Dream Launcher Newsletter

Learn about the impact of your donations on the lives of our Ottawa children, youth and families.

November 2023

In this newsletter, we share the impact that your ongoing gift has made on the children, youth and families involved with child welfare. We feature stories and messages that come directly from our youth ambassadors as well as a message from an incredible front-line child protection worker.

In Their Own Words

Journee’s Story: Kin Family Adoption and Youth Transition to Independence

Journee courageously shares her life story with us, and as in any life story, there are many layers to her lived experience. She touches on the mechanisms that were necessary to help her become the amazing, independent, and successful young woman that she is today.

She expresses the importance of being placed in a loving kin family* along with her brother, when she couldn’t remain with her birth mother. Her great aunt adopted Journee and her brother when they were preschoolers and provided them with a stable, loving home in Ottawa for most of their childhood. Journee became involved again with CAS Ottawa in her early teens when tragedy struck, and her aunt died.

Journee goes on to share how her Child Protection Worker at CAS Ottawa helped her through the various challenges of aging out of care and into independence. She credits her worker with helping her to transition to a productive and meaningful life.

The Youth Works Program was an integral part of Journee’s transition process, as she received learning supports, such as budgeting and employment readiness skills. Ultimately, the pillars of support provided by CAS Ottawa helped Journee to prepare for the transition from foster care to independence and helped her on her journey to secure employment with the financial sector. Journee is leading a productive and meaningful life.

*Kinship adoption, also called relative adoption or family adoption, refers to the formal, legal adoption of a child by grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, siblings, extended family members, or other kin.

Message from Evangeline, 25-year frontline Child Protection Worker with CAS Ottawa

“The kids that we work with are fantastic. They face a ton of adversity in life and they fight against it every day. And when we find ways to invest in their potential, they go to amazing places with that investment,” says Evangeline, your frontline worker with The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.

See her message in this 30 second video

Message from Alanna Sterling: “Give foster kids a second chance at building a better future!”

 

Here is a short, yet insightful message from Alanna Sterling, a former youth in care. She is now a CAF Ottawa Youth Ambassador, Musician and Dare to Dream Graduate with an Honour’s bachelor’s degree in biomedical neuroscience. Her message was filmed when she was encouraging everyone to join the World Trivia Night fundraiser and help Our Ottawa Kids.

Alanna will tell you more in her own words in this 10 second video.

 

Thank You Note from Gabi, Dare to Dream Bursary Graduate

“This will be my final year at University of Ottawa and I am so proud to complete this journey. I appreciated the generous donations [that] allowed me to obtain a first-class education without the stress of overwhelming debt. For this, words cannot describe my gratitude. I wish you all the best karma life has to offer.

Thank you for helping me reach my full potential.

With love,

Gabi”

Dare to Dream Bursary Beneficiary and Graduate  |  B.A. Communications, University of Ottawa

Now working for the Government of Canada

Fundraising Events and Program Updates

Our annual Holiday Gift Program has just begun!

Unlike other local holiday fundraisers, our program is unique because it provides holiday cheer to families throughout the year and helps them to celebrate their cultural and religious family traditions.

It’s a fun team-building opportunity too, as friends, families and companies throughout Ottawa gather to sponsor a family with toys and grocery gift cards.

Shown Here: “Santa’s Workshop” at CAS Ottawa is starting to fill with toys that will be sure to delight children for Christmas, Kwaanza, Eid, Chinese New Year and many other celebrations to come!

LEARN MORE
Annual BDC CAFOTT Golf Tournament, September 13, 2023 – $31,000 Raised

It was heartwarming to see everyone play golf and to raise funds for our Ottawa kids! We couldn’t have done it without our stellar partner, BDC including: Kunle Tauhid (who kept the sun shining for us!), Laura-Lee Brenneman and the fabulous BDC Volunteer Team.

Our Corporate Dream LaunchersINSA Corporation, have partnered with us for several years to improve the well-being of children, youth and families involved with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa. Thank you!

Congratulations to the Winning Foursome: Walker ClimateCare!

Pay It Forward Fundraiser, October 20, 2023 –  $50,810 Raised

“Our Kids are AMAZING. Our kids have BIG POTENTIAL. Our kids PAY IT FORWARD!”

Our very own front-line child protection workers ran their fourth annual internal fundraiser. Over 40 CAS Ottawa staff members participated to raise funds for our Ottawa kids because, “We believe our kids can change the world!” This run/walk/cycle event takes place over 30 Km along the beautiful Ottawa river parkway, and this year ALL fundraising dollars went directly to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa.

In the word of one of the organizers, Evangeline, a frontline social worker:

“Shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, smile to smile, we made positive noise for our special kids! The effort for us individually may seem like it was not a hardship, but it takes big courage to ask friends, family and the community to help us. It takes big courage to dress silly and draw attention. It takes big courage to make a chorus that sings the same song at the same time as loud as possible.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated, everyone who cheered, everyone who helped, everyone who participated in the fundraising and most of all everyone who believes in our kids!”

World Trivia Night, October 27, 2023 – $132,000 Raised

The Ottawa trivia community raised $132,000 for our Ottawa kids, which will go towards launching many dreams in the next several years.

Want to know more about the fundraiser? We were FEATURED by Caroline Phillips in the Ottawa Business Journal:

“From brainiacs to beer drinkers, the annual World Trivia Night saw all types of folks exercise their intellectual muscles Friday night while helping to make sure all kids have the same shot at a brighter future.” October 30, 2023, Caroline Phillips, Ottawa Business Journal.

READ THE OBJ ARTICLE

Dream Launcher Logo

Recognizing our 25-Year Dream Launchers

Honouring three constant supporters of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa

At this year’s World Trivia Night, we shon a spotlight on our Corporate Dream Launcher, Emond Harnden. Carole Piette and the EH team have provided years of unwavering sponsorship and support for the well-being of our Ottawa kids, youth and families. Carole had this to say:

“I’ve been involved with the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa for over 30 years. Their work is extremely important. I encourage you all to get involved! I’m so proud to be involved with this organization, and we are so proud to participate this year. We’ll see you next year!” (translation)

We also honoured two individuals who have been critical to the success of World Trivia Night for decades. Firstly, Paul Paquet, who has been our intrepid Trivia Master and donates his time to create and deliver that challenging questions that our trivia players tackle every year. Secondly, we thanked Dan Pihlainen, who has graciously emcee’d our event year-in/year-out, and is a critical component of the smooth running of our highly competitive trivia event.

World Trivia Night could not happen without Dan and Paul who have graciously donated their time for the past 25+ years. They were each presented with a Dream Launcher plaque in recognition of their contributions and commitment towards helping raise funds for children, youth and families involved in child welfare.

Dan Pihlainen, Walter Noble, Paul Paquet (L to R)

Our Dream Launcher Corporate Sponsors & Partners

We are sincerely grateful to our partners, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who participated in our events to make this years’ fundraising events a tremendous success!

Emond Harnden logo
Kiss Ottawa Logo
MNP
Rogers Media Logo
Logo Mann Lawyers
Shaw Centre logo
Kiss Ottawa Logo
Shaw Centre logo
Logo Nanometrics Inc.
Logo Nanometrics Inc.
Logo Enterprise Holdings
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Logo Corporate Traveller
DE Systems Logo
Shaw Centre logo
Shaw Centre logo
Eventfluent Logo
Kiwanis Logo
Ottawa Trivia League Logo

ANNUAL EVENTS

Salut!

Prepare your palates for an evening of wine, food, and good company.

Learn more

CAFO Charity Golf Tournament

Grab your clubs and three closest friends and come out to our annual golf tournament.

Learn more

World Trivia Night

You better start studying and bring your A-game for Canada's largest live trivia contest.

Learn more

Salut!

Prepare your palates for an evening of wine, food, and good company.

Learn more

CAFO Charity Golf Tournament

Grab your clubs and three closest friends and come out to our annual golf tournament.

Learn more

World Trivia Night

You better start studying and bring your A-game for Canada's largest live trivia contest.

Learn more