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Celebrate Untold stories

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Stories that shape our city

Ottawa is filled with untold stories of hope, resilience and transformation that shape our community and often go unnoticed. 'Ottawa Untold' seeks to bring these stories to the forefront, to engage, support and understand the impact of our local non-profits.

Discover the powerful stories that non-profits in Ottawa have shared below. Each story highlights the significant impact these organizations have on our community.
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Now, it's your turn to help decide which story will be brought to life through a professional $20,000 video production package, courtesy of Simple Story Videos.

your vote counts!

By casting your vote, you play a crucial role in helping shed light on the impactful work of our local non-profits. Support your favourite story by voting below.

How to Vote:

1. Choose your favourite story by clicking the voting button at the bottom of the story
2. Complete the form with your name and email address
3. Only one vote per person

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Featured Submissions

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The Snowsuit Fund

The Snowsuit Fund is an Ottawa-based charity that raises funds to purchase and distribute new, high-quality snowsuits to needy children aged 15 and under.

The Snowsuit Fund is dedicated to keeping children warm during harsh Canadian winters by providing them with snowsuits. Through generous donations and community support, we ensure that thousands of underprivileged children receive new, high-quality snowsuits each year. By equipping children for outdoor play, we not only protect them from the cold but also enhance their well-being, as outdoor activities contribute to physical health, emotional resilience, and social development. Sharing our story will help us meet the growing demand for our services, ensuring more children can experience the joy and benefits of playing outside in winter. Sharing the Snowsuit Fund's story profoundly impacts our mission and the community. It raises awareness about child poverty in Ottawa, highlighting the struggles many families face in providing basic necessities like warm clothing during the winter.

Matthew House Ottawa

Matthew House Ottawa exists to support and shelter the city’s most vulnerable, focusing on newcomers and refugee claimants. We provide housing, food, critical resources, and community.

Since 2023, the number of refugees in Ottawa’s emergency shelters has more than doubled, leaving many newcomers without the support they need. Matthew House bridges this gap. Over the past 14 years, our refugee services program has established more than 20 homes, providing crucial resources like legal and immigration help, healthcare access, employment assistance, and community support. Our success is driven by staff and volunteers who are newcomers themselves, creating effective housing and integration models. Each year, we divert 300 refugees from homelessness. Our Furniture Bank supports vulnerable neighbors, including those leaving shelters or fleeing domestic abuse, by providing essential items like beds and tables. Each visitor receives a personal walk-through to select furniture and other items to transform their space into a home. By sharing this story, we aim to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation within our community for the profound impact of supporting newcomers and vulnerable populations.

Innostation

Innostation is a student-led non-profit that prepares students for post-secondary education by guiding them through career exploration and developing workplace skills through practical experiences.

We want to share the resilience and resourcefulness of young people navigating a challenging job market. The video will highlight the frustration of long application processes and delayed responses, featuring interviews with young people discussing the emotional toll. It will explore how young people adapt to the ever-changing skill sets required in today's job market, showcasing young entrepreneurs and those actively pursuing skills development. The video will also highlight creative solutions, such as youth-led job search initiatives, peer support groups, and alternative career paths. This story is crucial for Innostation because youth employment rates are at historic lows, and a potential recession could worsen the situation. Highlighting these challenges can spark a conversation about better supporting young job seekers, especially those from underserved and underprivileged communities who face even greater barriers.

Canadian Mental Health Association

CMHA Ottawa provides evidence-informed services for individuals with serious mental illness, promotes positive mental health, and fosters an integrated mental health system.

We want to highlight Recovery College, a peer-led series of mental health workshops that equip participants with the skills to thrive. This program, coordinated by peer support workers, covers topics like Challenging Isolation and Loneliness, Coping with Triggers, and Finding New Meaning through personal recovery stories. Courses are co-designed with community partners and participants, fostering empathy and equal relationships. Recovery College empowers students to develop new skills, with some becoming co-facilitators and professional peer support workers. Despite its success, Recovery College relies on grants and donations, as it receives no ministry funding. This program exemplifies the power of peer support in maintaining lasting recovery from mental illness and substance use disorder. The future of mental health care lies in peer-based services. Recovery College is a tangible example of this approach, showcasing the profound effect of peer support. Sharing this story highlights the importance of lived experience in delivering care and emphasizes that no one facing a mental health challenge is alone.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO)

The mission of BBBSO is to enable life-changing mentorship relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people.

Mike and Josh met six years ago through BBBSO, forming a strong bond that continues today. They meet weekly for coffee, creating a safe space for Josh to share challenges and victories. Mike's guidance helped Josh become a volunteer with the City of Ottawa at CHEO and fostered his growth into a kind and selfless individual. Josh now supports his family, helps friends with odd jobs, and assists an elderly neighbor. Mike's mentorship profoundly impacted Josh, providing confidence, direction, and a sense of belonging. Their story demonstrates the transformative power of mentorship and its ripple effect on the community. Mike and Josh now volunteer together, advocating for BBBSO and sharing their journey to inspire others. While BBBSO provides life-changing mentorship to over 700 current matches, there are still 300+ youth waiting to be matched. Sharing stories like Mike and Josh's increases awareness and builds support for BBBSO.

iSisters

Founded in 2001, iSisters offers free computer, technology, and employability skills training for women in need.

Due to funding challenges, we have had to pause our most popular program, iMentor, leaving approximately 160 learners without support. This unique program provides essential employment support by honing computer skills tailored to job requirements, along with ongoing counseling. More importantly, iMentor instills confidence in learners' ability to thrive in the workplace and overcome challenges. We can offer interviews with some of our clients to share the real impact of our programs and the significance of the iMentor cancellation. By sharing this story, we aim to gain visibility for our organization and attract potential funders and donors to support our mission and help us continue providing these vital programs.

Ottawa Chamberfest

Ottawa Chamberfest brings together the boldest names in ensemble and solo performance for musical celebrations through its concert series, summer festival, and Community Engagement and Education (CEE) events.

While the glamour of Chamberfest lies in its main stages and concert series, the heart of Chamberfest is in its community programming. This story contrasts the electrifying main stage performances with the intimate and inclusive community events, such as accessible children's performances and concerts for neurodiverse audiences. These moments of wonder and connection highlight the true essence of Chamberfest. As we navigate funding shortages and strive to connect with new audiences, sharing this story is crucial to remind people of our importance and to inspire support for our mission. We aim to show that music and participation in the arts matter, and everyone deserves to experience the transformative power of live music.

The Dementia Society of Ottawa

The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County supports individuals diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers, spouses, children, and close friends.

With 24,000 people currently diagnosed with dementia in our region, a number expected to more than double by 2050, we strive to share how we support caregivers through their challenging journeys. Caregivers often dedicate over 30 hours a week to care for loved ones with dementia, sacrificing personal time as the disease progresses. By featuring caregiver stories, we illustrate how we help them navigate difficult times and decisions. This story is crucial for us, as our government funding has been static for over a decade while the need for our services grows exponentially. We hope this compelling storytelling will better communicate our value and inspire more community support for our mission.

Canadian Wildlife Federation

The mission of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is to conserve and inspire the conservation of Canada's wildlife and habitats for all to enjoy.

We want to showcase our science team's work to conserve endangered turtle species in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Freshwater turtles face threats like road mortality, habitat loss, nest predation, and poaching. During spring nesting season, our team excavates and incubates turtle eggs, nurturing hatchlings until they can return to their habitats. We've released over 4,500 hatchlings and protected 117 km² of wetland habitat. This work is crucial as all eight of Canada's freshwater turtles are endangered, and the loss of even one female can severely impact future populations. By sharing this story, we aim to raise awareness about the challenges turtles face and encourage public vigilance to reduce road mortality. Increased awareness can lead to more protected habitats and better conservation outcomes for these endangered species.

Carty House

Carty House provides a first home and a helping hand to refugee women in need in the Ottawa area.

We assist refugee women in pursuing their claims and adjusting to their new life in Canada through accommodation, material, financial, and psychological support. We want to share the journey of a refugee woman alone in Canada, rebuilding her life step by step and learning about her freedoms and rights. This summer, as we expand, introducing more people to Carty House is crucial for our future support and advocacy. By sharing this story, we aim to inspire and educate others about the unique challenges and resilience of female refugees in Ottawa.

Dare to be Vulnerable

Dare To Be Vulnerable breaks silence, busts stigma, and changes lives by fostering courageous conversations about mental health.

Our mission is to empower individuals to share their experiences openly, creating a supportive community that encourages healing, understanding, and compassion. Our video project, "Courageous Conversations," will feature 10 episodes of community leaders sharing their personal mental health journeys. These stories will be shared across our social media channels to inspire and engage our audience, fostering empathy and empowerment. By highlighting diverse experiences, we aim to sustain and amplify our movement for mental health awareness, encourage open dialogue, and empower individuals to seek help without stigma. Through these stories, we hope to achieve greater awareness, inspire others, reduce stigma, and positively change more lives.

Dress for Success Ottawa

Dress for Success Ottawa empowers women and gender nonconforming individuals to achieve economic independence through support networks, professional attire, and development tools.

Our well-known Suiting Program provides free professional attire for interviews, employment, court, crises, and transitions. We promote sustainability by offering quality pre-loved clothing, keeping countless garments out of landfills. Our boutique, stocked with community-donated clothing, shoes, purses, and accessories, ensures clients receive items in excellent condition, often revitalized with minor repairs. Additionally, our quarterly SupportHER Sales allow the public to refresh their wardrobes with affordable, environmentally-friendly pieces, supporting marginalized individuals while promoting conscious consumption and sustainability. By highlighting our mission, we aim to increase community support through donations and financial contributions, enhancing our impact and capacity to serve more clients.

Ottawa Food Bank

The Ottawa Food Bank, serving the National Capital Region since 1984, is the main emergency food provider, partnering with over 100 community programs.

Annually, the network receives more than 490,000 visits, with 37% of clients being children. Thanks to community support, nearly 9.8 million pounds of food are distributed each year from their warehouse. In 2024, as we mark our 40th year, the Ottawa Food Bank faces unprecedented levels of need. What started as a temporary measure has become a vital necessity, with food support visits up 68% since 2019. Hunger, a symptom of poverty, underscores the need for systemic change, requiring collaboration from all government levels. We ask the community to join us in our goal to eliminate food insecurity in Ottawa by 2050. This story aims to highlight the vast network of agencies involved, the ways they serve the community, and the urgent financial support needed to continue their mission.

Ottawa Salus

For over 45 years, Ottawa Salus has created opportunities for adults with mental health and substance use challenges to live independently.

Our mission is to improve access to supportive and affordable housing, serving over 900 clients annually through our 14 buildings and community partner housing. We want to highlight Salus as a "little-known gem" that has been a pioneer in supportive housing since the late 1970s. Our latest project, Salus Capilano, is the first purpose-built supportive housing facility in Canada for older adults with long histories of mental health challenges. This 54-unit building will provide a supportive community, allowing residents to age in place with dignity and independence. By addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in Ottawa, we aim to inspire the community to support our mission and become champions for supportive housing.

Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada

Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC) is dedicated to empowering Canadian immigrants through education, advocacy, and opportunities to start and scale ventures.

Our story highlights IEC's journey as a startup organization that overcame significant hurdles to support immigrant entrepreneurs. Despite funding challenges, we built a supportive community through monthly meetups and networking events, leading to new business ventures and collaborations. A milestone achievement was the launch of our Retail Incubator Program, which provided hands-on entrepreneurship education to 21 entrepreneurs from 17 countries. One participant, a single mother from Pakistan, generated nearly $30K in revenue, showcasing the effectiveness of our support. Sharing these success stories emphasizes the resilience and contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs, attracting funding, inspiring community support, and promoting a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Canada.

The Door Youth Centre

The Door Youth Centre provides a welcoming space for youth aged 12-18 to develop the skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to become independent and active community members.

Our story celebrates 30 years of service, highlighting The Door's evolution from its founding by Art Stinson to becoming a transformative institution in Centretown. We spotlight the challenges overcome, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of our programs on youth. Personal testimonials will illustrate how The Door equips young people with life skills, promotes healthy behaviors, and fosters community engagement. This video commemorates our anniversary, celebrates our achievements, and inspires continued support for our mission to nurture youth potential and build a stronger community.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa advocates for and supports women and gender-diverse people who are or may become criminalized.

We want to share the transformative journeys of our clients, highlighting their resilience and achievements as they overcome significant challenges such as victimization, socioeconomic disadvantages, mental health issues, and substance use challenges. By illustrating how our trauma-informed approach helps clients rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society, we aim to raise awareness about the urgent need for continued and expanded support. This story seeks to build empathy and understanding, engage new supporters, and influence policymakers to create more inclusive and supportive policies for marginalized individuals in the criminal justice system.

Ottawa Network for Education

The Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) aims to support K-12 students by ensuring they start each school day with a nutritious meal through the School Breakfast Program

The Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) aims to support K-12 students by ensuring they start each school day with a nutritious meal through the School Breakfast Program. This program has seen a 28% increase in demand, now serving over 17,000 meals daily. As we approach our 40th anniversary, we want to highlight the program's profound impact on students' concentration, well-being, and academic success through powerful testimonials. Sharing this story will raise awareness, engage the community, and secure the support needed to sustain and expand the program, ensuring no child in Ottawa starts their school day hungry.

Just Food

Just Food's mission is to create vibrant, just, and sustainable food and farming systems in the Algonquin/Ottawa region, ensuring everyone has access to fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food.

We want to showcase how growing food as a community can feed our families, connect us to the earth, and strengthen community bonds. This story highlights the diverse projects—from community gardens and seed libraries to tiny forests and urban agriculture—that empower residents to grow their own food and support local food systems. With 1 in 7 households in Ottawa facing food insecurity, Just Food demonstrates how communities can unite to address this issue by growing their own food. By telling this story, we aim to inspire community engagement, raise awareness about sustainable food solutions, and ensure more people can participate in and benefit from local food-growing initiatives.

Harmony House

Harmony House 2nd Stage Shelter in Ottawa provides essential support and safety to women and children escaping domestic violence.

Through community engagement, Harmony House creates a supportive network that promotes awareness and advocacy against domestic violence. The video project, "Success Stories - From Shelter to Stability," will highlight the transformative impact of Harmony House by sharing real journeys of former residents who have successfully transitioned from violence to stability. By showcasing these positive outcomes, the project aims to inspire hope, raise awareness about the shelter’s programs, and emphasize the importance of community support in helping women and children overcome adversities and thrive.

Ottawa Festival Network

Ottawa Festival Network's mission is to advance Ottawa’s festival, special event, and fair industry through research, advocacy, and education.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, rising costs, and funding cuts, the festival industry remains a vital part of Ottawa's identity. By sharing this story, we aim to reintroduce the Ottawa Festival Network, highlight the industry's resilience, and advocate for greater support and investment from all levels of government and private corporations to ensure the continued growth and impact of Ottawa's festivals. We want to showcase the profound social and cultural impact of Ottawa’s festival industry, beyond the impressive economic figures like $21 in visitor spending for every $1 invested and the support of nearly 70,000 jobs pre-pandemic.

Ottawa Innercity Ministries

Ottawa Innercity Ministries' mission is to support individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness by providing essential items, community, and compassion.

For over 36 years, our street outreach volunteers have walked the streets of downtown Ottawa seven days a week, 365 days a year. One night, our team met over 90 people in just two hours, including a lonely man who shared his struggles and feelings of isolation. Our team provided him with emotional support through conversation and met his physical needs with food and water, making a significant difference in his life. We aim to raise awareness about the increasing loneliness and isolation faced by people experiencing homelessness. As we continue to provide essential resources, community, referrals, and support, we hope this story inspires Ottawa residents to support our ministry.

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About Simple Story

Simple Story Videos is a leading video marketing agency based in Ottawa, dedicated to helping organizations tell their stories through high-quality, compelling video content. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to making a difference, Simple Story Videos works with clients across various sectors to create impactful visual narratives.