Who We Are
History of the COA
The Council on Aging of Ottawa is celebrating 36 years of work dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all seniors in Ottawa. In April 1975, the Council came into being as a result of the wise foresight of leading community agencies. We recognize the valuable legacy we have been given by former Presidents, senior volunteers, Executive Directors and staff.
In the early years, we focused on establishing the COA with our first Board of twenty-five members. We began as an arm of the Social Planning Council and we hired our first staff person on April 1, 1975 -- the only paid staff until 1980. In 1978, we were provided funding for the first time from the United Way/Centraide Ottawa in the amount of $2,500. In 1981, we received provincial funding for the first time from the Ministry of Community and Social Services. A year later, we received the Elderly Persons Centre grant and hired a Francophone Coordinator.
Early committees at the Council on Aging of Ottawa were focused on education, health, housing, recreation, social services, transportation and francophone concerns. From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, our work centred on conducting community needs assessments followed by advocacy activities and service development projects. Working groups and committees wrote documents and reports on mental health, community support services, long term care, housing, francophone services, economics and demographics. The Council also created consumer guides and consumer information on medication awareness and elder abuse.
The mid-1980s period was a turbulent time, reminiscent perhaps of the earliest days of the Council when funding and survival needs were paramount. Despite staff cuts and relocation, we were able to complete many projects and much advocacy work on elder abuse, healthy lifestyles, seniors benefits, hospital discharge planning, day care and community service inventories, friendly visiting, self-advocacy, vieillir chez soi and peer counselling. In addition, we held many community forums.
In the early 1990s, provincial government policies introduced a new emphasis on community health and social services for Ontario's elderly. The Council responded by successfully coordinating seniors' voices with agencies and the government.
The Council was incorporated as a legal entity in 1991 so that it could deal more effectively with a complex and growing workload. By 1994, there were 13 full-time and part-time staff members managing 34 committees and task groups as well as the Board and several projects.
The work accomplished by the Council on Aging of Ottawa has always been intense, constant and demanding. We have met each challenge because members of the Board, committees, task groups and Le Comité directeur des affaires francophones have freely given their time, knowledge and experience.
With the increasing demographic of seniors, we will continue to build on the solid and significant accomplishments of the past 36 years. As we look forward to the next 10, 15 or 25 years, the energy and dedication of staff, volunteers, collaborators and seniors speaks very well for continued success and progress in responding to the continually developing needs of seniors, and to further improve the quality of life of seniors in Ottawa.
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