By bringing women together for a luncheon, guest speaker, and silent auction this spring in Northumberland County, Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre is striving to create a meaningful experience for attendees and raise money for the agency at the same time.
Cornerstone is hosting its ninth annual “Women’s Day Luncheon” on Thursday, May 15 at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre, located at 930 Burnham St. in Cobourg.
This year’s guest speaker is Fallon Farinacci, who is an advocate for missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people (MMIWG2S+). Described as a proud Red River Métis, Farinacci is herself an intergenerational survivor of MMIWG2S+. Her parents were murdered when she was nine years old and her older brother took his own life 11 years later.
Through the “much-anticipated” event, Cornerstone said it aims to bring the community together for an afternoon to celebrate women, make a positive and lasting impact in Northumberland County, and support the agency working to end gender-based violence.
“This event plays an important role in raising necessary funds for Cornerstone,” Cayne Fordham, Cornerstone’s manager of fundraising and communications, told kawarthaNOW.
“It directly supports the critical programs and services we provide to Northumberland County. The funds raised will help ensure Cornerstone can continue to address gender-based violence, offer support for those in need, and create a safe environment for individuals and families.”
Fordham said holding the event also helps raises awareness of Cornerstone’s mission and impact and build lasting partnerships.
“By coming together at the luncheon, we further awareness and inspire greater community engagement. We hope that the day sparks a sense of empowerment, inspiration, and motivation in attendees — encouraging our community to continue to work together to create a violence-free future and a place where hope grows,” Fordham said.
Cornerstone says guest speaker Farinacci has “cultivated an incredible community” and uses her online platform to share her story, give back to the Indigenous community, and raise awareness for causes and organizations close to her heart.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation recently announced Farinacci as one of three recipients of the 2025 Feminist Creator Prize. The winners have been selected for their work championing critical conversations about gender justice and equality, safety, and freedom from harm.
In addition to hearing from Farinacci, the luncheon will offer attendees an opportunity to network and connect with members of the community and participate in a silent auction.
“This event would not be possible without our sponsors,” noted Cornerstone executive director Nancy Johnston in the release.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Part Time CFO Services for their generous support as our speaker sponsor for the Women’s Day Luncheon. We couldn’t be more thankful for their ongoing partnership with Cornerstone and their continued commitment to working together to end gender-based violence in our community.”
Part Time CFO Services president Darryl Goodall said his company “is committed to making a positive impact in our community.”
“We are pleased to support Cornerstone’s ninth annual luncheon, and we look forward to this great event.”
Tickets cost $150, with $50 of the ticket price eligible for a charitable donation receipt. Tickets will be available for purchase on Wednesday, April 2 on Cornerstone’s website at cornerstonenorthumberland.ca/luncheon/.
All proceeds support Cornerstone and the services and programs it provides in Northumberland County.
“We look forward to enjoying this inspiring afternoon with our great community and supporters,” Johnston added.
Established in 1983, Cornerstone is an accredited violence against women agency working to end gender-based violence by providing accessible, compassionate, and best practice-modelled programs and services inclusive of shelter, counselling, housing support, and prevention through a support system that inspires hope, creates safety, and fosters resilience.
