Community Relations
The students, faculty and staff of Algonquin College organize and participate in numerous activities that support their local communities.
The United Way
The annual United Way campaign is a much anticipated and successful affair at all Algonquin campuses, typically raising over $100,000 each year for the United Way in Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth.
Donors to Algonquin College’s United Way campaign can direct funds to Algonquin College Advancement Plant Some Roots endowment fund. The donations go toward student bursaries and scholarships.
Spread the Net
Algonquin College employees, students, and members of the Students’ Association came together to raise over $40,000 as part of the Spread the Net Student Challenge in 2012-13. The amount raised was the largest ever by any college that had participated in the Spread the Net Student Challenge, and Algonquin’s was the top overall team in 2012-13 campaign.
Ottawa Reads
Algonquin College lends its support to OttawaReads, a unique school/business partnership which draws volunteers from the corporate or public sector to be involved in school-based early literacy initiatives. Employer-supported volunteers fulfill a weekly one-hour commitment to read one-to-one to students in kindergarten and primary grades. Algonquin is partnered with Christie Public School, at which Algonquin College staff reading to its JK/SK and grade one students.
Learn more on the Algonquin Reads blog – algonquincollegereads.blogspot.ca
World Partnership Golf
Tens of thousands of dollars are raised each year at the World Partnership Golf fund raising event at the Chateau Cartier Resort and Golf Club in Aylmer, Quebec. The event was organized by dedicated volunteers who were led by the convenor for the tournament, Altaf Sovani, the Chair of of Algonquin College’s School of Hospitality & Tourism. In addition faculty from the School of Hospitality & Tourism were part of the core planning team.
Chamber of Commerce
Algonquin College is an active member of both the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce. The push for technical training facilities by the Greater Ottawa Chamber was one of the driving forces behind the founding of Algonquin College.
Woodroffe Campus
Canadian Blood Services
The College regularly hosts blood donor clinics at its Woodroffe campus in Ottawa.
Youville Centre
Police Foundations students create Christmas baskets each year for the Youville Centre, a non-profit organization that assists single mothers in providing a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Centre 454
Algonquin College faculty and staff respond generously to requests for clothing and toiletries for clients of Centre 454, an agency that provides counseling services related to addictions, housing, mental health, relationships or legal matters.
Emily Murphy Non-Profit Housing Organization
The College community regular makes donations of requested supplies for residents of the Emily Murphy Non-Profit Housing complex in Blackburn Hamlet, a resource for single parents in need.
Kiwanis Medical Foundation
Ottawa’s annual Bed Race on the Rideau Canal during Winterlude celebrations has proven to be a highly enjoyable opportunity to raise funds for medical research in Ottawa and to showcase College pride. Algonquin students, faculty and staff are all enthusiastic participants.
Ottawa Food Bank
Numerous food drives for the Ottawa Food Bank have been hosted by Algonquin College.
Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal
When the call goes out, the College community responds generously to this appeal.
Snowsuit Fund
Ottawa’s Snowsuit fund is another beneficiary of the generosity of students, faculty and staff at Algonquin College.
Toy Mountain
Toy Mountain is Ottawa’s annual Christmas collection of toys for needy children that the College has supported over the years.
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Calling themselves “Teachers with Heart”, professors in Algonquin’s School of Advanced Technology have participated in a 5 x 5 km corporate relay in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute – a fun and healthy way to contribute to a local charity that benefits many families in the region.
Algonquin College Heritage Institute
Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and other local holiday causes
Social Service Worker students support several local organizations during the holiday season with gifts, baby food and diapers, and stockings for senior citizens.
The Town of Perth
When the Town of Perth received the Prince of Wales Prize from Heritage Canada in 2004, the jury acknowledged the contribution of Algonquin College’s Heritage Institute which has been teaching heritage carpentry and masonry in Perth since 1989. The prize honours a municipal government for exemplary commitment to the preservation of its built heritage. The jury praised the restoration projects undertaken by the students, saying that their work and dedication has strengthened the town’s commitment to conservation.