we can’t run fast enough.
This weekend I participated in the first annual Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa Run to End Homelessness. It was a beautiful October morning, unseasonably warm, but perfect weather for a run. By the time that the 1km run kicked off, you could tell that there was something electric in the air. Energy, excitement, and a real sense of hope and commitment.
Huge congratulations to Kaite Burkholder Harris and her team for a well-organized and fun event. The race raised more than $28,000 for the Ottawa Alliance and its partner organizations.
Community Showing Up
I think what struck me most Saturday was seeing so many people come together around this cause. There were leaders and teams from many of the frontline organizations across the city were there—the people who are already doing the daily work of supporting those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity—all out on their days off to raise money and support such an important cause.
Political support came from all three levels: Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City Councillors Marty Carr, Ariel Troster, Catherine Kitts, and Theresa Kavanagh plus MP Yasir Naqvi 🇨🇦 and MPP Catherine McKenney.
Our team from The Matthew Perry House raised close to $3,000, with volunteer superstar Kaitlyn Kippen basically leading our fundraising efforts. While my boss Caitlin and I "ran" (my other colleague Kayla left us in her dust!), we did what we always do—had one of our typical "let's solve world problems" conversations. Sam Laprade, CFRE was at the finish line getting the crowd going and celebrating everyone's achievements.
There was such a strong sense of community at the event. It reminded me of something I've seen consistently throughout my time working on homelessness.
The Dedication That Makes Change Possible
When I started working on the homelessness file at the federal level in 2008, one of the first things I noticed was the commitment and dedication of organizations providing services to people experiencing homelessness. I met with organizations from coast to coast to coast, and regardless of where I went in the country, they recognized the challenge in front of them and rose to the occasion day after day.
Now, close to nine years after having been away from the sector, I am back and it is amazing to see that the dedication and sense of community is still alive. It's what I felt at the race this weekend.
We Know How to Do This
About seven months ago, following the release of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's report, I wrote a post about how we can end homelessness. There have been ample of roadmaps and policies and guidelines. We know how—we just need the will and to do it.
Last week, we saw a significant political commitment made: Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced that Ottawa will end youth homelessness by 2030. This is fantastic start and something we can absolutely do as a city. Now, as a city, I hope we all can come together to make this a reality.
For me, this weekend's race did so much more than raise money. It helped raise awareness and mobilize people around a common goal. Thanks to the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa and its partner organizations, we are closer to a City where no youth ever needs to be homeless. I really believe that this is just the start.
Standing at that race, surrounded by people who care deeply about this issue, I felt hopeful. Not naive hope, but the kind grounded in knowing what's possible when a community comes together with purpose. We can end homelessness in Ottawa. This weekend showed me we have the community strength to make it happen.
