The 52-Hertz Whale
Have you ever met someone who is just amazing at remembering names? That person who you met once 3 years ago, who remembers your name as...
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- Mar 29, 2019
Resilient Heroes
Resiliency is the ability to recovery readily after being bent or stretched from adversity. I have about 50 heroes in my life; all of...
- Mar 20, 2019
10 Years of Innercity Arts
As we near the 10th anniversary of Innercity Arts, I wanted to look back on how the program came about. I recently spoke with Jason Pino,...
- Sep 17, 2018
Community BBQ
Our Administrative Assistant, Gaby, is normally busy working at the office. But recently, she had the opportunity to visit our drop-in...
- Jun 14, 2018
Even The ‘Unlovable’
I’m not talking about the stories of trauma, tragedy or loss which I have – sadly – come to expect. No, I’m talking about something a...
- Apr 7, 2018
Taking Time To Notice
And yet, they are all there with the same message: “I want your attention.” The reward in the discovery of a “blur” is like a box waiting...
- Mar 1, 2018
An Unexpected Encounter
I want to share a short, but quite wonderful, blessing I received from my street-engaged friend named ‘Bob.’ When you are on the streets,...
- Oct 13, 2017
The Bob Series: Marginalized survivors
Note: To protect the identity of the people I write about, I have chosen to use the name ‘Bob’ in the following piece… All of the people...
- Sep 14, 2017
THE ‘BOB’ SERIES: Somebody see me
I wanted to share today about a gentle soul that I have been blessed to serve on several occasions. Bob has never responded to me except...
- Aug 1, 2017
Canadian Stone Carving Festival
On July 21-23, thirty-five stone carvers gathered on Ottawa’s historic Sparks Street for the Canadian Stone Carving Festival. Each was...
- Jun 14, 2017
Stone Carving Workshop
Innercity Arts was lucky enough to have Patrick Imai, a local carver, volunteer his time to come in to teach us about soap stone carving....
- Mar 15, 2017
The Portrait of the Artist
“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. The sitter is merely the accident, the...
- Sep 16, 2016
Fabric Art
Last week, local artist and OIM volunteer Ruth Allison did a workshop with the youth at Innercity Arts. She talked to the youth about her...
- Aug 10, 2016
What Is Small Is Big
I was reminded of this the other day when a former client called us from Toronto to catch up. She and her husband moved from Ottawa to...
- Apr 9, 2015
Easter Reflections
He grew up on a native reserve, where the cruel history of the church was ever-present. For Allan, the church building was not a safe...
- Sep 11, 2014
Something About a Name
Every Tuesday, each week, we have our drop-in. I am sure by now many of you know what that is but let me explain for those who don’t....
- Aug 28, 2014
“I’m so glad you’re open today”
We had to close our drop-in for a few weeks this summer due to a scheduling conflict with the church we use. I missed seeing our regular...
- Jul 2, 2014
The Light – P4Y Poetry
There is a new youth who has been coming to art group recently. I met him on outreach a few years ago and I discovered that from a young...
- Mar 14, 2014
Mentorship
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin Mentorship is one of the most important...
- Jan 30, 2014
Staff Perspective: A Night to Remember
A few weeks ago I was walking home from work when something very memorable happened. It was a crisp evening with the streets bustling...