Community Roundtables

On March 26th, 2025, United Way Northumberland and The Northumberland Community Legal Centre co-hosted Community Matters: Reducing Poverty in Northumberland at the Columbus Community Centre in Cobourg. It was more than just an event – it was a collective effort to understand poverty in Northumberland County and work toward meaningful change.

The morning began with panelists from various agencies sharing insights about their programs, the challenges they face, and the data that reflects the reality of poverty in Northumberland. These panelist presentations set the stage for the second part of the event: roundtable sessions where panelists, community leaders, and those with lived experience worked together to develop action plans. These plans will help guide United Way’s allocation strategy in 2025, ensuring that funding decisions are informed by both expertise and lived experience. 

Community roundtables like this are essential to the work we do. They provide a space where voices that need to be heard – those on the front lines, those most directly affected – can shape solutions. These conversations don’t just end when the event does; they move forward, influencing where resources are directed and how we can best serve our community. 

As we look ahead, our next roundtable will take place in May, continuing this critical dialogue. We invite the community to stay engaged, to lend their voices, and to be part of shaping the future of Northumberland. Because when we gather, when we listen, and when we act together, we create opportunities to move the needle forward in our community.