United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario

Here in #Ottawa, our community is reeling from yet another femicide. Last week, Ontario United Ways sent a letter urging the provincial government to adopt Bill 173 and recognize intimate partner violence as an epidemic, urgently. We must prioritize the safety of women and gender-diverse people, and end the violence now. #EndGBV #ONPoli Our call to action: https://lnkd.in/gc5j2uYd

~1 in 5 Canadians aged 12+ reported that they needed help with their mental health in the past year, but 45% of those struggling felt their needs were unmet or only partially met. No one should suffer in silence. 💙 Although COVID-19 doesn’t affect our lives in the same way as it once did, many people are still dealing with the fallout from the isolation and anxiety of the last few years. For your neighbour, sibling, coworker—or even you—mental health struggles and illness can be worsened by crises or a stroke of bad luck. The rising cost of living, the loss of a loved one, an increase in caregiving responsibilities, or any other of life’s curveballs only add pressure for someone who is already struggling. Often, people experiencing the worst mental health also face barriers in getting help. When there aren’t enough places that feel safe, speak your language, or reflect your identity, it’s hard to know where to turn. Marginalized groups like Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ people, and those living in poverty are more likely to experience these challenges. 🤝Let’s work together to make a difference. 🤝 Make a donation today and support your community's mental health: https://lnkd.in/eT2_VyPU

We were so excited to honour CHEO's YouthNet as this year’s Community Builder of the Year award recipient! 🎊 It was a wonderful opportunity to come together with the YouthNet team and recognize their outstanding work in supporting youth #MentalHealth. Did you know ❓ Youth in our communities are still dealing with the fallout from the isolation and anxiety of the last few years. Many have experienced significant disruptions in their daily lives, from extended time away from friends and activities to shifts in their academic routines. This prolonged period of uncertainty has heightened feelings of loneliness and stress, making it challenging for them to connect with peers and seek the support they need. Community Builders often don’t get the credit they deserve, so this award highlights leaders dedicated to creating a healthier, safer environment for everyone. While there’s still much work ahead, it’s important to recognize the role organizations like YouthNet play in raising awareness and supporting youth. Thank you, Azure Urban Developments, for making our Community Builder of the Year Award celebration possible, Top Shelf Distillersfor providing cocktails and mocktails for the evening, and to Apollo Property Management, for supporting the event transportation for Osgoode Youth Association. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gib_GFCs

📍Ottawa & East Ontario are YOU ready for Novemburger? 🍔 We’re only a week out from the most delicious way you can make a local impact! Join us all November long as we come together around food and community to support those most in need. Where $2 from every #Novemburger sold goes to supporting meaningful local initiatives. With your help we can make sure kids have the mental health support they need to succeed, parents have the tools to look after their families, those struggling can have a roof over their head, and seniors have the support to feel less isolated. The best part? YOU HELP BY EATING BURGERS 🍔🍔🍔 So spread the buzz around town to your family, friends, and colleagues while devouring delicious burgers for a cause. All while supporting compassionate local businesses committed to doing good in our community ❤️ So be sure to get involved starting on November 1 and let the burger battle begin! Click here to learn more about Novemburger and all of our participating restaurants ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ehymU9sS

CHEO’s YouthNet is doing what I know youth across Canada are asking for: by-youth, for-youth mental health programs, workshops, and presentations in schools and places in community that youth already go. Last night, I got to be part of honouring this incredible organization with United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario’s most prestigious award, the Community Builder of the Year. In a room full of youth, adult allies, and community champions, we celebrated the hard, steadfast work of what YouthNet has proven for 30 years - that meaningful youth engagement and leadership, works, not as a checkbox, but as one of most effective ways to reach youth. Kudos to Lilli Green for representing YouthNet brilliantly, I know Fiona Cooligan would be proud!

Attended the annual breakfast for The Royal Mental Health Centre staff in Ottawa in support of their United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario workplace campaign! Such a great team, dedicated to showing their local love!

⭐ Attending the 21 Under 21 Awards hosted by Youth Ottawa was a true joy! Last night celebrated young leaders making BIG impacts in their communities. Getting to know these inspiring youth over the course of the past month who are so passionate, driven, and committed to creating local and global change fills my heart with happiness. Nothing makes me prouder to represent United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario at events like this, focusing on the exceptional youth shaping a brighter future. Many honorees have founded non-profits tackling issues from local food insecurity to international support for diaspora communities and families (pretty amazing, right)? You can read a bit about them here: https://lnkd.in/eAYWswyZ WAY TO GO ❤️ et MERCI BEAUCOUP 💙 to all the deserving award winners recognized for their incredible achievements! It has been a privilege getting to know these extraordinary individuals through our partnership with Youth Ottawa. I am confident that the future is bright, with support that continues to be well-researched, impactful, and inclusive ✨ And a big shoutout to our friends Jesse Card, Adam B. Halawa, Stefania Sterling at Youth Ottawa for their tireless efforts in empowering local youth and providing platforms for them to thrive and support others in remarkable ways! ❤️💙 CC: The compassionate UWEO squad Serena Sodhi, Emily G. Sebesta, Trisha Islam, Lorena Costa

Celebrating the power of volunteering tonight at Volunteer Ottawa's VOscars 2024 Award Gala. Congratulations to all of the well-deserving nominees and winners who make a difference everyday in our community. My colleague Henry Akanko from United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario presented the Pathways to Possibilities Award to Foodsharing Ottawa - thank you for all that you do. A great night filled with old friends and colleagues, new connections and the reminder that we each can play a role to enrich our communities by giving of our time, our energy and our spirit.

I had the pleasure of attending the CRC Rideau-Rockcliffe CRC's Harvest Fest. It was a fantastic event celebrating the contributions of volunteers, donors, and supporters who help make the community thrive. I enjoyed connecting with Sebastian Gaissert, Executive Director of Rideau-Rockcliffe CRC, and Micheline Delorme, President of the Board during the festivities. We had engaging conversations about the state of food security and it was inspiring to see their dedication to fostering community resilience especially through initiatives like the new Sensory Garden, the Indoor Urban Farm, and the Chez-13 Community Kitchen. Thank you to the amazing team at Rideau-Rockcliffe CRC for inviting me and United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario to celebrate this great event and for your continuous efforts in building a stronger, more inclusive community.

🏆 This is CHEO's YouthNet, our 2024 Community Builder of the Year award recipient! Their commitment to creating safe spaces for youth not only empowers young people to share their experiences and connect with one another, but also ensures that youth voices are heard in important discussions about #MentalHealth. Let’s congratulate YouthNet for their dedication to youth and our community. 🎉 Want to learn more about the inspiring work behind this award? Read our blog for a behind-the-scenes look at our award ceremony and learn more about YouthNet: https://lnkd.in/gib_GFCs