May 27th, 2022

News Release: Ottawa Community Housing and Tomorrow’s Trades to Launch Partnership that Benefits Tenants

Pre-apprentice
Volunteers to Complete Five Community Beautification projects

May 27, 2022 – A group of 16 pre-apprentices from Tomorrow’s Trades will work with the Volunteer Engagement Program for a period of one week (May 30th until June 3rd). This exciting project will see work completed in five OCHC communities, benefitting thousands of tenants. Following the launch, volunteers will build 10 garden boxes at 800 St. Laurent Blvd. 

WHEN: Monday, May 30, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: 800 St. Laurent Blvd. 

WHAT: 16 pre-apprentice volunteers will build 10 garden boxes for the residents of 800 St. Laurent Blvd

WHO: Ottawa Community Housing CEO Stéphane Giguère and Board Chair Mathieu Fleury will welcome the volunteers. Candace Carson, Program Manager from Tomorrow Trades will speak to the organization’s collaboration with OCHC. 

PHOTO-OP:  Media are welcome to attend this event. The best time for a photo is 9:30 a.m.

-30-

Quotes

“The Tomorrow Trades pre-apprentice program volunteers will be working on several projects from May 30 to June 3 that will help build better communities and create spaces that are more welcoming for tenants and their guests. These community improvements have a great impact and I look forward to continuing this partnership, while building capacity in the trade sector.”

– Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer, OCHC

“The partnership between the OCH Volunteer Engagement Program and Tomorrow Trades is a win-win. The volunteers will gain the experience needed to explore a career in the trades and OCH will benefit from the community beautification projects that will improve the lives and homes for tenants.”

– Mathieu Fleury, Rideau-Vanier Councillor and OCHC Board Chair

“This project offers a great opportunity to explore, experience, and engage with unionized construction skilled trades apprenticeships and careers in Ontario. Tomorrow’s Trades provides a significant benefit to local communities, building and construction trades unions, and local unionized contractors by presenting a pathway for motivated individuals to develop their construction sector essential skills that are fundamental to becoming high-quality apprentices and journeypersons in the industry. Tomorrow’s Trades will continue to champion the movement for inclusivity and diversity in the construction skilled trades while improving awareness and pathways to careers within the industry.”

– Adam Melnick, Program Director, Tomorrow’s Trades

Quick Facts

– Planned projects for the week include painting seven floors at 500 St. Laurent, replacing the outdoor wood railing at 280 Rochester, replacing the fence boards at Russell Heights Community House, and building a community garden on the rooftop of 345 Lebreton St. South 

– There are 218 tenants living at 800 St. Laurent

– There are 170 Tenants living at 500 St. Laurent

– There are 436 Tenants living at 280 Rochester St. 

– There are 649 Tenants living in Russell Heights

– There are 61 tenants living at 345 Lebreton St. South

– The average income of OCHC tenants is approximately $1,600 per month

About Tomorrow’s Trades: Tomorrow’s Trades is a 12-week experiential learning program that helps prepare participants to start their careers in the construction sector skilled trades. Tomorrow’s Trades will provide hands-on experiences, industry-recognized training and certification, personal protective equipment and basic hand tools needed to become a high-quality apprentice. Tomorrow’s Trades is funded in part by the Canadian and Ontario Government through the MLTSD (Skills Development Fund).

About OCHC: Ottawa Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCHC houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCHC is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second-largest in Ontario. OCHC was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.  www.och-lco.ca | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram     

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer McIntosh: Communications and Marketing Specialist / Ottawa Community Housing 

613-914-9953 media@och.ca