Upstream opens expanded office to serve growing client and staff community

OTTAWA — Upstream Ottawa held its Annual General Meeting this week for its 40th year in existence, at an expanded and renovated office that will serve a growing group of clients and staff.

Executive Director, Bo Turpin, and Board Chair, Katie Taylor, pictured together at Upstream's 2025 AGM on June 25th.

The larger office quarters, at 100 Craig Henry Drive, will help deal with crowding as the organization has added programs and staff to deliver mental health support and substance-use health services, especially for young people in Ottawa.

In 2021, Upstream introduced new supports for Black youth experiencing problematic substance use, to address a serious gap in Ottawa’s mental health services. These services are delivered through the AMANI program, which has doubled the size of the Upstream Ottawa team and clientele.

In the coming year, Upstream is partnering with Somerset West Community Health Centre with two new programs, Project RISE, a one-year pilot project to support the mental health and wellness of Black children and youth, and A-HART, which stands for Africentric Homelessness Addictions Recovery Treatment.

At the meeting last evening, Upstream Board of Directors Chair Katie Taylor thanked staff for their dedicated service to clients over the past year, and outgoing Board members for their various contributions. This year marks the 25th year of service for Executive Director Bo Turpin at Upstream.

One of the highlights of the past year is that Upstream saw great success with fundraising and securing grants, totalling more than $200,000. These funds are used to cover everything from transportation for clients, to social events and outings, a women’s group and helping clients get established in housing. None of these wellness services are covered by government funding.

Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support 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 on Upstream, go to upstreamottawa.ca.