Peterborough’s East City is giving a warm welcome to their incoming neighbours by hosting a fundraising auction in support of the build of a permanent home for seven women with developmental disabilities.
Running until midnight on Friday, October 10, the “Keys to Hope” auction fundraiser will feature a range of items donated by businesses and community members across East City and Peterborough. The auction is now live at auctions.nonprofitbidding.org/auction/keys-to-hope/.
“It’s just that sense of belonging and connection that I’m very passionate about,” says Ashley Bonner, community leader and auction organizer. “I thought this was a great way to not only help support neighbours and this really neat housing initiative, but also to build bridges and connect individuals with the community that they’re going to be moving into.”
All profits from the fundraiser auction will support the cost of the new home on an empty lot on Sophia Street, which Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha (Habitat PKR) is building in partnership with Our Daughters’ Home, a non-profit organization founded in 2023 by a group of parents who wanted to provide safe and permanent supportive housing for their adult daughters living with developmental disabilities.
The accessible duplex, which officially broke ground earlier this summer, will include 24/7 support for the women while giving them a home where they can live with dignity and independence.
“We really need different models of housing and Habitat has really been innovative in coming out with different approaches,” says Bonner. “This (build) in particular I thought was amazing because there’s such a gap in the housing market. We know we’re in a housing crisis, but from my past experience of supporting individuals with ‘diversibilities’ in the community, I really am hyper-aware that there is a gap for housing for them and their families, so this is such a beautiful model.”
‘Diversibility’ is an inclusive portmanteau Bonner likes to use “because we all have different abilities and diversities.” When she worked as a community support worker as a young adult, she would take individuals with ‘diversibilities’ into the community and support them in various capacities as they strengthened their bond with neighbours.
“It was about building that community around that individual I supported, so when we went out people knew their name — not necessarily my name — and interacted with them,” she says. “It’s just building those bridges and showing different ways because I think sometimes people can have stereotypes or impressions of individuals with disabilities.”
That’s why, for Bonner, the goal is not only to raise money for the build, but to introduce the women who will be moving into the home to East City locals.
In the home will be Michelle, who is nonverbal, full of energy, and loves music and dancing as well as horseback riding and swimming; Helena, who likes music, swimming, horseback riding, and jokes; Erin, who hands out high fives to say hello and goodbye; Leah, who loves to be social and spend time with her friends and family; Krista, who likes to swim, bowl, go to the mall, and volunteers part-time at First Choice Haircutters; Bri, who enjoys listening to music on her headphones, and who loves to laugh; and Jennie, who enjoys doing puzzles, playing on her LeapPad, reading, and chatting.
“The more we know each other, it’s safer, and we feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection. The more we feel a sense of belonging and connection, we’re happier, healthier, and more resilient.” says Bonner. “It’s for these women, but it’s also for the community knowing these new neighbours who are coming in.”
The “Keys to Hope” auction is being held on Nonprofit Bidding, a Haliburton-founded online platform designed for non-profits. The platform allows community members to upload their own items to be auctioned off for the cause and to directly donate to the campaign.
Items currently up for bid include gift cards to local businesses including Matsu Sushi, Take Cover Books, and East City Coffee Shop, as well as a large print of the Hunter Street Bridge.
“Some of the business downtown are just as excited to join this neighbours-supporting-neighbours initiative as well,” says Bonner. “There’s going to be a lot coming forward.”
To make a bid or donate an item, visit auctions.nonprofitbidding.org/auction/keys-to-hope/ or email Bonner at ashley.ptbo@gmail.com.
For more information about Our Daughters’ Home and to make a direct donation, visit www.ourdaughtershome.ca.
