Recent News
Project s.t.e.p. Completes Fundraising Campaign for Local Youth Residential Drug Treatment Facilities
This morning, the 12 partners in project s.t.e.p. marked another major milestone with the completion of their fundraising efforts for two new youth residential drug treatment facilities in Ottawa. Ottawa Police Chief Vern White, champion for project s.t.e.p. since its launch in June of 2008, presented a $2.25 million cheque to the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre (DSYTC) in support of a brand new 30-bed facility in Ottawa's west end for Anglophone youth.
United Way Ottawa Raises Record $31.5 Million for Community as of Achievement Night
United Way Ottawa announced this evening the results to date of the 2011 community campaign – a record $31,529,000, the largest amount ever raised within the ten week campaign period. The 2011 campaign was launched on Thursday, September 22, with a goal to raise $33.5 million.
United Way Ottawa Recognizes Hydro Ottawa's Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Team With A Community Builder Award
United Way Ottawa presented a Community Builder Award today to Hydro Ottawa’s United Way Campaign Committee. This imaginative and dedicated team of volunteers have made their workplace United Way campaign one of the most successful campaigns in the city. Thanks to their leadership, and with the support of employee volunteers throughout the company, Hydro Ottawa is now the largest donor to the annual United Way Community Campaign among the more than 80 companies in the Construction, Manufacturing and Services sector.
Community Partners Launch New Initiative To Help Ottawa’s Children And Youth To Grow Up Great
Community partners from the public, private and non-profit sectors in Ottawa came together today to launch “Growing Up Great in Ottawa”, an initiative aimed at promoting the healthy development of children and youth from birth to young adulthood. Growing Up Great builds on the achievements of Success By 6™, a community-wide collaboration among 38 organizations. At the launch held at the National Arts Centre, the new Growing Up Great framework, a tool designed to guide and align the program and policy development of the people and organizations who work with and care for children and youth in our community, was also introduced.
Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign Raises $23.1 Million
November 24, 2011 at the National Gallery of Canada, hundreds of federal government employees and retirees assembled to celebrate that they have raised more than $23.1 million for the National Capital Region during the 2011 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). This exceeds this year’s goal of $23 million announced at the campaign launch at Rideau Hall on September 9th.
United Way Calls on Community for Continued Support at HalfWay Point in Campaign
October 27, 2011 at an event at Ottawa City Hall, United Way Ottawa announced that its community campaign has raised $16,884,000 or 50.4 per cent of its $33.5 million goal. The event marked the halfway point in the campaign, providing highlights of the work completed thus far and a look ahead at what needs to be accomplished in the remaining five weeks to reach the campaign goal.
United way and partners launch new initiative aimed at Increasing job opportunities for people with disabilities
United Way Ottawa, in partnership with 10 service provider and nine employer partners, launched the Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN) Ottawa and its Business Leadership Network. The EARN initiative was created to help address the need for increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities in this community.
United Way Ottawa Announces Goal of $33.5 Million for 2011 Community Campaign
This morning, more than 1000 community leaders and supporters were on hand at United Way Ottawa’s 2011 Community Campaign launch breakfast for the announcement of this year’s campaign goal – $33.5 million – the most ambitious goal in United Way’s history.
This afternoon at Rideau Hall, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, Mr. François Guimont, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and the 2011 National Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) Chair, along with hundreds of federal government employees and retirees, announced the 2011 GCWCC goal for the National Capital Region — an impressive $23 million.
United Way Ottawa and Hydro Ottawa announced today the twelve recipients of the Brighter Tomorrows Fund grants. The Brighter Tomorrows Fund, financed by Hydro Ottawa and administered by United Way Ottawa, provides grants to frontline agencies that serve people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to invest in energy-efficient technologies or products.
United Way Ottawa receives top marks for governance and transparency in annual charity rating
United Way Ottawa scored an "A+" for its governance and transparency practices from MoneySense in the magazine's second annual "Charity 100" ratings, which grade charities on how they perform compared to other charities in Canada. Most of the points in this category are based on a survey that MoneySense sends out to charities to assess how well a charity is managed and how accountable it is to donors.
Ottawa Neighbourhood Study only Canadian project awarded prestigious IBM Centennial Grant
The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, a collaborative research project of seven Ottawa-based organizations, announced today that it has been selected as one of only 11 projects worldwide to receive an IBM Centennial Grant. The study was also the only Canadian project selected out of the nearly 100 projects that applied for funding under this international competition designed to celebrate IBM’s 100th anniversary and to align with their smarter planet agenda. The grant includes $75,000 in funding as well as in-kind support of IT equipment. Throughout the coming year, a team of approximately 75 IBM employees will also volunteer their knowledge and skills to the project.
Maison Fraternité Breaks Ground on First Residential Drug Treatment Facility for Francophone Youth in Eastern Ontario
Project s.t.e.p. marked a major step forward today as Maison Fraternité broke ground on construction of a residential addiction treatment centre for Francophone youth. The first of its kind in Eastern Ontario, the centre will help young people conquer addictions through counselling, support and treatment on a 24/7 basis. To be housed in a new addition to Maison's Fraternité's existing facilities, the centre will open in late fall this year.
United Way Ottawa Strengthens Ability to Achieve Results
United Way Ottawa released the total profile of its 2011-2012 investments in the Ottawa community, detailing the funds allocated to agency programs in support of its priority goals and funding of community-wide initiatives and its research, convening, and advocacy work.
Young Canadians in Finance Ottawa raises money for United Way Ottawa
Young Canadians in Finance Ottawa, raised $9,100 Thursday night at a benefit gala in honour of United Way Ottawa. Wayne G. Wouters, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet and the first federal public servant to Chair the United Way campaign, gave a keynote address to the more than 125 people in attendance at a sold-out event the Lord Elgin Hotel.
United Way Recognizes Outstanding Contributions to our Community
United Way Ottawa presented Community Builder Awards to 11 outstanding organizations and individuals this evening at its annual Community Builder of the Year Gala, honouring the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club with the Community Builder of the Year Award for their many contributions to our community.
Max Keeping, CTV Ottawa's Community Ambassador, Named Chair of 2011 United Way Ottawa Campaign
United Way Ottawa announced today that Max Keeping, CTV Ottawa’s Community Ambassador, will be chair of the 2011 Community Campaign, one of Canada’s most successful United Way campaigns. He will lead the Campaign Cabinet, a team of dedicated business, government, institutional, labour and media leaders and help oversee the efforts of close to 14,000 volunteers.
United Way Ottawa Continues to Call on Community for Support
United Way Ottawa announced today that it has raised $32.3 million in its 2010 community campaign, up from the $31.4 million announced on December 2. With the 2010 campaign goal of $33.1 million still in sight, the organization is calling on community members who have yet to finalize their seasonal charitable giving decisions to consider supporting those in our community who are less fortunate.
United Way Ottawa Achieves Record-Breaking $31.4 Million for Community
United Way Ottawa announced this evening the results to date of the 2010 community campaign – $31,400,000. This total exceeds the $30.7 million announced at last year’s achievement event by $700,000. The success is a result of the efforts of close to 14,000 volunteers in hundreds of workplaces in Ottawa.
Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign exceeds goal, with promise of more to come
This evening at an achievement celebration at the National Gallery of Canada, federal employees and retirees announced that they raised $22,064,000 for the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) in the National Capital Region. This total surpasses the goal of $22 million announced at the campaign’s launch on September 9.
Kahoot.ca and OttawaKiosk.com team up to bring discounts to local shoppers - and support United Way Ottawa
Today marks the launch of a week-long opportunity for Ottawa consumers to benefit from great online deals — and support their community in the process. From Monday though Sunday...
Giant Tiger helps support United Way Ottawa
United Way is pleased to announce that Giant Tiger (GT), Canada’s family discount retailer, made a generous donation of $15,000 to the United Way Ottawa in support of OCRI’s School Breakfast Program, with the funding going to six schools in the Ottawa area. Students and teachers of Severn Avenue Public School recently celebrated the donation by hosting a cheque presentation with GT representatives.
Strong push needed as united way enters second half of campaign
United Way Ottawa announced today at an event at Ottawa’s City Hall that the campaign is moving in the right direction — but there is still work to be done to reach the $33.1 million goal. The event was held to mark the halfway point in the campaign, providing highlights of the work completed and a look ahead at what needs to be accomplished in the remaining five weeks. To date, the campaign has raised $16,749,000 or 50.6 per cent of the goal since its launch on September 23.
Ottawa Senators announce United Way Appreciation Nights at Scotiabank Place
The Ottawa Senators and United Way Ottawa announced today the launch of United Way Appreciation Nights at Scotiabank Place. The month-long promotion offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets and give back to their community at the same time.
Cost of maintaining status quo is greater than ending chronic homelessness.
Did you know that we taxpayers pay about five times more to maintain a problem rather than solve it? Beyond making poor financial sense, there is a human cost to consider because the problem we are maintaining is chronic homelessness.
United Way Ottawa unveils record community campaign goal for 2010
This morning at a breakfast event held at Lansdowne Park, in the company of more than 1,300 community leaders and supporters, United Way Ottawa announced its goal for the 2010 Community Campaign - $33.1 million.
Community gathers at United Way Ottawa's Sharing our Strengths Community Conference
More than 200 people attended United Way Ottawa’s 9th annual Sharing our Strengths Community Conference, held today at Ashbury College. The conference brought together volunteers and staff from across the social services sector, as well as other community and business leaders, to network, build skills, share strengths and discuss important issues facing the sector.
United Way Ottawa invests $28.6 million in our community and launches new brand
At its annual Community Investment Announcement this morning, United Way Ottawa announced a record $28.6 million investment in programs, services and initiatives that support people in this community. It also unveiled the evolution of its community development work, announcing its move to specific and defined strategies that will address priority community issues to achieve enduring, meaningful and measurable change in our community.
United Way Ottawa honours outstanding people and organizations at 2010 Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala
This evening, United Way Ottawa hosted its 10th annual Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala at the Westin Ottawa. More than 900 attended the event to celebrate the people, organizations, partnerships, agencies or neighbourhood groups that work tirelessly and passionately to make our community a better place.
United Way Ottawa announces final 2009 community campaign results of $32,581,690
United Way Ottawa announced the final results of its 2009 fundraising campaign at its annual general meeting this afternoon. Surpassing the $31.7 million goal, a record-setting $32,581,690 was raised thanks to the dedication and generosity of supporters throughout the community. At the meeting, United Way also welcomed new members to its board of directors and thanked the outgoing members who have invested their time and expertise into this community.
Hire Immigrants Ottawa honoured with Arthur Kroeger College Award
United Way Ottawa congratulates Hire Immigrants Ottawa (HIO), recent recipient of an Arthur Kroeger College Award for Public Affairs. HIO is being recognized for its work promoting the integration of skilled immigrants into the workforce and addressing systemic barriers by bringing together employers, immigrants, agencies and other stakeholders.
United Way Ottawa welcomes new Vice President of Community Services
United Way Ottawa is pleased to welcome a new addition to its senior management team. Diane Bilodeau had assumed the role of Vice President, Community Services, where she will be responsible for providing leadership in the development of results-based community development plans and initiatives, and overseeing the investment and stewardship of resources in community initiatives and frontline programs.
United Way Ottawa seeks Community Builder of the Year nominations
United Way Ottawa is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Community Builder of the Year Awards. For the past decade this award has been a way for United Way to recognize people, organizations, partnerships, community agencies and groups who work unassumingly and collaboratively to improve the lives of others and build a better and stronger community for all.
United Way Ottawa Honours 2009 Community Builders at Wall Of Inspiration Ceremony
Wednesday, February 10, 2010, Ottawa - United Way Ottawa honoured recipients of Community Builder Awards (CBA) in 2009 at the annual Wall of Inspiration luncheon. Mayor Larry O'Brien joined United Way volunteers and staff, to thank the individuals and organizations for their contributions to our community.
Full Lunch Boxes for Little Mouths
OTTAWA, December 14, 2009 - This morning, United Way Ottawa and The Grocery Foundation announced a new partnership to support Ottawa's most vulnerable children living in emergency family shelters. Lunch Box is a program that will give children the opportunity to prepare healthy lunches to bring to school and learn about the importance of a nutritious diet.
United Way Ottawa, Enbridge Gas Distribution and Hydro Ottawa reunite to support 2009-2010 Winter Warmth program
OTTAWA, December 3, 2009 - United Way Ottawa, Enbridge Gas Distribution and Hydro Ottawa today launched the 2009-2010 Winter Warmth program, providing financial assistance to low-income families and people finding it difficult to pay their natural gas and electricity bills.
United Way Ottawa achieves record-breaking $30.7 million for community
Wednesday, December 2, 2009, Ottawa - United Way Ottawa announced this evening the results to date of the 2009 community campaign — $30,763,000. This is the first time that more than $30 million has been raised by Achievement night. This total exceeds the $29.9 million announced at last year's achievement by $842,000. More than 500 United Way supporters, volunteers and donors attended the celebration at the Shenkman Arts Centre. The 2009 campaign was launched on September 23 with a goal of $31.7 million.
Lasting effect of economic downturn hurts Ottawa's most vulnerable; agencies see dramatic rise in demand for social services
New United Way Ottawa report reveals need is greater than ever
Wednesday, November 25, 2009, Ottawa - A survey of more than 100 of Ottawa's social service agencies shows a dramatic increase in the demand for services and programs as a result of the economic downturn in the city.
Thousands of thanks from United Way Ottawa on SENSational Friday
Friday, November 20, 2009, Ottawa - United Way Ottawa's Leadership Donors (individuals who contribute $1,000 or more to the campaign) hit Scotiabank Place today for the invitation-only annual SENSational Friday event. Leadership Donors are an important segment in United Way's campaign. In 2008, 7,414 Leadership Donors contributed more than $12 million.
Crunch time is now for United Way Ottawa Campaign
Thursday, November 12, 2009, Ottawa - There are less than three weeks remaining in the 2009 United Way Ottawa community campaign and a little more than 30 per cent of the goal left to achieve. United Way is entering the homestretch on the heels of a successful teleblitz effort - Click. Call. GIVE. - which raised $17,193 today.
United Way Ottawa primed and ready for the going to get tough
OTTAWA, October 29, 2009 - United Way Ottawa has reached the halfway point in the 2009 Community Campaign. In an event this evening at Ottawa City Hall, volunteers and staff convened to report on the progress of the campaign, share highlights and look ahead to the second half. Jamie McCracken, Director of Education and Secretary Treasurer of the Ottawa Catholic School Board, and United Way's campaign chair, announced that $16,579,100 or 52.3% of the $31.7 million goal has been raised since the September 23 launch.
Community Action Days launched by United Way Ottawa and Volunteer Ottawa
Wednesday, September 30, 2009, Ottawa - This morning, United Way Ottawa and Volunteer Ottawa launched a new volunteer opportunity with the first installment of Community Action Days. Replacing the traditional Day of Caring program, Community Action Days will offer four opportunities - throughout United Way Ottawa's community campaign - for workplace groups across the city to get out from behind their desk and volunteer with community organizations.
United Way Ottawa announces record community campaign goal for 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, Ottawa - Early this morning, at a breakfast event with more than 1,200 supporters, volunteers, donors and staff, United Way Ottawa announced its goal for the 2009 Community Campaign - $31.7 million.