The Education Foundation of Ottawa supports our most vulnerable students in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). Typically, we estimate that 1 in 5 students in every classroom will need support, however given the recent events of labour actions and COVID-19, we know that our OCDSB families will need support NOW more than ever.

It is our goal to find viable ways to support our students during this time and beyond.

Due to these recent events, we have had to postpone our annual Toonie Tuesday Fundraiser that was set to raise $65,000 for our Students in Crisis Fund. Although, it is our hope to have this fundraiser before the end of the current school year, we also recognize that the need is only growing and there is no time to wait! The impacts of the labour relations and COVID-19 mean that those who were already in need, will be in need that much more, and those who weren’t in need before, may now find themselves in a position of having to ask for help.

As a donor you can help in a number of ways.

Firstly, our Students in Crisis Fund is meant to provide necessary funding for clothing, medical needs, school supplies, and other emergent basic necessities. This fund is meant to get support in the hands of students and families when they need help the most.

Secondly, our Food Security Fund is in place to support the nutritional needs of our OCDSB students during and outside of school hours. Support is provided by funding lunch and snack programs for students in need and supplying grocery gift cards to families who find themselves unable to make ends meet.

Thirdly, we have our Area of Greatest Need Fund where your donation is undesignated, allowing us the flexibility needed to utilize the funds immediately to support the programs that need it the most.

At the Education Foundation of Ottawa, we believe that it’s about what kids deserve. Now is the time to come together as a community to help mitigate the devastating impact families may face presently and in the near future.