1100 Medford St, Units 20-22, Ottawa ON K1Z 8L5

Rising food costs mean there's more demand than ever for our food programs. Learn about how we're combatting food insecurity in our community.

For people with people

Employment Readiness Programs

We provide training programs to create career improvements for our clients. Currently on hold due to COVID-19.

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Clothing Assistance Program

Providing free clothing to families in need referred by Social Service Organizations.

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Feeding those in need

The Caldwell Family Centre provides up to 500 nutritious meals in one day to people in need.

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Feeding those in need

Providing over 125 healthy food boxes a day, 5 days a week to families in need.

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Free Internet and Computer Access

Access to computers and the Internet is vital today. We provide access and training.

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Clothing Depot

Providing gently used and new clothing, shoes, toys, and household items at deeply discounted prices, and training opportunities.

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The Caldwell Family Centre plays a critical role in supporting residents of Ottawa who are impacted by poverty. In collaboration with partners, we strive to meet clients’ needs in a wide variety of areas, including food security, social engagement, child and youth programming and vocational support.

JOIN US!
VOLUNTEER FOR THE CALDWELL FAMILY CENTRE (CFC) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Recruitment is now open! We are currently recruiting for board members. Click the link for more information.

Make a Financial Gift

Financial donations are also in need, you can give a donation by clicking on the DONATE NOW button. You will receive your receipt right away.

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Contribute Items

The families we serve are always in need of the following items. If you can help, please drop off the item between 8:30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 6pm on Fridays, and between 9:00am and 2:00pm on Saturdays. If you have a large amount of donated items, give us a call and we will arrange for a volunteer driver to pick-up.

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Volunteer

If you are interested in becoming part of the team at the Caldwell Family Centre, we want to hear from you. There are many benefits of volunteering at Family Centre, besides knowing that you will be making a difference in the lives of people.

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Expertise

We are regularly looking for skilled workers to help with our programs and services, such as chefs, clothing program workers and program assistants.

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I want to work to support myself and my children. With the high cost of day-care and other living expenses, I needed to reach out to the Caldwell Family Centre Food Bank and Clothing Depot for help. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, my boys and I were able to move away from a fast-food diet and obtain healthy food I can cook.

Helen

I cannot say enough wonderful things about the caring staff at the Family Centre who helped me with my resume, job search, and completing online forms. The time and care they take to help people navigate the different systems to find suitable housing, apply for benefits, or assist with a job search is incredible.

Angelina

My spirits were lifted by the kindness and support I received at the Family Centre. We were able to make it through some pretty tough times. Once we are fully on our feet in our new country it is our intent to give back however we can.

Belyse

I must make some really difficult decisions for my two teens and choose between food for the family or diapers for the baby. I eat my breakfasts and lunches at the Family Centre to ensure there will be food at home for the kids. And I visit the Baby Depot at the Family Centre for baby food and diapers to help me make it to the end of each month.

Lisa* *Not her real name.

I am so grateful for the staff at the Family Centre who provided us with food, my daughters with school supplies, and found warm clothing for us at the Clothing Depot.

Oke* *Not her real name

The family centre has helped me and my family for so many years. We wouldn’t be here without them.

B.J.

The Computer program got me to speak to my family from home, I haven’t been able to speak to them since last year because I have no Internet.

M.M.

Caldwell Family Centre does a great job at keeping us fed and full.

The family centre always supports us, and our needs.

Thank you so much for super last night. It was a tasty treat. The fruit is fantastic with bright, cheery bananas and perfect pears. My Favourite. I’ve put the chocolate in the freezer – they last longer if I just nibble it. Again, thanks to the community of lovely volunteers it took to provide this gift. I was feeling sad today. Suddenly I’m not anymore. That’s the real gift.

Read their full stories

For People – With People.

Since 1986 people like you have helped us reduce the impact of poverty in Ottawa. Your help is still needed to:

Provide more than 2,200 healthy grocery food boxes per month.
Provide between 350 and 500 healthy meals per day.
Promote healthy happy babies by providing baby food, formula, and diapers.
Provide gently used or new clothing, shoes, and household supplies.
Enable community members to communicate with loved ones, search for jobs and training opportunities through access to free Internet, computers, and printing.
Provide needed back-to-school supplies and shoes.
Assist newcomers to get settled.
Relieve loneliness and isolation.

Land acknowledgement:

The Caldwell Family Centre acknowledges the Algonquin nation whose traditional and unceded territory the Family Centre is located. The Algonquin peoples have lived on this land since time immemorial. We are grateful to have the Family Centre in this territory.