United Way Ottawa

#TBT: 1970 Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis for United Way

jstjames — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:16:09 +0000

Language English

Thursday, June 11, 2015

It’s #TBT and we’re looking back at the United Way of 1970. Watch this video of former Ontario NDP leader, Stephen Lewis, as he explains the relationship between government and United Way at the time.

While a lot has changed since 1970, United Way Ottawa continues to fund a variety of social services and strives to grow our community impact with each passing year.

Through research and in consultation with our community, the United Way Ottawa of today is working to achieve 10 priority goals in three Focus Areas, together with a tenth goal of strengthening the capacity of Ottawa’s social service sector.

Be a hero. Change someone's life.

Home Page Excerpt:

How United Way helps seniors feel connected to their community

jstjames — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:18:51 +0000

Language English

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

June marks the 31^st annual Seniors’ Month – a month celebrating seniors and recognizing the numerous contributions they make to our communities. Today, we’re sharing Elizabeth’s story.

With no family close by and with limited access to physical and social recreation, Elizabeth felt isolated. She could never have imagined how United Way Ottawa’s partner, the Olde Forge, would change her life for the better.

Thanks to this United Way-funded program, Elizabeth has made new friendships andhas a busy social calendar and an outlet for physical activity.

United Way Ottawa is proud to partner with 18 agencies that help seniors in Ottawa maintain their independence and stay active in the community. Last year, nearly 5,000 seniors in Ottawa were helped through United Way funding.

Be a hero. Change someone's life.

Home Page Excerpt:

June marks the 31^st annual Seniors’ Month – a month celebrating seniors and recognizing the numerous contributions they make to our communities. Today, we’re sharing Elizabeth’s story.

Using Community Data to Build a Better Ottawa

jstjames — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 16:38:02 +0000

Language English

Monday, June 8, 2015

“Where we once inferred, we now know. Where we once interpolated and extrapolated, we can now determine.” – Sam Palmisano, former Chairman IBM, 2010

Since 2005, the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study (ONS) has evolved into a diverse team of researchers and investigators forged through community partnerships with leading organizations and institutions, including the City of Ottawa, the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and United Way Ottawa. In what began as an academic study on the relationship between where we live and how we live, today the ONS is capable of painting a unique picture of each neighbourhood in Ottawa. With interactive mapping and comprehensive charts, the ONS can highlight potential issues of need, such as the areas in which immigrants are settling, the areas that are home to the highest number of seniors, and the areas in which poverty is becoming a growing issue.

Over the years, the ONS partners have assembled a dynamic collection of more than 150 different data sets using information from census reports, open data initiatives from the City of Ottawa, and independent social data sources, among others.

ONS collects and analyzes data on all aspects of neighbourhoods, including health, household size, transportation use, crime, access to key services, education, and more. This data is integral to informing strategic growth in Ottawa, as it allows us as a city to better predict each communities’ unique needs and better plan for the future to ensure our city is meeting the needs of its diverse residents. The data presented by ONS provides a strong foundation of research to identify issues in our communities, which we can then use to inform key decision makers and build a better, stronger city.

ONS data is already being used by many local organizations and initiatives to inform their decisions and efforts.

The City of Ottawa uses ONS’ data to support their Neighbourhood Connections program. Ottawa’s Community Health and Resource Centres (CHRCs) and Champlain LHIN also use ONS’ data for strategic planning, health planning (gaps in service relative to need), and community engagement. Some other organizations using ONS’ data include Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa’s Citizen’s Academy, and Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).

United Way Ottawa uses ONS data to better inform our neighbourhood-specific efforts, determining where to invest and support community building projects, and to measure the impact of those investments.

Customized social data, like those provided by ONS, allow for more informed discussions around a city’s top priorities and the proper allocation of public resources. More targeted and coordinated community planning will help propel the communities of Ottawa to be the best they can be for present and future generations.

To learn more about your community and the efforts undertaken by ONS, visit their website: www.neighbourhoodstudy.ca

Home Page Excerpt:

“Where we once inferred, we now know. Where we once interpolated and extrapolated, we can now determine.” – Sam Palmisano, former Chairman IBM, 2010

Protecting Aboriginal language and culture

adion — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 19:35:46 +0000

Language English

Friday, June 5, 2015

The residential schools system marks a dark period in Canada’s history. This week, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that Canada's residential schools amounted to "cultural genocide" of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. This announcement was made on Tuesday as part of a report detailing 94 recommendations.

Among the recommendations was a call to develop culturally appropriate curricula and protect the rights of Aboriginal languages. While there still remains a lot of work to be done in our community, United Way is proud to partner with aboriginal organizations like Wabano Health Centre, Minwaashin Lodge, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and the Ottawa Inuit Children Centre who promote aboriginal culture in Ottawa.

Sabrina and Jasmine are two Inuk women who coordinate a unique after-school program offered to Inuit children, provided by the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre and supported by United Way. The program provides a safe and fun learning environment for children, including traditional Inuit cultural activities and games that promote Inuit culture.

While these programs are making an impact on many in our community, we know there is still work to be done from the entire community. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions in the comment box about how we, as a community, can preserve the language and culture of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Home Page Excerpt:

#TBT: Pierre Elliott Trudeau for United Way

jstjames — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 15:34:14 +0000

Language English

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Today we’re throwing it back to 1977 with a video from our United Way archive.

Watch former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau explain how United Way connects Canadians of all ages and all walks of life

Be a hero. Change someone's life.

Home Page Excerpt:

Today we’re throwing it back to 1977 with a video from our United Way archive.

Watch former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau explain how United Way connects Canadians of all ages and all walks of life.

Two heroes, one community

asharif — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:19:58 +0000

Language English

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Ottawa is filled with everyday heroes who work behind the scenes to make our city a better place to live and work. On Wednesday, May 27, we recognized everyday heroes Melanie Fulop and Larry Hill for their remarkable contributions to the community by surprising them with Community Builder Awards.

Melanie Fulop

Melanie has been a volunteer in Ottawa for several years. She has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross as a First Aid Services Team (FAST) volunteer, United Way Ottawa as a Speaker’s Bureau volunteer and has been the chair of membership for the Association of Fundraising Professionals for almost two years. At United Way she’s known as the “super volunteer” as she is always ready and happy to help when she is needed. Melanie has also mentored other speakers for the Speaker’s Bureau to give them pointers and motivate them to do their best. All of her colleagues will tell you that she’s extremely committed to her work and always puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Special thank you to Derick Fage for presenting his first Community Builder Award!

Larry Hill

As well as being a former Deputy Police Chief, Larry was an original member of the Britannia Woods Community Houses Board of Directors. He has worked alongside residents of Britannia Woods to ensure community programs and services were community driven and delivered with integrity. Whether he is working with the low-income, immigrant, homeless, LGBTQ or aboriginal community, Larry exudes an accepting, non-judgmental, respectful and trusting attitude. With all of his experience, knowledge and influence, he instills confidence in the people he works beside. Larry has always gone above and beyond to help people in any way he can and is a community leader to many.

Know an everyday hero in your community? Nominate them for Community Builder Award!

Home Page Excerpt:

National Access Awareness Week: Learn about EARN

bkeegan — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:07:53 +0000

Language English

Monday, June 1, 2015

National Access Awareness Week (May 31 to June 6) was established in 1988 in response to a request from Rick Hansen following his Man in Motion World Tour. Its aim is to bring together, in a spirit of partnership, people with disabilities, organizations who serve them, business, labour and governments to affect meaningful changes in the daily living of people with disabilities.

In honour of National Access Awareness Week, United Way Ottawa is highlighting the work of the Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN) and the initiatives ongoing work to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to find meaningful employment in Ottawa.

Read our post about this unique initiative.

Only 43% of people living with disabilities in Ottawa participate in the labour market, compared to 70% of the general population. A 2014 Statistics Canada study put the workforce participation rate of Canadians with disabilities at 49%; evidence that the rate of employment in Ottawa is lower than the national average. This rate is also lower than the rate of employment amongst Ontarians with disabilities (49.5%).

In recognition of the disproportionately high rate of unemployment in Ottawa amongst people with disabilities, United Way Ottawa along with community partners took a proactive approach to address this imbalance and to promote the business case for hiring people with disabilities. As part of this work, with the support of local stakeholders, the Employment Accessibility Resource Network (EARN) was established in 2010.

EARN is a community initiative that brings together employers, service providers who work directly with job seekers with disabilities, and other interested community partners. EARN’s mission is to increase meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities and its members adhere to guiding principles which promote meaningful work for meaningful pay. The network aims to provide a coordinated point of access for successful job matching, education, and expertise on employment and workplace accommodation for people who have a disability.

By providing opportunities for partnerships, education, and access to qualified job seekers with disabilities, EARN is working to break-down stereotypes about hiring people with disabilities and to increase awareness about the talents of people with disabilities. EARN is also making the business case that hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense. For example, many employers do not know that the absenteeism rate of people with disabilities is lower that their non-disabled counterparts and that most accommodations for employees who require them cost less than $500.00.

EARN’s vision is that more workplaces in the Ottawa community are inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities as a result of the proactive impact of this initiative. The greater the network grows, the stronger will be its voice to reduce barriers to employment for people with disabilities. As more employers become involved with EARN, there will be greater awareness of the talent of people with disabilities.

Studies show that employers who hire people with disabilities report happier, more productive workplaces overall. Further, 90% of people with disabilities rated average or better on job performance overall and staff retention amongst employees with disabilities is 72% higher than their co-workers without disabilities.

In April, more than 100 people participated in the Employment Accessibility Resource Network’s conference. Entitled Championing Inclusive Workplaces: A Commitment to Action, the conference included a series of interviews and presentations by leading Canadian organizations who are championing inclusive workplaces through their everyday practices. Individuals with disabilities also shared their successes and challenges as it relates to their experiences with employment and how employers can create inclusive environments for all.

The EARN conference is an opportunity for workplaces, service providers and community members to learn from each other about the benefits and business case for hiring people with disabilities.

If you missed the conference and want to learn more about EARN, please contact Kelly Mertl at kmertl@unitedwayottawa.ca. Find us on LinkedIn and join to receive up-to-date information about EARN events and activities.

Get involved as part of National Access Awareness Week and help make a difference in the lives of people with disability in our community.

Home Page Excerpt:

Read our post about this unique initiative.

Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala recognizes extraordinary community heroes

jstjames — Fri, 29 May 2015 18:16:37 +0000

Language English

Friday, May 29, 2015

View the story "Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala recognizes extraordinary community heroes" on Storify

Home Page Excerpt:

United Way staff and GenNext Cabinet volunteers were surrounded by change makers at a packed event at the Shaw Centre on May 28:

Ottawa’s #uwHeroes honoured at 2015 Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala

jstjames — Fri, 29 May 2015 16:21:08 +0000

Language English

Friday, May 29, 2015

Ottawa’s community heroes were out in full force last night at the 2015 Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala – an annual event hosted by United Way Ottawa to honour the people and organizations that make our city great.

Ottawa Senators General Manager was presented with the Community Builder of the Year Award on behalf of Mayor Jim Watson and local hero, Jonathan Pitre, who has experienced first-hand Murray’s charitable spirit and generous nature.

Other award recipients included Dress for Success Ottawa, Esri Canada, CSIS, Nancy MacNider of St. Mary’s Home, Cindy Simpson of Youville Centre and the Alliance to End Homelessness and Chief Charles Bordeleau, who received the Ambassador of the Year Award.

As part of a special fundraising initiative, gala attendees were asked to support the Summer Achievement Gap – a program that helps economically disadvantaged children in Russell Heights to retain their literacy and numeracy skills throughout the summer months.

Almost $14,000 was raised to support the cause. If you missed last night’s gala, you can still help kids in Ottawa Grow Up Great:

DONATE NOW

A special thanks to Scotiabank, our presenting sponsor.

Home Page Excerpt:

Community builders are an essential part of any successful city - Mayor Jim Watson

jstjames — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:01:49 +0000

Language English

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Mayor Jim Watson

Tomorrow night, a great many of us will convene at the Shaw Centre for United Way Ottawa’s annual Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala. It is an event not to be missed and is on many people’s agenda, including mine. It represents an opportunity to celebrate what really matters to us as a City.

Tomorrow we have the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of mentors, volunteers, coaches, philanthropists, advocates, educators and organizations who strive in their own ways to make our community a better place. Every one of them represents an outstanding contribution of community leadership and without them, and others like them, Ottawa would not be the same.

I am very proud to say our City is in a moment of tremendous growth – notably the building our city’s first LRT system. I am certain that as we grow, we must we continue to build on the intangible parts of our community’s infrastructure – things like kindness, generosity, service to others, and helping others succeed. These are the things that give our day-to-day lives meaning. These are the things that we must hold tight, we must encourage, and we must celebrate because they are what makes Ottawa truly great.

Tomorrow night, United Way Ottawa will tell the inspiring stories of just a few of these local community builders. I look forward to seeing you there.

United Way Ottawa

#TBT: 1970 Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis for United Way

Be a hero. Change someone's life.

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

How United Way helps seniors feel connected to their community

Be a hero. Change someone's life.

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

Using Community Data to Build a Better Ottawa

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

Protecting Aboriginal language and culture

Home Page Excerpt:

#TBT: Pierre Elliott Trudeau for United Way

Be a hero. Change someone's life.

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

Two heroes, one community

Home Page Excerpt:

National Access Awareness Week: Learn about EARN

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala recognizes extraordinary community heroes

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

Ottawa’s #uwHeroes honoured at 2015 Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt:

Community builders are an essential part of any successful city - Mayor Jim Watson

Tags:

Home Page Excerpt: