All Articles

A special homecoming for residents of Cornerstone Housing for Women

Group of people standing outside of Cornerstone Housing for Women

While the idea of “home” looks different for all of us, hopefully, it’s where you find security and support, companionship and comfort. For 42 women in Ottawa, Cornerstone Housing for Women is home.  

Cornerstone provides emergency shelter and supportive housing for women at risk of homelessness. This summer, Cornerstone suffered a devastating fire at its Booth Street location, and while no one was hurt, 42 of Cornerstone’s permanent residents were displaced for several months  

As the team at Cornerstone turned to the Ottawa community for support, they called on the Rogers community team, lead by Gavin Lumsden, Station Manager for Rogers TV, Nikkie Tep, Regional Ops Coordinator for National Customer Loyalty, and Rebecca MacMillan, Program Manager for Rogers Business . With employee fundraising and donations from local businesses, the team rallied to fill the shelter with bedding, self-care and hygiene products, flowers, balloons, and sweet treats. Together, they ensured a beautiful homecoming for the women of Cornerstone when they returned in October. 

We are so grateful that you were able to respond to the call for help to move residents back home with new blankets, pillows, personal care products, cleaning supplies and so much more. The women very much appreciated being welcomed with balloons, flowers, and delicious snacks. You truly made them feel special and cared for – that’s exactly what they needed after being made homeless for over two-and-a-half months. One resident was over the moon because we could give her her favourite colour of bed sheets! We could not have done this without your support.  

  • Amber Bramer, Director of Development and Communications, Cornerstone Housing for Women  


In Ottawa, 1,000 women become homeless each year. Cornerstone provides services to more than 200 Ottawa women every day across four locations. To learn more and support their specialized recovery services, visit cornerstonewomen.ca