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

‘Adequate, stable housing is not just a necessity; it’s a human right,’ says Joyce Ward, a longtime local advocate This is the 41st 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 a

‘I just remember that someone saw the good in me. Now I want to do the same for others,’ says Brittany, a housing navigator with local organizat This is the 40th 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

‘The reward is seeing people who come in at the worst moments of their lives be successful and meet their goals,’ says Lighthouse youth housing navigator. This is the 38th 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

Annual Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference ‘is just the beginning of the conversation,’ says Lighthouse official This is the 39th 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. At the end of October,

‘There is potential for every individual we serve … and we consistently celebrate and give thanks’ This is the 37th 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. Thanksgiving is a time when we

This is the 36th 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. We often receive questions about the work we do at The Lighthouse. Today, we want to clarify two myths circulating in Orillia:

From January to August, 23% of those who accessed Lighthouse’s services were seniors, shelter officials say This is the 35th 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. Who do you picture when you