OrKidstra to expand into new Ottawa communities – creating possibilities for over 1,600 kids from under-served areas by 2032
Crescendo: Strategy 2032 aims to build an Ottawa where every child has the chance to find their voice and build their potential—and our community—through music.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, Ont. – Nov. 13, 2018 – OrKidstra is delighted to announce the launch of its comprehensive Strategic Plan, Crescendo: Strategy 2032. This ambitious, yet achievable plan aims to help over 1,600 kids from under-served areas of Ottawa to reach for success through music and build a stronger community for everyone.
OrKidstra a le plaisir d’annoncer le lancement de son plan stratégique global, Crescendo: Strategy 2032 – un plan ambitieux mais en même temps réalisable qui a un appui constant de la communauté. Ce plan vise à aider plus que 1 600 enfants venant de régions sous-desservies d’Ottawa à obtenir des succès grâce à la musique.
According to the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study and United Way/Centraide Ottawa, over 26,000 kids in Ottawa live in poverty. In many of Ottawa’s highest priority neighbourhoods, including Carlington, Ledbury – Heron Gate – Ridgemont and Bayshore – Belltown, the child-poverty level hovers around 50%—the Ottawa average is 16%. Also, youth in high-risk neighbourhoods are more likely to drop out of school (upwards of 40%) which continues the cycle of poverty. Many of these kids don’t have access to social and recreational programs that reduce potential involvement in anti-social activities.
OrKidstra opened its doors in 2007 to 27 children from under-served areas of Ottawa. Now in 2018, thanks to ongoing community support, OrKidstra programs include more than 700 students, aged 5–18, from over 42 cultural and linguistic backgrounds. OrKidstra currently operates two after-school Hubs in the priority areas of Centretown West and Vanier South/Overbrook – McArthur. 100% of OrKidstra graduates complete high school and go on to post-secondary education in fields such as neuroscience, marketing, biology, music, education, computer science and international law.
OrKidstra Chair Claire Marshall is very pleased with the direction of OrKidstra’s Strategic Plan, Crescendo: Strategy 2032. “Our goal is and has always been social development: using music as the instrument of change to achieve many outcomes that help today’s child, the adults they will become and the community in which they live,” Ms. Marshall said. “OrKidstra has succeeded due to its leadership and philosophy, but also because it speaks to our times. Our students learn how to build a community that transcends social, linguistic and cultural differences, and celebrates the mosaic that is Canada.”
There continues to be a strong and growing demand for OrKidstra programming in the community. Over the past 5 years, OrKidstra has seen a 127% increase in the number of applicants to its free after-school programs (as of 2017/18). OrKidstra’s vision for the future, outlined in Crescendo: Strategy 2032, lays out three milestones to reach over 1,600 kids in five under-served Ottawa areas by 2032.
OrKidstra’s free social development through music programs have become widely recognized locally, nationally and internationally as a beacon of social inclusion, youthful energy and musical talent. This had led to high-profile performances such as Gustavo Dudamel’s “Encounters/Encuentros” in Mexico City, the 2017 JUNO Awards with Ruth B and on Parliament Hill for Canada Day 150 with Alessia Cara.
Learn more about OrKidstra’s road-map to 2032 by visiting orkidstra.ca and viewing the Strategic Plan in its entirety. With ongoing support from the community, OrKidstra will continue to make a significant and positive impact on the Ottawa community. OrKidstra would like to thank Aerographics Creative Services for donating their design and production services for this project.
OrKidstra: OrKidstra is a social development program for children aged 5 to 18 living in under-served areas of Ottawa. The organization’s mission is to empower kids and build community through music. Inspired by El Sistema, OrKidstra carries out its mission by providing children from priority areas with free group and individual music lessons, free instruments and the chance to learn important life skills such as respect, compassion, teamwork and responsibility through playing and singing music together. With over 700 students, from 42 cultural and linguistic backgrounds, OrKidstra has become a world-class example of why music is called the universal language. Charitable Reg. # 83246 7153 RR0001
View OrKidstra’s Strategic Plan, Crescendo: Strategy 2032: orkidstra.ca/about/#strategic-plan
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Contact:
Rebecca Russell
Development & Communications Officer
development@orkidstra.ca
613.859.3559
orkidstra.ca
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Photo by Robert S. Vibert
