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Causeway Work Centre

Social Service

About

“I came to Causeway looking for the job of a lifetime, but instead I got a life to find a job.” – Causeway Client

Causeway is a not-for-profit agency based in Ottawa that helps people with mental illness and other challenges find rewarding work and live more independently. By helping everyone reach their full potential, we are helping establish stronger and more inclusive communities.

We know that everyone is different — that’s why we offer a variety of employment programs, social enterprises, and support services to serve a diverse range of people. Each person can take multiple avenues while on their journey, but they all lead to the same place: meaningful employment.

Our Impact

Your impact through Causeway

Every year, more than 1,200 people with mental health-related barriers to employment use Causeway’s services. Each of our clients is unique: they have their own story, personal barriers, and goals. But they all want the same thing, and that’s for someone to give them a chance.

At Causeway, we believe in everyone’s potential, and invite you to believe with us. Work means so much more than paycheque – it means empowerment and hope. Together, we create working communities where everyone is invaluable.

Your gift to Causeway will help people with mental illness and other challenges find rewarding work through:

  • Pre-employment and employment programs
  • Social enterprises that employ clients
  • Wrap-around supports like the Resource Centre and Wellness Program

Learn more about our avenues to employment: https://www.causewayworkcentre.org/find-work/

Check out our blog to read stories of our clients’ employment journeys: https://www.causewayworkcentre.org/news/

See what your legacy could be

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Talk to Causeway Work Centre about a legacy gift

Causeway Work Centre website jrodger@causewayworkcentre.org 613-725-3494 ext. 108

Legal Name

Causeway Work Centre

Charity Number

106880883 RR 0001

How your gift will be used

Sue’s Legacy

Mitch and Sue have never met. In fact, Sue passed away in 2008. But, in 2019, she changed Mitch’s life.

At 25, Mitch suffered a stroke. It affected the right side of his body, and he relies on a cane to walk.

Now, Mitch works on improving his stability in Causeway’s Wellness Program. He is one of many people who rely on the program, which helps people with their fitness goals as they look for work.

Through Sue’s bequest, the Wellness gym was completely renovated to increase accessibility for people like Mitch, and was officially renamed in Sue’s honour.

Since starting with Causeway, Mitch has seen more than just physical improvements. His confidence has grown, and it’s opened the door to new possibilities for employment.

What will your legacy be?

Have you ever felt unsure where you belonged, or experienced challenges with your mental health that left you feeling hopeless?

It’s common for it to take months or years for people experiencing mental health-related barriers to believe in themselves enough to reach out for support.

By leaving a gift to Causeway, you can foster belonging and empower people to reach their goals and believe in their own self-worth.

In 2017, Mitch experienced a stroke that affected the entire right side of his body and in 2019 started coming to Causeway's Wellness Gym to work on regaining his strength. Pre-pandemic, you would see Mitch three times a week in the gym. But throughout the closures, Mitch was one of the clients that benefited from walks with our Wellness Coordinator. As a result of the walks, Mitch has even started walking without his cane! Yay, Mitch!
Brendan has Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behaviour and learning challenges, and various physical characteristics. For many years, Brendan dreamed of having a job, but employers wouldn’t take a chance on him because of his FXS. With some support from Causeway, Brendan was able to secure his first-ever job last November. Since he started working, the feeling of inclusion and purpose provides him with emotional and mental benefits that seep into every interaction he has with others. Brendan is more confident, and he is beyond happy to be working.
Kwaku first came to Causeway in the spring of 2019 after Kwame had inquired about getting started in the Employment Supports Program. Kwaku is on the autism spectrum and has some developmental disabilities that made it difficult for him to find permanent work. After meeting with his Employment Support Specialist, everything started to look up. Kwaku finally caught a break at the Rideau Carleton Casino. At the end of October, Kwaku worked his first 3-hour shift as a dishwasher. By December, he started working 8 hours a day almost every day. After the holiday season, he settled into a schedule of working part-time. He loved his job. His dreams finally came true.

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