Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa 2009 Annual Report

Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa
2009 Annual Report

Our Vision
Our vision is of a community that welcomes and values the
participation and contribution of all its citizens, including
those who live with disabilities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance personal choice and community
participation for persons living with disabilities through
advocacy support.
Our Guiding Principle
Our guiding principle is to focus our resources on individuals
who may be vulnerable because they lack a support network
or who may have difficulty accessing needed services.

Report from the President and Executive Director
“Looking Ahead” in the 2008 annual report projected that 2009 would be a year full of exciting new
challenges. This was certainly true on all levels within our organization, but nowhere is this more evident
than in the core business of Citizen Advocacy, the Everyday Champions program. As you will discover
as you read this report, we continued to reach new milestones during the year with very few additional
resources, recruiting a record number of new advocates and establishing a record number of 98 new
matches during the year.
Moreover, we also managed to sustain the Chance for Choice program at existing levels and are grateful
to United Way/Centraide Ottawa for reinstating funding to this program for 2010. It is evident that we
are seeing an increasing awareness of the importance of citizen advocacy relationships as more people
are willing to engage in an intentional relationship with someone in our community who lives with a
disability and is isolated and vulnerable.
The Real Plans for Real Life program continues to make an impact on individuals with intellectual
disabilities and their families, identified by the local access centre as “most in need”. While the program’s
capacity is limited to about 48-50 people at one time, during the year 14 individuals and families have
been introduced to the program and 12 life plans have successfully been implemented.
A program evaluation was completed in 2009. Participation in this review included matched protégés
and advocates, community organizations, as well as interviews with representatives from our funding
organizations. The results demonstrate that an overwhelming majority of protégés report that
their quality of life has improved from the involvement of their volunteer advocate. Agencies and
organizations who support many of these same people also reported that Citizen Advocacy made a
positive impact. Further, funding agencies also recognized the significance of our work as the key reason
they provide financial support to our mission.
Achievements in fund development continued to grow during 2009 and we cannot understate how
important self-generated revenues are to the success of every aspect of Citizen Advocacy. Evening in the
Maritimes continues to be a highly successful signature event, but bingos, donations, and smaller special
events are all part of this success as is the self-sustaining and highly acclaimed Celebration of People.
While the finances of the organization remained stable in 2009, we were unable to secure sufficient
additional funds to address the growing workload that has resulted from the unprecedented interest
of citizens in our community in becoming volunteer advocates for the 282 people who comprise the
largest waiting list in our 35 year history. In addition to our regular funding from the City of Ottawa, we
are appreciative of the additional one-time resources they provided to help offset some of the internal
pressures; these resources certainly contributed to the record achievements of staff. We also appreciate
the significant support from the Ministry of Community and Social Services for both the Everyday
Champions and the Real Plans for Real Life programs along with the support from United Way/Centraide
Ottawa.
We extend our gratitude to all of our funders, donors, volunteer advocates, protégés, board members,
staff and the many other supporters for their dedication and multiple contributions in 2009 and we look
forward to your continued support in 2010.
Frank Reid
Board President
Brian J. Tardif
Executive Director
1

2009 Program Highlights
Jeanette who is in her late 70s is widowed and lives alone in her own home in Vanier.
She has no dependable support from her three adult children and feels housebound
because of pain and mobility issues. She longed for company and to get out more
often.
Margie indicated she would be happy to take Jeanette out to do things in the
community such as going for coffee and taking drives in the country. Of course,
Jeanette was delighted. Margie has also helped Jeanette to connect to the Community
Care Access Centre for specialized services to assist her in remaining independent in
her home, which is very important to her.
Creating advocacy relationships by matching volunteer advocates from the community to people
with disabilities is the core business of Citizen Advocacy. Our programs include:
• Everyday Champions one-on-one
match
• Everyday Champions group home
match for individuals with complex
disabilities who reside in group
homes
• Chance for Choice program for older
adults with disabilities who are
vulnerable
• Short-Term Advocacy program for
individuals with disabilities requiring
more immediate short-term
assistance.
2

During 2009:
• There were 490 individuals who expressed interest in learning more about becoming a
volunteer advocate and 205 people took the next step by completing an advocate application.
• There were 98 people who accepted an
invitation to engage in an intentional
relationship with a person with a disability
in 2009.
300
250
• There were 274 active matches at the end
of 2009, some of which are highlighted
throughout this annual report.
200
150
• The number of vulnerable older adults
with disabilities matched in the Chance for
Choice program increased from 42 during
2008 to 45 during 2009.
• Ten people accessed the Short-Term
Advocacy program in 2009.
100
50
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
• There were 329 matches in all programs
during 2009, with a total of 366 people
supported in an advocacy relationship.
35
30
• The number of people seeking the support
of an advocate in all programs reached an
all time high of 282 by the end of 2009.
25
20
• The average waiting period for a person
with a disability to be matched with a
volunteer advocate increased from 22.9
months in 2008 to 25.7 months by the end
of 2009.
15
10
5
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Elizabeth and Melissa have been matched since October 2008 and really enjoy their
friendship. They have done a lot of fun things together including attending Citizen
Advocacy’s Holiday Party.
Melissa has no family in Ottawa and when she was sick recently, she found that
Elizabeth was a great support. While she was in the Intensive Care Unit at the
hospital, Elizabeth was a dedicated visitor and she came to see her several times
a week. At such a time, Elizabeth’s constant friendship was very important to
Melissa.
3

2009 Program Highlights
Donna was referred to the Real Plans for Real Life (RPRL) program having a mild
intellectual disability, anxiety, and a multitude of physical health issues. At the time,
Donna refused to leave her home, or even leave her room.
The Real Plans for Real Life team realized the ‘Donna’ described on paper was very
different than ‘Donna’ with whom they met. In person Donna came across as friendly
and witty and had many interests including writing letters. Conversations with her
family revealed that Donna was a social butterfly up until her mid-twenties when she
was diagnosed with cancer. Although her treatments were successful and Donna had
been living cancer-free for more than a decade, she felt traumatized.
Gradually, Donna became more open to receiving help from a support worker and with
persistence Donna began to explore the outside world. On days when Donna couldn’t
go out, she and her support person worked on her reading and writing skills. Although
Donna sent letters to her family to practice her writing skills, she received very few in
return; Donna’s wish was to receive mail in her name.
The RPRL team located a pen pal organization where Donna could exchange letters by
regular mail. A senior citizen was found with whom Donna could correspond. Donna,
aware that this senior had recently suffered some losses to her own independence,
was hooked. For Donna, this was her opportunity to make a difference in someone
else’s life. The result? An old-fashioned way to make two people feel less isolated.
4
The Real Plans for Real Life (RPRL) program supports persons who have an intellectual disability
and have been identified as “most in need” by our local access centre for developmental
services. The individual, along with the people identified as part of the individual’s life, are
engaged in creating a person-centered plan that reflects a vision of the individual’s future.
Real Plans for Real Life will also work with the individual and their support network to
identify and secure required supports and services to assist with the goals of the
individual’s person-centered plan.

By the end of 2009:
• 76 people were referred to this program, with 6 individuals residing in either an acute care
hospital in our region, the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Brockville Mental Health
Centre, or specialized treatment programs
• RPRL facilitators were in the process of developing life plans with 24 individuals
• RPRL were brokering 23 individual person-centered plans
• RPRL secured community supports and services consistent with these individual plans for 29
people
The Real Plans for Real Life team continues to facilitate the development of plans and broker
community supports for everyone who was referred to this program.
Un jeune homme de 27 ans, RD participe dans le programme Votre plan, votre
vie depuis 2007. RD a un diagnostique du Syndrome d’Asperger, une déficience
intellectuelle et un déficit d’attention. RD peut avoir des périodes d’anxiété assez
prononcées ainsi que des comportements obsessifs compulsifs. Depuis quelques
années, RD reçoit de l’aide à accéder les soutiens donc il a besoin, afin de développer
un plan de vie individualisé prévoyant des services de plusieurs avenues.
RD participe dans des programmes de soutien à l’emploi, des groupes de soutien,
des classes de cuisine, les Olympiques spéciaux, le centre sportif et des services plus
spécialisés pour la gestion de colère. Le programme Votre plan, votre vie travaille en
collaboration avec l’Association pour l’intégration sociale d’Ottawa, afin d’assister RD
avec une transition de milieu de vie. Il reçoit des soutiens et l’appui donc il a besoin
afin de développer d’avantage son autonomie et son indépendance. Depuis que RD a
commencé un nouveau médicament, il fait des progrès continus.
Maintenant, RD a un emploi à un temps partiel qui le valorise énormément. Il voyage
seul en autobus et reçoit du soutien à l’emploi d’une agence de formation.
En octobre 2009, RD fut jumelé avec un parrain avec Parrainage civique. Ils sortent au
restaurant tout les mardis pour souper et pour jaser de leur semaine. RD apprécie la
présence de son parrain et en même temps un modèle masculin, dans sa vie. Quand
on lui demande comment vont les choses avec son parrain, il dit que les choses vont
vraiment bien et que le mardi est sa soirée préférée de la semaine.
5

Personal Representative Program
Through the Personal Representative Program Citizen Advocacy was involved in the relocation of
individuals who lived at the Rideau Regional Centre which closed in March 2009. The functions
of the Personal Representatives consisted of providing third-party assistance to the residents
who did not have family members living in Ottawa. The Personal Representative Program, which
finished in 2009, successfully relocated 33 former residents in the community.
In August 2008 a Personal Representative met with P. T. who had had been
institutionalized at the Rideau Regional Centre for a good part of his life. The Personal
Representative joined P.T.’s transitional team which discussed the planning for P. T’s
move to Quinn Residence, a high support, uniquely designed bungalow which houses
six individuals. Once all concerns regarding P.T.’s health and well-being had been
carefully addressed, P. T. moved to his new home. Since his move in December 2008
P.T. has been very happy and is experiencing a better quality of life.
« Miche » et moi sommes jumelées ensemble depuis l’été de 2007. Dans ce temps,
nous sommes devenues de vraies amies. Un dimanche, après avoir mangé un
délicieux déjeuner au restaurant, nous avons eu une chicane dans la voiture alors que
je la reconduisais chez elle. Elle voulait faire une chose, moi quelque chose d’autre.
La chicane devenait de plus en plus intense. C’était un moment très tendu pour nous
deux. Miche pleurait. Moi, j’étais très près des larmes aussi. Et alors, au milieu de ce
moment très tendu, à Miche de briser le silence et me dire « Tu sais Thalie, j’t’aime
quand même. Même quand on s’chicane comme ça ». Et là, c’était à mon tour de
pleurer. Quelle sagesse, quelle humilité, quelle bonté de cœur de la part de Miche
d’être capable de me dire, au milieu d’une chicane intense, qu’elle m’aimait quand
même. Elle savait les bons mots pour diffuser la situation. Si seulement on pouvait
tous faire la même chose, on aurait la paix sur terre!
Essuyant mes larmes, je lui ai répondu « Miche, moi aussi je t’aime toujours. De la
vraie amitié ça veut dire qu’on peut se chicaner tout en sachant qu’on s’aime quand
même et qu’on restera toujours amies ».
Je me compte chanceuse d’avoir Miche dans ma vie. Mon jumelage avec elle m’a
appris, et continue à m’apprendre c’est quoi la vraie amitié. Miche est une perle rare
qui enrichit la vie de toutes les personnes qu’elle rencontre.
6

On May 27th 800 people gathered at the Hilton Lac-Leamy to celebrate the 15th annual Evening
in the Maritimes. We are proud to report that this year’s event net close to $70,000 for Citizen
Advocacy, an excellent contribution to the 27% of our core operating budget that must be selfgenerated.
Guests were entertained by Newfoundland’s Celtic rock group Rawlins Cross, Sons of Scotland
Pipe Band, and Mel & Eleanor McDougall of the Rambling Fiddlers. Guests had the chance to
browse and bid on the fantastic array of silent auction items and enjoyed a traditional five-course
lobster supper. Throughout dinner, guests could purchase raffle balloons and extra lobster.
Evening in the Maritimes is Citizen Advocacy’s major fundraiser and could not be the success that
it is without the help of its supporters!
Honourary Co-Chairs
Bob Chiarelli, Principal Owner, Policy and Project Consulting Inc.
Randy Pettipas, President and CEO, Global Public Affairs
Organizing Committee
Barry McKenna & Jeff Snyder, Co-Chairs
Carol Ballinger
Stefania Basile
Michelle Brazil
Bill Clelland
Libby Douglas
Gary Duke
Wendy Duross
Kadra Farah
Ron Kerr
Jack Murphy
Pat Parker
Dianne Pritchard
Brian Tardif
Jennifer Forbes Walker
Ashley Duross
Assisted by:
Nadine Pilon
Susan Brown
Nathalie Gougeon
Audrey Bufton
Diane Cloutier
Judith Dowler
Ann Marie Quincey
Master of Ceremonies
Kurt Stoodley, /A\
Corporate Sponsors
Bell | Global Public Affairs | LG | Universal Appliances
Media Sponsors
The Ottawa Citizen | /A\ | Virgin Radio
In-Kind Sponsors
McMillan | The Lowe-Martin Group | Spicers | Hilton Lac-Leamy
7

Raffle Prize Donors
WestJet | VIA Rail | CTV Hot Air Balloon | Marriott Halifax Harbourfront | Delta Hotel Halifax
East Side Mario’s | Watch It!, Place d’Orleans
Corporate Table Supporters
2Keys Corporation
Acc-Par Systems Inc.
Am-Tech Power Systems Ltd.
Anixter
Belden
Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Capital Office Interiors
Cisco
Coradix
Design 1st
Eastway Tank
Emond Harnden
Elaine Smallwood – Royal
LePage Performance Realty
FCI
Global Public Affairs
Graybar Canada Ltd.
Hampton Inn Ottawa &
Conference Centre
Hilton Lac-Leamy
Ingram Micro
INSA
Kott Lumber
LWI Consulting Inc.
Marcomm Inc.
MBNA Canada Bank
Ottawa Police Service
Panduit Canada Corp.
Robert Tennant and Associates
Scotiabank
Standard Innovations
Corporation
Sylvia & Tanyse MacLeod –
Royal LePage Performance
Realty
TELUS
Urbandale Corporation
Wesco
Silent Auction Donors
1-800-Got-Junk | /A\ | Absolute Office | Art World One | Ben Babelowsky | Dr. David J.
Baxter | Byblos Salon | C.A. Paradis | Cadieux Ltd. | Cameron Associates | Canon Camera
Inc. | Capital Office Interiors | Helen Chambers & Associates | Chapeaux de Madeleine
Muriel Charron Esthetics | Cisco | City of Ottawa | ClubLink Corporation | Collected Works
Bookstore | Penny Collenette | Cuisine & Passion | Davidson’s Jewellers | Design 1st
Donley’s Pool Services | Libby Douglas | Duross Consulting Inc. | East Side Mario’s
Executive Fitness Leaders | Margaret Fietz | Marka Fashion Boutique | Football Canada
The Gaelic Hour - CHIN 97.9FM | Mike Giunta | Global Total Office | Great Canadian Theatre
Company | Greenspon, Brown & Associates | Grow Green Property Maintenance | Sharon
Griffin | Hampton Inn Ottawa & Conference Centre | Hilton Lac-Leamy | Jordash Co. Ltd.
Just Imagine Home and Garden Décor | Sue Kavanagh | Rosemary Laurin | LG | Lord
Elgin Hotel | Marcomm Inc. | Marilyn’s | McGee’s Inn | Le Nordik Spa | Premier Dalton
McGuinty | Member of Parliament Peter MacKay | National Arts Centre and Le Café | Novotel
Ottawa | The Ottawa Citizen | Ottawa Police Service | George Pavlou | Phillipson & Baum
Photography | Point Local | The Prana Group | Rawlins Cross | Red Carpet Weddings
Rhubarb Home | R. Rivard | Royal Norweigian Embassy | Eric St-Jean | Savvy Company
Denis Savoie | Snap Fitness | Standard Innovations Corporation | Sun Beam Touch
Dr. Raad Sunba | Roz Tabachnik | Universal Appliances | Virgin Radio | Christopher
Walters | Watch It!, Place d’Orleans | Whalesbone Oyster House | Wine Kitz, Iris Street
The Works Gourmet Burgers
8

Other Donors and Supporters
Mulligan’s Flowers | Phillipson & Baum Photography | Sweet Rosie’s Café | Colonnade Pizza
Sheila Robertson | Shirley Greenberg | TD Canada Trust | Gerry Patterson | Merelie Kemp
Ibiska Telecom Inc. | Linda George | Marget Davis | Bruce Boyd
Evening in the Maritimes Volunteers
Robert Adolfson | Terry Andruchov | Reg Angel | Vivianne Asoh | Carol Ballinger
Janice Bailey | Loren Bekeris | Susan Brown | Anne-Marie Butt | John Clearwater | Lydia
DiFrancesco | Kory Fong | Christine Fontaine Paquet | Viviane Fujimoto | Buddy Garner
Lis George | LeQuan Hang | Sandra Hanson | Joanne Hart | Nghia lam | Pierre Iorio
Thony Jean-Baptiste | William Johnson | Peter Karwaki | Siddhartha Kumar | Bryan Landry
Annie-Pier Miron | Milka Miteva | Marisa Murray | Patricia Palmer | Carol Anne Paterson
Chris Petersen | Yvette Petersen | Nadine Pilon | Andrea Podruski | Rudy Rivera
Suzanne Seeman | Rocco Spadaccini | Grace Strachan | Patricia Thibault | Lillian Thibault
Cynthia Throop | Brenda Towns | Rob Towns | Sharon Troy | Peter Turner | Anna Wallach
Pamela Wheat | Lina Yang | Maha Zouein-Lowe
Sarah and Li had known each other for many years and when Sarah retired from her
job she found that she had more time to spend with Li. From the moment that the
Sarah and Li were matched, their relationship blossomed and they began sharing
trips to the Byward Market, shopping, becoming more physically fit together through
regular exercise, and simply being friends and companions. Both women enjoy each
other’s company and Li’s need for companionship has been answered. They have been
matched for six months and have a promising future together.
9

On December 3rd nearly 500 people celebrated the achievements of people with disabilities
and the organizations that support them with the presentation of 13 awards at the 9th annual
Celebration of People awards dinner. Coinciding with the United Nations International Day
of Persons with Disabilities, Celebration of People recognizes and honours individuals and
organizations whose achievements and innovations have helped to advance opportunities for
persons with disabilities in our community. Congratulations to all of the finalists and recipients!
Award Recipients and Sponsors
Accessibility by Design Award
Delcan Corporation
Sponsored by the City of Ottawa
Advocacy Award in Memory of Agnes Wee
John & Anne Toft
Sponsored by Families Matter Co-Operative
Artistic Excellence Award
André Lanthier
Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Ottawa
Career Award
Marco Casalese
Sponsored by Tamir
Citizenship Award in Memory of Cathy Kerr
Gerda Mulder
Sponsored by VHA Health & Home Support
Education Award
Freedom at Depth Canada
Sponsored by the Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre
Employer Award
Cycle Salvation
Employee Award
Scott Stokes
Sponsored by Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation
Hospitality and Tourism Award
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Sponsored by the Algonquin College School of
Hospitality & Tourism
Sports Award
Mike Roy
Sponsored by the National Capital Region YM-YWCA
Volunteer Award
Darcy Quartermaine
Sponsored by Low, Murchison LLP
Volunteer Opportunities Award
Heartwood House
Sponsored by Volunteer Ottawa
Youth Award in Memory of Susan Meyer
Christine Judd-Campbell
Sponsored by Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
10
Celebration of People Steering Committee Partners
Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa
Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre
Canadian Hearing Society, Ottawa Branch Collinda Joseph
CNIB
Committee Chair: Timothy Andrade, disABILITIES Awareness Program, The Ottawa Hospital
Rehabilitation Centre
Committee Vice-Chair: David Walls, Vista Centre/Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley

Honourary Co-Chairs
Dennis Jackson, Vice-President, Ottawa and West Quebec District, Scotiabank
Bashir Surani, Pharmacist/Owner, Shopper’s Drug Mart, 174 Bank Street, Ottawa
Presenting Sponsor
Scotiabank Group
Event Sponsors
City of Ottawa | Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation
Centre | Rx&D – Canada’s Research-Based
Pharmaceutical Companies
Master of Ceremonies
Ginette Gratton
In-Kind Sponsors and Media Sponsors
The Ottawa Citizen | Accurate Design & Communications | Jean Boulay Photography
Hampton Inn Ottawa & Conference Centre | The Printing House | JR Shot Photography
Algonquin College Florist Program
Raffle Prizes
Celebration of People Steering Committee Members | Jane Caskey | Marnie Owens, RMT
Shoppers Drug Mart, 174 Bank Street | Vista Centre/Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa
Valley
Corporate Tables
Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa
City of Ottawa
Heartwood House
Innovative Community Support Services
LiveWorkPlay
OC Transpo
Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
Ottawa Foyers Partage
Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre
Scotiabank
Service Coordination des services
Tamir
VHA Health & Home Support
Vista Centre/Brain Injury Association of the
Ottawa Valley
Y’s Owl Maclure Cooperative Centre
Ticket Donors
Accurate Design & Communications | Burn Tucker, Personal Injury Group of Doucet McBride LLP
disABILITIES Awareness Program, The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre | Mary Dufton
The Ottawa Citizen
Celebration of People Volunteers
Brittany Amell | Heather Badenoch | Patricia Bowa | Betty Btayfeh | Ashley Clow
Serena Deng | Tina Ford | Thony Jean-Baptiste | Siobhan Kerwin | Siddhartha Kumar
Soula Lafkas | Ivy Liu | Helen McFarlane | Valerie McIntyre | Jenna McQueen
Annie-Pier Miron | Shelly Ann Morris | Lorena Narvaez | Marcel St. Jean | Lisa
Stouffer | Courtney Weeks | Nancy Xu | Sofia Yohana | Wanzhen Zeng
11

Donors and Supporters
Thank you to all supporters of Citizen Advocacy. Your generous contributions of time and
resources help us reduce the isolation and vulnerability of people with disabilities in our
community. Together, we are making great strides and making Ottawa a better place to live!
$1000 to $4999
Anonymous (1)
Trudy Grealis-Sturton
Brian J. Tardif
The Estate of Robert H. Wilson
$500 to $999
Louise Matte
Patricia Parker
Peter Roorda
Sun Life Financial, Volunteer Program 104A25
TD Canada Trust (Holland Cross Branch)
Timothy Andradé
Anonymous (4)
Carol Ballinger
Bell Employee Giving Program
Virginia Beshara
Anna Bilsky
Cheryl Bourgeois
Bruce Boyd
Monique Delaney
Isabelle Des Chênes
Joe Diamond
Allan Dolenko
Nadia Effendi
Maggie Fietz
Jennifer Forbes Walker
Ray Fournier
Frank Ryan Catholic School
$100 to $499
Nancy Garrard
Mike Giunta
Owen Griffiths
Paul Hanvey
Suzanne Hill Brooks
Ibiska Telecom Inc.
Simone Joanisse
Regina Jurjonas
Albert Lalonde
Greenspon, Brown &
Associates
Sophie Leclair-Roberge
Richard Lee
Diane McGuire
Jack Murphy
Yasir Naqvi
Mona Paré
Andrea Podruski
Diane Pritchard
Earl Quail
Diane Rivers
Dorne Roche
Denis Rochon
Charles Seems
Azmina Somani
Bob Stevenson
Grace Strachan
Moe and Heather Turner
Unity Church of Ottawa
Bill Van Iterson
Paul Wallace
Christine Wilson
Norman Wong
May Wu
12

Melissa Aass
Robert Adolfson
Veronica Anderson
Roberta Anderson
William and Sharon Anderson
Anonymous (14)
John and Maria Barker
John and Sharon Bateman
Harry Beatty
Alice Bell
Roger Beshara
Dora Bill
Brigitte Bill
Jennifer Bradshaw
John and Frances Brauneisen
Michelle Brazil
Gillian Brouse
Susan Brown
Audrey Bufton
Kim Canary
Sabrina Carpentier
Joanne Cashman
Jane Caskey
Vivian Chapman
Lynn Chiarelli
Kevin Clinton
Penny and David Collenette
John and Marian Commerford
Jennifer Craig
Doug Cross
Colette Deavey
Willard and Lorna Dobson
Bill Dolan
$1 to $99
Marilyn Dolenko
Greg and Deborah Driscoll
Louise Duguay
Gary Duke
Mary Duncan
Laurence Émard
Julia English
Barbara Feldman
Marguerite Fournier
Patrick Fuller
Paddy Fuller
Bill Gelling and Jackie
MacDonald
Andy Gelling
Linda George
Andy Hamilton
Gloria Hannan
Chris Helmer
Marianne Hope
Judy Janes
Thony Jean-Baptiste
Pam Johnson
Stuart Jones
Linda Klapwyk
Ruth Koch-Schulte
Doug Kodrosky
Jasbeer Kotowaroo
Réjeanne Lalonde
Priscilla Lanois
Celine Leblanc
Guy Legault
Allan Lewrey
Kathie Lynas
Peter Maniscalco
John Martinho
Mavis Mason
Chiara McCurdy
Barry McKenna
Jean McKibbon
Ruth Mellor
Gilbert and Noreen Miles
Annie-Pier Miron-Gascon
Milka Miteva
Shelley-Ann Morris
Rein and Yfke Mulder
Dave Nicholson
Joseph Ombash
Meagan Pacha
Katie Paialunga
Krysia Pasdzior
Kristie Pepin
Dianne Pinder
Valerie Pryce
Frank Reid
Robert Rhodes
Paul Roorda
Sylvia Roorda
Angela Roorda
Alexandra Rosenfeld
Ginette Rousse
Lori Streefkerk
Terry Taraschuk
Roxanne Vermette
Mary Vernon
Shirley Wetmore
Joyce Zhu
13

Thank You!
Bingo Volunteers
Priscilla Lanois | Carol Lee | Lynda Maunders | Cathy Lough | Shawn Lough | Christine
Lough
Entertainment & Ticket Donors, Annual Picnic, Holiday Dinner and Dance, and other event
Donors, Supporters and Volunteers
9-to-5 Coffee Services | Aenos Food Services | Roberta Anderson | Harry Beatty | Chiara
Belli | Virginia Beshara | Anna Bilsky | Bissonette’s Your Independent Grocer | Linda Borgia
and Family | Bridgehead Wellington | Suzanne Hill Brooks | Canada Agriculture Museum
Canadian Aviation Museum | Canadian Museum of Nature | Canadian War Museum
Jane Caskey | Kerry Cavlovic | Cineplex Odeon | Kevin Clinton | The Club Variety Show
George Cook | Costco Nepean | Colette Deavey | Barbara Delaney | Odette Dumas
Canadian Museum of Civilization | Fairlawn Your Independent Grocer | Barbara Feldman
City Councillor Peggy Feltmate | Andy Gelling | John and Cathy Gelowsky | Walter and Norma
Gelowsky | Glebe Meat Market | Gloucester Lions Club | Great Canadian Theatre Company
Hampton Inn Ottawa & Conference Centre | Hartman’s Your Independent Grocer | Haunted
Walks of Ottawa | Hellenic Banquet Centre | Marianne Hope | Jasbeer Kotowaroo
Deborah Langelier | Veronica Langelier | Colette Legault | Loblaws Carlingwood | M&M
Meat Shop, Montreal Road | MacCartney Farms | Maryann and Mike Mason | Mavis Mason
Diane McGuire | Mini Golf Gardens | City Councillor Bob Monette | The Mud Oven | Yasir
Naqvi, MPP | Neilson Dairy | Newport Restaurant | Helen and Nick Nicholas | Joe Oombash
Paul’s Boat Lines | City Councillor Shad Qadri | Real Canadian Superstore, Eagleson Road
Diane Rivers | Peter Roorda | Saunders Farm | The Savoy Society | Susan Spence | Grace
Strachan | Lori Streefkerk | Elaine Sullivan | Sweet Rosie’s Food Emporium | Tannis Food
Services | Three Bakers & a Bike | Three Tarts Bakery | Tina and Mike Tremblay | Moe
and Heather Turner | United Way/Centraide Ottawa | Jennifer Forbes Walker | The Works
Gourmet Burger Bistro
14

Citizen Advocacy Board of Directors and Committees
Executive Officers
President Frank Reid, Ottawa Businessperson
Vice-President May Wu, Patent Agent, Brion Raffoul
Secretary Jack Murphy, Project Manager, Public Works and Government Services Canada
Treasurer Owen Griffiths, C.F.O. KOTT Group of Companies
Past President Dianne Pritchard, Owner and President, Just Imagine Home and Garden Decor
Directors
Jane Caskey, Retired Federal Public Servant
Denis Comeau, Retired Public Service Executive
Joe Diamond, Retired Federal Public Servant
Joe Donegan, Retired Public Servant and Consumer
Nadia Effendi, Lawyer, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Judy Janes, Retired Teacher and Consumer
Ruth Koch-Schulte, Retired Executive Director, The Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
Réjeanne Lalonde, Evaluation Manager, Transport Canada
Mona Paré, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law **
Peter Roorda, Product Line Manager, JDSU
Sabina Saini, Campaigns Manager, NGO Results Canada
Christopher Walters, Communications Director, Government of Canada
Judy Janes (Chair)
Robert Adolfson (staff)
Veronica Anderson *
Debby Applebaum **
Daniel Boyer
Margaret Cunningham *
Chris Walters
Cheryl Bourgeois **
Kim Canary **
Jennifer Forbes Walker (staff)
Consumers Advisory Committee
Joe Donegan (Co-chair)
Linda Gray
Ruth Mellor (coach) **
Lisa Robinson
Brian Tardif (staff)
Fund Development Committee
Mike Giunta (Chair) **
Patricia Parker *
Brian Tardif (staff)
Susan Brown (staff)
Owen Griffiths
Finance Committee
Holger Ridder (staff) **
Brian Tardif (staff)
* appointed during the year
** resigned during the year
15

Citizen Advocacy Staff
Brian Tardif, Executive Director (24 years on staff)
Robert Adolfson, Social Worker (7 years)
Susan Brown, Executive Assistant (18 years)
André Cusson, Facilitator (2 years) **
Ashley Duross, 1 year contract ***
Jennifer Forbes Walker, Communications and
Fund Development Manager (1 year)
Lesley Hoyles, Special Events and
Communications Coordinator *
Thony Jean-Baptiste, Social Worker (4 years)
Siddhartha Kumar, Social Worker (2 years)
Sophie Leclair-Roberge, Social Worker (2 years)
Joyce Lundrigan, Faciliator (2 years)
Kathie Lynas, Contract *
Annie-Pier Miron-Gascon, Parental leave contract *
Milka Miteva, Contract *
Nadine Pilon, Administrative Assistant (4 years)
Andrea Podruski, Facilitator (6 years)
Holger Ridder, Financial Administrator (2 years) **
Sheila Robertson, Social Worker, Chance for Choice (10 years)
Ginette Rousse, Parental leave contract ***
Roxanne Vermette, Facilitator *
* joined during the year
** resigned during the year
*** contract completed during the year
In December 2009, the Citizen Advocacy Consumers
Advisory Committee released a healthy-living
handbook entitled Get Fit - Get Healthy! A Workbook
for People with Disabilities. This workbook is full
of advice and tips for healthy eating, exercise,
meditation, as well as stories of successful healthy
living provided by members of the Consumers
Advisory Committee. The handbook was distributed
by the committee to protégés attending the
annual Holiday Dinner, and will continue to be
distributed at CA events.
16

Looking Ahead
By Brian J. Tardif, Executive Director
As with 2009, 2010 promises to be no less eventful. With respect to the Everyday Champions and
Chance for Choice programs, early indications suggest we will continue to experience the rate
of interest that we have seen in the last two years from both those wishing to have the support
of a volunteer advocate, and those wishing to become engaged in an intentional relationship
as a volunteer advocate with someone who has a disability. This level of interest will continue
to place internal pressures on the capacity of our existing staff. We will begin to explore what
measures will be necessary to manage these pressures in a different manner should additional
resources not be forthcoming from our traditional sources.
There are also favourable indications that Citizen Advocacy will be expanding its capacity to
provide independent facilitation and planning for a broader range of individuals with intellectual
disabilities and their families. Our history of successful collaboration and partnerships may be
extended in 2010 through new collaborative activities and partnerships with Families Matter
Cooperative and Lifetime Networks Ottawa.
The current economic recovery will be a slow one, and while Citizen Advocacy did not experience
an impact of the recession similar to many other community non-profit organizations, we
may well be impacted by the pace of economic recovery. Growing community pressures
and tighter access to and decreasing availability of financial resources creates real challenges
for the potential of mission drift. In the coming year and beyond, the Board of Directors in
its governance must remain vigilant about the importance and relevance of the mission of
Citizen Advocacy and its impact in the lives of people with disabilities in our community and its
contribution towards a more inclusive community for all.
17

Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa
312 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4X5
www.citizenadvocacy.org | info@citizenadvocacy.org | 613-761-9522