June 3, 2008, Ottawa – This morning, United Way/Centraide Ottawa, in partnership with the City of Ottawa and The 2016 Foundation, introduced the members of the recently-announced Leadership Table on Homelessness, an initiative that aims to address the issue of chronic homelessness in our city.
The Leadership Table on Homelessness, chaired by Janet Yale, Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs at TELUS, brings together representatives from community agencies and faith communities with business leaders and government officials - including Mayor Larry O’Brien and Chief of Police Vernon White.
Other members include:
- Michael Allen, United Way Ottawa
- Bernie Ashe, Kott Lumber
- Lorraine Bentley, Supportive Housing Network
- Dr. Robert Cushman, Champlain LHIN
- Jeffrey Dale, OCRI
- Kevin Dee, Eagle Professional Resources
- Peggy DuCharme, Downtown Rideau BIA
- Jim Durrell, Capital Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ltd.
- Howard Grant, Partnering and Procurement Inc.
- Stephen Greenberg, Osgoode Properties
- Lawrence Greenspon, Greenspon, Brown & Assoc.
- Steve Madely, CFRA
- Kevin McCrann, Shenkman Corporation
- The Very Rev. Shane Parker, Christ Church Cathedral
- Perry Rowe, Chair, Alliance to End Homelessness
- Jim Watson, MPP
- Shirley Westeinde, Westeinde Group
- Marion Wright, Canadian Mental Health Association
“I’m very excited about the plan we are developing to make a practical, lasting and demonstrable difference on the issue of chronic homelessness in our community,” says Janet Yale..
“The Leadership Table on Homelessness is to be commended for a vision that moves beyond simply funding good intentions and well-meaning programs to investing for impact in partnerships and alliances that will create measurable change in the lives of all Ottawans – housed and homeless alike,” said Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Mr. Mangano’s “Housing First” model to addressing homelessness is the driving force behind Ottawa’s Leadership Table on Homelessness, and to date has been adopted by over 300 cities in North America .
The Leadership Table is in the process of setting goals and forming a plan of action for the next five to 10 years. This plan will include housing targets, support services needed, increases in housing units, as well as a goal to involve all levels of government in a comprehensive strategy.
About United Way/Centraide Ottawa
United Way Ottawa’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a strong, healthy, safe, community for all. By bringing people together from all parts of our community to identify, develop and provide solutions to community needs, we promise that the donations we receive go where they are needed most. In 2008, United Way Ottawa made a record community investment to support more than 200 projects, programs and partnerships, in more than 100 community organizations.