• URGENT: Supervised injection services are suspended until further notice. Click to read more.

    To the Sandy Hill Community:



    We regret to advise you that due to a recent health and safety issue that has occurred at our CTS, we must unfortunately suspend supervised injection services for the foreseeable future while we investigate next steps.



    The health and safety of our clients, staff members and neighbours has always been and will always be our top priority.



    This was not an easy decision. We are doing our best to minimize disruption. The following Oasis / Consumption and Treatment Site services remain open:

    · The drop-in

    · The medical clinic

    · Outreach

    · Distribution of harm reduction equipment

    · Drug checking



    All other Centre programs and services remain open and are not impacted.



    We are acutely aware of the impact this situation will have on clients and our community, and are exploring options to redeploy staff to do outreach and engagement in the neighbourhood and overdose response outside.



    We will provide updates on next steps as quickly as they become available. Please direct any inquiries to info@sandyhillchc.on.ca



    Thank you for your understanding,



    Your team at the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
Community Development and Engagement

Community Development and Engagement Team

We believe in supporting and developing active, engaged communities. From resident advocacy to food security and children's programming, the Community Development and Engagement (CDE) Team works directly in neighbourhoods to reduce isolation, provide opportunities for residents to volunteer and build capacity and leadership to build stronger communities. 


Programs supported by our department include:

Community Development & Engagement

Awesome Arts Mini-Documentary


In the Fall of 2017, the 3rd MASC Awesome Arts program and festival was held in Sandy Hill, Ottawa. Awesome Arts is a community engaged arts program that allows participants of all ages to explore issues important to their community through the arts.

Community Development & Engagement

Guiding Principles for Community Development Practice

Download PDF

Executive Summary

The Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres (CHRC) is a network of multi-service community-based health and resource centres. CHRC Community Developers (CDers) are the key staff facilitating social change and capacity building. 


The Community Developers Network (CDN), with funding support from Community Development Framework (CDF), embarked on a process to develop ‘Guiding Principles for Community Development (CD) Practice’ that clearly articulates what is involved in the broad spectrum of CD work. 


The intention of this document is to describe community development practice within the Ottawa Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres. The work supports the Alliance for Healthy Communities' and the World Health Organization's model of health and well-being as: “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” With a goal to achieve better health for all, championing transformative change for people and communities facing barriers to health. 


The development of guiding principles was informed by a review of relevant literature and a half-day focus group involving CHRC CD staff. 


The framework highlights four core principles that define the work of CD. The report provides additional detail for each area: 

  • Challenging Systemic Inequity & Power Dynamics & Supporting Empowerment 
  • Responsive to Community 
  • Transformational Practice 
  • Partnership & Collaboration 


This report provides a summary of the thinking to date regarding Guiding Principles for Community Development Practice. 


Share by: