News | Page 3 | Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support

Upstream wins support for transportation services

OTTAWA Upstream Ottawa has won the support of the J.P. Bickell Foundation to
provide transportation support to clients. The foundation, established by the late Jack
Bickell, a prominent Canadian philanthropist, has awarded Upstream a $20,000 grant,
which will be used to support our clients in the coming year.

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.

Upstream Ottawa’s transportation program provides our clients with transportation to
and from recovery-oriented appointments, social programs, and essential resources like
the grocery store. Without this program, much of our clinical work with clients would not
be possible.

We currently provide transportation services to approximately 175 clients,
including youth, adults and families.

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

For more information go to upstreamottawa.ca, or contact us at
info@upstreamottawa.ca.

April 29, 2024

Upstream’s Ottawa Race Weekend team needs you

OTTAWA. This year’s Tamarack Race Weekend will be held on May 25-26 and Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support is reaching out to Ottawa’s running and walking community to build a team of participants and help raise much needed programming funds.

Upstream’s goal is to raise $5,000 in support of its Unfunded Wellness Services which include client transportation, luncheons, social opportunities, recreational outings, and back to school/work support. These services are designed to encourage social connections, provide wrap-around support, and reduce isolation, which help improve independence and wellness among individuals with mental health and substance-use health challenges.

Runners who raise more than $500 will have their registration fees paid by Upstream Ottawa. Additionally, the Ottawa Race Weekend organization will further recognize these efforts by waiving the 2025 registration fee for anyone who raises more than $500 for this year’s 2024 event. So, runners have the chance to race with no registration fee for two consecutive years when they raise more than $500 in sponsorships in this year.

Upstream participants will benefit from a customized Upstream Ottawa how-to fundraising guide and a chance to win fantastic prizes provided by Carlington Booch, Wheelhouse Cycle, Thali Ottawa, and Lululemon.

How to Register

Use this QR code or referral link when registering and provide Upstream with a $5 donation at no cost to the registrant:
https://raceroster.com/76026?aff=YB5SW

Note: Option to choose “Green Bib” allows participants to direct part of their registration fees to a charity of their choice in lieu of receiving a medal when crossing the finish line.

When you reach the “Desjardins Charity Challenge” section, choose to Join an existing team & search for “Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support”).

Should you choose to participate as an individual we will still consider you a member of Team Upstream. Once registered, you will have access to your own personal fundraising page and can start sharing the link with your networks to begin seeking supporters and donations.

Upstream Ottawa is committed to supporting participants every step of the way.

Anyone needing support with registration steps may contact Catherine Armour, at carmour@upstreamottawa.ca

Donate directly to Team Upstream:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/76026/tamarack-ottawa-race-weekend-2024/fundraising-organization/49147

March 25, 2024

CFRA Interview

A timely conversation about mental health and substance-use health

OTTAWA

Upstream Ottawa was featured today on CFRA Radio for a discussion on mental health and substance-use health with journalist Graham Richardson.

Upstream Executive Director Bo Turpin was interviewed as part of Bell Let’s Talk Day, the national day run by Bell Canada that focusses public attention on mental health. The interview focused on the services provided by Upstream, the special needs of Black youth and the challenges of understanding substance-use health problems.

You can listen to the discussion here

Upstream Ottawa 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, or contact Executive Director Bo Turpin at 248-3330 ext. 127, bturpin@upstreamottawa.ca.

January 24, 2024