Our mission is to provide Ottawa residents the means to exercise informed leadership on issues affecting their social and economic well-being.
Current Highlights
Building Opportunities Through Digital Equity
We're tackling the digital divide to create employment, health, learning and social opportunities through access to digital resources. To date in 2022:
- 268 devices to community members
- 166 households connected with low cost plans
- 754 seniors trained to use a computer or tablet
- 11 young people trained and placed in digital jobs.
Community members who need a tablet or refurbished computer, or agencies with clients in need, can get on the waiting list at the link below.
Learn more about digital equity at the SPCO, including Digital Equity Ottawa, a collaborative initiative co-hosted by the SPCO and National Capital FreeNet. Read more...
Inter-Generational Digital Literacy
Our innovative inter-generational digital literacy program is a great partnership between over 25 grassroots groups in the Ottawa Ethno-cultural Seniors Network, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa and Jewish Family Services.
The benefits of this program go far beyond learning technology. It builds social connections between residents of all ages while increasing access to services, virtual learning and other opportunities. It brings new volunteers to the grassroots groups, with volunteers of all ages leading the training in the languages of the participants, based on resources prepared in English. Check out the resources here. We hope to expand the program to other groups that would benefit, such as refugees who have not previously had access to technology.
Special thanks to Jewish Family Services, and to our funders: Province of Ontario Home and Community Care and Ottawa Community Foundation.
Active Newcomer Youth Ottawa (ANYO)
Get the Data Your Non-Profit Needs for Planning
Do you need reliable data…
- To understand what the new census says about the people or area you serve?
- To update your organization's planning?
- To provide evidence on the need for programs or policy improvements?
Find out how the Ottawa and Region Data Consortium can help you, here.
Youth Employment and Leadership
The SPCO provides youth a clear path to good employment through training, paid work placements and professional network development. In 2021, we served 172 youth aged 16-30, into first jobs or into career jobs in IT managed services, communications, marketing or social service work. New groups start throughout the year. For more info contact Youth Employment Coordinator, Gakah at bothg@spcottawa.on.ca or WhatsApp at 613-879-7402
The GenerationeXT Youth Economic Incubator provides peer-to-peer mentorship and bi-weekly meetups where youth support each other around job searching and small business development. Contact Gakah at bothg@spcottawa.on.ca or Reuben at reuben@spcottawa.on.ca
Check out our youth social enterprises Hot Shoe Productions, offering high-quality video services at affordable prices for the non-profit sector; and TRAC (Technology, Research and Communications), supporting non-profits and small businesses through research, marketing, communications and videography services.
New Census Data: Income in Ottawa 2016 to 2021
Explore our third release of new data from the 2021 census. This release is focused on income. Data is available in maps, dashboards and tables, including comparisons since 2001.
Our previous releases explored change in population, age and gender.
The Social Planning Council hosts a membership-based data consortium with extensive socio-economic and socio-demographic data. For information about our Ottawa and Region Data Consortium contact stefkap@spcottawa.on.ca
Ottawa Ethno-cultural Seniors Cookbook
Purchase the Flavours Of Home Cookbook, full of recipes from seniors in Ottawa who celebrate their immigrant backgournd with traditional dishes inspired by years of cooking, life experience and a large helping of personality.
All proceeds support the work of the Ottawa Ethno-Cultural Seniors Network, with over 2,000 seniors participating annually.
Silent Auction On-Line To Support Healthy Aging
Click on the image to visit the on-line auction to bid on great items. All funds go to support healthy aging programs of the Ottawa Ethno-cultural Seniors Nework (OESN), including recreation, friendly visiting, dementia programs, serice navigation and culturally-appropriate food supports.
Find out about the Ottawa Ethno-cultural Seniors Network.
YECO-Youth Engagement and Community Outreach
Youth Engagement and Community Outreach (YECO) is a self-organized group of youth from low-income, immigrant and racialized communities. It was established in January 2021 as a dialogue forum for issues related to gun violence. Most of the group have lost close relatives or friends to homicide. They understand the trauma of gun violence infused into the community. The young people have been having conversations on-line and in-person on coping with the negative impact of gun violence. Supported by the Social Planning Council of Ottawa, YECO organized on August 7, 2022, a Town Hall Meeting at the Bronson Center with 25 youth for a panel discussion on the impact of, and community response to gun violence. YECO is resolved to help Black, racialized and newcomer youth integrate into communities that are safe and healthy.
If you are interested to discuss or learn more about YECO, check out the website: https://yeco.netlify.app/ or follow them at: https://www.instagram.com/yecocanada/
Partnerships & Programs
Technology, Research and Communications (TRAC)
TRAC supports the needs of non-profits, small businesses and community organizations, while fostering and empowering young people, helping them to grow their skillsets, and gain new employment opportunities. > Learn More
Ottawa Ethnocultural Seniors Network
The OES Network represents a variety of ethno-cultural senior grassroots groups in Ottawa who are providing a wide range of recreational, social and educational opportunities and activities. > Read More
Effective Measures
Effective Measures provides research and evaluation services in support of community programs and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of all Ottawans. > Go to Effective Measures
Hot Shoe Productions (Social Enterprise)
Hot Shoe Productions is a social enterprise that hires talented young people to create compelling video products for clients. > Go to Hot Shoe
GenerationeXT Youth Economic Incubator
The incubators are youth-focused economic development spaces in three low income neighbourhoods. > Read More
Digital Equity Ottawa
Digital Equity Ottawa supports equitable access to technology through four strategies: access to devices, access to connectivity, digital literacy and capacity of the voluntary sector to integrate quality and equity in digital services. > Learn More
Arts and Culture
SPCO recognizes that the culture of Ottawa is built on the vibrant array of communities that fill the city with great food, interesting music, rich fashion, and hundreds of languages that each provide a glimpse into unique parts of the world. By supporting a range of cultural programming focusing on arts & music, sports & social connection, and education & training, SPCO supports residents of Ottawa to live healthy, connected lives and nurture their social and economic well being. Read more here! > Read more
