Rosemary Petersen

Being part of a community is about feeling like you belong to something bigger than yourself. It’s about showing up for one another, demonstrating care, and living out shared values. In a strong community, people come together to face challenges. In Orillia, the community shows a spirit of compassion every day. At The Lighthouse, we […]

Tears, laughter, and a deep sense of gratitude filled Connexus Church on Tuesday afternoon as friends, family, colleagues, and community partners came together to celebrate the legacy of Linda Goodall, outgoing executive director of The Lighthouse. The gathering was less a farewell and more a joyful reflection on nearly a decade of leadership that transformed

Homelessness is a visible and complex issue in our community. People encounter it regularly, whether on their way to work, while running errands, or simply walking through town. It can be unsettling to see people living outdoors or spending time in spaces not designed for shelter. Since people care deeply about their community, these moments

The Lighthouse outreach team ‘acts as a connection between business owners and our unhoused population,’ says business owner and BIA chair These columns are written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday. Downtown Orillia reflects both ends of

‘Regardless of anyone’s beliefs or identity, people come from all walks of life and are welcome to contribute and access services’ These columns are written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday. Rooted in the Christian faith and

‘It’s about creating space for honesty, connection, and support — without stigma or shame,’ say shelter officials These columns are written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday. Last week, May 5 to 11, was Mental Health Awareness

Goal of Lighthouse is to ‘pursue our vision and strive to create a thriving community where everyone has hope, home and a future’ Linda Goodall and Rosemary PetersenApr 28, 2025 12:30 P This is the latest in a series of columns written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing

‘It’s important to me that Harvey’s isn’t just about feeding people; it’s about feeding our community in a bigger way,’ says Harvey’s Orillia owner This month, Laura Dickson, owner of Harvey’s Orillia for the past 15 years, has gone above and beyond to show just how much she values the people who have supported her

‘Understanding why youth end up at The Lighthouse is essential to providing support,’ say Lighthouse official This is the 45th in a series of columns written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday. Youth homelessness is a significant

From shelter and warming centre to outreach and supportive housing, organization seeks out short-, medium- and long-term solutions to housing crisis This is the 43rd in a series of columns written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column appears every other Monday. As