Dream Launcher Newsletter
Learn about the impact of your donations on the lives of our Ottawa children, youth and families.
February 2025
Letter from Walter Noble, Executive Director, CAF Ottawa
YOU are awesome for helping improve the lives children, youth, and families in 2024!
THANK YOU for continuing to be a part of our Dream Launcher Community! I’m very grateful and honoured that you continue to support the children, youth and families who rely on the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa for support and services. Your donations empower the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa to reliably fund critical preventative programs such as education (bursaries), youth transition (housing, employment readiness), healthcare (mental health supports), as well as responding to emergency needs throughout the year.
The purpose of my email is to share some of the accomplishments over the last year that YOU made possible! The 2024 Dream Launcher Impact Report below summarizes the programs and initiatives that YOU supported.
Walter Noble
Executive Director, CAF Ottawa
Pod Model for Learning
The Pod Model for Learning, launched in 2020, has become a transformative support system for youth in care. By combining personalized academic support with socio-emotional guidance, the program is helping young people achieve their educational goals while equipping future educators with trauma-informed skills.
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Watch Rahma share her journey in our new video, alongside Jill Bennett, CASO’s Education Liaison and creator of the Pod Model.
Rahma entered foster care at the age of 14, navigating numerous challenges on her journey to complete high school. With the support of the Pod Model for Learning program, she not only achieved her diploma but also earned a place at Carleton University.
Today, Rahma is excelling in her studies and attributes her success to the program, which provided her with the resources and support she needed to thrive.
Feature Article: “Program that helps at-risk youth graduate high school showing success”
Faith Greco, December 30, 2024, CBC News
Dare to Dream – Postsecondary Bursary Program
The word is spreading—and so is the impact!
September 2024 marked our most successful term yet for the Dare to Dream Bursary Program! We received an incredible 43 applications from new and renewing applicants—a testament to the growing number of youth determined to build brighter futures.
These bursaries change lives by giving youth aging out of the child welfare system a real chance to pursue college, university, or vocational training—opportunities many of us take for granted.
What makes this even more inspiring? Many of our bursary recipients have expressed a strong desire to enter “helping professions” like social work, psychology, and child and youth care—dedicated to supporting others just as they were once supported.
But make no mistake—their resilience, passion, and hard work are their own. The Dare to Dream Bursary simply levels the playing field, ensuring that finances are not the reason they can’t chase their dreams.
Below, hear directly from one of our bursary recipients—a powerful reminder of what your support makes possible.
Don’t forget…
Currency for Kids
Do you have leftover coins or bills from travelling? CAF Ottawa continues to accept foreign currency donations through our Currency for Kids program in partnership with Ultimate Currency Exchange!
Donate your foreign currency at:
Ultimate Currency Exchange (drop-off only)
2573 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2B 7H7
240 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
1980 Ogilvie Road Unit 109, Ottawa, ON K1J 9L3
CAF Ottawa (mail or drop-off)
1602 Telesat Court, Ottawa, ON K1B 1B1
Your donations are sorted and returned to their home countries to boost local economies, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa supporting children, youth, and families in child welfare.
Feature Segment: “How a Toronto company sorts foreign cash for charities”
Shallima Maharaj, December 31, 2024, Global News
You helped launch over 2,000 dreams this year!
To our individual and corporate donors, partners, sponsors, funders, and everyone who has helped share our mission—THANK YOU for another year of generosity, support, and unwavering commitment to our community.
Together, we’re empowering deserving children, youth, and families to create their own success. We can’t wait to see the impact we’ll make in 2025—none of it would be possible without YOU!
Walter, Alexandra, and Liz
Mark your calendar for Salut! 2025
Check out our video from last year and get excited – Join us on May 14th to make a REAL impact in our community!
Annual Events
Salut!
Prepare your palates for an evening of wine, food, and good company.
CAFO Charity Golf Tournament
Grab your clubs and three closest friends and come out to our annual golf tournament.
World Trivia Night
You’d better start studying and bring your A-game for Canada’s largest live trivia contest.
Salut!
Prepare your palates for an evening of wine, food, and good company.
CAFO Charity Golf Tournament
Grab your clubs and three closest friends and come out to our annual golf tournament.
World Trivia Night
You better start studying and bring your A-game for Canada’s largest live trivia contest.