Dream Launcher Newsletter
Learn about the impact of your donations on the lives of our Ottawa children, youth and families.
January 2026
Message from the Executive Director – Walter Noble
As I reflect back on 2025, I want to first and foremost recognize YOU, our incredibly generous Dream Launcher donor community. THANK YOU for helping improve the lives of over 7,000 children, youth, and families this past year.
Our team is very grateful and honoured that you continue to be a champion for the kids at the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.
Your donations ensure the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa is able to fund critical programs in areas of greatest need such as education (Dare to Dream bursaries/tutoring), youth transition (housing, employment readiness), healthcare (mental health supports), as well as responding to emergency needs throughout the year from frontline social workers.
The purpose of my email is to share some of the accomplishments over the last year that YOU made possible! The 2025 Dream Launcher Impact Report below summarizes our programs and initiatives that YOU supported that continue to help break the cycle for hundreds of children and youth in child welfare.
YOUR IMPACT
“I would like to thank all of the CAFO donors who have assisted the lives of so many students, allowing them to take part in the education they deserve… Thank you for helping us in our futures and giving us the opportunity to be better than our pasts and move forward with our lives. Let’s keep the future bright, especially for those who grew up surrounded by so much darkness.”
– Julie, Former Youth in Care / Dare to Dream Bursary Recipient / Aspiring Social Worker
“Receiving the Dare to Dream Bursary last year made a significant difference in my life during a time when I truly needed it. Your generosity allowed me to continue my post-secondary education in the midst of financial, medical and housing challenges that made life incredibly difficult. It has been hard to stay determined, but your belief in my potential, and willingness to invest in my future, gave me both practical relief and emotional encouragement. Thank you for being part of my journey.”
– Chris, Former Youth in Care / Dare to Dream Bursary Recipient / Aspiring Human Rights & Social Justice Advocate/Researcher
“Thank you for the gifts we received for the girls for Christmas. It was nice to see their faces Christmas morning. Also, thank you for including the gift cards for Walmart. With the prices of food rising so much lately, it helped us have a wonderful Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.”
– Grandmother caring for 2 children
“We had a wonderful Christmas – thanks to you and your little elves. Your generosity truly warmed our hearts making this year one of the best Christmases we’ve ever had.”
– Single mother of 3
EVENT NEWS
Salut! 2026
Registration Now Open!
Please join us at the Brookstreet Hotel on Wednesday, May 13th for Salut!—an elegant evening of exceptional wine, thoughtfully paired cuisine, and inspiring stories of impact.
Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner paired with a curated selection of Ontario VQA wines, guided by returning Head Sommelier James Bertrand alongside Co-Head Sommelier Marie-France Champagne. Together, they will lead an engaging tasting experience designed to delight seasoned wine lovers and curious newcomers alike.
You will hear directly from a former youth in care and Dare to Dream recipient, sharing how this bursary has helped remove barriers to post-secondary education and open the door to a meaningful future.
Boston Pizza
Hearts Campaign
From now until February 23rd, stop into Boston Pizza Barrhaven or Conroy Road for great food and an easy, meaningful way to support children, youth, and families in Ottawa!
Here’s how you can support CAFO while enjoying a night out with family and friends:
- Try a Panookie—$1 from every Panookie supports kids at CAS Ottawa!
- Buy a Paper Heart to display when you pay your bill—your enitre donation comes back to us!
- Dine in or take out on February 14th—every heart-shaped pizza sends love to children and youth in need.
Safer Together Conference
Call to End Gender-Based Violence
Thanks to generous funding from the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, we were able to host a powerful gathering of leaders and experts working in the field.
On January 19th, 26 community organizations came together for the first time to connect, collaborate, and learn about the services in Ottawa supporting individuals affected by gender-based violence. Through expert panels and keynote speakers, participants gained insight into available resources and the urgent need for coordinated, community-wide action to better support those impacted.
See It, Name It, Change It—If you or someone you know is experiencing gender-based violence, please call 9-1-1 or connect with a trusted community partner.
World Trivia Night 2025
$128,896 Raised for Kids!
Thank you to everyone who came out to play on November 28th! World Trivia Night continues to be a high-energy evening filled with epic questions, laughter, and purpose. We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from our community, coming together to have fun while raising critical funds for children and youth in child welfare.
Help improve the lives of children, youth, and families involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa today!
Click the link below to make a gift to our highest priority needs or another program that is meaningful to you such as Youth Transition, Dare to Dream Bursary, Cookie Jar (essentials, enrichment, and sports), Holiday Gift Program, or Camps.
As we look ahead, there are still many children and youth in our community who need champions to believe in their potential and walk alongside them.
Thank you for continuing to make this work possible—your generosity improves lives, today and for years to come.
Sincerely,
Walter, Alexandra, and Liz
Your team at the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa
Annual Events
Salut!
Prepare your palates for an evening of wine, food, and good company.
BDC | 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.