It is the beginning of the summer holidays in Ottawa, and the parents of a few dozen children are taking part in the “Let’s Make a Difference” project, which aims to get parents, teachers and community members out to school.
The project is run by the Ottawa Community Foundation, which helps parents with their childrens’ education, and has raised more than $4 million.
The organization has also been featured in several media outlets including CBC’s The National, CBC Ottawa and CBC Ottawa.
“This is the first summer in the capital where we’re going to have a community meeting and a discussion about what we can do for the kids,” said Stephanie Gaffney, whose family has lived in Ottawa for more than 25 years.
“We have a few kids who are very special, so this is really a chance to get a little bit of an idea of how we can help.”
Gaffny said the event, which will be held on June 9, is an opportunity for the community to come together and talk about what they can do to help the kids.
“When you talk to parents, they want to know what you can do, how can you help, what are your strategies to help,” said Gaffey.
“It’s really important that we have a shared vision that we can work together to create a positive community for kids.”
While the event is aimed at the parents, the community is also looking to the community.
“The goal is for the parents to come to the meeting to hear from the community,” said Paul Levesque, who is the executive director of the Ottawa-based Canadian Alliance for Children and Families.
“And I think that’s what the community can do.
We have a common interest.
We’re all in this together, so if you can help with something, we can all benefit.”
“We’ve heard from a lot of parents, who are feeling a little overwhelmed and overwhelmed, and just need a little help,” Levesques said.
“There are many people in the community who are not sure what to do and what to give.
This is a chance for us to all come together to help them out.”
The event will feature the community and the children, who will receive a kit and some materials.
“All we’re asking for is a little more time, a little less stress and a little better communication,” said Levesqes.
“You want to be prepared for this, so you have a plan in place.”
The project, the latest in a series of events planned for the summer, is one of many initiatives launched by the organization, which has raised over $1 million in funding since the beginning.
While some of the funds raised have been earmarked for specific projects, Levesques said it’s also a way to raise awareness and make a difference.
“They want to get the message out to the communities,” he said.
Gaffneys has a similar story.
She said that while the program has been successful in getting some parents to visit their children, she’s also noticed an increase in the number of kids leaving school to get something to eat or drink.
“I feel like I’ve just been on a roller coaster,” said the mother of three.
“At some point, I’ll get to the point where I’m not going to go to school anymore, and that’s when I think, this isn’t for me.
I need help.”
She said she hopes to see the event continue in the coming months, with a few weeks of workshops and a tour of a local grocery store.
“Maybe if we just have a little time off, we’ll see if it gets bigger and bigger,” said Gregan.
“A lot of kids just want to go home.”
The community is hoping to use the event to raise more money to buy toys for the children in need, and help pay for other community initiatives.
Gafney said the organization has received hundreds of emails and phone calls since the event began.
With files from The Canadian Press”
The organization hopes to raise enough money to purchase a new toy, which they will then use to help pay the cost of other community-based initiatives such as a playground for kids, a preschool for students with disabilities, or a children’s hockey rink.
With files from The Canadian Press
