Leacross Foundation Announces Significant Multi-Year Gift to Benefit Heatherington Children & Youths

BGC Ottawa is delighted to announce that the Leacross Foundation has pledged $300,000 over three years to help fund programs and services for children and youth within the neighbourhood of Heatherington. Roslyn Bern, and the Leacross Foundation, have been long-time champions to this under-served south end community and show their deep commitment with this generous gift.

The new Clubhouse will have a Technology and Study Space named after the foundation, representing their long history of supporting education. Chief Advancement Officer Jonelle Istead says, “Roslyn cares so deeply about children and youths. When she visits a clubhouse, you’ll find her helping with homework or asking a young person how their day is going. We really can’t thank the Leacross Foundation enough for their long-standing commitment to BGC Ottawa”.

Chief Executive Officer Adam Joiner adds, “Roslyn has been a special friend to the Club in Heatherington for many, many years. She is a passionate supporter of programs and opportunities in the neighbourhood. This new gift will give a chance for growth and positive change for so many more kids. Heatherington and south Ottawa is desperately in need of more resources for young people. There are few resources in the area and options for accessing safe spaces. I am personally grateful to Roslyn for her vision and commitment. This gift is an investment in future generations.”

The new COVID-designed Clubhouse will serve thousands of children and youth that currently have minimal afterschool and other types of supportive programming. Some design considerations of the new build include isolation rooms with direct access to outdoor space to avoid exposure, eight single-stall gender-inclusive bathrooms, additional handwashing stations, built-in separation for large areas like the gym, multiple entrances and exit points, and two separate kitchens for cohort and community use.
The new construction will result in energy efficiencies and cost savings, and better, high-quality air exchange on the premises.

This Clubhouse will serve one of Ottawa’s most in-need communities, Ottawa South, and increase building capacity by allowing more space for social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions. The projected opening of the new facility is spring 2022.

About Roslyn Bern and the Leacross Foundation

Roslyn Bern is the President of the Leacross Foundation; a Canadian private foundation focused on education. Through many avenues, the Leacross Foundation has influenced the learning habits of Canadian youth, from sending them to the north and south poles of the planet or setting up writing opportunities with accomplished authors and illustrators. Being an outdoor education specialist, Roslyn understands the need to provide teenagers ample stimulation to interact and be curious about their environments. All youth have potential, and it is up to community leaders to listen and be innovative to provide the best conditions for growth. The Leacross Foundation has provided over 500 women and girls with learning opportunities in the STEM fields across Canada.