At its second meeting of 2025, 100 Women Peterborough has chosen Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough to receive a donation of more than $10,000 that will support the charity’s mentorship programming and outreach to local children and youth.
The collective philanthropy group met on Tuesday (June 17) at the Peterborough Humane Society at 1999 Technology Drive. At each of the group’s quarterly meetings, members 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 June’s meeting were Peterborough Youth Services, the Canadian Canoe Museum, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, with the latter chosen by majority vote to receive member donations.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is a federation of 108 member agencies serving more than 1,100 communities across the country, with over 21,300 trained volunteers mentoring over 41,700 children and youth between the ages of six and 18 through one-on-one or group mentoring programs.
In 2023, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough served made 105 community matches between “bigs” and “littles” and served 920 children and youth including 44 through in-school mentoring at 14 schools and 53 in group mentoring.
“We are incredibly grateful to the 100+ Women of Peterborough for choosing Big Brothers Big Sisters as their charity of choice,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director Zoe King. “Their generosity directly empowers local youth, giving them access to mentorship, creativity, and opportunity to unlock their full potential. This kind of community support doesn’t just fund programs, it changes lives.”
Of the children and youth Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough served in 2023, 32 per cent were involved in the child welfare system, 58 per cent had separated or divorced parents, and 70 per cent had experienced bullying.
“This is the kind of support that makes a lifelong difference,” said Wendy Hill, a founding member of 100 Women Peterborough. “For so many young people in our community, the impact of this organization can be the turning point that helps them believe in themselves and build a brighter future. We’re proud to stand behind Big Brothers Big Sisters in the vital work they do.”
Since its formation in 2018, 100 Women Peterborough has collectively donated over $250,000 to 27 local organizations.
Organizations that have received member donations include 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, Hearts 4 Joy, Camp Northern Lights, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.
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.
