Table of Contents
- Building future leaders in the Rochester Heights community
- Campaign 2009: Let’s keep up the momentum
- Shop ‘Til You Drop…and Give Back to Your Community
- Celebrate AccessAbility Day on December 2
- Thanks to our sponsors
Building future leaders in the Rochester Heights community
Giving kids lots of great opportunities is what it’s all about at a new satellite program for children and youth in the Rochester Heights community.
After school, they get to take part in recreation, games and sports activities, do arts and crafts, go out on special outings and even enjoy a weekly movie night. A daily homework club, reading club and arts programming such as drama and visual arts help to reduce school absenteeism and contribute to better grades.
“Having the program in this neighbourhood has opened up a wealth of opportunities for the children,” says Fauza Mohamed, coordinator of Rochester Heights Community House. “We’ll be able to provide high-quality, barrier-free education to the kids, help them gain confidence and learn leadership skills.”
The Rochester Heights program, which was launched by the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa on October 15, is geared to children and youth between the ages of six and 12 and is being held at Cambridge Street Community Public School.
United Way Ottawa’s targeted community investment work — which is the latest example of bringing people and resources together to build a stronger community — led to United Way applying to TELUS for a community investment grant. The application was successful, with TELUS providing $50,000. The Boys and Girls Club leveraged an additional $78,200 over two years from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Other partner groups convened by United Way include the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Somerset West Community Health Centre and Rochester Heights Community House.
“United Way is proud of the role that we play with our community partners,” says Peggy Austen, Senior Director of Community Services. “After-school programs like this really help children reach their full potential.”
Campaign 2009: Let’s keep up the momentum
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
While campaign chair Jamie McCracken’s words didn’t exactly copy this well-known phrase, the message behind his statement certainly did.
At the halfway mark, the 10-week campaign has progressed steadily, with 52.3 per cent — or $16,579,100 of the $31.7 million goal — raised.
The success of the first half of the campaign clearly demonstrates that people in the community are inspired by the theme Rediscover Community and “are filled with the spirit of giving,” says Jamie, who has seen first-hand that people in our community understand the great need that exists.
But the second half of any campaign is always the toughest. “The momentum of early campaign days typically slows during the second half,” explains Jamie. “The people who this campaign helps — from the chronically homeless who are breaking the cycle with help from the Leadership Table on Homelessness, to the seniors living independently at home longer because of support from the Affordable Supportive Housing Framework — cannot afford to have that momentum wane.”
The campaign wraps up on December 2. If you haven’t already donated, you can do so online.
Shop ‘Til You Drop…and Give Back to Your Community
For all of you shoppers out there, you can now shop to your heart’s content and give back to your community at the same time. That’s a deal!
Check out all the amazing retailers that are partnering with United Way to build our community. Every dollar you spend with them means a percentage goes back to us to support hundreds of programs, services and initiatives that help thousands of people in our city. Now that’s an even better deal!
Take a look through the list now. We’re sure you’ll find some of your favourites here
Antonio Hair Design
Donating 20% of sales from all new clients until Dec 2.
Couvrette Studio
Until December 30, Couvrette Studio will donate their sitting fee for any family, pet or engagement studio portrait to United Way Ottawa.
ER Fisher
Donating $5 from every tie sold for the campaign until Dec 2.
Lee Valley Tools
Donates all proceeds from their seminars and calendar sales to United Ways across the country
Recycle Frog
A Recycle Frog Gold Drive™ is a simple, innovative fundraising campaign unlike anything you’ve seen! It gives individuals, employees and their families an opportunity to get paid to recycle their unworn or broken gold jewellery with a portion of the proceeds going to support the United Way’s fundraising efforts.
Royal Oak
On Wednesday, November 18 at 6 PM, come on out to Royal Oak at 188 Bank Street for a Wild West themed Ribfest! Tickets are $30 each and include a three course meal, wine, and a chance to bid on some great prizes at the auction. To reserve tickets, call 613-232-1057.
Celebrate AccessAbility Day on December 2
United Way Ottawa and the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability have partnered with the City of Ottawa to present the sixth annual AccessAbility Day on December 2. Activities and training sessions geared to residents, agencies and businesses will showcase the services available in Ottawa for people with disabilities and highlight new provincial legislation concerning customer service standards.
In addition to exploring the requirements outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), participants will be made aware of the business case for adopting inclusionary practices in workplaces and public spaces. By promoting the development, implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards, the AODA’s objective is to achieve a barrier-free society for Ontarians with disabilities by 2025.
Admission is free. Participants must pre-register by November 18 by calling the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1, TTY 613-580-02401. For more information, visit ottawa.ca.
Thanks to our sponsors
Are you looking for additional marketing and visibility while benefiting your community? You can do this by sponsoring an event with United Way Ottawa. Our sponsors tell us that these opportunities offer them a chance to give back to the community — as well as strengthen their reputation and help build their business.
This year’s newest corporate sponsors include Alterna Savings in association with FSNA (the National Association of Federal Retirees), Ashbury College, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, DoGood, GEM Health Care Services, KPMG, Pepsi Bottling Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rainbow Cinemas, RIM and Zip.ca.
Thanks to all our sponsors for getting involved in your community!
If your company is interested in becoming a United Way sponsor, contact sponsor@unitedwayottawa.ca to discuss the many opportunities available.