Last night, we held our second annual Innercity Arts auction (and fundraiser) live at the beautiful Ottawa Art Gallery on Daly. On what turned out to be a lovely warm evening (the day started out quite cool), OIM staff and volunteers welcomed an eclectic group who came to take away amazing pieces of art created by our youth or to show care for those artists and those at OIM, staff and volunteers, who foster our youth’s growth.
The auction is a very important event on the OIM calendar. Why? This one night a year affirms that what they do with their talents and strengths has value and is worthy of celebration, that hard work can bring emotional rewards – and financial ones – and that there are people who may not know them, but who care about how they are doing. For some who have suffered immense trauma, victimization and abuse, this realization can be profound.
Attending the event was a courageous step for a lot of the youth. What a joy it was to see them arriving – dressed up especially for this important night – and working hard to overcome their insecurities and anxieties. They did it! They mingled during the reception and at their tables during dinner, they shared about their work. Some braved the stage to sing or showcase their musical talents or risk it all with their own story through spoken word. It was an amazing night.
I am so very grateful to the sponsors– Dominion-Chalmers United Church, Primerica Canada and Watercolour Westport – and to those who could not attend but who so graciously donated. That support made the event possible. It could also not have happened without the commitment of our extraordinary volunteers and staff who faithfully and continuously demonstrate their heart for their work. And it could not have succeeded had not so many set time aside to come and celebrate with us. Thank you! Feedback so far suggests the night achieved the affirmation it set out to do – who could ask for more?
My prayer is that there are lasting positive impacts for the youth and that they remain encouraged to revel in their strengths and carry on and further develop their creative gifts - and their self-confidence.
~ Margo Dewar, Managing Director
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