2021/2022
Annual Report
Message From the President of Our Board and Our Executive Director
This past year focused on strengthening communities and building NRCORC’s organizational capacity. Despite the needs that continue to rise due to COVID-19, the pandemic provided an opportunity for increased resident engagement, neighbourhood knowledge and skill development, as well as an enhancement of our internal ability to better serve our diverse communities in the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode area.
With support from program and funding partners, we continued to work directly with trained Resident Leaders in local neighbourhoods to provide outreach and resources to increase access to vaccination clinics, while providing ample supplies of rapid antigen tests, masks, and up-to-date public health information for individuals and families. Once again, we are proud to demonstrate how resident-led, neighbourhood-based activities are critical to improving the health and well-being of communities.
Offering ongoing programs and services to children, youth, older adults, women, newcomer families and more, always remains our priority, even when faced with adversities like the pandemic. Our staff and partners devoted enhanced efforts to ensure we continued to provide a wide array of in-person and virtual community support programs, safely and without disruption. We are so grateful for their unwavering commitment and compassion. Details about the programs and services that we offered in 2021-2022 can be found throughout our Annual Report.
We have also been advancing efforts with our partners to develop a variety of city-wide strategies and initiatives in such areas as community safety, mental health and well-being, and peer support models. This type of wider-scale engagement in our city helps to enhance approaches that will have a positive impact on our catchment area, while helping to influence policies, practices, and investments to support both our centre, as well as the broader social services sector.
In addition to adjusting the health and safety protocols required for the re-opening of more in-person programs and services, we also dedicated more time and effort to advancing our knowledge and practices in such areas as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as Trauma Informed Care. We will continue to work with expert partners to assess and adapt our policies, procedures and practices in these areas to better support and work alongside our communities.
As part of establishing a strong vision for our future, we developed a new Strategic Plan in 2022, identifying key priorities for the next few years. We will focus on advancing identified opportunities for impact, including best practices in such areas as mental health, rural services, and community capacity-building models. We will also strive to elevate our collaboration efforts, while expanding our organizational capacity to grow and sustain our ability to provide equitable access to programs and services that address our communities’ most pressing needs and be an influence for positive change.
As always, our dedicated Board of Directors has played a valuable role in providing strategic direction and guidance to help steer us towards having a greater impact. We are excited to build on what we have learned and accomplished this past year, and look forward to continuing to grow with our dedicated community of collaborators and supporters.
Anita James
Executive Director
Raynold Alorse
President of the Board
2021/2022 Highlights
People Served by Our Programs
Number of unique clients who participated in each program
Food Security
Baby Cupboard
Community Development
Seniors
After School Program
Caring and Sharing
Income Tax Clinic
Summer Camp
EarlyON
Parkwood Hills Youth Leadership Group
Milk & Eggs
Elder Abuse Program
Ontario Electricity Support Program
Tools 4 Schools
Counselling Intake, General Information and Referral
Counselling — Youth and Adult
NROCRC’s Programs and Services
Throughout the pandemic, NROCRC has worked to respond to the various needs of residents living in the communities we serve, while continuing to deliver ongoing programs and services, both virtual and in-person, and adapt all aspects of our work to meet the evolving health and safety protocols required to keep our clients and staff safe and secure. We are proud to have worked with community leaders and partner organizations to conduct vast outreach, promotion and support to neighbourhoods facing barriers accessing COVID-related information, as well as testing and vaccination sites. We have continued to engage our communities, and to provide accessible, quality programming for families, children, youth, women, seniors, and newcomer populations.
Children and Youth Programs
Our programming for children and youth included the Tanglewood Leadership program, After School program, NROCRC Never Alone mental health initiative, Summer Camps, EarlyON program, and much more.
View highlights of our children and youth programs and services in 2021/2022
- Youth from the Tanglewood Leadership program coordinated and delivered technology-based learning sessions for older adults. The sessions focused on supporting older adults with basic computer knowledge and specific software application training. In total, eight youth provided six sessions for nine older adults over a four-week period. The project was funded through the Province of Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant Program.
- Food security was a growing concern for many families participating in NROCRC’s After School Program. A collaborative Good Food Box Cooking Program provided a free food box and a one-hour cooking lesson for families in need. A total of 46 families registered in the program and the average weekly attendance was 25 participants. The After School Program is funded by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
- NROCRC’s Early On programs created multiple learning opportunities for parents, caregivers and children. 2021 was a unique year with the program being delivered both virtually and in person due to the Covid 19 restrictions throughout the year. The flexibility of NROCRC staff provided the families with an enriched learning program and many opportunities to meet socially.
- The Tools 4 School Program provides backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies, free-of-charge to children and youth in need. This program was developed in 2000 after the community and media identified a high need for school supplies for local school-aged children in Ottawa. This service helps ease the financial burden faced by families when their children are going back to school in September. During 2021, the collaboration with Caring and Sharing Ottawa and NROCRC provided 670 children and youth with school supply support. Thanks to the generous support of the community and our sponsor Staples, NROCRC and Caring and Sharing were able to alleviate some of the financial strain experienced by local families.
Adult and Family Programs
Programs and services for women, families and newcomer populations occurred in multiple neighbourhoods and included sports and recreation activities, the Milk & Eggs Program, food security initiatives, the Baby Cupboard, Women’s Crafting Groups, and more.
View highlights of our adult and family programs and services in 2021/2022
- Milk and Eggs continues to be a well-served program, providing expectant mothers with nutritional items and information to support them during their pregnancy. It is also a great opportunity for expectant mothers to engage with other women and exchange information. Through the Ottawa Community Foundation, Clarke and Ellie Topp have been funding the program since its inception at NROCRC.
- NROCRC is proud to be providing mentorship for the Ethio-Eritrean Canadian Women Integration Network. The project supports women who require assistance with various government processes, applications and navigation of the social service system. The team of five dedicated staff has been instrumental in changing the lives of many women. The three-year project is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Fund.
- Through multiple collaborations, NROCRC was able to provide many families with food, diapers, formula and other items required for families to maintain their well-being. The Good Food Box program provided families with a free food box which contains multiple fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Community Development is the cornerstone of the work carried out in local neighbourhoods. A primary focus in 2021 was the critical work that was done to reach out and provide the necessary education, information, and supplies to support families during the ongoing pandemic. There was a very strong commitment by NROCRC and its partners to ensure that residents were aware of the resources available to them to combat Covid.
Seniors Programs
Many of our programs for seniors were adapted to meet pandemic guidelines in order to keep participants safe and healthy during these challenging times. In turn, older adults accessing these programs also adapted by learning to use technology in new ways in order to stay connected and active.
View highlights of our supports to seniors in 2021/2022
- Virtual programming continued to be a priority to ensure that seniors were provided with opportunities to reduce social isolation, a common mental health risk factor for older adults. NROCRC’s average of two to three virtual activities per week provide a connection for many seniors in our communities. Through a grant provided by the Senior’s Community Grant Program, NROCRC was also able to provide local grassroots senior-led groups with funding for activities in specific neighbourhoods for seniors who were the most vulnerable to social isolation.
- The Elder Abuse Response and Referral Service (EARRS) provides intake, assessment and case management support for seniors who are experiencing elder abuse. The EARRS service is unique to the City of Ottawa as it is the only dedicated service of its kind to be delivered through a social service agency. As it is only partially funded through the Province of Ontario, NROCRC is continually seeking funding to ensure that both intake and case management services can be offered on a full- time basis. Thanks to the generosity of the Nepean Kiwanis Club, Enbridge Gas, the City of Ottawa, McAuley Financial Services, and an anonymous donor, the program will be able to offer full-time services for an additional year.
- Peer mentoring and support is becoming more effective for not-for-profit organizations like NROCRC to deliver services and activities to clients in a more empowering and cost-effective way. With the appropriate supervision, training and opportunities, residents and organization both benefit from the experience. NROCRC is offering a peer mentoring program for seniors and is excited about the future of the program.
Counselling Services
NROCRC continued to support increasing community mental health needs by offering short-term counselling services to individuals, couples, and youth aged 12 to 17 years old residing in our catchment area. The counselling team also includes an Intake position that provides resources, referrals, and systems navigation services.
View highlights of our Counselling Services in 2021/2022
- Our youth counsellors co-facilitated wellness activity nights in Barrhaven and rural Ottawa South, which included mindfulness exercises, art-based activities, and mental health discussions with youth.
- The youth counsellor continued to work with many partners as part of the Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective to develop a longer-term plan and key activities to address the needs of youth in rural areas across Ottawa.
- We were able to continue our rural youth counselling services in partnership with the Osgoode Youth Association (O-YA). This service began in January 2021 to specifically support our rural catchment area for youth aged 12-17. It provides one-on-one, in-person and virtual counselling sessions, mental health education and information sessions for youth and their caregivers, and collaboration with rural community organizations/groups to enhance youth mental health supports.
- This past year, the rural youth counsellor supported a mixed-media arts program at O-YA (Gallery C.) to promote positive mental health for youth in grades 7-12.
- This counsellor also supported a six-week mental health wellness program for youth in grades 7-12 at O-YA called Happy Minds, which included a variety of mental health related workshops.
- In partnership with Jewish Family Services of Ottawa, NROCRC clients were able to continue to access our walk-in counselling clinic both in person and virtually in various languages, including Arabic.
- We were also able to continue our Violence Against Women (VAW) counselling services with our partner, Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre. This program was critical in providing crisis support and short-term counselling to cover an increase in VAW cases during the pandemic.
Looking Ahead to the Year to Come
With our new Strategic Plan in place, we are eager to evolve as a Community Hub to provide an enhanced range of critical supports to our residents and communities most in need. We take seriously our responsibility to examine and adjust our practices in order to increase equitable access to programs and services that support the diverse makeup and experiences of our communities. We will also continue to prioritize working with partners to build the capacity of our communities, our organization, and the social services sector. As we deliver our high-quality, reliable programs and services that address such ongoing challenges as the pandemic, we will also be seeking new ways to grow and innovate.
Volunteer of the Year
Charlotte Gael
The Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Community Resource Centre is delighted to recognize Charlotte Gael as the recipient of the 2021-2022 Volunteer of the Year award. The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes an individual who provides their personal time, leadership, inspiration, and motivation to making a difference in the lives of others. Charlotte grew up in Ottawa and has a long record of public service. Charlotte is now studying towards a social service worker diploma and plans to also take a focused one-year Victimology Certification Program. After her studies are finished Charlotte’s long-term plan is to work in social services.
Charlotte began accessing NROCRC services in 2012. She states, “I know I can never repay those who have helped me over the years,” so instead she is paying it forward by helping others in the community. In May 2018 Charlotte volunteered to take on NROCRC’s Volunteer Coordinator position, and as such, plays a huge role in coordinating the volunteer program at NROCRC.
NROCRC is extremely grateful for the commitment Charlotte has shown as part of our organization and the volunteer program. For the majority of volunteers, Charlotte provides their initial introduction to the organization, and her organized approach to onboarding helps volunteers to feel they are a welcome and vital part of our organization.
2021/2022
Financial Report
Our detailed financial statements are available here:
Where our Funding Comes From
Champion of the Year
Ken MacNeill
Ken MacNeill, owner of MacNeill IT Consulting, has been NROCRC’s IT wizard since 1999. Over the years, Ken has worked well above and beyond to ensure that NROCRC computers are kept up to date and operational, and that our connectivity is solid. There are inherent challenges to this task as, like most non-profits, we do not have a big budget for new computers, and really rely on Ken’s patience and expertise in maintaining some of our older computers. Additionally, Ken always seeks out the most cost-effective solutions when shopping for new IT equipment for us, and has even negotiated with service providers on our behalf to keep the bills as low as possible.
In addition to his IT work at NROCRC, Ken has often volunteered his time to support our audio needs for various events, including Shine A Light, Tools 4 School events, and NROCRC’s Got Talent. He has refurbished used, donated computers for students in our homework clubs and has often sat down with us to discuss such things as our telephone systems, cloud technology, computer security, as well as upskilling staff IT knowledge. Ken has also regularly donated items for our silent auctions and Tools 4 School events, as well as contributing monetarily to other NROCRC programs.
Ken always puts his heart and soul, as well as his valuable time, into his work with us. He says that he likes to work with non-profits because it gives him the opportunity to give back to communities, and to support the people who have supported his success. We are fully aware that Ken’s invoices do not truly reflect the actual amount of time he spends on NROCRC business, which is another huge benefit to us all. Working with Ken MacNeill in all his various paid and unpaid capacities is a true pleasure for everyone at NROCRC, and we are beyond grateful to have him as part of our team. These are the many reasons that we are especially pleased to name him as our 2021-2022 NROCRC Champion.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
We work with others to improve the overall health of diverse communities.
Our Board
Our organization is overseen by a Board of Directors from a variety of backgrounds in the community.
Our Partners
We collaborate with a variety of community partners and stakeholders.
Our Funders and Sponsors
In addition to our many caring donors, NROCRC is grateful to receive support from funders and sponsors.
What NROCRC Clients are Saying
Being part of the photovoice project was such a wonderful experience. I got to meet amazing youth from different parts of the community and it was really nice to share similar experiences and ideas with each other … The youth truly did an amazing job with this project and I was pleased to notice that the members of the community appreciated the issues that the youth presented … Leading this project was a great eye opening and learning experience for me and it really helped me develop my leadership skills.
The Case Manager taught me that I am worthy. I was supported through some very difficult changes. EARRS has been the best support to never give up.
Thank you so much. (My son) has loved everything about the cooking classes. He had learnt a lot. He enjoys cooking with me more and gets so proud of himself. He has a new confidence in himself. Thank you for everything you guys have done.