Backpacks for the Homeless

*We urgently need your help to reach $12,000 by the end of August* You can donate at www.backpacksforhomeless.ca. If you have any questions please let us know VIA Facebook message or call us at 613-614-8447.

Have you met Ron Pitre? He's the charitable mind behind backpacks for the Homeless. Head over to our website to learn how it all started #Ottawa #Charity Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca

*** DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED *** Any and every donation counts to help our homeless keep warm this winter season. If you can, please donate by visiting www.backpacksforhomeless.ca. #Charity #Ottawa

Please donate at www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Charity #Ottawa

Please donate at www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Charity #Ottawa

**Ending Homelessness** Ending Homelessness There are various programs and policies that target the issue of homelessness. One of the approaches is Housing First, which is a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness that centers on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing. There are also government interventions that are broadly encapsulated by the homelessness strategy, which encompasses the implementation of Housing F...irst along with other efforts. Preventative frameworks are promising in stopping homelessness before it begins. Adapting the public health prevention model to the issues of homelessness involves targeting homelessness at the primary level, secondary and tertiary levels. Primary prevention includes initiatives aimed to create structural change. Secondary prevention, involves addressing homelessness immediately when it begins or attempting to stop it if there is a high risk. Finally, tertiary prevention efforts are directed at preventing those who have previously experienced homelessness from experiencing it again. Individual people can also contribute to ending homelessness or easing the burden of those who are experiencing homelessness. Some ways to address homelessness on an individual level include donating money or resources to local organizations that help those experiencing homelessness, volunteering with these organizations, or becoming an advocate. Advocacy work can include supporting a mandatory minimum income across Canada, or a preventative strategy on homelessness. During winter, you can donate winter clothing and blankets, help individuals get to warming centres, or call local outreach services to check on those who are outside in the cold. There are different ways to contribute to ending homelessness, and every contribution to supporting the cause counts. #Ottawa #Charity Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca See more

Please donate at www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Charity #Ottawa

**Homelessness Defined** According to the Canadian Definition of Homelessness, homelessness is the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it. It is important to note that this definition does not fully encompass every experience of homelessness. There are different groups of people who are affected differently, and every individuals experience is unique.... Homelessness is not strictly an issue of housing instability. These differences are important when considering methods of addressing homelessness, as one strategy does not apply for every community. The Indigenous definition of homelessness considers the traumas imposed on Indigenous Peoples through colonialism. According the Definition of Indigenous Homelessness in Canada, it is a human condition that describes First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, families or communities lacking stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate Prospect, means or ability to acquire such housingIndigenous homelessness is not defined as lacking a structure of habitation; rather, it is more fully described and understood through a composite lens of Indigenous worldviews. Additionally, youth experience homelessness in fundamentally different ways than adults, due to their age. The Canadian Definition of Youth Homelessness outlines that it is a situation and experience of young people between the ages of 13-24 who are living independently of parents and/or caregivers, but do not have the means or ability to acquire stable, safe or consistent residence. #Ottawa #Charity Please Donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca See more

*Myth & Fact Myth: Homeless people can't take care of themselves-so they shouldn't be allowed to have pets. Fact: Homeless people love their pets and will find ways to provide for them. As a matter of fact, a homeless pet owner would rather sleep on the street than choose a bed in a shelter that doesn't allow pets. When it comes to owning a pet, people experiencing homelessness are not much different than people who are housed: they love their furry companions, take good care of them, and treat them as family. Having a pet is often a barrier for people needing to find shelter or access services. Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Ottawa #Charity

Did you know? Shepherds of Good Hope foster hope and reduce harm in Ottawa by supporting the homeless and most vulnerable with specialized services, programs and partnerships. Through their specialized services, programs and partnerships, they help address challenges with mental health, addictions and trauma. And every day, they: Help stabilize people through their specialized shelter programs, Provide permanent homes with on-site, around-the-clock support in their supportive housing facilities, Serve thousands at their soup kitchen and evening drop-in center. For the full History please visit www.sghottawa.com/our-history/ Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Ottawa #Charity

*Myth & Fact* Myth: people are homeless by choice Fact: No one starts life with a goal of becoming homeless. Yes, poor choices often contribute to it, but circumstances such as job loss, mental illness, domestic abuse, and trauma strongly influence those choices. Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Charity #Ottawa

*Myth & Fact* Myth: Homeless people should "just get a job" Fact: Getting a job is especially challenging for a homeless person who lacks clean clothes, showers, transportation, and a permanent address. Others have a criminal past, learning disabilities or lack of education. Even if they find work, their low income often cannot sustain them.Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Ottawa #Charity

*ENDING HOMELESSNESS* The first step in ending homelessness is to understand it. Debunking myths about homeless people will help reduce stigma, break stereotypes and increase empathy Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Ottawa #Charity

*Myth & Fact* Myth: Homelessness affects only middle-aged men. Fact: The fastest growing segments of the homeless population are woman and families with children. Please donate @ www.backpacksforhomeless.ca #Ottawa #Charity

Hello Everyone, Just to let you know we are looking into how we might be able to move forward with this year's campaign. Please donate at www.backpacksforhomeless.ca... #Ottawa #Charity #Helpingthehomeless

#Didyouknow? Robin Williams requested that for every movie he worked on or event he did, the company hiring also had to hire a certain number of homeless people in the area and give them work. #Ottawa #Charity

Here are 9 ways we can help our Homeless everyday 1. Educate yourself. 2. Show some respect. 3. Donate.... 4. Volunteer. 5. Teach. 6. Reach out. 7. Seek out job opportunities. 8. Get techy. 9. Advocate. #Ottawa #Charity See more

Centre 507 seeks to create a vibrant network which engages community members in healthy living, recreation, wellness education and preventative care. From harm reduction, tax help, haircuts, gardening, tailoring to a trip to the art gallery or access to computers, and art classes, Centre 507 is a dynamic environment offering services to equip our community to stay integrated and lead fulfilling lives. To learn more about Centre 507 please visit http://www.centre507.org/ #Ottawa #Charity

Did you know? The Ottawa Booth Centre is much more than a shelter. They run residential addiction treatment programs such as Stabilization, and Anchorage Addiction Recovery. Stabilization is a 90-day program. It helps clients prepare for longer-term treatment programs. They provide clients with a safe environment to eliminate their addictions.Anchorage is for men recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The four-month program is abstinence-based. It is meant to help folks ...work through core issues related to their drug or alcohol use. They also offer the Residential Life Skills program. It enhances clients abilities and equips them with problem-solving strategies. Clients return to the community with new coping skills.Our Booth Centre operates several housing-related programs, funded by the city of Ottawa, that aim to end homelessness through a Housing First strategy of locating and renting housing units, and helping new tenants adapt and become housing self-sufficient, including those previously engaged in street living. The Community Family Services provides budget and financial management counselling and banking-related support, runs an emergency food pantry, and operates a fund that helps tenants pay their outstanding heating bills in winter. They also run an emergency hostel for men 18 years of age and older. #Ottawa #Charity See more

*Myth & Fact* Myth: Helping people enables them to stay homeless Fact: Food and shelter are essentials for life. By offering these and other outreach services like restrooms, showers and mail service, we build relationships with people in need. Then were able to offer more through our recovery programs, like counseling, addiction recovery, life skills and job training. #Ottawa #Charity

Operation Come Home is an employment, education and support centre for homeless and atrisk youth in Ottawa, Ontario. Their programs assist street-involved youth ages 16 and up. Operation Come Home first opened its doors in 1971, and was then known as Operation Go Home. In June 2009, Operation Go Home changed their name to Operation Come Home. The move was made to make the organization feel more inclusive so youth would access their services more often, and to reflect the changes in those services offered by the organization.The organization now included a school, housing services, employment services, addiction counseling, as well as mental and sexual health assistance. They are a non-profit organization that receives no regular government funding. #Charity #Ottawa

Did you know? The Gite Ami was founded in 1983. They offer lodging and shelter to more than 55 people, men and women, every day. The Friend's Lodge is a temporary community shelter working with people facing social exclusion and homelessness. In partnership with local organizations, it provides its services without prejudice, respect and human dignity, promoting a process of social integration. #Charity #Ottawa

Over the years OIM has offered care and support to all manner of people. OIM focuses specifically on those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Ottawa. OIM has served street youth, sex workers, released offenders, deinstitutionalized individuals with mental illnesses, the physically ill, the socially isolated, the elderly, the least and the lost. By coming alongside the wounded and vulnerable, by offering hope and practical care, by identifying and encouraging the use of... their skills and talents, OIM seeks to communicate to the public and to its street friends that the poor and marginalized are valuable and capable community members. With this idea in mind, OIM developed a strength-based initiative called Passion 4 Youth in 2009. Today the program, now called Innercity Arts, has seen a lot of growth and change with the needs of Ottawas most vulnerable street youth. For the full story please visit www.ottawainnercityministries.ca/about/np-our-story/ See more

Did you know? For the past 7 years, Backpacks for the Homeless helps out the following facilities that deal directly with the Homeless in Ottawa/Gatineau. Git Ami in Hull, Operation Come Home, Shepherd's of Good Hope, Salvation Army Booth Centre, The Ottawa Mission, Ottawa Inner-city Ministries & Centre 507 #Charity #Ottawa

Did you know? The Ottawa Mission began as a place that offered men in need a safe bed and a meal. It has since evolved into a place that offers a wide range of programs and services to address the ever-changing needs of people experiencing homelessness #Ottawa #Charity

Did you know? Backpacks for the Homeless first began its charitable work in 2012. #Charity #Ottawa

Did you know? Each Backpack for the Homeless also contains a $5.00 Tim Hortons Gift Card! #Charity #Ottawa www.backpacksforhomeless.ca

Have you met our team? Go to our website to meet our great leaders! #Ottawa #Charity #helpingthehomelessonebagatatime www.backpacksforhomeless.ca

#Didyouknow Backpacks for the Homeless include a winter toque, gloves, socks, toiletries, little treats and more! #Ottawa #Charity www.backpacksforhomeless.ca

If you're in downtown Ottawa and hungry, the following is a list of places that offer take-away meals for those in need: A Meal to Go 152 Metcalfe Street (enter... at the front doors of St. Peter and St. Pauls Anglican Church - corner of Metcalfe Street and Gloucester Street) Capital City Mission 521 Rideau Street (corner of Cobourg Street and Rideau Street) Centre 507 507 Bank Street (corner of Argyle Avenue and Bank Street) Centre Espoir Sophie (for women) 145 Murray Street (between Cumberland Street and Dalhousie Street) Odawa 510 Rideau Street (window pick up - between Augusta Street and Cobourg Street) Operation Come Home (for youth 16-29) 150 Gloucester Street (line up at the front door between OConnor Street and Bank Street) Ottawa Innercity Ministries 391 Gladstone Avenue (between Bank & Kent Street) Ottawa Mission 35 Waller Street (pick up at the garage - corner of Waller & Daly Avenue) Restoring Hope (for youth 16-24) 140 Laurier Avenue West (corner of Elgin & Laurier West) Shepherds of Good Hope 233 Murray Street (parking lot pick up - corner of Murray Street and King Edward Avenue) St. Joes Womens Centre (for women) 151 Laurier Avenue East St. Lukes Table (take away meals served in parking lot of the McNabb Arena) 180 Percy Street

Invitation from our Executive Director Ken, to check out the Canadian Stone Carving Festival! Don't miss the opportunity to bid on beautiful stone carving art p...ieces! From July 17th to July 19th, you will have the opportunity to bid at https://canadianstonecarvingfestival.com/ All proceeds support OIM's art program for street-engaged youth.

One of the excellent organizations that does such an awesome job helping our street friends.

It's #GivingTuesdayNow a global day of giving and unity Consider supporting OIM raise funds for emergency supplies and PPE for staff and volunteers, your gene...rosity is greatly appreciate it! Click here to support OIM: https://bit.ly/3fmNaYp #GivingTuesdayNow #GivingTuesdayNowCA #unity #generosity