Getting Settled
Once you move to Peterborough, there is a lot of information that you will need to settle into the community. This section provides information about settling into the community. You will also find links to organizations that can help you.
Where do I find local information and available services?
The City of Peterborough is responsible for a wide range of municipal services for residents of Peterborough. Federal services are offered at the Service Canada Centre. Before you visit, find the service you need to confirm it is available.
The United Way of Peterborough and District includes more than 30 organizations that provide free social and community services to Peterborough City and County residents.
Lists of community organizations and private businesses can be found here. This includes non-profit organizations and self-help/support groups (made up of individuals who share common issues).
You can also search for local businesses in the Yellow Pages online.
The Peterborough Public Library offers free access to books, magazines, local newspapers and computers with Internet access.
Learning more about what’s happening in the community can also help with the settlement process. Find local news and events.
Helpful telephone numbers
211 – An operator can refer you to Peterborough’s community, social, health or government services. Interpreters are available in over 150 languages, 24 hours per day. 211 is a free service. You can also access this information online.
411 – An operator will look up a telephone number for you. There is usually a small fee for using this service. The cost will be added to your telephone bill. You can look up telephone numbers online free of charge at www.canada411.ca.
Emergency Services
In an emergency, you can dial 9-1-1 on any telephone. An operator will answer and connect you with the police department, fire department, or paramedics.
Other Emergency Services include:
- The Medic Alert Foundation of Canada
- Telehealth Ontario – free access to a Registered Nurse for health-related questions; you do not need a health insurance number to call.
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Peterborough Police Service
How Can I Get Involved in the Community?
Every day, thousands of people give their time and talent to hundreds of organizations in the Peterborough area with no expectation of monetary reward. Their hours of service ensure that many activities are accomplished, and many people are helped. Volunteers build houses for the homeless, care for the elderly, look after homeless pets and provide counselling and support services. They are youth group leaders, programme coordinators, coaches and fundraisers. They represent every walk of life – professional, homemaker, student, retiree – as well as every age and cultural group.
Volunteers offer their time, energy and skills to help make their community a better place. Volunteers usually have a formal, supported relationship with a not-for-profit organization, agency, or club. Their volunteer services range from office work to supporting individuals as they interact with their community to help build affordable housing. Volunteers work to improve the lives of others, but they also enhance their own lives.
For newcomers to Peterborough, volunteering is a positive way to help others, become involved in the community and meet new friends. Volunteering can also be a fun way to practice English. Coming from another country, you may also bring new ideas, skills and perspectives to the organization and the community. Volunteering can also help you with your job search by helping you build your resume, make contacts and gain Canadian work experience. The organization where you volunteer should give you a reference you can use in your job search.
Community Information Services at United Way of Peterborough and District assists residents looking for volunteer opportunities in the Peterborough area. Community Information Services is a free service that manages a comprehensive online database of information about the Peterborough area. The database allows you to search for volunteer opportunities in many fields. Residents can also call 211 for information and referral to social-service organizations, agencies and clubs. Operators at 211 offer services in many languages and use information from the online database to assist callers in the Peterborough area.
Cultural Organizations and Groups
As a newcomer, staying connected with friends and family can be difficult. You may want to find people who speak your native language, to celebrate an upcoming holiday with others or to pass on traditional cultural teachings to younger generations. We encourage you to build a support network in your new community by connecting with Peterborough’s increasingly diverse cultural organizations and groups. You may also learn how to start your own group or organization from these community leaders!
Afrocentric Awareness Network of Peterborough AANP is a nonprofit resource in Peterborough, Canada.AANP strives to raise awareness of the positive aspects of Black heritage and culture. It believes that self-education is the path to eliminating anti-Black racism.
Afrocentric Awareness Network of Peterborough Page
Contact Information:Cheryl Edwards and Charmaine Magumbe
[email protected] Arabs of Peterborough
Arabs of Peterborough holds the purpose of gathering people with Middle Eastern backgrounds in Peterborough, Ontario. Members of the group can share thoughts, experiences, activities, ideas and, most importantly, strengthen the Arabic community in Peterborough and help each other integrate into the Canadian society.
Contact Information:
Arabs of Peterborough PageMariam El Chiekh Khalil
[email protected]
416 891 0305 Bangladeshi Milon Mela
Minu didi started the group in 1975, he was the first dweller from Bangladesh in Peterborough. Now, the community has over fifty families along with many international students. Bangladeshi community is engaged in service professions, including education, health, research and engineering.
Connect with Bangladeshi Milon Mela
Contact Information:Moin Khan
[email protected]
(905) 782-5410 Brazilian Community In Peterborough and Kawarthas
The Brazilian Community Group of Peterborough and Kawartas was created to unite, support and share resources with Brazilians in the region.
Brazilian Community In Peterborough and Kawarthas Page
Contact Information:Aline Morishita
(647) 325-9146 Peterborough Canadian Irish Club
The Peterborough Canadian Irish Club was established in 1975 to promote the Irish culture in the community of Peterborough and the surrounding area.
Peterborough Canadian Irish Club Page
Contact Information:Maureen Crowley
[email protected]
(705) 939-6135 Peterborough Chinese Community Organization Peterborough Chinese Community Organization has been dedicated to helping new Chinese heritage residents of Peterborough adapt to the new environment, providing services needed for newcomers to settle in, as well as working closely with NCC to network with other ethnic groups of Peterborough. We welcome anyone who is interested in Chinese culture and who would like to make new friends to join us.
Our mission is to create a harmonious community in Peterborough.
Contact Information:
Dr. Shaoling Wang, President
[email protected] Proudly Africans in Peterborough
We are a growing community of more than 400 Africans, with a majority being Nigerians, all living in Peterborough and the surrounding area. Our group is focused on supporting newcomers, fostering community connection, and helping members navigate life in Canada.
Contact Information:Bolanle Abodunrin
[email protected]; [email protected]
WhatsApp group
Sikh Fellowship of Peterborough
Sikh faith advocates social justice, service to humanity and tolerance for other religions, practicing humility and generosity in everyday life.
Contact Information:Surinder Singh Sikand
[email protected]
(705) 917-0590 The Indo-Canadian Association of the Kawarthas (ICAK)
The ICAK is a non-profit, non-political, social and cultural organization. It strives to preserve, promote and foster South Asian values, culture and heritage.
Some of the objectives of the Organization are:To provide friendship and develop a closer link among the members of the Association.
To promote the cultural heritage of the Indian Subcontinent.
To support and conduct charities for the benefit of humanity in general with emphasis on Canadians with South Asian origins living in the Kawarthas and their countries of Origin.
The Indo-Canadian Association of the Kawarthas (ICAK) Page
Contact Information:Vip Patel (President)
[email protected] The Peterborough Baha’i Community
The Bahá’í community of Peterborough includes all those who are inspired by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to build a more loving, just, peaceful, and united world. Community-building activities are open to people of all faiths and backgrounds, and include devotional gatherings, moral classes for children and youth, study circles, and social action projects. Bahá’u’lláh teaches that the message of all religions of the world come from the same Source, and all diverse religions and beliefs are oriented to one vision: the establishment of the unity of humankind. The Local Spiritual Assembly of Peterborough organizes the administrative affairs of the local community and has been officially incorporated since 1972. The Bahá’í community of Peterborough is part of the worldwide Bahá’í community, read more at their website. www.bahai.org).
The Peterborough Baha’i Community Page
Contact Information:Mandana Kamalisarvestani
[email protected]
(647) 469-5964