May 25th, 2017

OCH Foundation: TD Bank Group makes Largest Gift in Ottawa in 2017 to Support Parks and Green Space Revitalization to Help Families Living in Ottawa Community Housing

Together with Ottawa Community Housing’s Caldwell community and dignitaries, TD Bank Group committed $250,000 to the OCH Foundation for an upcoming outdoor community revitalization project in 2017. The funds will be used to create an innovative family outdoor space with a focus on children. It will reinvigorate an outdoor area in the Caldwell neighbourhood. The initiative is a part of its #TDCommonGround Project that celebrates green spaces that bring Canadians and communities together. TD will have a significant impact in communities throughout the country in support of Canada’s 150th anniversary. The members of the community, including children, consulted on the project and were there for the unveiling of the plans and ground breaking ceremony.

“TD Canada Trust strives to impact the lives of families and youth living in Canada,” explains Sarah Lawless, Environment Manager at TD Bank Group. “The OCH Foundation has made significant progress within their communities in a wide range of initiatives. We are excited to be able to have such a direct impact on the Caldwell community and provide a unique outdoor space for families, children and youth.”

The Caldwell community is home to 645 OCH tenants – 91% of which are families. There are 323 youth under the age of 18 and the average age is 23. TD’s contribution will be used to build “nature” themed play structures and provide a shared community vegetable garden. In addition, the space will be filled with various trees, flowers and shrubs to provide the community with a place to gather and form connections with neighbours.

“We are thrilled to have TD Bank Group supporting the children and families living in Caldwell,” stated Wayne French, Chair of OCH Foundation Board of Directors. “Reinvigorating shared spaces creates a base upon which communities can grow. The OCH Foundation’s last outdoor community revitalization project was a great success and we have been eager to replicate the results in more areas. Caldwell is an ideal candidate for the TD Common Ground Project.”

About TD

Friends of the Environment Foundation Founded by TD Bank Group in 1990, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is a national charity that funds environmental projects across Canada. With the support of more than 150,000 donors, TD FEF has provided approximately $76 million to over 24,000 environmental projects and programs.

About the OCH Foundation

Committed to helping tenants living in social housing, the OCH Foundation helps families, youth, children and seniors achieve personal success through supporting education, employment and community engagement projects.

For more information please contact:
Kimothy Walker Ottawa Media Group kimothyawalker@gmail.com 613.859.3753