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  • Stuart Benson
    • Oct 9, 2020
    • 2 min read

Did you know Centraide is the United Way?


Centraide Outaouais is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to fight poverty and social exclusion in the Outaouais region. Photo courtesy Centraide Outaouais
Centraide Outaouais is a philanthropic organization whose mission is to fight poverty and social exclusion in the Outaouais region. Photo courtesy Centraide Outaouais

Centraide Outaouais’ 76th fundraising campaign, looks to anglophone communities


By Stuart Benson


Anglophones in the Hills may not realize this, but “Centraide Outaouais is the United Way” — that’s a message Nathalie Lepage, the executive director of Centraide Outaouais, is trying to get out, as the philanthropic organization launches its 76th fundraising campaign.


Launching the campaign with the theme “Never Indifferent” on Sept. 7, Lepage said that the organization is hoping to raise more awareness among anglophone communities about all of the support they provide.


“What we are trying to do is reach the English-speaking community to make sure all communities understand the impact and the agencies we support, as well as the need in the region,” she explained. “Centraide is the United Way; we have the same goals, just different organizations in different regions.”


In 2019, Centraide Outaouais raised 97 per cent of its fundraising goal by raising $3,590,000. Of that money, $150,000 was donated to seven organizations in the MRC Collines de l’Outaouais, including:


La Pêche:

  • La Lanterne: a day centre that offers a variety of activities for the intellectually disabled.

  • Maison de la Famille L’étincelle: helps disadvantaged families in the sector by providing activities, information and offering support and raising awareness.

  • Maison Le Mashado: Youth drop-in centre providing services and activities promoting personal and social development.


Pontiac:

  • Centre Kogaluk: shelter and individualized-support services to homeless individuals and families in the Outaouais region.


Cantley:

  • La Source des Jeunes: Youth drop-in centre, ages eight to 17, which provides services and activities promoting personal and social development.


Val-des-Monts:

  • Le Grenier des Collines: supports food security through food-relief and food sharing programs and community kitchens, while encouraging accountability and empowerment.


Quyon:

  • Drop-in center and activities focused on prevention for families in the area.

In the region, Centraide Outaouais supports 84 organizations. One in six residents of the Outaouais benefit from the organization's fundraising.


No target has been set for this year’s fundraising due to the context of COVID-19, but ‘“COVID-19 has not stopped poverty or social exclusion” said Lepage.


As part of Centraide’s efforts to support the Outaouais and the region’s charitable organizations, Centraide has granted $399,340 for the second distribution cycle of the Emergency Fund for Community Support. This fund provides financial support to charities and other qualified organizations, who are adapting their frontline services to support vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Centraide Outaouais will be accepting funding requests from Oct. 5 to Oct. 30, and funds will be distributed Nov. 27.


If you would like more information about Centraide Outaouais, to donate or to apply for the Emergency Fund and would like to see if your organization is eligible, you can visit centraideoutaouais.com.