United Way/Centraide Ottawa plays a key role in bringing the whole community together to change lives.

How do we do this? First, we identified six impact areas where we focus much of our attention and support. Second, with the impact areas as a strategic focus, we support and invest in:

• frontline programs, projects and partnerships — close to 200 in 2008
• projects by and for youth that have been reviewed and recommended by our Youth Action Panel;
• a special initiative focused on the aboriginal community in Ottawa
• partnerships with a wide range of organizations and groups in our community;
• community-wide initiatives that take a collaborative approach to address root causes and find solutions to pressing community issues; and
• an annual community campaign to raise the funds we need to invest in our community and to engage individuals and organizations to get involved in our community-building efforts.

Our deep knowledge of the community, our proven track record for building productive partnerships and our grounding in the latest research mean that United Way/Centraide Ottawa is in a unique position to bring our community together around current and emerging challenges and opportunities.

Our annual reports provide a glimpse into the over-arching work that we have accomplished in previous years.

Our Impact Areas

In 2001, we identified six key impact areas for investment. In each of these areas, we strive to make a measurable difference by working strategically at the local level, with the assistance of community partners, including members of our Community Services Cabinet and our Community Impact Councils. We do this by: investing in close to 200 frontline programs, services and projects provided by local agencies; and by aligning our work with community-level outcomes that are designed to result in real change for individuals and the community as a whole.

Our six impact areas are:

Our Community-Wide and Special Initiatives

We strive to make a measurable difference by working strategically at the local level, with the help of our community partners. Although we continue to invest in programs, projects and services that support our six impact areas, more and more, we are aligning our work with community-level outcomes that are designed to result in real change for individuals and the community as a whole.

Consequently, increased focus is on underlying causes and on influencing public policy and attitudes about important issues in the community. By applying a strategic policy lens to our work, we are able to achieve real change at the local level.

Currently, United Way/Centraide is involved in 13 community-wide partnerships and initiatives as a result of the deeper understanding we have of the community as a whole and through the ties we continue to forge with individuals and organizations.

Read more about our community-wide and special initiatives such as:

• Initiatives that promote healthy development for Children and Youth
• Initiatives that reduce isolation and enhance the quality of life of Seniors
• Initiatives that strengthen Individuals and Families in times of need and crisis
• Initiatives that reduce barriers and increase participation for People with Disabilities
• Initiatives that reduce barriers and increase engagement for New Canadians and Immigrants
• Initiatives that strengthen Agency, Neighbourhood and Community Capacity
• Aboriginal Initiative