Hi I’m Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa.

The heartbreaking reality is that too many women and children in Ottawa are fleeing domestic violence.

That’s why I’m running the Ottawa Marathon on May 25 in support of Harmony House — the city’s second-stage shelter for women and children escaping abuse.

Their campaign, Out of the Shadows, Into the Sun, is raising funds for trauma-informed summer camps and after-school programs that help young survivors heal, build confidence, and rediscover joy.

Training for a marathon can be challenging, but supporting a cause like this gives every step meaning.

If you’re able, please consider donating to help Harmony House continue their vital work.

Bonjour, je suis Mark Sutcliffe, maire d’Ottawa.

La réalité déchirante est que trop de femmes et d’enfants à Ottawa fuient la violence familiale.

C’est pourquoi je vais courir le marathon d’Ottawa le 25 mai pour soutenir Harmony House, le seul refuge de deuxième étape de la ville pour les femmes et les enfants qui fuient la violence.

Leur campagne, Out of the Shadows, Into the Sun, recueille des fonds pour des camps d’été et des programmes parascolaires tenant compte des traumatismes, qui aident les jeunes survivants à guérir, à prendre confiance en eux et à redécouvrir la joie.

S’entraîner pour un marathon peut être difficile, mais soutenir une cause comme celle-ci donne un sens à chaque étape.

Si vous le pouvez, envisagez de faire un don pour aider Harmony House à poursuivre son travail vital.

Merci de votre soutien.

This summer, you can help children living at Harmony House step out of the shadows of trauma and into the sun of healing, freedom, and joy.

Many of the children at Harmony House have witnessed the abuse their mothers suffered. They carry invisible scars that only time, support, and joyful experiences can begin to heal. The children need a chance to step out of the shadows of trauma and into the sun of healing, freedom, and joy.

With your help, every child can discover a place where they are safe to be themselves. Please join Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in bringing smiles, laughter, and security to the children living at Harmony House Shelter.

Together, we can create a summer filled with hope, healing, and happiness.

Your donation will sponsor a child at Harmony House for a full week of:
 
  • Exciting field trips that bring joy and adventure
  • Educational activities that inspire creativity and learning
  • Nutritious meals and snacks to ensure they are cared for
  • A safe and supportive space where they can be kids
 By contributing, you help ensure that children who have faced hardship and trauma can experience the joy, laughter, and excitement every child deserves. 

Here's what Sophia shared about the impact your support had on her son:

“Seeing Lucas Laugh Again Was Everything”
“When we arrived at Harmony House, my son Lucas was quiet and withdrawn. He had been through so much, and as a mother, it broke my heart to see him missing out on the simple joys of childhood. When summer arrived, I worried it would be just another long stretch of empty days, until Harmony House allowed him to experience summer camp.
 
That summer changed everything. Lucas came home every afternoon full of excitement, telling me about the animals he saw on field trips, the games he played under the sun, the crafts he created, and the new friends he made along the way. The summer camp staff made him feel safe, encouraged, and seen, they helped him open up, try new things, and believe in himself again. He laughed in a way I hadn’t heard in so long, freely, joyfully, without fear.
 
That summer wasn’t just about fun. It gave Lucas back a piece of his childhood — a chance to heal, belong, and be a kid again.

And for me, as a mother, there is no greater gift than that.”
 

— Sophia, Mom to Lucas

Please, help a child go from the shadows into the sun.

Your support creates lasting memories and brings hope to those in need.

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