Ottawa Salus

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

Total revenue for last fiscal year: $9,953,815

Geographic region of focus: Ottawa

Top funding sources:

• Government (Various): 71%
• Individual: 5%
• Corporate: 1%
• Other charities: 1%
• Other sources: 22%

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.

Events and fundraising

Soirée Salus

Thanks in great part to the generous support of French Ambassador Kareen Rispal, Soirée Salus 2019 was our most successful event to date. Together our generous supporters raised more than $165,000, which will help support individuals living with mental illness, many of whom have struggled with homelessness, on their journey to recovery. While we were not able to hold Soirée Salus this year as planned, we are delighted to share that Soirée Salus will return in 2021.

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. 

Rendez-Vous Salus

Salus supporters came to the rescue in support of our new initiative that helped to raise some much-needed funds to offset the unexpected financial challenges caused by COVID-19. On Sept. 24, Rendez-Vous Salus brought a dazzling selection of tastes including luxurious cheeses, savoury charcuterie, refreshing sparkling wine and other treats to our supporters’ doors. These special deliveries were curated by Beckta and included surprises from Thyme & Again, Jacobsons and more.

Board members and executives

Sarah Bertrand

Michel Boulay

Bernard Etzinger 

Philippe Lachapelle

Tim Moran

Sanjay Srivastava 

Lindsay Taub

Harpreet Grewal

Myles Kirvan

Fiona Murray

Janet Yale

Megan Crain

Melanie Vadeboncoeur

Funding priorities

Addressing the multi-year waitlist for supportive housing.