2014-2015 Report to our Community Message from the Board On behalf of Thanks to your support, you changed United Way’s Board thousands of lives in 2014-15 and for of Directors, I’m that our community is grateful. Your pleased to present gift to United Way made a lasting you with the 2014- difference in the lives of people right 15 annual report. here in Ottawa. This is our opportu- As a result of this campaign, we will help nity to report back change the lives of 57,000 people in our to you – our com- community over the coming year – munity – about what we have achieved a phenomenal achievement. through the contributions made pos- sible by the generosity of thousands of Everyone at United Way – our volun- donors in this city. teers, partners, donors, employees and other supporters – are commit- Through your support, United Way’s ted to building an organization the work can be seen in all 107 neigh- people in Ottawa who need it most. bourhoods across Ottawa. The funds To do this, we collaborate closely with invested go directly to help some of front-line agencies, governments and cities most vulnerable people including other funders. We focus our efforts at-risk children and youth, seniors, new in evidence-based solutions proven to Canadians and people with disabilities, change lives and to make a lasting as well as people facing crises, mental difference in improving our society. health and addiction issues and youth who are homeless. In this Annual Report, we give you a closer look at the people whose lives Our 2014-15 campaign reminded have been changed by United Way’s donors that they don’t need a phone acts of compassion, dedication and booth and a cape to be a hero. In an era support. These are heroic acts that are of self-promotion and selfies, today’s changing lives. hero just needs the courage to be selfless and to give. Together, we are improving lives every day. We are building a stronger, safer This year, we challenged Ottawa to and healthier community. We are creat- think of the young man who lives on the ing one Ottawa that is great for everyone street, the child who has nowhere to go who calls our nation’s capital home. after school, the woman with a disability who needs help finding work – and to Sincerely, put their dollars to work where they are needed most and where they will have the greatest impact. Through our research, we know where the greatest need exists and how to invest donor dollars locally to have the Frank Bilodeau greatest impact to the health of our city. Chair We called on the community to be a hero and help change someone’s life. 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 2 Heroes are all around us Heroes come from all walks of life – be it a donor, a front-line worker, a volunteer. They give back, speak up and take action to help create lasting change in our community. Here are some of the heroes that helped make 2014-15 such a success. GROWING UP GREAT George Gaty, CEO of Andridge, an Ottawa-based real estate investment company, has committed $138,000 over three years to support a newly enhanced homework club for kids in the Sandy Hill and Strathcona neighbourhood. BELONGING TO COMMUNITY Our investment in stronger neighbourhoods has helped more than 10,000 residents take on active community roles and together they have volunteered a total of 17,000 hours in their communities. Guy Clairoux helped his community by helping to build stronger, safer neighbourhood for all. A hero in the eyes of his community, Guy has come a long way from his past. Watch Guy’s story to learn more: 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 4 As a direct result of your contribution to United Way, a total of 19 programs that help seniors remain independent and stay active in our community received support. More than 8956 seniors were served by Successful Aging programming in Ottawa. Bill Schermer is 92 years old and a regu- lar participant in the Rural Ottawa South Support Services’ (ROSSS) day program.He couldn’t do it without the volunteers and staff – everyday heroes in our community. TURNING LIVES AROUND Through our investment in project step, more than 5,000 students have accessed school-based addictions counseling – 92% of those students completed the school year and 75% of participants reduced or stopped using one or more drugs in less than one school year. See what champion, Vern White has to say about the success of project step. You are an everyday hero to Alicia. To her there were so many people who helped her turn her life around. See how this young women was able to overcome serious drug issues and raise her child. Watch Alicia’s story to learn more: 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 5 Our volunteers are heroes Thank you also to the volunteers that work with us to make our community better. Whether a you’re a volunteer at a workplace, sit on a committee or give your time speaking on behalf of the United Way, we’re grateful for the for everyday United Way Recognition Team member, Michael O’Byrne heroes like you. (right) presenting Community Builder Award to Peter Rock (left) at the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2014-15, we also recognize 34 heroes in our city with Community Builder Awards and Community Builder of the Year Awards for their volunteer work that helps make our city better for everyone.Our highest honour – Community Builder of the Year – was bestowed upon the Vered Family for their legacy of involvement in our community. 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 6 Heroes are Donors like you Donors give generously to United Way and help make a difference in our com- munity. They are heroes in their own right. To us, it doesn’t matter the size of the contribution it’s how we use donors’ gifts to achieve the greatest impact. Thousands of donors gave generously to United Way through workplace campaigns and other events including the Nordstrom Gala, Mark’s Race to the Finish, Schmoozefest and our Breakfast about youth homelessness. In 2014, Esri Canada and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service were recognized as top workplace campaigns. We are grateful for every contribution and it will go toward building a safer, stronger community for all. Thank you video: 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 7 The Work of Heroes Our success in 2014-15 would not be possible without the support of everyday heroes like our partners that work so hard to help advance our community’s priority goals. This includes partners involved in front-line work, those involved in our Community- Wide Initiatives, Targeted Community Investments and strategic investments. It’s through donors’ support we can show you what we collectively achieved to advance our priority goals in the community. PROGRESS AND HIGHLIGHTS Through United Way’s strategic We supported more than investments, the work of several 100 front-line programs of our partners, and our support that help children grow up of Community Wide Initiatives, our great, help more people investments touch all 107 neighbour- including seniors and hoods across Ottawa. people with disabilities belong to their community In 2014-15, $12.6 million was invested and helped youth who face in front-line programs, Community- addictions, mental health Wide Initiatives (CWIs), Targeted issues and homelessness Community Investment (TCIs) and turn their lives around. other convening, engagement and research that support United Way’s work under its three focus areas: 6533 new donors invested Growing Up Great, Belonging to in United Way’s work to Community and Turning Lives Around. help change lives. More than 530 people pledged their names to show support to help end youth homelessness in Ottawa. These supporters showed that they want to see people like Nathan and 1,400 other youth get off the streets for good. 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 9 At our campaign launch, donors raised more than $12,335 to help purchase laptops for 15 Homework Clubs. The Employment Accessibility Resource Network held its first-ever career fair where 150 job seekers attended. More than 100 leaders from business and government attended our partner Hire Immigrants Ottawa’s (HIO) annual Employers’ Summit. The Summit is HIO’s signa- ture event and allows par- ticipants to exchange ideas and discuss the importance of integrating immigrants into Ottawa’s labour force. At the summit, HIO recognized four employers whoare doing outstanding work to help attract and retain skilled immigrants including Business DevelopmentBank of Canada, Epocal, the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre. 2014-2015 Report to our Community | 10 In 2013, our partner 211 answered 45,257 calls from Ottawa residents. The 211 service provides referral to services including health and social programs and services. 34 community builders were honoured and their names were placed on the Wall of Inspiration at City Hall. These people and organiza- tions were presented with surprise Community Builder Awards (CBAs) in 2014. Recipients now join the more than 750 other community builders who have been honoured on the Wall of Inspiration since 2000. In 2014, Hydro Ottawa and United Way Ottawa announced funding for 10 local frontline agencies to make needed capital improvements to cut their energy use. Hydro Ottawa’s Brighter Tomorrows Fund helps agencies serving people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness reduce operating costs so that more dollars can be directed into programs for people in need.