To mark Colonnade BridgePort’s 40th anniversary, we launched the Power of 40, a giving initiative that celebrates four decades of building strong communities. Through employee nominations, 20 charities were selected to each receive a $1,000 donation. Combined with our $20,000 annual commitment to Habitat for Humanity, this program will bring our total charitable giving in 2025 to $40,000.
Check out the five Week 4 charities who will be receiving donations and the personal stories that inspired their nominations.
lighthouseottawa.com
Nominated by: Tobi
Lighthouse Church Ottawa is committed to helping people experience meaningful life change and a strong sense of community.
Each year, Ottawa welcomes more than 100,000 post-secondary students and thousands of newcomers, many arriving without established support networks. Lighthouse responds to this need by offering connection, mentorship, and care through community gatherings, Connect Groups, and campus ministries at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. These programs provide safe, inclusive spaces where young adults can build relationships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their resilience during a formative time in life.
Tobi says: The church is now working toward a new space designed to better serve children and young adults, strengthening its programs and creating environments where the next generation can thrive. I actively serve at Lighthouse and have witnessed its profound impact on individuals, families, students, and newcomers. Supporting Lighthouse helps extend that reach and continue fostering community, care, and hope across Ottawa.
parkdalefoodcentre.ca
Nominated by: Brenda
The Parkdale Food Centre believes in an Ottawa where everyone has the means and opportunity to live a healthy, connected and fulfilling life. Their mission is to build healthier, more connected Neighbours and neighbourhoods through good food, innovative community partnerships, and by challenging inequalities in order to create lasting impacts.
Brenda says: Parkdale Food Centre is an integral part of the community, providing vital programs that promote food security, dignity, and connection. They serve neighbourhoods where Colonnade BridgePort manages many properties, including residential sites, making their work especially meaningful to the communities we are actively engaged in.
South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council
sgbyouthliteracy.org
Nominated by: Samantha
The South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council is a community-based organization dedicated to helping school-aged children and teens (ages 6–18) improve their literacy skills. Funds support the maintenance and growth of a long-term loan library filled with books, games, and other learning materials that make reading fun and accessible. Volunteer tutors generously give their time each week to mentor, teach, and inspire youth through one-on-one sessions. For families with children who struggle to read, the program is completely free — providing encouragement, confidence, and the tools to build a lifelong love of learning.
Samantha says: The Council holds deep personal meaning for me and my family. My dad has been a volunteer tutor for over 25 years and serves on the board, and I’ve had the chance to volunteer at one of their fundraisers, an experience that showed me firsthand how much this organization changes lives.
One of my favourite success stories involves one of my dad’s students who struggled to read and had little interest in school. Discovering his love for steam engines, my dad found books and materials about trains to spark his curiosity. That simple connection inspired the student to build an actual working steam engine with my dad, and through that experience, his reading and math skills flourished. He went from disengaged to inspired, finding confidence and a path forward.
Stories like this are common thanks to the Council’s dedicated volunteer tutors, who tailor lessons to each child’s interests, unlocking confidence and a love of learning. Their free one-on-one tutoring helps youth improve literacy and discover their potential, often changing the trajectory of their lives. This small, local charity makes a powerful, lasting difference — one child, one tutor, and one success story at a time.
foundation.ottawaheart.ca
Nominated by: Emilio and Heather
Since 1976, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) has been Canada’s leading cardiac care centre, recognized for exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, and leadership in heart disease prevention. The UOHI Foundation connects lifesaving programs and professionals with donors who invest in the future of cardiac care. Community support funds innovative treatment, research, equipment, and education — empowering an extraordinary team to advance cardiovascular medicine and save lives every day.
Emilio says: I recently took time off to undergo heart valve reconstruction surgery, and the UOHI gave me the chance at a longer, healthier life. From day one, their team made me feel safe, informed, and genuinely cared for.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to live in Ottawa, home to a world-class institution recognized globally for its leadership in cardiovascular care and research. Every person I encountered, from surgeons to nurses to administrative staff, treated me with compassion and professionalism that went far beyond expectations.
Heather says: My daughter, Catherine, has a rare inherited heart arrhythmia called CPVT. For the past four years, she has been under the care of Dr. Hansom and his exceptional team at UOHI. Recently, she underwent a day surgery procedure, and once again, we were deeply impressed by the professionalism, compassion, and expertise of everyone involved.
Having such a specialized facility right here in Ottawa is something we don’t take for granted. The staff’s deep understanding of Catherine’s rare condition, and their ability to determine the most effective treatments and medications, gives our family tremendous peace of mind.
In a time when healthcare resources are stretched thin, institutions like UOHI stand out as invaluable. Their dedication to advancing cardiac care and improving patients’ lives makes them an organization truly deserving of support and recognition.
jumpstart.canadiantire.ca
Nominated by: Warren MacDonald
Founded in 2005, Jumpstart helps kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation, ensuring inclusive play for children of all abilities.
Jumpstart is about more than getting kids active, it’s about giving children from families in financial need the same opportunities as their neighbours, classmates, and friends. Whether it’s trying a new sport or continuing with a beloved one, every child deserves the chance to participate.
Warren says: Hockey has been part of my entire childhood, and a large part of my adulthood, all with the Nepean Minor Hockey Association (NMHA). As a child I played, and as an adult I’ve coached (‘95–‘98), volunteered on the board of directors (’00–’04), and for the past 20+ years have served as the association’s accountant. Today, roughly 2,000 kids play in NMHA, gaining meaningful experiences both on and off the ice. But hockey is expensive, and many children miss out simply because it’s unaffordable. Jumpstart gives kids the chance to play and in doing so, helps develop not just hockey skills but lifelong skills like teamwork, leadership, and friendship.