Oct 2nd, 2019

OCHC, Up with People: working together on building strong communities

October 2, 2019 – A group of international student volunteers with Up with People and Ottawa Community Housing will team up to build stronger communities and donate their time in two OCHC communities in Rideau-Rockcliffe and North Gower this week. They will be planting trees and beautifying a seniors’ building by painting hallways.

The group includes college-aged students from 14 different countries who are staying in Ottawa. The organization, Up with People, aims to help young people be agents of change through volunteerism and the arts around the world.

Up with People are returning to Canada for the first time in 20 years and students will be staying in the capital with 55 host families who opened up their homes until October 12. While here, students will do a series of community actions throughout the City, where they will give back.

The Volunteer Events
Key dates:

October 3 at 1:00 p.m. tree planting at 689 Paul Avenue (Carson-Paul Community)
On October 3, this group of youth volunteers will be in Carson Paul, to plant trees. Thanks to another great partner, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, who provided a $16,750 grant earlier this year to purchase new trees to a number of different OCHC communities, benefitting over 1,500 tenants.

October 8 at 9:00 a.m. painting the hallways at 2363 Roger Stevens Drive (North-Gower Community)
On October 8, the group will be volunteering in North Gower at our seniors’ residence. They will spend the morning painting walls and giving the building a makeover.

*Media are welcome to attend the events*

Quotes:

“The Corporate Volunteer Program with Ottawa Community Housing supports the diverse needs of 32,000 residents and is a wonderful opportunity for partners, such as Up with People, to connect with tenants and work to make a lasting impact. We are truly honoured to be chosen to collaborate with the group on their first visit to Canada in 20 years.”

– Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Office for Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

“It is inspiring to see such a diverse group of students – coming from 14 different counties working with tenants on projects that will benefit the communities even after they return home.”

– Mathieu Fleury, Rideau-Vanier Councillor and OCHC Board Chair

“We welcome the group of volunteers. Work such as this, as well as the grant from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, will make a big impact on residents’ lives and helps Ottawa Community Housing focus on other priorities that improve the lives of tenants.”

– Rawlson King, Rideau-Rockcliffe Councillor and OCHC Board Director

“I am looking forward to seeing Up with People engage with the community over the next two weeks. I am very happy to have them in our city.”

– Scott Moffatt, Rideau-Goulbourn Councillor and OCHC Board Director

Quick facts:

• The Up with People cast will be providing more than 2,000 volunteer hours during their stay in Ottawa.
• Carson-Paul Community – Event scheduled on October 3
  • OCHC community constructed in 1970.
  • It has 91 townhouses.
  • There are approximately 370 residents living in this community, of which 51% are children.
• North Gower Community – Event scheduled on October 8
  • OCHC Senior community constructed in 1977.
  • It has 14 apartments.
  • There are 16 seniors living in this community
• The average annual income of tenants living in OCHC is approximately $17, 000.

About Up with People

Up with People is building a more hopeful, trusting and peaceful world by empowering young people to be positive agents of change through action and the international and powerful language of music. Participants from 20 countries travel to a new destination each week, and throughout this journey, they strive to impact communities through host family stays, cultural exchange and 1,000+ hours of community service generally impacting 2,500+ youth per week! Up with People’s time in the community culminates with a two-hour professionally produced show that inspires audience members to think about what they will do to keep hope alive in their communities and take action. 100% of show ticket revenue is donated back to local charities chosen by our sponsors.

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. Since 1990, TD FEF has provided over $90,000,000 to 26,000+ environment projects across Canada.

 About Ottawa Community Housing Corporation

OCHC maintains nearly 15,000 homes to approximately 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCHC is the largest social and affordable housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second-largest in Ontario. OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for the second consecutive year in 2019. www.och-lco.ca | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

For additional information, please contact:
Jennifer McIntosh – Communications and Marketing Specialist –
Cell: 613-914-9953  Tel: 613-731-1182 ext. 2286
jennifer.mcintosh@och.ca