see our work

A year and a half into the pandemic, many have begun to adapt to the challenges brought about by the world's ever-changing circumstances.  Some are able to even flourish despite the obstacles posed by COVID-19.  However, not all people are as fortunate. An estimated 36% of Canadians have experienced homelessness, and the pandemic poses a significant threat to these peoples. 

In May 2021, the SRB Star of Life team, led by Kaelyn Aldridge set out to help the needy and homeless in Ottawa. The newly appointed Board of Directors, alongside their fellow passionate volunteers, created 20 care packages to be distributed at The Ottawa Mission/Shepherds of Good Hope. Each package contains an array of items; masks, hand sanitizers, granola bars, toothpaste/toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, and a mini first aid kit (and more!). Furthermore, the women's packages come specially equipped with varying hygiene products such as pads and tampons. The men's packages additionally include shaving cream. 

This four-month-long endeavour has been an exciting learning experience and project for the Star of Life team. A project made possible by the generous help and donations from Mac Ewen Gas and Dollarama. Their charity was instrumental in propelling the project forward.

Photo: Sophia Machoul (left), Kaelyn Aldridge (center), Kieran Carlisle (right), *Elizabeth Pranov

Citations:

Baral, S., Bond, A., Boozary, A., Bruketa, E., Elmi, N., Freiheit, D., Ghosh, S. M., Goyer, M. E., Orkin, A. M., Patel, J., Richter, T., Robertson, A., Sutherland, C., Svoboda, T., Turnbull, J., Wong, A., & Zhu, A. (2021). Seeking shelter: Homelessness and covid-19. FACETS, 6, 925–958. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2021-0004 

The Star of Life Project is excited to announce that we have found a partner to help ship our PPE. Thanks to the recent media coverage provided by CFRA, City News, CTV Morning News, The Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Sun, we are proud to announce that Richard Rutkowski, Real Estate advisor with Engel & Volkers Ottawa and Engel & Volkers Ottawa Central, have gladly partnered with us to cover all the shipping expenses.  We have notified all the indigenous communities and schools and are excited to see this project to the end.Thank you to all who reached out and we look forward to our next youth project. 

Hillcrest’s Star of Life Club was established in 2020 and is led by the passionate co-presidents Ahmed Yasin and Charlie Levine. In the club’s first year at Hillcrest, the Star of Life Project formed a strong and growing presence in its school community with its initiatives to create a healthier future for all generations. In November, the Star of Life club worked to honour veterans with a commemorative Remembrance Day video. In December, their team held a fundraiser for COVID-19 kits by setting up donation boxes around the school to provide equity in reducing the risk of illness with proper access to Personal Protective Equipment. Following these initiatives, club members worked on a gaming fundraiser to provide a fun and accessible event to improve students’ mental health and to raise money for KIVA, an organization that provides entrepreneurial opportunities for women and refugees across the world. The club has continued to spread positivity and increase engagement with their April Fools gram. With this initiative, students were able to share funny messages to provide an opportunity for social interaction during a time where students are more isolated than ever. With a focus on expanding its club to increase engagement and positivity at school, the Star of Life club at Hillcrest club played an important role in improving our community. 

From everyone at The Star of Life Project, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Alex Dugal, and Viral Clean Ottawa for donating over 5000 masks on February 9th, 2021. The current pandemic has been an arduous time for many people, and the need for masks and other safety measures has never been more evident. Through your invaluable contribution, The Star of Life Project's PPE Drive has been a tremendous success! We want to thank you for your donation and for supporting the Indigenous community. The team and volunteers at The Star of Life Project greatly appreciate your generosity and kindness. Your philanthropy will undoubtedly help improve countless lives.

You can find out more about them at https://viralclean.ca/

For those in preparation for post secondary education in the present climate, YSC’s 2020 Engineering Conference is in the works. Aiming to provide students with a chance to learn about the STEM program and  to inspire youth, we are working to tackle major obstacles that have arisen due to COVID-19. Our mission is to bring the STEM program into light and anneal the gap between secondary and postsecondary education for future students. Partnering with the Star of Life Organization, the upcoming November conference is expected to project the wide variety of opportunities in the STEM program and future possibilities within the industry. A diverse range of current post-secondary participants in the field will be incorporated into the conference to give a personal talk about their experiences, as well as helping students engage with their skill sets and build upon them. At such a trying time where everything is so fluid, this training seminar will hopefully bring some closure to the confusion that runs among secondary school students and bring awareness to the boundless potential of the STEM field.

On August 30th 2020, the Star of Life Board of Directors got together to explore Calabogie Peak Resorts Eagles Nest trail. With their hiking shoes tied and backpacks filled with snacks, they convened for the hour drive to Calabogie at 10:30 AM. 

After taking necessary COVID precautions, they set upon their hike. Seeing a plethora of birds and small animals, the group trekked through the gravelly road in mutual silence, getting in tune with their surroundings. Walking on a path that was formerly used to harvest hardwood and pine logs from the area. The trail is used by all-terrain vehicles such as motorbikes, of which the Board of Directors had the pleasure of seeing many. 

After a quick four kilometers uphill, the group appreciated the stunning view that they had in front of them. With scattered greenery and a 120 meter cliff, the Board enjoyed a scenic lunch. Shortly after, they went into their first team bonding activity (and chocolate chip cookies). The Directors exchanged anonymous letters of encouragement and appreciation to their randomly selected counterparts. 

Following the well received letters of regard, the Board of Directors steamed ahead with their planned day. Bringing along with them a special item, they prepared to plant their time capsule in a location that they will go back to at the end of the 2021 school year. From bracelets to pictures, the mason jar was filled and buried into the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Algonquin peoples. 

After taking a moment to explore and appreciate the gorgeous view around them, the Board of Directors participated in a productive photoshoot! In which, they had buckets of fun in recreating oddball poses (like a simultaneous jumping jack)! During the photoshoot, the group got together to play their two organized team bonding activities, Back-To-Back Drawing and a Scavenger Hunt. After creating side-splittingly funny drawings and running around the richest woodland, they got together to hike for another two kilometers.

Conscious of time, they began their descent at approximately 5:15 PM. Completing a near ten kilometer hike, the Board was ready to finish their day with the drive back to Ottawa and a socially distanced dinner. Indulging in Five Guys, the group enjoyed themselves for another few hours. Wrapping things up at around 8:30 PM, with a newfound sense of camaraderie and fellowship, the Board of Directors brought their day to a close.

As people experience profound and rapid changes in their lives, it is essential to come together with concern and benevolence for our communities and citizens, to ensure the wellbeing and safety of one another. We understand that these times are difficult, and that our future is uncertain but we must remember that we are all in this together. It may be difficult to remain hopeful when faced with loss and uncertainty however Canadians have many reasons to continue to have hope, even in the most trying times.

We hope that you, your loved ones, and your colleagues are safe and well. This experience has certainly had a drastic impact on our daily lives by altering how we go about our daily lives as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Now more than ever, we must do the right things and be prepared to take steps beyond what we’re typically required to do.

Across Canada, communities continue to care for the most vulnerable and to provide a lending hand to their fellow neighbors, friends and communities. We are grateful for their dedication and for the hope they offer. The Star of Life Project understands that these actions of kindness are essential to not only helping our communities during these times, but also keeping us united. For which reason, we have come to a decision to take our assistance efforts online.

Our dedicated group of youth volunteers have stepped up to help our elders in various communities across Ottawa. A particular demographic that is more vulnerable than others, are the elderly. In this time where their own loved ones can not visit them, it goes without saying that they may feel isolated and lonely. Our, ‘Make a Smile’ program hopes to relieve some of the stress and loneliness that these people may be feeling with a joyful and friendly phone call. Our youth volunteers aim to put a smile on every elders face that they may speak with by bringing in hope and support through engaging conversations that focus on the positives of life.

In addition to making phone calls, The Star of Life Project will be executing a, ‘Grocery Shopping for Seniors and Vulnerable Members’ initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative serves the purpose of protecting the vulnerable members of our community by relieving them of needing to go grocery shopping out in public. Many citizens who are not as vulnerable to the virus continue to shop at grocery stores on a regular basis in order to provide for their family. The Star of Life Project recognizes that those who occasionally go to stores could easily purchase groceries requested by seniors and deliver them. Members of the community can access this service online through our Facebook portal. This service is open to all and we encourage those who can go out to volunteer to help their community.

Finally, we would like to thank all healthcare workers for the sacrifices that they make to keep us safe. They are the heroes that will get us through this. To everyone in the medical community, you are truly our heroes and we are so grateful. 

Stay positive and always remember that we will get through this together.

Best wishes,

The Star of Life Team