100 Women Peterborough has chosen Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) to receive a donation of more than $10,000 that will support CCRC’s mental health and therapy programs, housing stability programs, and community outreach initiatives.
The collective philanthropy group held its fourth meeting of the year on Tuesday (December 10) at Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre in Peterborough.
At each of its quarterly meetings, 100 Women Peterborough hears presentations from three non-profit organizations randomly drawn from a larger list of organizations nominated by the group’s members. Each member commits to donating $100, and the organization that gets the most member votes receives the collective donations.
The three organizations that presented to 100 Women Peterborough at December’s meeting were CCRC, One City Peterborough, and Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services. For the first time in the group’s history, the members’ votes ended in a tie, with votes cast equally between CCRC and One City Peterborough. After a re-vote, CCRC was chosen by majority vote to receive member donations.
The donated funds will help CCRC provide support and resources for survivors of violence, including specialized equipment, ongoing consultations, and dedicated staff time to aid in their healing and recovery. CCRC is also the fundholder for the Peterborough Domestic Abuse Network (PDAN), a network of organizations supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
“We are incredibly thankful to receive over $10,000 from the women in our community, especially on Human Rights Day,” said CCRC executive director Kirsten Armbrust in a media release. “This generous donation will significantly help us cover the costs of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a proven method for alleviating PTSD symptoms more quickly and effectively. This support will be life-changing for many individuals who have experienced trauma.”
The donations from 100 Women Peterborough members will go towards covering the costs associated with providing EMDR therapy and paying the PDAN survivor consultants.
“We are proud to see our group of 100 Women Peterborough support a fantastic local organization, Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC), with a significant donation to help them continue their essential EMDR therapy services,” said 100 Women Peterborough founding member Rose Terry.
“This contribution will aid in providing vital professional counselling services, along with the supply of specialized equipment needed for therapy. Our support will empower survivors through resources and assistance they need to overcome challenges, fostering resilience and stability in their lives.”
Since its formation in 2018, 100 Women Peterborough has collectively donated over $223,000 to 25 local organizations: YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Vinnies Peterborough, Hospice Peterborough, Peterborough Youth Unlimited, One Roof Warming Room, New Canadians Centre, Cameron House, Five Counties Children’s Centre, Casa De Angelae, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, Community Care Peterborough, Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Community Counselling and Resource Centre, Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services, Heads Up for Inclusion, Kawartha Youth Orchestra, Peterborough GreenUP, Bridges Peterborough, YMCA Strong Communities, Homeward Bound Peterborough, Good Neighbours Care Centre and Food Bank, PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network, Camp Kawartha, the Teachers For Kids Foundation, and Hearts 4 Joy.
100 Women Peterborough is part of a growing collective philanthropy movement that began in the United States in November 2006, when Karen Dunigan of Michigan formed the “100 Women Who Care” group. After their first meeting, those women raised over $10,000 for the purchase of 300 new baby cribs for a local organization. The movement has grown over the past 18 years to include groups of men, women, youth, and children around the world, with hundreds of chapters in Canada alone.
For more information about 100 Women Peterborough, visit www.100womenptbo.ca.
