NNomination for Community Builder Award (CBA) Jeannette Robert & Ron Kellestine OOrganization: T.A.P.P (The Anti

1. NNomination for Community Builder Award (CBA) Jeannette Robert & Ron Kellestine OOrganization: T.A.P.P (The Anti-Poverty Project)

2. Nomination Information Nominator Name: Casey Metcalfe, Deepthi Murthy & Hélène BoggiaTelephone Number: 613-683-3891Email Address:cmetcalfetapp@gmail.com;dmurthy@unitedwayottawa.ca; hboggia@unitedwayottawa.caMailing Address: 363 Coventry Road ,Ottawa,K1K 2C5Where did you hear about the Awards Gala: WorkName of the organization, partnership, agency or neighbourhood: T.A.P.PNominee Contact Name: Ron Kellestine and Jeanette RobertTelephone Number: (613) 248-9137Email Address: TAPP@TAPP.org Address: Bronson Centre,211 Bronson Avenue,Suite 312,Ottawa ON  K1R 6H5

3. Ron Kellestine and Jeanette Robert

4. Jeanette Robert’s Volunteer Experience • She has been volunteering at the jail for more than 3 years now as a speaker in trying to steer the inmates in the right direction when they leave the facility and tells them all the groups, treatment centers, spiritual and self-help groups, half-way houses that are available to them • She supports individuals in the community to dig deep into their past history to deal with anger, resentments etc. so that they can get on with their lives in a more positive way. • She picks up meals for people with cancer; she has been doing this for more than 5 years now.

5. What they do: • Ron Kellestine (Director) and Jeanette Robert (Executive Director) from T.A.P.P. (The Anti-Poverty Project) have their organizational mission to provide the disadvantaged (low-income men and women, Aboriginals, single parents, at-risk youth, the unemployed, recent immigrants) with the means to realize their potential and escape poverty through access to technology, personal-development and job-preparation programs and assistance to non-profit organizations working to help them fulfill their needs. T.A.P.P. is also committed to serving the francophone population by providing bilingual programs and services. By working in partnership with other community groups, all levels of government and the business community, T.A.P.P. is an organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged members of the community help themselves. T.A.P.P is funded and works in partnership with HRSDC.

6. How they do: • T.A.P.P. receives donations from companies and individuals who are eager to donate their time and surplus computer equipment to benefit the people in their communities. They repair and refurbish the computers as required, getting them ready for community placement. Their centers are set up as Windows-based environment with Internet-ready equipment. The computer access centers consist of 3-5 computers. Some also have printers, scanners, web cams and speakers. • T.A.P.P is funded and works in partnership with HRSDC • T.A.P.P. works in close partnership with few of the top-notch public and non-profit organizations who help provide young men and women meaningful employment opportunity. Few of such partners are: United Way, Royal Bank of Canada, Environment Canada, Canada School of Public Service, Kelly Services, Addecco, Minwaashin Lodge, NR Canada,The Well and many more…

7. Key Accomplishments: • T.A.P.P. has developed “The Community Computer Depot” for individuals and non-profit organizations to directly pick up computers at very minimal cost • The FEM (Female Employment Mentorship) program is an ongoing program, where 24 young women with barriers receive employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses • T.A.P.P. is now involved in 3 new initiatives which are: • MEN (Male Employment Network) ProgramThis program is the first offering for men of the initiative previously offered for women as the Female Employment Mentorship (FEM) program. Twelve young men with employment barriers receive employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses • Office Administrative Assistant/Clerk Program It’s a 12-week course work, 8-week work placement designed for individuals interested in office administration. • Dreamweaver It’s a 4-week Personal Development program focusing on: increasing self-confidence, establishing and attaining goals, discovering hidden skills and talents and realizing your full potential

8. History • March - September 1998 HRDC - YSC Program, TAPP (The Anti-Poverty Project), under the sponsorship of the Action Centre for Social Justice With 12 participants, set up community access Internet centers using donated equipment. All participants qualified for their completion grant. • March 1999 - September 1999 HRDC - YSC Program - TOP (Technology Opportunity Program) With 12 high-risk participants, TAPP Internet access centre network expanded throughout Ottawa-Carleton. All but one participant qualified for their completion grant. • September 2000 - March 2001 HRDC - YSC Program - MAP (Multimedia Access Program) With 12 high-risk participants, the MAP project worked with the TAPP community-access network to produce web sites and associated multimedia material. All participants qualified for their completion grant. • July 2001 - March 2002 HRDC - YSC Program - TIP (Technology Independence Program) With 20 high-risk participants, the TIP worked with TAPP to develop the self-sufficiency within the 50 community-based Internet access centers TAPP has established in Ottawa • November 2001 - June 2002 HRDC - YSC Program - WIN (Women’s Interdependence Network) With 12 high-risk women, the WIN program worked with TAPP to provide services to the community. The women were placed in community partners to enhance their computer skills as well as their administrative skills • July 2002 - December 2002 HRDC - YSC Program - CCD (Community Computer Depot) With 10 high-risk participants, the CCD is a retail-like operation providing computer technology to low-income individuals and organizations on a storefront basis. In partnership with the City of Ottawa, CCD has continued as a TAPP operation after the end of the YSC funding. • July 2002 - December 2002 HRDC - YSC Program - WAC (Women Assisting the Community) With 10 high-risk women, the WAC program worked with TAPP to provide services to the community. The women provided “Train the Trainer” services and public relations to community partners.

9. History (cont.) • July 2003 - December 2003 HRDC - YSC Program - CROP (The Community Resources Opportunity Program) With 12 high-risk young adults, the CROP project provided various community groups publicity, technology, data-base, and web-page assistance to community partners. • July 2003 - December 2003 HRDC - YSC Program - FLAP (Female Leadership and Assistance Program) With 12 high-risk female young adults, the FLAP project devised, conducted, and prepared a report on female poverty in Ottawa. The research study involved 250 women living in poverty. • March 2004 - October 2004 HRDC - YSC Program - FEM (Female Employment Mentorship) Program With 12 high-risk bilingual female young adults, the FEM program was conducted primarily in French, providing the participants with an employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses. • September 2005 - March 2006 HRSDC - Skills Link Program - BRP (Bread and Roses Program) With 12 high-risk young adults (men and women), this program provides assistance to non-profit organizations involved in addressing issues relating to the provision of food from a community point of view. • September 2005 - Ongoing HRSDC - Skills Link Program - FEM (Female Employment Mentorship) Program This program continues TAPP’s increasing emphasis on employment placement and work experience for women. Twelve young women with employment barriers receive employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses. • September 2010- March 2011 (New Initiative) HRSDC - Skills Link Program - MEN (Male Employment Network) Program This program is the first offering for men of the initiative previously offered for women as the Female Employment Mentorship (FEM) program. Twelve young men with employment barriers receive employment preparation and skills development, and a paid work placement with non-profit and for-profit organizations and businesses

10. Impact in the Community The spirit of Community Building is palatable as seen, felt and heard at the FEM & now MEN graduations every 6 months where the young men and women share their stories of victory and overcoming insurmountable odds in many cases to become contributing members of our community with bright and secured futures.  It can also felt at the Bronson Centre, when you walk through their Computer Depot, with the many volunteers helping out and contributing with purpose to this great program.  -Testimonials to follow …..

11. Testimonial Relatively unknown to the general population lay a wonderful team of people who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of others, who live by the motto “helping others help themselves”. Jeannette Robert started her “charity” work in the hopes of effecting change in the lives of children and youth. Ron, Jeannette's partner in arms; Bonnie, Jeannette's daughter, and Megan, Jeannette's protege, have all worked tirelessly to develop what has been one of the most life changing programs that we have ever been privileged to be a part of. Having no supports of our own and no where to go when we found ourselves in crisis, we were pointed in the direction of TAPP. We were registered for the FEM/MEN program. We came in angry, unaware of the baggage we were actually carrying with us, and we were each confronted with 23 other individuals that were in the same emotional turmoil as we. This was the first step in bonding and growing. Over the next few weeks, Jeannette, Megan and Ron gave us all glimpses into their lives and their troubles, thus solidifying the bond that was forming. Our esteems grew more than a few notches. But it was in the face of adversity that our bond with each other and that with Megan, Jeannette and Ron were tested. In the wake of a suicide, something that has touched all of us in some way or another, we found peace, harmony, safety, shelter, and love within each other. Something that Jeannette and Megan taught us, we found unity. It was our combined strength and compassion that has helped Jeannette, Ron and their families mourn such a loss and begin to heal, while still pushing forward with life. Jeannette and Megan gave us emotional shelter when we needed it, and we in turn, were able to give it back. It is important to recognize the incredible work that this team of dedicated people does for the community. For the girls of FEM, the boys of MEN, the group from Dreamweaver's, and the team in Office Admin; Jeannette, Ron and Megan's work goes beyond the classroom, beyond the office, right down to the very essence of what makes us human. Our hearts. From the bottom of ours, we reach out to you, and ask that you help us honor the people who have taken countless young, broken, hopeless men and women and have given us something that we needed the most in life. Not a hand out, not a hand up, but a chance! Thank you for this opportunity, The TAPP Crew. - Casey Metcalfe

12. Testimonial My earliest memory of The Anti-Poverty Project (TAPP) was that I almost didn’t show up to the interview because I had misjudged how long it would take me to get there, and I was running late. Although I did not have much experience with jobs, I knew that being late to an interview was probably one of the biggest “no-no’s” but decided to give it a shot anyways. Walking into the office, feeling forlorn and not entirely optimistic, I was greeted by Ron Kellestine, I apologized for being late and he responded that what mattered was that I was there. This was probably one of my first experiences with feeling compassion from a stranger, something that has stuck with me throughout my enriched career that has spanned a decade since my tenure with TAPP. I come from what society would call a disadvantaged background – I prefer to call it the catalyst for success. What I lacked in economic and social status, I made up for in fierce determination and commitment to succeed. But that day back in 1999, I still had a long way to go. From the beginning, Ron and Jeannette never let me doubt my potential and indeed taught me that all of my potential to succeed was locked away beneath a layer of tapestry that was fabricated throughout my life experiences. To this day, I believe that one of the greatest gifts that I learned from TAPP was to refuse to be a victim. There were times where I dreaded going to work because I knew the probability of having to face my own demons, whether through the advanced work that Ron entrusted me with or the personal development sessions that Jeannette provided us with. Never before had I looked at myself in the mirror and seen the true reflection of what I was. Being a survivor of physical and mental abuse, coming from a background of extreme poverty, alcoholism and addiction was only a façade – who I really was is who I am today – a proud, successful and determined Aboriginal woman. Today, I am a strong anti-poverty and First Nations rights advocate that participates in many speaking engagements across this country and oftentimes people ask me what inspired me to do the work that I do, and I always confidently reply that Ron and Jeannette are my true inspirations. Never before had anyone believed in me, or was willing to give me a chance. Not only did they give me a chance, but they encouraged me to succeed. Before my time at TAPP, I was on a quick descent into becoming a statistic. It wasn’t something that I had envisioned for myself, but I did not have the tools necessary to succeed in society. The TAPP program, not only gave the tools to me, but taught me how to use them. . - Geraldine

13. Testimonial I first heard of TAPP in September, 2010. I was out of work and looking to take a different path in my life. TAPP was running a program called the Male Employment Network (MEN) program. When I came for an interview and met Ron Kellestine, I felt instantly comfortable with him. Ron projects a sense of understanding and compassion to every person he meets. I learned that Ron and Jeannette Robert started TAPP in 1998 and had already helped hundreds of youth in their projects. TAPP’s motto of ‘helping people help themselves’ has proven to be successful in many of their program participants. I started with a group of eleven other men. Some of the men were coming out of the criminal justice system. Others were trying to overcome addictions. A few were struggling to raise their children and provide a better life than what they had known. All of us were lost and lacking the supports needed to succeed and reach our potential. During the few weeks of training, Ron and Megan Maxwell-Clare started pulling out pieces of us that we never knew existed, or had long forgotten. They helped us realize our unique strengths and talents. They found us placements with community businesses and organizations that we would have never been able to find on our own. With their support, we developed and grew over the five months of the program. There were many challenges we faced as a group over the course of the program. Some of the men attended detox to try to overcome their addictions. This was fully supported by Ron and Megan. Some of the men lost their homes but with the program support, found themselves back on their feet. A few succumbed to their issues and could not get back on track but everyone knew that Ron and Megan fully supported them in every possible way. The bond we developed as a group was incredible given our diverse backgrounds. Eleven of us ended up finishing the program which would have been impossible without the tremendous amount of support provided by the program staff. I cannot give enough support in return to TAPP. Ron, Megan and Jeannette go above and beyond every day to help their program participants. Even when we didn’t feel we deserved their support, they were still there to listen and help with what they could. Between the three of them, they run four programs to help people in the community: Female Employment Mentorship (FEM), MEN, Dreamweaver and Office Administration. All of these programs are in place to help people overcome challenges in their lives and reach their full potential. Without an organization like TAPP, I know many people would continue to be lost. I ask that you give credit to this wonderful organization for all their hard work. - Nathan Richards

14. Testimonial So I guess here I’m supposed to say all the great things I learnt and give a shout out to all the great people I met through this wonderful program called FEM, yet I somehow can’t seem to find the correct vocabulary to describe my experience at FEM. Once again I’m enlightened to new ways of expressing myself by reading the testimonies of those before me. Yet one question still remained, Why FEM?????Why TAPP??? Then it clicked, A group of people With real issues ,from different walks of life Get together to share and have an amazing time And be given a chance to create new and exciting Lives for themselves ahead !!!!! ………………………………………………… That’s what TAPP is all about, for me in a nut shell. I am humbled I had the opportunity to be a part of FEM and will ensure all I learnt is put into practice not only in my professional life but also in my personal life . As a new immigrant to Canada ,I thought finding a job in Canada with my level of education and work experience was a cake-walk. I soon came to realize that it was not all that easy. My self-esteem and confidence was completely shattered. Few days later, I got a call from FEM for an interview, I was not sure if I could even speak and answer my questions in the interview. With great hesitation and nervousness I went for my interview, when I met Jeannette and Meghan for the first time, it took them only few minutes to put me in ease. That very second I realized not only will I regain my lost confidence ,but also find myself doing something great for my future. I had a fabulous time at FEM,I made 11 new friends and one great lifelong mentor –Jeannette ,all which I did not have until FEM. To this day, I am in awe of Jeannette and Ron’s devotion to equipping countless people with the tools necessary to succeed in all aspects of society. I offer many thanks and indebted gratitude to the Creator for putting them on my life’s path – I don’t know where I would have been without TAPP -Deepthi Murthy