Newsletter
Club Connect
Winter 2025
Over the past year, we have accomplished great things at BGC Ottawa to support children and youth in our community.
Even as we navigated challenges like prolonged closures, budget constraints, and the growing demand for our services, we made important progress with our life-changing programs thanks to the generosity of donors, supporters, volunteers and the community.
As demand for our services continues to grow across the city, and new challenges emerge for young people, their families and our staff, we are committed to adapting and finding a positive path forward. We are dedicated to positioning ourselves to provide the best support possible for those who need us most. Together, we will find new, innovative ways of addressing barriers, systemic issues and emerging challenges.
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Youth are at a crisis point, and if we do not support them now, they will face even greater challenges in the years ahead. Food insecurity is high in our communities; severe social-emotional learning challenges persist; and there is a growing gap in education, literacy and physical activity. Additionally, mental health struggles have risen at alarming rates.
Last year, it cost BGC Ottawa $8.8 million to operate all its Clubhouses and programs in their current state. While we are proud of what we’ve accomplished, the need is greater than we can meet. We hope that our donors and the community will continue to support us in addressing this growing need, as their contributions are vital to ensuring a brighter future for Ottawa’s youth.
On behalf of everyone at BGC Ottawa, and most importantly, the children and youth whose lives you’ve touched, thank you for your unwavering support. Your generosity has been vital in helping us address critical issues, while continuing to provide programs that foster education, literacy, physical activity and belonging.
Together, we are building a brighter future.
Adam Joiner
Chief Executive Officer
For more than 100 years, BGC Ottawa has provided programming directly to children and youth in vulnerable neighbourhoods. We provide safe, supportive places where kids and teens, of all backgrounds, can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, and develop confidence and skills for life.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can offer this programming for FREE! Your support is the driving force behind the important work we do, and we are incredibly grateful.
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Our members say
Did you know your event will help us continue to serve thousands of children and youth across 31 Ottawa neighbourhoods every year?
Supporting BGC Ottawa is easier than you think through community events such as family celebrations, seasonal gatherings – both large and small – sporting events, interactive experiences, such as an open mic night or karaoke competition, workshops and bake sales, and so much more.
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Our team will be there to help answer your questions, walk you through our fundraising guidelines, and support you with guest speakers, promotional materials, donations and tax receipts.
Thank you for considering BGC Ottawa as the recipient of your community event. Your support means so much to us, our Members and their families.
For more information, or support to plan a community event, please contact Sarah Cybulski at scybulski@bgcottawa.org.
On Giving Tuesday, we raised nearly $50,000 in support of our Holiday Hampers Program thanks to you – our BGC Ottawa family – and our friends at Loblaws, who matched every dollar raised. As Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa drew near, we received sizable gifts that helped us exceed our $90,000 fundraising goal, which allowed us to deliver 215 Holiday Hampers and more than 1,300 gifts to families in need.
At BGC Ottawa, our programs are all about bringing young people together and creating a true sense of community, especially during the holiday season. Programs like Holiday Hampers are at the heart of this mission, creating spaces for kindness and generosity to shine.
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Volunteers, donors and staff work side-by-side, building a network of care and support where everyone feels they belong. Through these efforts, we create moments of joy, gratitude and togetherness, making the season brighter for all involved.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see the impact of our work firsthand,” said Sarah Cybulski, BGC Ottawa’s Senior Manager, Special Events and Community Engagement. “It’s hard to put into words how meaningful it is to be a bridge between our generous supporters and the families we serve, bringing a little bit of joy and relief to everyone involved.
This work isn’t just a job, it’s a privilege. And I think I speak for our whole team when I say we feel the deep gratitude and sense of purpose that comes from supporting our incredible youth and their families.”
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for ensuring children, youth and their families had a wonderful holiday this year. You helped bring smiles, joy, warmth and festive cheer at a time when it was needed most.
In 2024, we proudly celebrated the 100th anniversary of Camp Smitty. For over a century, the Camp has provided thousands of children and youth, aged 8 to 16, with unforgettable summer experiences that have shaped their lives in meaningful ways. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, BGC Ottawa ensures that financial circumstances are never a barrier to participation, allowing as many children and youth as possible to benefit from this life-changing opportunity.
To mark this incredible milestone, we launched the For Our Kids campaign in April with an ambitious goal of raising $1.25 million. The funds will be used to revitalize SOM Hall, a critical programming space, and to secure Camp Smitty’s operations for years to come.
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To date, we are thrilled to share that 60% of our campaign goal has been reached. Furthermore, we are currently in discussion with major donors and awaiting responses to several significant funding applications. With the momentum we have built and the generosity of our supporters, we are confident we will reach our goal and continue to provide transformative experiences for youth in our community.
Revitalizing SOM Hall is at the heart of this campaign. Plans are underway to reopen the Hall in time for Summer 2026, creating a space where Campers can gather, learn and make lifelong memories. Steve Barkhouse of Amsted is leading a dedicated committee that will oversee the project, manage construction and secure in-kind support from local contractors.In addition to revitalizing SOM Hall, the campaign will support Camp Smitty’s operations for the next several years. These funds will allow us to welcome hundreds of Campers each summer while maintaining the high-quality programming that makes Camp so special.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the For Our Kids campaign so far. Your generosity has brought us closer to our goal and ensured Camp Smitty remains a life-changing experience for countless young people.
We invite others to join us in making this vision a reality. By giving and getting involved, you’ll help rebuild SOM Hall and provide future generations with the unique opportunities that Camp Smitty offers.
Together, we can create a brighter future for the children and youth in our community.
Visit www.bgcottawa.org/forourkids to learn more and to make your gift today.
BGC Ottawa Thunderbolts – A year of growth and achievement
BGC Ottawa prides itself on delivering programs that are purposefully designed to drive personal development, empower youth to reach their full potential, and give them confidence and skills for life.
Although the impact and stories are endless, in this edition of Club Connect we will look at the BGC Ottawa Thunderbolts Program and the life-changing experiences in sport, education and leadership that Members have access to at no cost thanks to your generosity. This includes quality equipment, high-performance training, transportation and tournaments, ensuring our youth experience the complete competitive sport journey.
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The 2023/2024 basketball season saw the Thunderbolts take great strides on and off the court. The program supported two boys’ teams and one girls’ team, serving approximately 60 young people. Teams practiced three to five days a week from October to August, with a focus on skill-building, resilience and leadership.
“By providing top-tier training, equipment and access to competitive leagues, we ensured that our players, regardless of financial background, had the opportunity to reach their athletic potential,” said Thunderbolts Head Coach Kian Nejad.
The Thunderbolts participated in several leagues and tournaments throughout the season, bringing home five gold and four silver medals. The girls’ team also transitioned into competitive leagues for the first time in the fall of 2023, an exciting milestone for the players, coaching staff and program.
“Our program values each player as a student first, using basketball as a tool for personal and academic growth,” said Nejad. “Players receive academic support, including homework help, and are connected to scholarships and post-secondary opportunities. Four players advanced to College or University basketball programs in 2024. Their success on and off the court wouldn’t be possible without the kindness and generosity of our BGC Ottawa family.”
The Thunderbolts program goes beyond basketball, instilling essential life skills that help players become role models in their community. Players had access to a full fitness facility and specialized sports psychology training. They volunteered to support BGC Ottawa programs and various community events, strengthening their sense of community and service. And for many players, the Canadian Hoop Summit in Calgary marked their first time on a plane, broadening their horizons and creating unforgettable memories.
“We’re thrilled to continue building on last season’s success – both in league play and at tournaments throughout Ontario,” said Nejad. “While we have been invited to an international event in Portugal in June, our current funds limit our ability to attend. Expanding the Thunderbolts program to such opportunities remains the Club’s goal.”
Your generosity – and on-going support of the Thunderbolts Program – has been instrumental in empowering Ottawa’s youth through sport, education and leadership development. Thank you for helping BGC Ottawa create a safe, supportive environment where young people can grow and thrive.
I love helping people. I love working with kids, encouraging them to go after their dreams and to do whatever it takes to make those dreams a reality. That’s why I decided to make a career move and join BGC Ottawa last spring.
It has brought me immense joy to get to know many of BGC Ottawa’s donors, supporters and community members who share my passion of making Ottawa a better place to live and grow for young people who need us most.
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As BGC Ottawa’s Chief Advancement Officer, my mandate is to help stabilize and grow our fundraising efforts, expand our annual giving and mid-level programs – more to come in our next edition of Club Connect as we look to launch our Champions’ Club Program – and position BGC Ottawa as the charity of choice for years to come. I have built a great team with vast expertise in major gifts, capital campaigns, stewardship, donor relations, special events, marketing and communications. Their passion and commitment to the Club, our Members and the community is truly inspiring.
But you know what’s even more exciting? The loyalty of our donors and supporters. We couldn’t do what we do without your unwavering commitment. Thank you for being there for us – and our Members – when we need you most.
Over the coming months, we will share more impact stories with you – stories that are made possible thanks to your steady support. We care to keep you engaged with our Club and look forward to getting to know you, hearing your story on why the Club is important to you, and finding new ways to engage with our community.
So please, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require some information about any of our programs. You can reach me directly at 1-888-824-0183, ext. 1232 or send me an email at smadely@bgcottawa.org. I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time…
Sylvie Madely
Chief Advancement Officer
Here’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and youth in our community. A planned gift – like a gift in your will – will help build a brighter future for generations to come. The opportunity to make a lasting difference is at your fingertips. Join countless others in our community by updating your will today and please, encourage your friends and family to do the same. Speak to your financial advisor for more information.
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