Canada Supports 66 New Affordable Homes in Ottawa

Cranksgiving Ottawa

October 6, 2022

Summer Newsletter

A Message from Sarah Davis, Executive Director

The summer sun is a welcome reprieve from the difficulties we have endured over the last few years. And as we move into the sunshine, we have a lot to celebrate. Not only have we embarked on a new Strategic Plan, but we are embarking on the on our 5th Supportive Housing Residence, 44 Eccles. We will be housing 46 women and gender diverse people with moderate-high acuity.

We are re-committing ourselves to being a leader in ending homelessness, and with our newest project, we are moving closer to this goal.

We are so excited to work with the City of Ottawa, and all levels of government to continue to be a community leader to end homelessness.

As we move outdoors, I am looking forward to meeting all of you! We will be hosting a Meet & Great this coming July 16th. I look forward to moving out from behind the screen and celebrating all Cornerstone has overcome and beyond.

Sarah Davis, Executive Director

Eccles Announcement

Cornerstone is thrilled to announce that we have acquired our fifth supportive housing residence for women and gender-diverse people over the age of 18 in Ottawa

We have purchased 44 Eccles, which will become a new home for 46 women and gender-diverse people facing the challenge of homelessness in our community

Our purchase of 44 Eccles has been made possible through funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative-2 Stream (RHI) provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and we will be receiving funding from the Provincial Government and The City. This funding allows us to renovate 44 Eccles Street and enable us to welcome the first residents by the end of 2023.

Please click here to read more.

In the Community

Boutique Cornerstone

Last month, incredible community supporters Anna, Katie, and Andrea held another successful Boutique Cornerstone Pop-Up Sale at Thyme and Again and in partnership with Encore Fashions to bring in over $10,000 for our emergency shelter. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event a huge success!

YPAB Flower to Empower Fundraiser

The Cornerstone YPAB’s second annual Flower to Empower fundraiser in partnership with Richmond Nursery was a major success again this year, selling out in less than a week and raising $2,500 for Cornerstone.

International Women’s Golf Day and Emerald Links Golf & Country Club

A big thank you to Emerald Links Golf & Country Club who held a tournament in support of Cornerstone for International Women’s Golf Day!

Please click here to read about these events and more that have been happening in the Cornerstone community this spring!

Back in Action

Programming

The past two years have been extremely difficult for many of us, with high COVID levels in our city requiring us to isolate and be apart from one another. But we are excited to share that many of the programs and activities at our shelter and supportive housing residences are now back in person allowing us to once again gather as a community! The return of programming such as bingo, crafts, movie nights, and more signal a sense of normalcy coming back to Cornerstone. These activities give an opportunity for staff and residents to spend time together, share, laugh, and connect as one community.

Events

In-person events have been returning to Cornerstone over the spring, including our first and very successful ‘Spiritual Wellness Day’ on June 2nd, where residents and volunteers enjoyed the opening ceremony with drumming and dances, a spiritual nature walk, meditative art, yoga, and a wonderful BBQ prepared by our kitchen staff. We are so excited to continue in-person events into the summer with resident BBQs, community events, and more!

Volunteers

We have also started to welcome back more volunteers after having to put so many of our volunteer activities on hold due to the pandemic. Volunteers have been returning to our housing residences to clean up the gardens, help with events, programming, and at our reception desk.” Volunteers are such an integral part of Cornerstone, we would not be able to do the work we do without them. We are so grateful to have our volunteer community back with us in-person, welcome back!

Social Justice

Starts With Home

Starts With Home is a non-partisan campaign to mobilize public and political support for affordable housing and ending homelessness in Ottawa in advance of October’s city election.

Pride Month

June is Pride Month! Cornerstone is proud to celebrate and support 2-Spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer members of our community!

Indigenous History Month

June is Indigenous History Month, and also includes Summer Solstice and National Indigenous People’s Day! Throughout this month, and every month, we celebrate and continue to learn about the culture and achievements of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

Upcoming Events

YPAB Summer Mixer

Dragon Boat Festival

Purple Tie Gala

Support Cornerstone

Interested in hosting your own fundraiser this summer?

Hosting your own fundraiser is a great way for you to involve your friends, family, neighbours and community in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable women in Ottawa.

For more information please visit: www.cornerstonewomen.ca/get-involved/host-a-fundraiser/

For questions please contact us at donate@cornerstonewomen.ca or call 613-254-6584 ext. 521.

Interested in learning more about leaving a gift in your will?

We would love to know more about the ways in which we can support you in leaving a gift in your will. Cornerstone has lots of community partners who are experts in the field.

Please fill out this short survey to help us understand what type of legacy workshop you might be interested in.

For questions please contact Director of Development and Communications at amber.bramer@cornerstonewomen.ca or call 613-254-6584 ext. 503