200 Years of Ottawa/Bytown, In Story and Song brings the city’s history to life through engaging storytelling and lively folk music. Blending beloved songs from their albums with new compositions inspired by Ottawa and the Valley, this performance offers a heartfelt and entertaining celebration of our shared past.

Best of all, this is a benefit concert in support of Belong Ottawa’s Centre 454 program, helping provide essential supports and a welcoming community space for people in need.

📅 Event Details

Saturday, February 7
🕖 Doors open at 7:00 PM
🎵 Music starts at 7:30 PM

🎤 Learn more about the Paul Weber Band at http://www.paulweber.ca

🎟️ Tickets are available now—buy yours today!
📘 Attending? Let us know by RSVPing on our Facebook Event page and invite your friends.

Come out for a great night of music, stories, and community—while supporting Belong Ottawa. We hope to see you there!

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Those values of compassion and solidarity shaped Irene’s life. Whether living in a small town or a big city like Ottawa, she’s always felt a deep sense of duty to care for the most vulnerable. This drive led her to volunteer at the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region and The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.

For the last eight years, Irene has been part of the frontlines at Belong Ottawa’s Centre 454, volunteering at the reception desk and helping people navigate Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) applications. “What I love most is the people,” she says. “From the participants to the staff, it’s a community.”

Irene draws on her upbringing to create meaningful connections at Centre 454, consistently guided by empathy. “It’s important to always see the person behind the situation,” she shares. “The smallest thing can go wrong, and your life can be profoundly different. People are not their circumstances.”

With the increasing needs of people post-pandemic, Irene believes community support is more vital than ever. When asked what “We All Belong” means to her, she replies, “We’re all part of one community on this earth, but not everyone has the same experiences or opportunities. It’s our responsibility to show people that they belong, to look out for each other.”

For Irene, if there is a need, she will continue to volunteer. She views her role at Belong Ottawa as a small, yet essential part of a larger system of care. “We all have something to offer. Whether it’s donations, skills, or time—everyone has a way they can contribute. We have a responsibility to each other.”

As part of Belong Ottawa’s volunteer program, volunteers can support a variety of functions including the front desk, recreation, cooking, and special events. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference.

Inspired by Irene’s dedication to making a difference? Click here to learn how you can support our work.

We All Belong

In celebration of 70 years at Centre 454, 41 years at St Luke’s Table, and 40 years at The Well, Belong Ottawa is telling the stories of our diverse community members and how they have found belonging within our programs. Follow along with #WeAllBelong and #BelongOttawa.

The post We All Belong – Irene’s Story appeared first on Belong Ottawa.

“The faces at Belong Ottawa bring me joy every day.”

For the past 13 years, Cecilia has found a second home at Belong Ottawa’s drop-in programs at Centre 454 and The Well. As a longtime participant, Cecilia has found comfort coming to Belong Ottawa for many reasons, and above them all is the staff who have supported her across many chapters in her life.

“At Centre 454 and The Well, the staff have been awesome. They have helped me a lot. If it weren’t for them, I would not be on my journey to finding myself again.” 

Over the years, Cecilia has triumphed over personal challenges with staff at Belong Ottawa cheering her on. Today, Cecilia is focused on healthy living and self-care, striving to be her best version of herself. While Belong Ottawa offers essential services that nourish the body like respite, meals, and showers, Cecilia’s favourite parts are activities including outings, crafts, and karaoke, which nourish her mind and soul. 

One of Cecilia’s favourite memories is a pre-pandemic karaoke tournament between  Belong Ottawa’s three programs, where her team – Team Centre 454 –  overtook Team The Well and Team St Lukes Table to take home the winning trophy: a sparkling, golden microphone. 

On good days and bad, Cecilia sees Belong Ottawa as a consistent place for support, knowing she will find friendly faces and a safe place to be.

“The part of Belong Ottawa I love the most is the staff. They come in and treat us as they are. They come outside and socialize with us. They talk to us. They put up with us. That is the best part here.”

Belong Ottawa’s team includes staff from diverse backgrounds, many with lived experience. What unites them is their belief in Belong Ottawa’s mission of dignity, wellness, and hope for all. No matter where someone is on their journey, they belong at Belong Ottawa.

For Cecilia, “We All Belong” means community and mutual support, and taking care of one another. “We belong to each other. Every drop-in centre, every shelter – we belong period, and we belong to each other.”

“Respect one another. Do not look down on people. Do not look down on street people because they are human too. Some of them are lost, but they will find their way back.”

As we celebrate 70 years at Centre 454, 41 years at St Luke’s Table, and 40 years at The Well, Cecilia reminds us everyone deserves dignity, even if that starts with a smile.

Help us continue fostering dignity at Belong Ottawa. Click here to learn how you can support our work.

We All Belong

In celebration of 70 years at Centre 454, 41 years at St Luke’s Table, and 40 years at The Well Belong Ottawa is telling the stories of our diverse community members and how they have found belonging within our programs. Follow along with #WeAllBelong and #BelongOttawa.

The post We All Belong – Cecilia’s Story appeared first on Belong Ottawa.

As Belong Ottawa’s Community Development Manager, you can often find Liz organizing participant events like annual summer picnics, art shows, and holiday parties. Beyond that, Liz is a pillar, a familiar face, and a recognized source of support at Belong Ottawa, knowing most participants by name and their stories in detail.

From a young age, Liz has been an advocate for vulnerable populations which led to the start of her career with the City of Ottawa. After moving to Centre 454, Liz forged connections with staff, volunteers, and participants alike. From working frontline as a social support worker to working in management, Liz has done it all.  At the start of each day, Liz makes her rounds saying hello to participants having breakfast, and these greetings continue throughout the day with participants often looking for Liz just to say hello.

“I have known participants before they started their families, and now their babies have babies who come to see me,” says Liz.

In 2023, Belong Ottawa was formed when St Luke’s Table, The Well, and Centre 454 joined together under one umbrella in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after, Liz became a familiar face at all three programs. Despite her impact, Liz remains humble. “I don’t feel like I’m doing anything extraordinary, besides being the person who helps someone hang on to hope,” she shares. 

Hope is a common motivating factor for Liz, who says her work at Belong Ottawa and the entire staff team, is one built on hope and connection. “Without connection, there is no hope. We give people connection and thus we give hope. It’s very easy to be invisible when you’re marginalized or unhoused, but when you’re here, people know who you are, stop to see how you’re doing, invite you to do an activity, and make you feel seen.”

Belong Ottawa’s programming includes meals, hygiene support, systems navigation, and social recreation driven in part by Liz. These activities help bring participants together, provide a source of fun, and provide activities for Participants to look forward to, thereby inspiring a sense of hope and anticipation. When asked what “We All Belong” means to her, Liz says, “Every human life has value regardless of where you are in life.”

Despite the changing climate of homelessness in Ottawa, Liz is more motivated than ever to continue bringing people together with social recreation and community events. “Never be the one that extinguishes the flame of hope in another human being. No one is perfect and we’ve all made mistakes.  That should not preclude you from having a better future, or a dream. People have lived through circumstances that are often out of their control, and it is our role to provide support, and to provide hope for a better future.”

As we celebrate milestone anniversaries for our programs, Liz’s unwavering commitment reminds us that, at Belong Ottawa, community is built through connection, compassion, and shared hope. Help us continue fostering hope and connection at Belong Ottawa. Click here to learn how you can support our work.

We All Belong
In celebration of 70 years at Centre 454, 41 years at St Luke’s Table, and 40 years  at The Well, Belong Ottawa is telling the stories of our diverse community members and how they have found belonging within our programs. Follow along with #BelongBirthday and #WeAllBelong.

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The ministry evolved over time to support the emerging needs of our community. As the services changed and expanded, new space requirements were accommodated by various downtown Anglican churches including St. Alban the Martyr at 454 King Edward Avenue. This is where the name “Centre 454” was born.

Centre 454’s objectives broadened to incorporate companionship through a social recreation program, emotional support for isolated and socially disadvantaged men and women through a supportive counselling program, and practical supports such as laundry, showers, and clothing.

In 2000, when Centre 454 moved to 216 Murray Street, near King Edward Avenue, the name was retained since, in the words of one wise participant, “How else would people find this great place?” And we didn’t have to change the name when we moved back to 454 King Edward Avenue in 2012.

As our participants strive to meet their daily living needs, the services have expanded to include “in-reach,” where other organizations provide specialized services at Centre 454.

Centre 454 has a contingent of volunteers who have come to us from various sources. As part of our commitment to train future leaders in the fight against homelessness, we work in partnership with the post-secondary institutions in our area to provide learning opportunities for social work students.

The Centre is supported financially through grants from the City of Ottawa, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, and the Government of Canada. We also receive contributions from private donors, parishes, corporations, and small business supporters. We also practical supplies from many groups and individuals.

The Centre’s membership in the Alliance to End Homelessness and the Ottawa Day Programs Coalition keep us connected to other stakeholders in the fight for some of the most vulnerable people in Ottawa.

The community at Centre 454 will continue to welcome people into our midst as long as we are needed.

The post Centre 454 a beautiful history! appeared first on Belong Ottawa.