Sparks Gives
In small ways, we can make big change.
Our Sparks Gives initiative endeavors to support the needs of our local community by providing funding to help organizations that passionately work to improve the lives of those in the closely surrounding community of Sparks Street.
To show our sincere appreciation for the work our core organizations do, and the integral services they provide residents and visitors, we are contributing a cash donation and are pleased to offer additional partnership support to them in 2021.
Through our programs, festivals, and events, Sparks Gives will continue to identify and support the ever growing & ongoing needs of our neighbours. These organizations are truly the heart of our downtown core.
Join us in giving a warm welcome to our 2020-2021 Partners:
In showing our support, we will be doing Twelve Days of #SparksGives where each of the above organizations will receive their cash donation between December 7-18, 2020.
The Sparks Street BIA will continue to partner with these organizations in 2021 and we look forward to assisting in the promotion of their valuable initiatives.
This program has been made possible with thanks to our Sparks Street BIA Board of Directors.
Follow the giving stories below!
12 Days of Sparks Gives
"As Covid19 drags on, we see ever-increasing levels of need for both shelter and nutritious food.” - Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley. The food truck program began with five stops delivering about 100 meals at each stop. Now the truck has 13 locations rotating throughout Ottawa each week and delivers over 2,000 meals per week. Since the launch of the program, almost 14,000 meals have been served through the program. "The Mission will continue to do our part in collaboration with our partners and supporters to nsure that people don’t go hungry." - Tilley. SSBIA is proud to be one of these partners supporting The Ottawa Mission this holiday season and in future. In addition to #SparksGives, the SSBIA Board donated the funds for their annual general meeting (AGM) dinner this December to assist those in need. How you can help: https://ottawamission.com/make-donation/
"The Shepherds of Good Hope is humbled by the support we have received over the pandemic from the community including from our friends on Sparks Street. During this unique holiday season, where feelings of distance and isolation are more prevalent than ever among those experiencing homelessness, we are hosting “Jingle For Hope” to share inspiring and heartfelt stories about our clients, volunteers, partners and frontline staff to demonstrate how people just like you have made a positive impact on so many individuals who live right here in our community.
Jingle for Hope is about people and we will showcase how one person can make a positive change in the lives of women and men who are experiencing homelessness and those who turn to Shepherds for support through our essential programs.
DONATE NOW: https://www.sghottawa.com/ways-to-give/
Operation Come Home
Operation Come Home is an employment, education, and support centre for homeless and at-risk youth age 16 and up. Their programs focus on what works and what matters to youth, as well as encourage personal growth of everyone as an individual. Their vision is to prevent homeless youth from becoming homeless adults and they strive to create a professional, non-judgmental, caring, confidential, consistent, youth-centered environment that empowers youth, staff and volunteers to actively promote: advocacy, youth success through opportunity, adaptability, integrity and equality through a team approach while maintaining respect for human worth and dignity.
More information on how you can help and donate can be found here: https://operationcomehome.ca/donate-2/
This Wednesday, December 9, Operation Come Home (OCH) teams up with Intempo Design Studio and Jamiee Horn for a one-hour yoga session, ‘Rituals for Rest’. It is a pay-what-you-like event, with a limit of 100 participants - first 10 to register have their donation paid by Intempo Design Studio. All proceeds are going to OCH. You can register here: http://www.jaimeehorn.com/giving-back
The YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region is at the centre of our community, helping people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities live engaging, more rewarding lives. A charity dedicated to the health of individuals, families and communities, the Y is accessible to all, serving more than 90,000 people in our region each year. Their programs and services are tailored to local community needs and they work to build healthy communities. Interested in donating? Click here.
The YMCA-YWCA offers many different programs, including their Employment Access Centre which is hosting weekly webinars to assist you in your job search! For more information about the upcoming schedule, and to register for events, click here.
Youth Services Bureau
"Each month, the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) serves more than 3,000 young people and their families in the areas of youth housing and homelessness, mental health and counselling, employment and training, and youth justice. YSB operates two Emergency Youth Shelters – the only shelters specifically for youth in the city. With housing as the ultimate goal, YSB supports youth leaving their shelters with the necessities for success, including Housing Start-Up Kits. Each Housing Start-Up Kit will include a grocery gift card, cleaning supplies (plunger, dish soap, all-purpose spray, etc.), basic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.), kitchen items (utensils, oven mitts, glasses, etc.) and towels, nicely packed inside a laundry basket. These important kits will help youth establish themselves as they rebuild their lives and become independent. With support from Sparks Gives, YSB will be able to provide 2 deserving youth Housing Start-Up Kits as they transition to their own apartments." You can help too and DONATE HERE.