Ottawa Salus

This profile originally appeared in the 2019-20 Giving Guide. Read the full magazine here.

For more than 40 years, Ottawa Salus has been an unwavering champion in meeting the rehabilitation and supportive housing needs of adults living with serious mental illness in the Ottawa area. Salus offers a range of supportive housing options for adults with serious mental illness and concurrent challenges, including addictions, homelessness and cycles of hospitalization.

In addition to providing housing, Salus' dedicated, professional staff provides the following mental health support services to meet the individual needs of clients: case management, community development, residential transitional rehabilitation programs, occupational therapy, as well as recreational and wellness programs.

At a glance

Year founded: 1977

Geographic region of focus: Ottawa

Total revenue for last fiscal year: $9,328,608

Top funding sources:

Government (various): 69%
Individual: 8%
Corporate: 3%
Other charities: 1%
Other sources: 18%

Salus’ Green Committee celebrates at the Living Lightly Project Wrap-Up Celebration, an initiative which encouraged staff, clients and tenants to adopt practical strategies in order to help reduce their environmental impact.

How you can help

Give

Donations are critically important at Salus because they help us address the current gaps in our community for individuals living with serious mental illness. Despite the immense need, many individuals will wait years for a stable home with Salus. For many, that can mean many years of living in shelters or hospitals. Salus cannot do our important work without help from the caring individuals who support our organization. When you give to Salus, you are helping individuals who are in need of homes and critical mental health supports.

Volunteer

Volunteers are greatly appreciated! Salus offers meaningful opportunities to make a hands-on impact in the area of mental health. Volunteer opportunities will vary throughout the year, but could include assisting with our fundraising or outreach events and activities around the community, in gardening or arts programs, or cooking special community meals for our clients. We are always looking to connect with people who are passionate about mental health and making a difference. Please contact hope@salusottawa.org to learn more.

Soiree Salus

Events and fundraising

Soirée Salus

Soirée Salus is an exclusive, annual fundraising event that has been generously hosted by French Ambassador Kareen Rispal. This was the fourth year for the special event, which took place on Oct. 2 at the French embassy on Sussex Drive with approximately 300 guests in attendance.

Salus Holiday Campaign

As many of our neighbours prepare their homes to welcome family and friends and celebrate with holiday cheer, at Salus we see how difficult, stressful and lonely this time of year can be for people with mental illness. Giving to our Holiday Campaign helps to ensure that people living with mental illness can continue to depend on Salus for their important housing and support services.

Major Donation Highlight - Legacy Gift

In the 1980s, while she was living in Salus housing, a client’s family established a trust to care for their loved one after her parents had passed away. More than 30 years later, the client passed away. With no remaining family, the client’s trust was transferred to Salus. It was later revealed that the remaining donation was valued at more than $1 million in funds. This substantial gift was used to purchase a new eight-unit building on Churchill Avenue in Westboro, which has helped to provide much-needed housing for individuals living with mental illness.