Thank-you students from uOttawa!

Many thanks to the students from the University of Ottawa who came to Heartwood House today to present their recommendations for the Green Alley Project. Members from Heartwood House and the Unitarian Fellowship attended the presentation to discuss the recommendations and learn about plans for next steps. This marks the completion of Phase One of the $5,000 grant received from the TD Environmental Leaders Program. We look forward to the Fall and Phase Two, when we begin to implement the recommendations for the development of our Green Alley!

Another successful OC Transpo Unclaimed Items Sale!

Thanks so much to the 46 volunteers who gave the gift of their time to work at the OC Transpo Unclaimed Items Sale on Saturday, November 5, 2016. The bargain hunters arrived as early as 8:00 am to be first in line for the start of the sale at 12:00 pm. Shoppers were treated to a feast of fantastic bargains on cellphones, tablets, instruments, jewellery, clothing, sports equipment, backpacks, gift cards, umbrellas, winter wear and the list goes on!

In less than two hours we raised a remarkable $6,580.65 to support the work of Heartwood House and its community of non-profit and charitable organizations. Left over items such as reading glasses and winter wear have found new homes at the Mission and with other charities. 

We are very grateful to OC Transpo for its support of the Unclaimed Items Sales. Good things happen when we work together!

See below for feature reports:
CTV News Ottawa - Video
Ottawa Citizen

Heartwood Proudly Hosts a Tony Turner Concert

It has become a tradition that Heartwood hosts a fundraising concert every fall, and this year was no exception. On Friday October 21st iconic Ottawa singer songwriter, Tony Turner, performed an intimate acoustic performance at Heartwood House. Tony’s heartfelt music reflects his passion for history, landscapes and precious moments of ordinary people. The live music, silent auction, bar and refreshments were enjoyed by an appreciative audience of Heartwood House supporters and friends.

Heartwood House is very grateful for the generosity of the following donors:

  • Barbara Merriam
  • Books on Beechwood
  • Casey’s Grill Bar
  • Celadon Salon & Spa
  • Deborah Gorham
  • EcoEquitable
  • Ed Religa & Eileen Scully, in memory of, and from the estate of, Gunther & Inge Abrahamson
  • Ginsberg Gluzman Fage & Levitz, LLP
  • Great Canadian Theatre Company
  • Harper Collins Canada Ltd.
  • Isobel Bisby
  • Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books
  • Lieutenant’s Pump British Pub
  • Mill St. Brewery
  • National Arts Centre
  • Ottawa Community Coalition for Literacy
  • Ottawa Senators Foundation
  • Purple Urchin
  • Royal Oak
  • Slice & Co Pizza Parlour
  • The Fox and Feather
  • The Scone Witch
  • Tony Turner
  • Victoria’s Quilts
  • Whispers Pub

Paint It Up

Thanks to a grant from Crime Prevention Ottawa and its "Paint It Up" program, we are the proud recipients of a beautiful new mural for the side of our building. The artist leading the project, Nicole Belanger, worked with The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa and several young artists to create this unique piece of public art. 

Good Food, Excellent Entertainment, and Community Camaraderie!

The FIRST ANNUAL HEARTWOOD FUND-RAISING DINNER held on May 27th 2016 was a huge success…. 

Heartwood thanks everyone who contributed to making the Exotic Indian Evening a great success. Especial thanks goes to:

  • Scotiabank - for sponsoring the evening
  • Bollywood for Fun: Ottawa’s Fusion Dance Group - for the lively exuberant dancing
  • EcoEquitable - for auction items
  • Children at Risk - for auction items
  • El norte Flamenco - for a wonderful exotic dance performance
  • Fred and Bonnie Cappuccino - for the Indian auction items
  • Golden India Restaurant - for providing the delicious food
  • Mita Basu - for the amazing table decorations and the sari booth
  • Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners - for the auction items
  • Seanna Kreager - for the stunning photography
  • The Scone Witch - for the delicious auction item
  • Victoria's quilts - for the beautiful quilt for auction
  • Ginsberg, Gluzman Fage & Levitz, LLP  -  for RedBlack tickets for the auction
  • And our splendid team of volunteers – who made it all happen!

APPRECIATION

"I wanted to pass on some feedback and let you know that Jon could not say enough about how much of a nice evening he had on the 27th. He said the food was amazing and show was great. I wanted to pass on congratulations on the fantastic event."

Thank you for a Memorable Evening

The Heartwood House Benefit Evening held on Thursday December 3rd 2015 raised over $6,000 thanks to the generosity and support from the community. It was a memorable event featuring Councillor Tobi Nussbaum as Master of Ceremonies, the Ottawa Police Chorus, pianist Mikael Swirp, Silent and Live Auction, cash bar, home baked goods, and ice-cream cake for all. Heartwood is especially proud of the fine Concert Program which raised $2000 through the advertising of our business friends.

Auction Donors

  • Barbara Merriam (Ontario Association of Social Workers Eastern Branch)
  • Canadian Museum of History/Canadian War Museum
  • Children at Risk - ClubEG Golf, Tiny Hoppers, Wine Station
  • Chris Girard (Heartwood House)
  • Community Laundry Co-operative
  • Deacon Brodies Public House
  • Deborah Doherty (EcoEquitable)
  • Details Home Apparel Inc.
  • EcoEquitable Inc.
  • Elizabeth Watt (Ottawa Valley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild)
  • Farasha of Ottawa (Multifaith Housing Initiative)
  • Heartwood House
  • Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Group
  • Isobel Bisby (Heartwood House)
  • Kae McColl (Ontario Association of Social Workers Eastern Branch)
  • Kim Oastler (Alternative Learning Styles and Outlooks)
  • National Arts Centre
  • Nina LePage
  • Ottawa Valley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild
  • Pat Day (Heartwood House)
  • Scentimental Flowers
  • Sharon Collins
  • Tanya Wayne (Heartwood House)
  • The Black Tomato
  • The Fox & Feather
  • The Ministry of Coffee
  • The Noise on Toys
  • The Scone Witch
  • Twice Upon a Time
  • Victoria’s Quilts
  • Yarn Forward

Food Fare Donors

  • Bread and Roses Bakery
  • Bridgehead Coffee

 Business Friends

  • Alterna Savings
  • ALSO - Adult and Family Literacy
  • American Graffiti Automotive
  • Bel-Air Toyota
  • BMI - Building and Maintenance Ind.
  • Books on Beechwood
  • EcoEquitable Inc.
  • Ginsberg Gingras
  • Golden India Restaurant
  • Industrial Cleaning Supplies
  • Ottawa Community Coalition for Literacy 
  • People, Words, and Change
  • Regionex - Capital Pest Control Inc.
  • Rideau Cellphone
  • The Scone Witch
  • Twice Upon A Time

Deloitte Volunteers impact Heartwood House again!

Twenty Deloitte volunteers were out in awesome force again this year to help Heartwood House with a variety of projects on their annual Impact Day. On Friday October 2nd, in their traditional efficient fashion, they brought down a fence in our back parking lot which will increase our parking area, painted the halls on the main and upper levels, and counted every item for the Unclaimed Items Sale. They are fantastic volunteers and Heartwood is very grateful for the gift of their time and efforts to help us keep our House in fine shape each year!

Heartwood House puts down roots in Overbrook

Nouvelles d’Overbrook News, March 2014
by Wendy Dennys, translation by Martine Joly

How Heartwood House came to open its doors in Overbrook is a story with many chapters based on the collective stories of inspiring people with vision and heart.

The story began in 2001 when a small group of determined and collaborative individuals came together with a common goal – to provide an affordable space in a safe, supportive environment for small charities and the clients and customers they serve.

In 2001, following incorporating as a charity, Heartwood House rented space in the Congregation Beth Shalom’s vacant building on Chapel Street. At this location, Heartwood House made an impact on the community with its 16 or so small non-profits and contracts that made up the co-operative. Anyone who misplaced an item on an OC Transpo bus, or anyone with electronics to be recycled, came to know Heartwood House at this location. But when the Chapel Street building sold, Heartwood House began exploring their dream of buying their own building. It was time to grow permanent roots!

So many things needed to come together to acquire the right building. It had to be on a major bus route, in a neighbourhood accessible to their clients, be large enough to house all their partners, and be priced within their means. Miraculously, the former Giant Tiger store on McArthur Avenue became available and met all physical requirements. But a co-owner was needed, a partner with similar values. Along came another miracle in the form of the Unitarian Fellowship of Ottawa who was on the hunt for a space to call home. It was a match made in heaven!

Buying the building was one thing, paying the mortgage and covering renovation costs was another. It took teamwork and creativity. At the helm of the endeavour is Maureen Moloughney, Executive Director, whose warmth, charisma and can-do attitude adds to the inherent spirit of collaboration evident with its members, while an eight-member Board guides and supports the work.

Board member Isobel Bisby, Chair of the Fundraising Committee, brought boundless energy and creativity to her task. She spearheaded many campaigns – from toonie can collections, to fundraising dinners at Golden India Restaurant, to silent auctions, to selling “one-square-foot” of Heartwood House, to encouraging sponsor donors. Major grants were received from the Trillium Foundation, Project Blue Skies, and the Government’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, the latter helping to pay for the installation of an elevator. (In an interview, Isobel is quick to point out that crucial fundraising is ongoing and with a click on the CanadaHelps button at www.heartwoodhouse.ca, people can donate and receive an instant charity receipt!)

With completion of the renovations in sight, it was time for all the members to move in. Amid high drama, the task was accomplished at 4 pm on New Year’s Eve!

Asked to characterize their accomplishment, Maureen enthused, “Simple. We did it!” adding, “We are delighted with our new home and neighbourhood.”

And Overbrook is delighted and richer for the presence of Heartwood House and its member associations, which include literacy training (including deaf), help with anxiety and eating disorders, empowerment of families and individuals with disabilities, work training for immigrants, help with affordable housing, and a community laundry, just to name a few services.

The Heartwood House story is about the creation of an innovative model for social change. Something special happens when people and organizations work on a common goal. An international conference, to be hosted at Heartwood House on May 1, will focus on this unique model of collaboration between small non-profit charitable organizations. Building the community and securing a better future for all of us is what their motto is all about: “Better together!” Because as the saying goes, “Together, we are stronger than the sum of our parts.”

HEARTWOOD HOUSE PREND RACINES À OVERBROOK

L’ouverture de Heartwood House à Overbrook est une longue épopée mettant en scène des personnes inspirantes ayant du cœur et de grandes idées.

Son histoire commence en 2001 lorsqu’un petit groupe de personnes déterminées et partageant un objectif commun ont l’idée d’accueillir sous un même toit de petites œuvres de charité en leur offrant des locaux à prix abordable et un environnement sécuritaire.

En 2001, après s’être constituée en organisme de bienfaisance, Heartwood House louait des locaux dans un édifice laissé vacant par la Congrégation Beth Shalom, sur la rue Chapel. Avec sa quinzaine d’organismes à but non lucratif et autres partenaires, Heartwood House a fait sa marque dans le quartier. Les personnes ayant oublié un article dans un autobus d’OCTranspo ou ayant des appareils électroniques à recycler en sont venues à connaître l’endroit. Mais lorsqu’on a annoncé la vente de l’édifice de la rue Chapel, Heartwood House a voulu concrétiser son rêve d’acheter son propre édifice. Le temps était venu de s’implanter!

De nombreux éléments devaient tomber en place pour trouver un édifice qui convienne. Il devait être accessible par autobus, situé dans un secteur facile d’accès pour la clientèle, assez grand pour loger tous les groupes et abordable. Miraculeusement, l’ancien Giant Tiger de l’avenue McArthur, qui répondait à tous les critères d’aménagement, était en vente. On avait toutefois besoin d’un copropriétaire, d’un partenaire ayant les mêmes valeurs. C’est alors qu’un autre miracle s’est produit : le Rassemblement unitarien universaliste d’Ottawa cherchait justement un endroit où s’établir. C’était une alliance rêvée! (Voir en page 5.)

Or, acheter un édifice est une chose, mais payer l’hypothèque et assumer les coûts de rénovation en est une autre. Il a fallu un bon travail d’équipe et beaucoup de créativité. À la tête de cette mission se trouvait la directrice générale Maureen Moloughney, dont la personnalité chaleureuse, le charisme et le dynamisme imprègnent l’esprit de collaboration qui règne au sein de la coopérative. Un conseil d’administration composé de huit personnes est là pour guider et soutenir les efforts.

Isobel Bisby, membre du conseil d’administration et présidente du Comité de financement, s’est attelée à la tâche avec une énergie et une créativité débordantes. Elle a mené plusieurs campagnes de financement, depuis la collecte de pièces de deux dollars, les soupers-bénéfice au Golden India Restaurant, les encans silencieux, la vente « au pied carré » du Heartwood House jusqu’à la mobilisation de donateurs. D’importantes subventions ont été reçues de la Fondation Trillium, du Blue Skies Project et du Fonds fédéral pour l’accessibilité, laquelle permettra l’installation d’un ascenseur. (Lors d’une entrevue, Isobel précise que les campagnes de financement se poursuivent et que d’un seul clic sur le bouton CanadaHelps (www.heartwoodhouse.com), on peut faire un don et recevoir instantanément un reçu pour don de bienfaisance!)

Les travaux de rénovation étant en bonne voie, l’heure du déménagement était arrivée. Après tout un branle-bas de combat, la corvée s’est terminée à 16 h la veille du Jour de l’An!

Quand on lui demande de qualifier cette entreprise, Maureen s’exclame : « C’est simple. On y est arrivé! Et nous sommes enchantés de notre nouvel emplacement et de notre nouveau quartier. »

Et le quartier Overbrook s’enrichit de la présence de Heartwood House et de ses partenaires, dont l’action vise l’alphabétisation (y compris pour les sourds), les troubles anxieux et alimentaires, l’appui aux personnes handicapées et leur famille, la formation professionnelle des immigrants, le logement abordable, etc., sans compter les services comme la buanderie communautaire.

L’histoire de Heartwood House est axée sur la création d’un modèle innovateur de changement social. De merveilleuses choses peuvent se produire lorsque des gens et des organismes travaillent vers un but commun. Une conférence internationale, qui aura lieu le 1er mai au Heartwood House, portera justement sur ce modèle unique de collaboration entre petits organismes de bienfaisance à but non lucratif. Bâtir une communauté et assurer un avenir meilleur pour l’ensemble de la collectivité, voilà ce qu’évoque sa devise « Better together! ». Car, comme le veut l’adage, c’est l’union qui fait la force…

 
 

OUr Mission

Heartwood House provides an affordable, accessible workplace for small non-profit and charitable organizations, enabling them to maximize their services through a mutually supportive, hospitable and empowering environment for their clients and participants.

Heartwood House serves the residents of Ottawa who are marginalized, living in poverty, and/or in need of educational, mental health, emotional, physical, economic, employment, training or recreational support through collaboration and the development of formal and informal partnerships within the greater community.