What We Believe In…
The Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa envisions a future in which all persons have the capacity to work together to develop, manage and utilize the wide range of opportunities, responsive services and resources within their diverse communities for a safe, just and healthy life for all.
We are committed to the eradication of poverty in Ottawa. Coalition members advocate at many levels and on many issues to help people gain access to the basic supports, including shelter, food, income, childcare, recreation and transportation.
What does Advocacy mean to us?
- Ensuring a process for a voice for community members on issues that matter to them, regardless of means, by proving training and opportunity.
- Maintaining the support of funding agencies for the community-based infrastructure that provides the health and social services sought by City of Ottawa communities.
- Maintaining crisis resources within CHRCs to ensure the most vulnerable have ready access to needed services.
- Supporting people with barriers to access in achieving increased access to the full range of health and social services available within the City of Ottawa.
- Working more closely with community associations.
- Supporting investment in social capital.
- Expanding resources available for community-based health and social services in the City of Ottawa as needed.
Social Services Matter
Every community in Ottawa deserves a range of social services, such as accessible mental health counselling, playgroups that nurture child development, or “Meals on Wheels” to help seniors stay independent longer. Ottawa’s most vulnerable citizens are being placed at risk because these and many other essential social services are being eroded. Funding for them has simply not kept pace with the City’s growth, and rising levels of demand and complexity in our population. People are at risk of falling through the cracks. Critical social services need to be a priority in our City. We all benefit when we have a strong safety net that includes comprehensive, accessible and sustainable social services.
When planning for a city will a population of more than a million, we can’t let our social services crumble. Our politicians must ensure that social services have sufficient funding to keep pace with the growing demand. We urge the City of Ottawa to:
- Create a 2019-2022 Term of Council Priority that includes expansion of non-profit social services, with clear targets for strengthening these services.
- Invest at least $5 million, over and above existing funding, for non-profit social services in Ottawa during the 2019-2022 Term of Council