Heartwood Community Thrift Shop

Some of the members of the Heartwood Reception Office Team. From left to right, Abby, Georgia, Rita and Lee.

Thank you so much to Georgia, Abby and the entire Heartwood House reception team.

 On June 5th, in just 2 hours, a total of $750 was raised and what a fantastic outcome for the Heartwood House Community Thrift Shop!

 An average of 25 shoppers stop by the shop each Thursday from 12 to 2 pm to scoop up the excellent deals on quality unclaimed items from the OC Transpo Lost and Found office.  There are always new items to see and a treasure just waiting for the right buyer each week.

Items are sold for an average of $2 to $10 with cellphones, electronics and jewellery sold at excellent steal deal prices.

 Thank you to the residents of the Vanier community and Heartwood House members for your weekly support of the Heartwood House Community Thrift Shop.

Heartwood Media Engagement Toolkit

January 2025:

Heartwood House Media Engagement Toolkit has been designed by a committee of Heartwood House Members.  The goal was to provide templates and tools for our community that outline how and when to reach out to the media. Many Heartwood organizations would like to raise their profile, promote events, highlight an emerging issue but struggle to know how to best engage with the media. 

Thank you Ottawa Community Foundation!

October 2024 to February 2025
Thank you to the Ottawa Community Foundation for its support of a Heartwood House Collaboration grant. One grant serving 25 Executive Directors and Human Resource leaders!

 In collaboration with the newly formed Ottawa ED Network, Heartwood House received funding from the Ottawa Community Foundation to work with an HR specialist to develop an interactive learning workshop series that equipped leaders in the nonprofit sector with the skills and tools needed to respond to the ever-increasing Human Resource crisis facing the nonprofit sector.

Stress levels among people leaders in the nonprofit sector continue to surpass pre-pandemic levels. The four - 3 hour sessions were developed, facilitated, and delivered, by Christine Stevens, a seasoned HR professional who has successfully led teams through change. The goal was to provide people leaders with a backpack of new skills to confidently lead their teams in the current HR environment.

The greatest benefit of this training series was the sense of community and the deepening of relationships that was built between nonprofit leaders in our community. They came away knowing there are others out there experiencing similar things related to HR and they now have a network of known folks whom they can lean on or ask for help/advice. They also have a consultant they can turn to in a time of need that is known to them and has offered a special rate to all the participants. This in turn will benefit all of the staff who they mentor /manage/lead or coach. The excellent facilitation, thoughtful presentations, well developed informational slides and expert knowledge sharing provided by Christine Stevens, our HR expert, was a benefit to every participant in the room. Heartwood is well placed to continue this kind of leadership role in providing continuing education and training for nonprofit leaders. Our proven track record of bringing our Member nonprofit/charitable organizations together regularly to share resources/knowledge/expertise, build on one another's strengths, offer emotional support, provide collaborative opportunities, and learn from one another lends itself to be replicated more broadly within the Ottawa nonprofit network.

$22,000 raised at Heartwood's 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament!

Thank you!  Many thanks to our sponsors, memorial donor sponsors, donors, and the wonderful 124 golfers who participated in the Heartwood House Charity Golf Tournament on September 13, 2024. $22,000 was raised to support the work of Heartwood House. We are thrilled with this result and we look forward to seeing everyone at the 2025 tournament to be held Friday September 12, 2025.

Heartwood gets a Sustainability Boost on 10th Anniversary thanks to $144,000 OTF Grant

From left to right: François Bosse from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Barb Merriam – Heartwood House Board Chair,  Nick Lepan – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa – Board Chair, and Amanda Jackson – Community Outreach Coordinator from MPP Collard’s office.

Board representatives from the Heartwood House board and the UUFO board.

On November 9 2023 Amanda Jackson, the Community Outreach Coordinator from MPP Lucille Collard’s office, joined Heartwood House and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Heartwood House and to recognize the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for a $144,000 Capital grant.

“Congratulations to Heartwood House on your recent grant of $144,000. This investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to replace the largest section of roof in the hub of supportive services is great news for many in our community,” said MPP Lucille Collard for Ottawa—Vanier. “There are 22 small charitable and non-profit organizations in Vanier who all work together and welcome residents, providing services to those most in need. This new roof will help to sustain the building for years to come.”

The grant was used to used to replace the oldest section the roof, which will allow member organizations to continue using the building to provide services to those most in need. The project was completed in July 2023. The sustainability impact is significant, ensuring affordable, welcoming space for 22 small charitable organizations to provide important services to people in the Vanier and greater Ottawa community for years to come.

"The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is significant,” said Barbara Merriam, Chair of Heartwood House’s Board of Directors and we thank François Bosse from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for being with us today for this important celebration. This grant has allowed us to replace the largest section of our roof, significantly contributing to our long-term sustainability as owners of our property. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on over 40 years of providing support to community groups across the province as a means of building healthy and vibrant communities.”

Heartwood House is home to 22 small charitable and non-profit organizations who believe in the benefits of working better together under one roof, in a mutually supportive, hospitable, and empowering environment for the benefit of their clients and participants. Heartwood House is committed to supporting charitable organizations to maximize their potential through collaborative opportunities and the development of formal and informal partnerships.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Celebrating Heartwood and the UUFO Community

I am still riding high from the joint UUFO and Heartwood House potluck lunch that took place yesterday.

The food was delicious and plentiful, the conversations were lively and there seemed to be many new connections being made.

Thank you to the over 60 people who attended!! The partnership between Heartwood House and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa is very unique and definitely a relationship to honour and celebrate.

It was also an opportunity to celebrate all the incredible work that each of our organizations have contributed to the broader Ottawa community by providing excellent service to those in need.

There were a great many hands who contributed to this event and I thank each and every one of you! A special thank you to Katie from UUFO for co-organizing this event.

Have a great summer everyone!!

Jen Hubbard

Collecting used electronics for Heartwood House

Many thanks to the students from Glebe Collegiate and Catherine McKenna for organizing a used electronics drive on Saturday June 3rd, in support of Heartwood House. The event was a great success filling RD Long’s truck with used electronics. We are very grateful to the residents of the Glebe community for their donations as we raise funds for Heartwood House with the parts and metals recycled from these donations.

Heartwood House and RD Long Computers have partnered together in the Everybody Wins! Electronics Recycling Program since 2006, and as members of the Ontario Electronics Stewardship Program ensuring proper processing of materials.

Grand success thanks to Grand efforts!

Thank you so much to everyone for the success of the May 2nd Valuables and Specialty Items Sale. $5,855 was raised to support Heartwood House, in just one hour and thirty minutes!

As you may know, Heartwood House is testing a new sale plan through the Heartwood Community Gift and Thrift shop.  We are very grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its support and we look forward to more news about Thrift Shop developments.

In the meantime, the Community Gift and Thrift shop will continue its every second week sale on Thursday May 18th from 12:00 to 2:00 pm in the main level HH Hub. The sale provides a grand opportunity to scoop up steal deals on unclaimed general items and specialty donations from the Heartwood community.

With growing demand for steal deals in the shop, Georgia is looking for donations of spring and summer clothing in excellent condition and miscellaneous items in excellent condition – no dishes please. Drop off donations at the Heartwood reception desk.

Mark your calendars as the next Valuables and Specialty Items Sale will be held on Saturday October 21st from 12:00 to 2:00 pm.

Special thanks to our volunteers: Christine from ADAO,  Lynn and Tim from ALSO, Lucy from CLC, Lucie from ELTOC, Claudine and Steve from JOCA, Barb and Hoppy from Heartwood, Kelly, Lindsay and Emily from Options Bytown, Jean and Vera Lynn from OVWSG, Lee, Mirna, Rita, Jean from our amazing Heartwood Reception staff, and Georgia our sale coordinator and her planning committee members, Kate, Abbie, Jen and Moe.  Without your support and planning the sale simply couldn’t happen. You are the best!

And a huge thanks to the 96 shoppers who scooped up the deals, and to Dennis our electronics expert and Rideau Cellphones for their support.

Watch for promotions of sales on the Heartwood House website.

Heartwood Gift and Thrift Shop!

The Heartwood Community Gift and Thrift Shop is open every Thursday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. The sale takes place in the main level Heartwood Hub, just to the left of the Heartwood reception desk. We accept cash, debit or credit. There are fantastic bargains on quality unclaimed general and specialty gift items. Prices range from $1 to $10 on general items. Hope to see you there! For more information contact Georgia at 613-241-5937.

La Boutique d’occasion de la communauté Heartwood est ouvert à chaque jeudi de 12 h à 14 h. La vente a lieu au Heartwood Hub du niveau principale, à gauche de la réception. Nous acceptons les paiements par argent comptant, par crédit, ou par débit. Il y a des aubaines fantastiques sur des objets non-reclamés de qualité. Les prix sont entre 1 $ et 10 $ pour les articles généraux. Nous espérons vous voir à la vente! Pour de plus amples informations, contactez Georgia au 613-241-5937.

Community Bond Opportunity 2022

Do you believe in social investment?

Here’s an opportunity to invest in Heartwood's Community Bonds. You can financially assist Heartwood House, and benefit from your financial assistance at the same time.

What is a Community Bond?

A Community Bond is an interest-bearing loan that allows a charity to leverage its community of supporters in the development of its mission, and assists the charity in its efforts to build financial independence. Your investment earns you an annual return, and has a social impact.

The annual interest rate for Heartwood House Community Bonds is 4%. Bonds are in amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 and the bond term is 5 years.

If you are interested in supporting Heartwood House by securing a Community Bond, please complete the Loan Intent Form and return it to Maureen (Moe) Moloughney at moe@heartwoodhouse.ca or mail to Heartwood House, 404 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1K 1G8.

For further information contact Maureen (Moe) Moloughney – Executive Director of Heartwood House at moe@heartwoodhouse.ca or by phone at 613-862-5845.

Everybody Wins! Electronics Recycling

electonics-banner.jpg

Do you have electronic items that you want to say goodbye to?  If you do, Heartwood House collects donations of old computer equipment and other electronic waste.

These items are inspected for usability by RD Long Computers, our recycling partner, and returned to service whenever possible. Items that are not reusable are handled under the Ontario Electronics Stewardship Program ensuring downstream accountability and proper processes of materials. The compensation to Heartwood is used in support of the vital work of our community of charitable organizations. The Ottawa community wins by ensuring these items - some of which are harmful to the environment - do not end up in the landfill.  Call us at 613-241-5937 to make an appointment to drop off your electronic items!

 

Charity Golf Tournament a Huge Success!

The Heartwood House Charity Golf Tournament was held on Friday September 11, 2020. The event raised an amazing $20,125 thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, the support of our sponsors and the wonderful spirit of the golfers who participated in the event. The tournament was held with a high degree of focus on COVID-19 safety measures which resulted in a totally different approach to the tournament, and we are absolutely thrilled and grateful for the results. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Something for everyone at the OC Transpo Unclaimed Items Sale

Volunteers from the Jamaican Association rocking the bargains at our November 2019 Sale!

Volunteers from the Jamaican Association rocking the bargains at our November 2019 Sale!

People carry the craziest things onto the bus or train, and the OC Transpo Sale of Unclaimed Items is the perfect chance to see exactly what gets left behind: a stop sign, yoga mats, a wheelchair, suitcases, skateboards, cellphones, jewellery, clothing of every kind, umbrellas, books, shoes, winter wear and an interesting variety of miscellaneous items.

The twice-yearly sale is a bargain hunter's dream and it's wonderful to see the shoes, backpacks and lunch kits, all priced from $2 - $5, all sold out within the first hour. It's an excellent outcome as these items are recycled and put to good use by their new owners.

Heartwood is very grateful to the 43 volunteers from our Member Groups who gave their time and survived the sale mania. Thanks to their efforts, Heartwood raised $10,700 to support their goal of providing a home to 20 small charities. Heartwood has administered the OC Transpo Lost and Found for the past 18 years. Our priority is to reunite lost items with their owners, and items unclaimed go into our two sales, the first Saturday of May and November. Everybody wins at the Unclaimed Items Sale!

 
 

OUr Mission

Heartwood House provides an affordable, accessible workplace for small non-profit and charitable organizations, enabling them to maximize their services through a mutually supportive, hospitable and empowering environment for their clients and participants.

Heartwood House serves the residents of Ottawa who are marginalized, living in poverty, and/or in need of educational, mental health, emotional, physical, economic, employment, training or recreational support through collaboration and the development of formal and informal partnerships within the greater community.