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.

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

Making Voices Count (MVC) MVC brings together grassroots community leaders and local organizations to work with local decision-makers and advocate for progressive systemic change in Ottawa. Led by the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI), in partnership with the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres (CHRCs), this program supports residents of Ottawa, including newcomers and immigrants, to make their voices heard in municipal decision-making. Past wins include the creation of an EquiPass and $15 million dedicated to affordable housing in annual city budgets from 2018-2021.

INDIGENOUS BEADING SESSIONS

ALL AGES | ENGLISH ONLY | FREE | FRIDAYS | VIA ZOOM

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/Ottawa East;
Beginner to Advanced;
Free supply kits available for pick-up in Orléans or use your own supplies;
Adults, youth and children (with parental assistance);
Fridays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm; and
For more information, check the events tab on Indigenous Roots Orleans/Ottawa East’s Facebook page or email

HARM-REDUCTION

NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION SITE

Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdoes;
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.

CITY FOR ALL WOMEN INITIATIVE (CAWI)

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.

Nominate a community leader to the Caroline Andrew Civic Engagement Award.

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