Starting in Our Backyards: ARUs and the Bigger Picture

In April 2026, author Maggie Helwig joined us at One City for a conversation about her book, Encampment, which explores her lifelong activism and her fight to keep her churchyard open to people in need of a home.In this podcast episode, Auden Palmer interviews Maggie about her book, followed by questions from the audience. This episode was recorded live at the event.Maggie Helwig (she/they) is a white settler in Tkaronto/Toronto, and is the author of fifteen books and chapbooks, including Encampment: Resistance, Grace, and an Unhoused Community, which was awarded the 2025 Toronto Book Award, and Girls Fall Down (Coach House Books, 2008), which was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award and chosen as the One Book Toronto in 2012. Helwig is a long-time social justice activist, and also an Anglican priest, and has been the rector of the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields since 2012 (excerpt from Indigo.com)

On this episode, the leadership team at One City (Tammy Kuehne, Auden Palmer and Michael Vanderherberg) discuss the process and impact of developing Additional Residential Units (ARUs) for folks coming out of homelessness in our community.

Welcome back to Community Records! Jewelz Elliot, a One City staff member, shares with us her experience and perspectives on homelessness, addictions, recovery, and connection. This episode was recorded in the Fall of 2025.

On this episode of Community Records, we speak with Peter Boullata, a Palestinian-Canadian and minister at the Unitarian Fellowship in Peterborough. Our conversation explores the ongoing genocide in Palestine.CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of genocide and the deaths of children, which may be distressing to some listeners. Please take care when listening.

In this episode, we interview Jana Dodds as she shares her personal story of lived experience with substance use and homelessness. Jana discusses how she now supports people in our community while completing her Masters of Social Work and offers insights into how we can better support those experiencing homelessness and addiction.

On this special episode of Community Records, we interview Collin Chepeka and Naomi Nichols from the Research for Social Change Lab at Trent University to discuss the topic of housing and homelessness in the upcoming federal election. DISCLAIMER: One City Peterborough is a non-partisan organization. The information shared reflects one perspective on the parties' platforms to date. We encourage you to explore and research all party platforms to make an informed decision.On April 9th, One City Peterborough, the Research for Social Change Lab and United Way Peterborough & District hosted a Debate on Housing and Homelessness with the Peterborough candidates. Check out the resources below to learn more about what came from this debate. 1. Transcript with Fact Checks2. Summary of Candidates' Responses3. YouTube Recording of the Debate

In this episode, we speak with Shannon Culkeen, a local registered nurse specializing in addiction medicine. She shares her experiences working with community members affected by addiction and offers insights into current treatment models and harm reduction practices.Clarification from Shannon: During this podcast, Shannon sometimes uses the blanket term "opioids" when she is discussing drugs procured from the street or safer supply programs. But in clinical drug treatment programs, opioids often play a vital role: Methadone is an opioid, and so is Kadian (long-acting morphine).  Other medications, like buprenorphine, bind partially to opioid receptors.  In real life, our views of what makes a drug "illicit" vs therapeutic are never as simple as naming a single class of drugs. Keep learning!

On this episode, we speak with Tori Silvera, owner of Wild Rock in downtown Peterborough. She shares her experiences as a downtown business owner and how her business has adapted to challenges in our community over the past few years.

In today’s episode, we welcome special guest Paul Armstrong, author of United Way Peterborough’s annual Housing is Fundamental Report. We explore the latest findings and take a closer look at how housing in our community has evolved over the years.Link to 2024 "Housing is Fundamental" Report

In today’s episode, Christian Harvey, Tammy Kuehne, and Auden Palmer discuss the challenges facing community members in Peterborough. They explore the realities observed at the Trinity Community Centre, the broader impacts on the community, and how One City Peterborough is responding to these issues.