What we do
The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa (ADO) focuses on compassionately caring for vulnerable people. Our ministries are dedicated to supporting those struggling with poverty, mental illness, addiction, and housing affordability. We are committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and assisting refugees fleeing violence.
Donors support our work which provides for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shower and laundry facilities; and help in accessing health care, emergency shelters, supportive housing, counselling, and refugee sponsorship. Well-trained staff offer services from sympathetic listening to specialized skills and professional expertise.
The ADO, our Community Ministries, and our parishes, individually or partnering with the diocese, have been instrumental in creating 157 new affordable housing units in Ottawa and in Smiths Falls. Plans are well-developed to create an additional 125 units in Ottawa and Perth by the end of 2026.
Community Ministry volunteers serve in many different ways from helping to prepare food to offering specialized care and services based on their skills and experience — all with the aim of offering genuine connection and care. We invite all volunteers to join in — everyone is welcome!
Our goal is to serve any and all people with acceptance and love. Your donation will make a difference in someone’s life.
Funding priorities
Emergency shelter, supportive housing, mental health, food insecurity and refugee sponsorship.
How you can help
Give
When you donate to Anglican Diocese of Ottawa (ADO), your donation will make a broad and lasting impact. The ADO’s Community Ministries include four drop-in day programs, a network of shelters and housing for women, programs to help refugees settle, and access to professional counselling and therapy. They serve those most vulnerable in our midst — across the nation’s capital and beyond.
Community ministries
ADO Community Ministries serve those most vulnerable in our communities. These are often people struggling with issues around homelessness, poverty, mental illness, trauma, and addiction.
All are welcome and accepted regardless of faith, race, gender, or orientation. Together we strive to nurture the health and well-being of all those who seek our services, creating communities of compassion around them.
Belong Ottawa
Belong Ottawa provides low-barrier, accessible social services for people living on low income – with a particular focus on those experiencing homelessness. We help meet the basic needs of our community (e.g. food, laundry, showers) while also providing a point of social connection and referrals to other community supports. Our services operate across three sites: Centre 454, St Luke’s Table, and The Well (services to women and children).
Centre 105
Centre 105 was started in 2017 and continues to serve the most vulnerable individuals in our community. It is a drop-in day program providing support services and a breakfast program in the City of Cornwall for those living in poverty. It also offers a safe place to socialize and every Friday, the Recovery Care Mobile Clinic is on-site, featuring an addictions counsellor and a nurse.
Cornerstone Housing for Women
In 1983, Cornerstone Housing for Women began with three cots in the basement of All Saints Church in Sandy Hill. It was the first women-only shelter in Ottawa. Now Cornerstone operates five locations providing affordable, supportive housing to women who have experienced homelessness. Cornerstone operates Ottawa’s largest women-only shelter.
Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre
The Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre (The OPC) offers counselling support to people experiencing loss, grief, family and marital crisis, depression, anxiety, trauma, and other life challenges. The Counselling Support Fund was set up to allow people to donate financial resources to help pay counselling fees for those who could not otherwise access counselling. This support makes it possible for even more people to experience God’s healing in a safe, caring environment.
Refugee Ministry Office
The Refugee Ministry Office (RMO) has a long history of helping refugees from around the world and of all faiths who come to Canada. RMO works closely with community groups and family sponsors. It operates as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada, participating in Canada’s private refugee sponsorship program, helping people rebuild their lives.
To learn more about this charity, please visit the latest issue of the Giving Guide here:
