About Us

The Rotary Club of Ottawa first opened our respite home in 1982 with funds raised by club members as well as funds received from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. The Board of Directors who governs the organization is composed of deeply committed volunteers from various Rotary Clubs in the Ottawa area, with the majority from the Rotary Club of Ottawa which in located downtown.   History Timeline>>

Our Children Respite Program is open 7 days a week, 356 days a year (we are closed over the Christmas Break). Children and youth up to their twenty-first birthday, who have a neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disability generally restricting their mobility, or have a complex medical need, are eligible for admission to our respite program.

The Adult Respite Program supports adults after the age of 21. Since 2009 over 88 adults have had respite at our Leitrim campus and the numbers continue to grow. However the program does not have annualized government funding so we rely on fundraised dollars and the generosity of corporate partners who believe in our mission. When your family member stays in our Adult Respite Program, they are supported in a barrier free environment, with qualified, competent, talented employees who help make this an enjoyable stay for your family member.

We have over 275 families registered with our respite home, and see approximately 160 of those families on a regular basis.  We are a family centered organization and believe that no family should face the daily challenges of caring for a child with a disability alone. 
Why is respite so important>>

When caring for individuals, parents and families are our guide.  We strive to create a home-like environment that makes families feel confident that their child or young adult will be well cared for.  And lets not forget...it has to be fun!!  Our philosophy of care>>

Funding

The respite care programs at the Ottawa Rotary Home are funded in four ways:

  1. The Ministry of Community and Social Services and Ministry of Children & Youth Services provide 97% of our operational budget for all children respite programs,

  2. Parents are asked to contribute $10.00 per day which makes up the remaining 3% of our budget,

  3. The Rotary Club of Ottawa provides funding for special items that are not funded by the Ministry, and

  4. The Ottawa Rotary Home Foundation hosts the annual golf marathon that
    provides 100% of its proceeds to the Ottawa Rotary Home's adult respite
    program    . In addition to this generous contribution, the Foundation oversees various fundraising initiatives throughout the year to provide for any shortfall the
    Ottawa Rotary Home may encounter. The diligent efforts of the Foundation were instrumental in the fundraising for the New Home Project.