ideas. We love learning from each other, being challenged, and putting skills into practice.

Community Education hosts pay-what-you-can workshops, courses, and events focused on creating community, thinking about what it means to be good humans and neighbours, and providing practical skills around advocacy and community action. This semester, we hosted a course on self-regulation, a de-escalation workshop, a dinner and conversation about class, and and info session on bed bugs. Feel free to join us at our next event! These programs foster relationships and connection that support individuals with all kinds of experiences to use their gifts.

Why We Do This Work

At the heart of One City is a belief that safety and wellbeing are created through connection. We aim to weave a network of support that helps people access the care they need when they need it, whether that’s a meal or a long-term housing plan, a safe night at the shelter or a community of peers. We know our community has a long way to go to get to real and sustainable solutions to our housing and poverty crises.

We also know that progress happens when communities work together: when faith communities, service providers, neighbours, and people with lived experience join their strengths. Thank you for being part of that work. Your care, your support, and your presence make a difference.