The 12th Annual Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Gala took place on November 4, 2023, at the Shaw Centre.

Since its inception, the OPS Gala has raised over $1 million for local charities and community groups. We were honoured to be a beneficiary this year. It will go a long way to enriching the lives of the youth that we serve through the expansion of our school-based educational platform.

We were thrilled to receive a generous donation of $5000 from the  Ontario Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (OSSGA)!

The cheque was hand delivered by Rob Pierce, Chair of OSSGA’s Board of Directors and a long-time supporter of RSC. 

A big thank you to Mr. Pierce and the OSSGA. Their gift of time and money is empowering us to dream big, including as we expand our camping and land-based learning programs. 

More on that coming soon. Stay tuned! 

From left to right: Catherine Van Vliet (CEO, RSC), Laurel Mackenzie (Manager of Development and Community Engagement,
RSC), Rob Pierce (Chair, OSSGA Board), celebrate the generous $5000 donation from the OSSGA.

Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Canada is an inclusive, award-winning approach to grant-making that grows compassionate communities by connecting high school students to social issues, local charities, and philanthropy at a pivotal stage in their adolescence. YPI seeks to empower youth in their communities, and each year they grant hundreds of thousands of dollars to local social service charities across Canada, 100% decided by high school students.

The Roberts/Smart Centre (RSC) is fortunate to have received a grant from YPI, directed by students from St. Mark Catholic High School, where we provide School-Based Mental Health services.

The past few years have been particularly difficult for our youth but with encouragement and the support from fellow students like those at St. Mark Catholic High School, they have continued to work hard to achieve important milestones in healing, treatment, and education.