COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community Development is a process whereby community members come together to take collective action and find solutions to common problems. It pays particular attention to community members who face barriers and are at risk. It fosters collaboration to respond to local needs and basic rights such as:

  • Access to housing
  • Food security
  • Health and well being
  • Democratic process

To learn more about Community Development, please see the Guiding Principles for Community Development Practice.

CITY FOR ALL WOMEN INITIATIVE (CAWI)

The City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) is a unique collaboration of women from diverse communities, organizations, and academia, working with municipal decision-makers to create a more inclusive city and promote gender equality.

Every year we advocate for budget priorities that reflect the needs of community members and which, if followed, would increase equity for those who are marginalized in our City, including women and gender diverse individuals, disabled individuals, newcomers to Canada, Indigenous and Black people and people of colour, and those living on low incomes.

The Transit Therapy Line

From input to advocacy!

In response to OC Transpo’s New Ways to Bus, we have launched CAWI’s Transit Therapy Line, a community survey to gather feedback on the ridership experience of taking public transit, given the recent route changes! Disclaimer: This is not actually therapy, but it is an opportunity to share about your experience riding transit – we are here for the good and the bad! 

The Transit Therapy Line will: 

  • Provide an opportunity to share the good and bad of your daily transit experience in light of the recent changes
  • Raise our collective voice to advocate for improved public transit across the system
  • Advocate for a Caring City

Take their community-led feedback survey.

To find out more about the organization and their events, click here.

RETHINKING COMMUNITY SAFETY IN OTTAWA

In the wake of growing concerns in Canada and across North America about anti-Black racism, anti-Indigeneity, members of the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa (CCHRC) released the report, Rethinking Community Safety in Ottawa (pdf) 

The report looks at how effectively and efficiently policing is meeting community needs and producing outcomes that actually keep Ottawa safer. It also proposes how alternatives focused on support, not enforcement, can better meet those needs. Where policing is not proving to be an effective tool to produce greater safety, the report looks at other jurisdictions to see what alternatives are effective elsewhere. And, looks at Ottawa’s own capacities to see where we have the tools, and ready opportunities, to do better. The report offers clear options for city investments that can produce better outcomes for Ottawa than ongoing increases to the police budget.

Here is the press conference link:  https://www.facebook.com/CentretownCHC/videos/4720640437986011

INDIGENOUS BEADING SESSIONS

Do you want to connect with your Indigenous roots?  Beading is a great way to practice our ancestral art form.  Beading heals, teaches patience and perseverance. Beading is medicine.

  • Weekly sessions offered by Indigenous Roots Orleans.
  • All skill levels welcome! Beginner to Advanced.

FREE | BI-WEEKLY | VIA ZOOM | ENGLISH ONLY

  • Beading is Medicine – Online
  • Every other Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Free supply kits available for pick-up in Orléans or you can use your own supplies.
  • Adults and youth (with parental assistance)

FREE | WEEKLY | IN-PERSON | ENGLISH ONLY

  • Beading is Medicine – In-person
  • Every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Free supplies on-site or you can use your own supplies
  • Adults and youth* (with parental assistance)
    • Parents must remain on-site with their children.*

For more information, check the events tab on Indigenous Roots Orleans’ Facebook page or email IndigenousRootsOttawa@gmail.com.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP

Join our free English Conversation Group to practice speaking in English in a relaxed and friendly environment. All levels are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Carole Ouellette or call 613-830-4357 ext. 306.

FREE | WEEKLY | IN-PERSON

  • Every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

GREEN THUMB COMMUNITY GARDEN

Two raised garden beds were installed on the land behind St Helen’s Anglican Church at 1234 Preston Dr., last fall.  This summer we will start gardening!

All the vegetables and herbs from this communal garden will be donated to the OCCRC Food Bank.

The garden will also be an opportunity for residents to come together, cultivate friendships, and learn about gardening. For more information.

If you wish to volunteer in the production of fresh produce for our food bank, or participate in the learning activities contact Carole Ouellette by email or 613-830-4357 ext. 306.

HARM-REDUCTION

Harm-reduction

NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION SITE

  • Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 
  • You can come to the Centre to get a nasal kit (max 2 kits per visit).
  • No ID, name or contact information required to receive a kit.
  • A quick information session with an Intake Worker is required before receiving the kit.
  • For more information, contact the Centre at 613-830-4357.

If you are interested in community engagement, contact Carole at 613-830-4357, ext. 306.

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