13th Annual International Dinner 2024

Dear Supporters of The Door Youth Centre

It is with immense joy that I share the incredible news: we raised over
$14,000 during our 13th Annual International Dinner Fundraiser! This
unforgettable evening was a resounding success, thanks to your generosity
and support.

The night buzzed with excitement as guests forged new connections,
shared inspiring conversations, and indulged in a delicious array of dishes.
The diverse menu, prepared by our dedicated staff and volunteers,
celebrated the rich tapestry of cultures within our community. We are also
deeply grateful to local restaurants, including The Green Door Restaurant,
Seasons Pizza, Govinda’s Restaurant, and Laheeb Restaurant, for their
generous contributions that elevated the evening’s culinary experience.
A special thank-you goes to our fundraising volunteers committee members
and the 10 incredible youth volunteers who worked tirelessly to serve the
buffet with grace and enthusiasm. Their efforts were pivotal in ensuring the
event ran seamlessly. Guests also had the chance to bid on various silent
auction items and win exciting door prizes donated by our wonderful local
businesses.

More than just a fundraiser, the evening was a powerful testament to the
strength of our community coming together for a shared purpose. Every
dollar raised will directly support youth programs at The Door Youth Centre,
funding essential tools, educational resources, and transformative
opportunities.
This achievement was made possible by the collective effort of over 20
volunteers, local business sponsors, and countless generous donors. To
each of you, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your contributions are
creating meaningful change, empowering our youth, and shaping a brighter
future for everyone. Thank you for believing in our mission and being part
of this journey. Together, we are making a lasting impact and inspiring the
next generation to reach their fullest potential.
Regards,
The Door Team – Dec 2024

30th Anniversary of the Door Youth Centre

The Door Youth Centre 30th Anniversary Celebration was a success!

The Door Youth Centre celebrated its 30th Anniversary on September 13, 2024. The event began with a mix-and-mingle session featuring interactive games such as Bag Toss, Match The Flag, Facts About The Door Quiz, and Putt the Ball facilitated by youth members.

A BBQ Dinner was served, followed by the Award Recognition ceremony, the attendees witnessed the unveiling of the Black Youth Leadership Program Project, sponsored by Fondation Michaëlle Jean. The celebration continued with a piñata and cake, bringing the festivities to a close at 7:30 PM.

The event acknowledged the contributions of various volunteers, including Ashley McMullan, the McPhail Group, @Matt Bedirian, and Susan Derby. Staff members recognized were Cindy Dickinson, Nasri Chamas, and Joe Carrigan. The financial support from Sarah Tari of the City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa and community partnerships with Suzanne Obiorah of SWCHC and Sebastian Gaissert of @RRCRC were also highlighted.

Key figures such as Catherine McKenney, previous Councillor; Ariel Troster, current City Councillor; @Freeman Keats, previous Treasurer; and Asiyeh Norouzpour, , previous Treasurer, were acknowledged. The Chair Board Members, Rick Desclouds, Debbie Barton, Kerry Rhoades, and Jerry Ghazal, were present to celebrate the milestone.

We extended our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all who made the event a success. Special gratitude was given to the dedicated staff, enthusiastic youth, and invaluable adult volunteers who have supported The Door throughout the years. Our placement students, whose contributions have been crucial, were also recognized for their hard work and commitment. A warm thank you was offered to everyone who attended the celebration and contributed to making it a memorable occasion.

AGM 2024

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) this year was nothing short of extraordinary. AGM 2024 brought together the most charitable and encouraging members of The Door, along with the hardworking board members, staff, and some of the youths who gave their time to volunteer for the event. Together with Executive Director Malik Ayass, Vice Chair Sarah Carneiro, and President Rick Desclouds of the board, we set out on an introspective breakdown, recognizing the extraordinary effort and commitment that drove us onward in 2023. The presentation included The Door’s financial report for 2023, an assessment of the previous year, the induction of new and former board members, and a touching statement by Ariel Troster, the municipal councilor for Somerset Ward on the Ottawa City Council.

The Ottawa Food Bank received this year’s Pillar of the Community Award in recognition of their kindness and generosity in supplying produce to The Door so youth members can eat delicious meals daily. Davy Mutabazi, who has been an exceptional and involved member of The Door Youth Centre since 2022, received the Scholarship Award. Davy’s bright personality, ethics, and hardworking attitude have been observed by the staff and board, and they hope he keeps up his success. Davy will get two installments totaling $1000 from the scholarship award to help with his education. Sean Reeves, a two-year participant of The Door Youth Centre, received the Art Stinson Achievement Award. Staff were often surprised by Sean’s modest yet highly intelligent personality. Sean’s commitment was acknowledged when he was named the “member who attended the centre the most in 2023.” Our community is embodied by Sean’s quiet strength and dedication, and we are appreciative of his contributions. After joining our kitchen in the fall of 2022, Jordan Motoya received the Outstanding Volunteer Appreciation Award. His outstanding assistance to our kitchen supervisor, Najwa, has been commendable. Jordan has demonstrated his dependability and commitment to supporting The Door’s best feature.

AGM 2024 was adjourned, and attendees, sponsors, employees, and young volunteers celebrated the conclusion of another productive evening with a hearty and delectable buffet prepared by our kitchen supervisor Najwa.

We are sincerely grateful to every person who attended our AGM and participated in it. We extend our congratulations to every one of our worthy awardees, whose outstanding work has had a significant influence on The Door.

International Dinner 2023

The Door’s 12th International Dinner was a night to remember. Supporters of The Door from all over the the community gathered together to enjoy a variety of dishes and desserts from different countries. It was an annual fundraising event that brought everyone together for a great cause. The guests enjoyed the food, music, and the company of like-minded individuals who shared the same passion for helping the community.

The dinner was not just about eating delicious food, but also about giving back to the community. The silent auction and raffle were a great way to raise funds for The Door. The guests had the opportunity to win amazing prizes and leave with more than just a full stomach. The youth also participated in the event by going caroling around the centre and singing a medley of holiday hits to the guests.

Overall, the event was a huge success. The Door exceeded its goal of $10,000, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the sponsors, supporters, and special guests. The event brought everyone together and showed that when we work together, we can make a significant impact in our community.

Annual General Meeting 2023

The Door’s Annual General Meeting of 2023 was a resounding success! Led by President Rick Desclouds, Vice Chair Ashley McMullan, and Executive Director Malik Ayass, we embarked on a reflective journey, acknowledging the remarkable work and dedication that propelled us forward in 2022. During this momentous event, we had the pleasure of welcoming Ariel Troster, to our esteemed gathering. Additionally, our Treasurer, Julie Fallon, provided a comprehensive financial overview, offering a snapshot of our fiscal achievements in 2022.

We took the opportunity to honor and celebrate the exceptional contributions of our outstanding youth and volunteers. Amongst the recipients was Davy Mutabazi, a youth member who has been a constant source of inspiration and support for our community members at The Door. Davy was awarded the prestigious Art Stinson Achievement Award for his positive influence. Daniel Desir was the recipient of the Volunteer Appreciation Award, expressing our deep gratitude for his time and efforts as our guitar instructor. Lastly, we were delighted to announce Young Huynh as the deserving winner of The Door’s Annual Scholarship Award. Young has been a dedicated member of The Door and has been accepted into Algonquin College. Additionally, we presented the Pillar of the Community Award to the Chrome Divas, a group of devoted friends and tireless fundraisers who have shown support for The Door throughout the years.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all attendees for their presence and engagement during our AGM. Congratulations to all our deserving award recipients, whose extraordinary efforts have made a profound impact on The Door.

International Dinner 2022

This year, The Door hosted its 11th Annual International Dinner at our centre. After providing take-out dinners last year due to pandemic restrictions, we were excited to be able to host this year’s event in person! 

The International Dinner continues to be a staple in the community where our supporters can come together and enjoy dishes from all over the world. We had a full house and the night consisted of some words from our Executive Director, watching youth perform Christmas songs, a silent auction and raffle. Some of our esteemed guests included former Councillor for Somerset Ward Catherine Mckenney and the new Councillor Ariel Troster. We are grateful to everyone who attended and made it a night to remember. We are happy to announce we exceeded our goal of raising $10,000!

A huge thank you to our sponsors RBC Wealth Management, Massine’s Your Independent Grocer, LaBarge Weinstein, Kelly Funeral Homes and Lupiano Executive Search. In addition, thank you to our supporters in the neighborhood Manphong Supermarket, Shiraz Food Market, Laheeb Shawarma and Ottawa Chinatown BIA.

Annual General Meeting 2022

This year, we were thrilled to have had our 2022 Annual General Meeting in person at The Door Youth Centre! We finally had the opportunity to come together after a difficult time, and have our new president Rick Desclouds, and our Executive director Malik Ayass lead us through reflecting upon the work and dedication that carried us throughout 2021, we welcomed City Councilor Catherine McKenney who also received the Pillar of the Community Award For this year. Our treasurer Julie Fallon also provided a financial snapshot for the year 2021 for The Door, and Rick introduced and acknowledged all of our board members. 

We said a sad goodbye to Debbie Barton The Door’s previous president who has played a major role in the development of the youth centre. We thank her for her continuous hard work and dedication. 

Finally, we had the opportunity to present various awards to board members and youth to celebrate the invaluable contributions that these individuals provide to The Door and their community. This year’s notable recipient of the Art Stinson Achievement Award is Augustine Levine, a youth who has shown great strive to hard work and determination. Dorian Reid was selected as the Volunteer Appreciation Award recipient and winner of The Door’s Annual Scholarship Award, Joshua John, a focused youth striving to attend University this fall to study International Business/ Marketing and Trading. 

Past events – AGM 2018

Throughout the year we host a number of events. Our Fundraising Committee works to bring together individuals and community partners who help us continue to work towards our mission. It is important for us to help others in our community while we work towards our goals by supporting local and collaborating with others.

We would not be able to continue the work that we do without the generosity of our individual and corporate sponsors. We are grateful for our community and we say a special thank you to you!

Check out some of our annual events, and consider taking part! Have a look at our previous AGM’s.

Notable Mention

Chinatown BIA

Farm Boy

Manphong Store

Shiraz Market

Ottawa Chapter of The Guardians of the Children

Cumin Restaurant

Beau’s

Cyranos Restaurant

International Dinner 2021- Take Home Dinner

10th Annual International Dinner 2021 takeaway bags

Annual Events and Fundraisers

Consider joining one of our annual events:

International Dinner: Our largest annual event which is repeatedly sold out, is currently being hosted COVID-19 friendly. Our renowned international flavours will be provided as a take-out dinner. You can choose from a regular or vegetarian meal for pickup or delivery. Don’t forget to add our digital cookbook so you can test out some of these flavours at home too!

Trivia Night: Formerly in person, this now virtual Trivia Night has you and your friends join forces to compete against the other teams. Ideally teams should be 4-6 people but other sizes can also be accommodated. The event will host all teams as a collective for questions and then you will be split into different “rooms” to chat and discuss the questions with your team.

Paint Night: A unique virtual experience for friends and family to enjoy together ! Proximity and time zones are not an issue. Guests join us for this virtual paint night by grabbing a seat, a drink and clicking on the link to join in for an evening of creativity. Take part alongside others while maintaining physical distance by joining in the comfort of your own home. This 2-hour event will be guided by an experienced artist who will assist you in creating your masterpiece.

Get Fit for The Door: Our newest event has participants Run, Walk or Bike for The Door while enjoying the beautiful sights of the season. You can choose your own route and do it independently or with others. For those who were interested, The Door hosted an optional (COVID friendly) in-person 5km walk. You are encouraged to join and invite your friends, family and communities to take part by either donating or joining in too.

Pop-Up Party: We host an evening of food, drinks and fun! Party goers get to enjoy the exclusive Youth Centre Venue that, for one night only. This is a +19 event for guests to appreciate the unique facility. Guests are encouraged to bring their friends to make use of the pool table, fusball, arcade games, board games, PlayStation, music room, photo booth and more! Sounds pretty amazing to me.

Youth Events at The Door Youth Centre

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The Door Youth Fied Trips – Saunder’s Farm Field Trip

The Saunder’s Farm Field Trip was a spooky success! Members and Staff had lots of fun at the farm and even took photos to remember their trip!

Swipe to see how the trip turned out!

Thank you to the Ottawa Community Foundation for funding this memorable trip!

On 28th September, youth and staff headed out to Cinze Starz, in St. Laurent Mall to watch Jurassic World Dominion. Youth indulged in snacks and a fun day out of the centre. Thank you to Ottawa Community Foundation for supporting our Movie Field Trip. The youth and staff had a lot of fun and enjoyed their time at the movies!

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