Right to Heal Launches Fundraiser ‘Friendsgiving’ At 100 Acre Brewing Co. On Oct. 20

Right to Heal is hosting a free fundraising event ‘Friendsgiving’ held at 100 Acre Brewing Co. from 2 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 20th.

Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe of Right to Heal (left) and Tim Farquharson, Port Hope Police Chief (right) before a mural with Indigenous roots painted by Brogan O'Rouke, the former's cousin. Shaughnessy-Rowe's former business, The Whistle Stop Café, would often feed those who could not afford meals daily. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is in collaboration with the brewery and Dream Team concerts. Live music, vendors, food trucks, beer and a corn hole tournament are the attractions slated for the fundraiser.

Acts include SJ Riley, Joslynn Burford, Mike Kidd and Brad Renaud for live music performances.

There is no goal but every dollar counts according to Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe of Right to Heal.

“The universe is the limit on this one so the more the merrier and any amount, we're grateful for,” she said. “We're about to launch sponsorships so the community can sponsor what we're doing monthly instead of just once in a while, donating money.”

Right to Heal receives limited funding. The provincial government provides $275,000 annually, which primarily funds its Redpath program, an outpatient addiction treatment program.

“It's creating community, it's creating connection and something that we all need and something that some of our clients struggle with is connection with others,” said Shaughnessy-Rowe. “They're so disconnected, and they're so lost that these events connect them with the community and make them feel human again.”

All other expenses are not funded so the organization has to be creative in obtaining funds to keep afloat.

Shaughnessy-Rowe also receives help from the Rotary Club of Peterborough, her self-run moon circle events and money from Whitepath Consulting; her mother’s for-profit business that trains frontline workers for Indigenous communities.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Ian Kurz of KISS Tribute Band "Destroyer" Playing at The Venue to Benefit Right to Heal PTBO On Sept. 7

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Ian Kurz, lead singer of KISS tribute band DESTROYER Canada about joining the group, the experience of being in a tribute band and playing in a benefit concert for Right To Heal at The Venue Peterborough on Sept. 7.

Tickets can be purchased online by following this link.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

New PTBO Strong Restaurant Booklet Launched to Support Mental Health

Peterborough diners can save on local eateries while supporting mental health initiatives as PTBO Strong has launched their fundraising restaurant book, ‘Reversing the Trend.’

The deals cannot be combined with any other offer. Photo courtesy of PTBO Strong.

The booklet has various buy-one-get-one-free deals for over 50 different throughout Peterborough. Some participating restaurants include Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Curry Mantra, P.J.’s Diner, The Pin, Brothers Pizza and more.

They can be purchased online for $30 and supports mental health initiatives from organizations such as A Right to Heal (that also carries the booklets for purchase), Elizabeth Fry - Ellen House, Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

“We are happy about that as it helps a little with our fundraising,” said Sheila Nabigon-Howlett of PATH. “I have used the booklet several times and found it great on all occasions. It’s a great deal for the diner also for mental health advocacy in Peterborough and of course for the restaurant owners as well.”

“We are so thankful to be included as the recipients of the Peterborough Strong Restaurant Book,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “It has been an incredibly tough couple of years for our clients and member agencies with the rising cost of food and living. These proceeds will allow us to purchase much-needed food items to keep our food bank shelves well stocked for our community members in need.”

More restaurants will be added to the booklet in the near future according to Tim Burke, PTBO Strong co-founder. They expire in July of next year.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Celebrate Summer Solstice with Right to Heal at Farmhill Weddings

Right to Heal Peterborough invites the community to experience a Summer Solstice event at Farmhill Weddings on June 20– where Heaven and Earth unite on the longest day and shortest night of the year.

photo courtesy of right to heal.

“Summer solstice is a time to honour the sun, and our ancestors celebrated these times in the Wheel of the Year with community gatherings,” explained Liz Shaughnessy, organizer with Right to Heal.  “We planted our seeds of intentions in the spring, and the springtime is a time for action. Summer is the time of nourishment and to take care of the things we planted.”

The fundraising campaign focuses on community healing, with all proceeds going towards funding the Right to Heal organization.

“Right to Heal was born as a way to bring funding to our area to help people who are struggling,” Liz explains. “My mom has been fighting for 20 years for this to happen, so that’s also why we’re doing this fundraiser.”

“It’s a time to reflect on the first half of the year, set your intentions for the summer, and sunset meditation. Then we end the evening by letting go of what no longer serves us during a powerful fire ceremony,” she continued. “That’s why (the event) is happening on the summer solstice, because we’re looking to nourish our community and to get excited about what we’re trying to achieve locally. We are helping the people on the streets, or those that are hiding behind closed doors who people don’t know have an addiction.”

Those interested in this event can celebrate Summer Solstice with Right to Heal at Farmhill Weddings (2709 Dillon Road, Peterborough) from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 21.

The summer solstice is a sober event, and will feature a guest speaker who has been through Right to Heal’s services, as well as raffles from local businesses and a number of outdoor activities including a sunset meditation.

For tickets and more information visit the link.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.