New Partnership with United Way Ottawa

Design 1st started in Ottawa 18 years ago – we live, we work and we play in Ottawa community.  We know there are problems and we know we can help address them.  We can drive results by providing the right support but where do we start?

One natural choice was to support with the United Way, an organization that has been a fixture in the Ottawa community for more than 80 years.  The United Way Ottawa helps create a better life for everyone in community, including many of the most vulnerable and in need of support.

Looking beyond the surface of our vibrant nation’s capital reveals that over 310,000 people live in neighborhoods considered high risk. That’s 36% of the city!  These at-risk neighborhoods and resulting social problems impact our community in a number of ways including:

• 32,000 children in Ottawa live in poverty with no access to after school sports, recreation or social programs.
• 40% of children in some Ottawa neighborhoods start school without the basic skills to succeed.
• 58% of New Canadians can’t find employment in the field they are trained in and nearly 40% live in low income situations.
• 10% of Canadians 15 years and over struggle with drug and alcohol addiction.
• 1 in 4 seniors living in Ottawa needs support to remain

As our city grows these problems will get bigger unless we challenge ourselves to take action!

How do we answer that challenge? 

Design 1st is putting its money where its home is with a new partnership with United Way Ottawa.  With over 80 years in the community, hundreds of volunteers and the research to understand Ottawa they invest multiple resources where they are needed most and can have the greatest impact!

To Be United means being a part of change in Ottawa by Giving, Speaking Up or Taking Action.

So that’s why we’re taking action, we’re investing in a community meeting space within the United Way Ottawa building – a space where community leaders meet, a space where the need is discussed and a pace where plans are put into action. To showcase our support the United Way Ottawa has kindly placed a plaque with the Design 1st logo in it\’s meeting. Below is photo of Design 1st President Kevin Bailey and United Way\’s VP of Resource Development Joan Highet with the plaque!

But our support for the United Way goes beyond donations, it\’s about being part of the change we want to see in Ottawa and encouraging our corporate partners to do the same. Joining together to support the work of United Way Ottawa will make a difference and help strengthen United Way Ottawa\’s ability to bring people and resources together to build a strong, health and safe community.

We invite you to start a conversation and learn more! www.unitedwayottawa.ca