Social Impact Awards to honour “power of the collective”

By Anita Brown 

The Ottawa Social Impact Awards are back for a second year to look for a group or business who is making the city a better place.

The awards, launched by Impact Hub Ottawa and the City of Ottawa, accepted votes and nominations until Feb. 8 for Ottawa-based community initiatives and social enterprises that are making a positive impact in the community.

Impact Hub Ottawa said it hopes the awards will “emphasize the power of the collective rather than the individual,” according to its website.

The winning organization or group in each category will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize, a one-year Impact Hub Ottawa membership, and access to an Innovation Prototype Program, among other prizes.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 22 after community votes are tallied and the panel judges have made a decision.

Impact Hub Ottawa received 45 nominations and 7,000 votes for the inaugural awards last year.

Surai Tea, a company offering first time employment to Syrian refugees in Canada, won the Social Enterprise Category. Helping with Furniture, a volunteer-run charity, took the prize for the Community-based Initiative Category.