Catching up with Canopy - July 2025

Jul 2

Through this newsletter, our aim is to strengthen our connection with our community by sharing insightful stories, impactful updates and offer a peek a into the transformative work happening every day at Canopy.

Join us in our journey as we work together to empower individuals and enhance support - because together, we can make a positive difference!

Upcoming Events

3rd annual Canopy Cares Inclusivity Carnival

Another year, another Canopy Carnival

Back by popular demand!

This year’s Carnival is happening on Saturday, September 13th from

11-2pm at 150 O’Carroll Avenue in Peterborough.

We have so many exciting new things planned as well as your

favourites that you love!

This year, we have so many amazing community groups, activities and performers that will help create another fantastic year celebrating with our Canopy Community!

This year you can expect to see the following activities & performers:

Betty Baker Story Time

Sara Cee

Peterborough Circus Academy

Tie Dye Shirt Station

Henna & Glitter Glam Bar

Imagine Dance Studio

Sensory Tent

Dunk Tank

Balloon Animals

Face Painting

Photo Booth

Touch a Race Car

We also have multiple, wonderful community agencies who will be a part of our day and are ready to chat with you about what they do and what other supports are available in our community:

NOGO

Alternatives

Autism Home Base

Respite Now

Council for Persons with Disabilities

Special Olympics

Heads up for Inclusion

September is FASD Awareness month!

At this years Carnival, we are going to have our FASD program coordinators in attendance and setting up some fun, FASD specific activities!

You will also have a chance to purchase some FASD merchandise

in support of the program!

These activities include rock painting & button making!

Goods News Share at Canopy

Canopy Tackles Housing Instability with Ontario Trillium Foundation

We’re proud to share that Canopy Support Services was recently featured in the Spring 2025 issue of Peterborough Currents Magazine. The cover story, “Families Fight to Find Housing for Their Loved Ones with Disabilities,” spotlights the critical housing challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families—and highlights our efforts to address these gaps. Read the full article here: Families Fight to Find Housing for Their Loved Ones with Disabilities

Canopy Support Services was grateful to receive an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Seed Grant this past winter to address the growing housing crisis among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

This funding supports a year-long pilot project to hire a dedicated housing support worker, who will provide essential resources to help Canopy individuals with IDD access to stable housing and help build resilience.

The Program Lead, Jamie, wanted to share a few words about the impact we have seen since the pilot launch in February:

"The introduction of our Housing Support Worker has greatly impacted our ability to address urgent housing needs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities...We're now accepting community referrals and planning initiatives like roommate matching and group-based housing education to promote stability and independence"

Research shows that homelessness disproportionately affects people with IDD, yet they often face barriers to accessing housing services. With homelessness accounting for over 30% of referrals to Canopy’s Adult Urgent Response Program, the need for targeted support is clear.

Thanks to OTF’s investment, we’re taking steps to break down these barriers. Our housing support worker, Everett, is now working to connect individuals with resources, offer education in independent living, and collaborate across sectors to create better outcomes for those we serve.

We’re grateful for OTF’s support in launching this critical initiative and look forward to creating lasting change for individuals with IDD in our community.

Together, we’re building brighter futures! Learn more about OTF's community contributions here.

Passport Program Success Story

“I advocate for my son (who has autism). Needless to say, there's A LOT of information and opportunity. Working fulltime made it feel like learning what I could for my son would be impossible... and transparently, made me feel like I was failing my son. Canopy Support Services (Anna and others) has been unsung in supporting Anson through empowerment and information. Bless you all each day. I'd be lost without the team that is Canopy Support Services, DSO and ODSP. Please continue your very necessary work with the compassion and clarity that you do now.”

Mental Health Counsellor Success Story

"I cannot stress how much my son and I enjoyed our appointments. Alysha opened my son’s heart up to be able to share unhappy experiences in his life. I never knew Alysha had the comfort zone to make you feel I'm here to help, I care, I'll do what I can do. Alysha always, always greeted us with a friendly smile and ensured my son how to let go of unhappy thoughts, leaves on the river. Beautiful. She made flash cards. Her heart is into her job. Today , we finished. Sadly to say. We cried in the vehicle. She is so into her job. Which you never see very often……. I'm writing this hoping she gets recognized for her work”

Would you like to share your experience with Canopy?

Click the button below to fill out a testimonial form so that we can share your experience with others!

Submit Your Story

Recent Events

Canopy Connects Haliburton

On Thursday, May 1st Canopy hosted our 5th annual Canopy Connects event at Fleming College in Haliburton.

This was a great day filled networking, collaborating and information sharing with a wonderful group of local agencies and businesses in Haliburton.

Attending Agencies:

Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Center

Central Food Network

Haliburton Highlands Health Services

Haliburton Music Exchange

Kawartha Haliburton Victim Services

KHPR Health Unit

OPP Mobile Crisis Response Team

Point in Time

Thank you to all of these agencies for sharing your time with us!

Urban Indigenous Health Fair

Canopy Support Services attended the annual NOGO Urban Indigenous Health Fair on April 9th in Peterborough.

Newcomers to Canada Health Fair

Canopy was fortunate enough to be one of the many vendors at the Newcomers to Canada Health Fair on April 23rd. This was the second year for this event but first time attending for Canopy. The day was filled with networking, learning and connecting with new Canadians!

IE Weldon Mental Health Fair

Canopy Support Services attended the IE Weldon Mental Health Community Fair with Alysha, our Mental Health Counsellor, on Thursday, May 9th in Lindsay. This event was a great way to connect with students directly and chat about all things mental health and the supports that are available in the community.

CHIMO Youth Wellness Fair

Canopy Support Services was able to attend for the second year in a row the CHIMO Youth Wellness Fair on Friday, May 10th at CHIMO in Lindsay. The afternoon was filled with activities of all kinds for youth, a rock climbing wall, raffle prizes, bonfire social so much more!

Canopy's 3rd Annual Prom

Canopy’s 3rd Annual Prom was a night full of joy, connection, and fairy-tale vibes! From dancing under twinkling lights to relaxing in cozy corners, every moment felt magical.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the night so special—for our amazing guests, families, volunteers, and staff, you brought the forest to life!

Capable Con 2025

Canopy Support Services was thrilled to attend Capable Con 2025 for another amazing year of fun! This fantastic event took place on Saturday, June 7th from 10–2pm in the parking lot of the Venture North Building in Peterborough. We had a blast connecting with everyone who stopped by and enjoyed all the excitement.

All Staff Day

On Wednesday, June 12th, our team gathered at the stunning Iron Horse Ranch for a day of learning, connection, and celebration!

From insightful discussions to shared laughter over great food, this day was all about engagement, growth, and community. We walked away with new knowledge, stronger bonds, and a renewed sense of purpose.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this event so special!

We’re proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of this year’s Excellence Award recipients. Each of these individuals reflects the heart of who we are—passionate, dedicated, and driven to make a difference. Their achievements inspire us all and remind us of the incredible talent, compassion, and resilience within our team.

At every level, we are deeply grateful for the hard work and commitment of our staff. You are the reason we succeed, and we are so proud to celebrate your excellence.

Congratulations to the following individuals for exemplifying excellence in their work:

Amber Allen

Excellence in Client Care

Kim Hill

Excellence in Innovation

Megan Cooper

Excellence in Collaboration

Margaret Marchen

Excellence in IDEA

Bre Perrin

Excellence in Fostering a Respectful Workplace

Celeste Fox

Excellence in Building/Fostering Community Partnerships

Kaley Hart

Excellence in Promoting Safety

Taylor Seguin

Excellence in Wellness

Jamie Booth

Excellence in Transparency

Amanda Ewles

Rookie of the Year

Matt Warren

Excellence in Philanthropy

Your dedication and impact are truly appreciated—thank you for raising the bar for all of us! 👏

Canopy Cares Corner

Canopy Cares Donor Wall

We are so excited to have finally been able to create our Canopy Cares Donor Wall! We have been so grateful to be able to create a space where we can honour our generous donors and let the Canopy Community know they are supported. Be sure to check out our Donor Wall next time you are at our main office at 150 O'Carroll Avenue in Peterborough!

We can do so much more because of you!

To learn more about how you can donate, visit our website!

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Sponsor a Camper for FASD Summer Camp

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Land Acknowledgment

In recognition of and respect for Indigenous People and their territory both in the past and the present. It is with a clear and open heart, mind and body that we at Canopy Support Services acknowledge that we are located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg (ANISH-AN-AW-BE) and Chippewa (CHIP-EH-WA) Nations. We honor these communities as the original and current stewards’ and caretakers of this land and water ensuring their health for future generations while teaching us about our relations to the earth. The land we reside upon is situated within the Williams Treaty (1923) and Treaty 20 (1818). We are dedicated to honoring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First nation, Metis and Inuit people. We respect these communities’ strength and resiliency and together we hold space for the ones who came before us and the generations to follow us in our path to truth and reconciliation.