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NEWS RELEASE

November 29, 2024

OTTAWA - Upstream Ottawa has been selected as one of the charities to be supported by the HOPE Volleyball Summerfest in July of 2025.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the HOPE tournament, which is a huge annual event in Ottawa,” said Katie Taylor, Chair of the Board of Directors at Upstream. “This will be a great boost for Upstream’s profile in the community and a lot of fun for everyone.”

Upstream was one of five charitable organizations announced this week as recipients of HOPE’s support next year. The 43^rd HOPE Volleyball Summerfest will happen July 11/12 at Mooney's Bay Beach.

Upstream provides a range of critical community supports and affordable housing options to adults and youth living with mental health and substance-use health issues. Services include: intensive mental health case management, housing, youth support services with a focus on Black youth and their families, crisis prevention, medication management and life-skills coaching.

Alongside our clinical mental health and substance-use health support services, Upstream offers clients a variety of wellness services. None of these services are funded by government.

For more information on Upstream, go to upstreamottawa.ca.

OTTAWA--Upstream Ottawa is seeking new volunteers to help advance the cause of
improved mental health support services in this city.

Upstream provides a range of critical community supports and affordable housing options to adults and youth living with mental health and substance-use health issues. Services include: intensive mental health case management, housing, youth support services with a focus on Black youth and their families, crisis prevention, medication management and life-skills coaching.

Alongside our clinical mental health and substance-use health support services, Upstream offers clients a variety of wellness services. None of these services are funded by government.

We hope to recruit new volunteers, from diverse backgrounds, to bring fresh ideas, energy and new community contacts. Upstream is seeking the following:

Volunteers to serve on the Upstream Golf Committee, which plans and runs the annual Upstream Classic Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament, chaired by Jenni of the New Hot 89, is a highly successful and fun event, selling out in the last three years. We seek volunteers who would help: plan the tournament by attending online meetings of the golf group; make contacts with businesses and individuals who might support the tournament; volunteer at the tournament to
help make it a fun and successful day.

Volunteers to serve on the Fundraising Committee. Upstream has made significant advances in developing its fundraising strategy and capabilities. We seek volunteers to: attend monthly meetings of the Fundraising Committee; assist the Development Officer with new and existing fundraising events; make new contacts with potential business supporters or individual donors; assist the Development Officer with new products that could be used for fundraising; assist the Development Officer and Executive Director with grant applications.

Volunteers to serve on the Communications Committee. Upstream Ottawa needs to communicate to the public about the mental health needs of our community and how the organization is meeting those needs. Upstream maintains a website, regularly posts on its social media channels, attends various community events and responds quickly to media opportunities. We seek volunteers to: attend online monthly meetings of the Communications Committee; write and edit documents; assist with the management of the website; assist with social media strategies and posts and; help develop new ideas for future communications.

These volunteer activities require about four or five hours a month, on average. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please send an email to info@upstreamottawa.ca, with Volunteer Opportunity in the Subject line, and some information on your background, availability and contact information.

For more information on Upstream, go to upstreamottawa.ca.

OTTAWA Upstream Ottawa held its annual Classic Golf Tournament at a beautiful
new venue on Friday, Stonebridge Golf Club in Nepean. The tournament raised
$34,000 for essential mental health and substance-use health services.

The tournament saw 136 golfers came out to raise funds for Upstream’s mission of
providing community supports to youth and adults living with mental health and
substance-use health challenges, to lead self-guided and fulfilling lives.

Merkley Supply was the gold sponsor of the tournament, which offered many
complimentary food and drink samples as well as challenging and fun events at the
various golf holes. The Ferguson Family Foundation, which has generously supported
the tournament over many years, was once again our silver sponsor.

Bronze sponsorships were provided by Monolith Finishing, KU Power Group, Richcraft
Homes, Barre Construction, Arnon Corporation, Claridge Homes, Ron Eastern
Construction, Desjardins, and Ridge Rock Brewing Company.

During the evening program attendees heard from Upstream Ottawa staff member
Bailey Newell about the daily challenges faced by clients living with mental and
substance-use health challenges. These include social isolation and lack of affordable
housing and food insecurity, things that Upstream Ottawa endeavours to address with
raised funds. Eighteen volunteers supported this year's successful tournament.

“We had some really low scores, but most importantly, our golfers had a total blast on
the course and that’s what we strive for each year,” said Tournament Chair Jenni
Condon. “We are already on the lookout for sponsors, prizes and auction items for next
year’s tournament.”

Upstream’s annual Classic golf tournaments have raised a total of $99,000 for frontline
services in the last three years.

Upstream provides a range of critical community supports and affordable housing
options to people living with mental health and/or substance-use health concerns.
Services include: intensive mental health case management, housing, youth support
services with a focus on Black youth and their families, crisis prevention, medication
management and life-skills coaching.

For more information go to upstreamottawa.ca, call the Upstream Ottawa office at 248-
3330 ext. 401, or send an email to info@upstreamottawa.ca