As 2024 comes to an end, we’re looking back at some of our top stories featuring a snapshot of the City staff and community members who work hard every day to make life better for others.
See what it is like to be a snow plow operator working the night shift
Okay, so this story is technically from the very end of 2023, but it’s a good one. Brock Rivington is one of the City’s dedicated snow plow operators who works the night shift to keep our transportation network clear during the winter months. His passion and dedication to the job shines through as he talks about the family events and holidays he’s missed out on over the years so that others can safely attend theirs. Brock also talks about the challenges of his job as he reminds drivers how important it is to stay behind snow plow operators. Watch Brock’s story.
Meet OC Transpo’s first African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) bus operators
During Black History Month we honoured Clyde Shaw, Nerval Mitchell and Kathleen Johnson who were some of OC Transpo’s first African Caribbean and Black (ACB) bus operators. These three remarkable individuals paved their way in our transit’s history. They share their experiences driving buses and the challenges they’ve faced, including instances of racism. Watch their story of resilience, determination and a love for their work.
Hi, my name is Nerval Mitchell. I started working for OC Transpo in August of 1976.
My name is Kathleen Johnson. I started in September 6th, 1988. Because I liked driving,
I decided that the city job would be the one because I would be working and
going home. And that's the aim to be able to take care of my mother.
Even though it was challenging, I loved it. And I mean,
I wouldn't change it for anything if I had to do it again, I would.
Yeah, as a matter of fact, I'm asking you guys to come back. I would like to come back. (Laughter)
[sombre music]
Someone running to catch the bus and I waited for him. So when I waited for him,
he come in the bus, and the first thing he did was spit in my face.
Being the first black woman there, they didn't know what to do with me. And but
I didn't let that deter me because I had a aim. I had a view in mind.
There was a guy standing there. Before he sat down, he was swearing at me. He was
calling me the N-word, and he was telling me, you all come here to take our jobs.
And we each time, you know, it bothered you for a while and you try to figure out,
you know, what is this? Is this the society I live in?
I had to have a lot of tolerance, patience.
I'm a woman and I'm proud to be black. What can I do for you?
[uplifting music]
Thank you for joining us on Black History Month.
I thank you very much for everything on Black History Month. I really
appreciate it. So thank you very much. And have a very nice day.
As a proud black woman. This is Black History Month.
Making fitness inclusive with a clever new rowing machine adaptor
Meet Brian Robitaille, a coordinator for the City’s fitness programs. Brian worked with University of Ottawa engineering students to develop an adapter that transforms a standard rowing machine into a wheelchair-accessible workout station. The adapter has been having a big impact at the Jack Purcell Community Centre. Regular client Angie Mintz said “I love that I can just do it! It’s designed so that people in wheelchairs are not limited; you can just grab it and work out on the machine”. Read more about Brian’s journey to develop the adapter.
Angela Success and the power of a warm welcome
Angela Success arrived in Canada from Nigeria in 2018 with little more than a suitcase and her laptop. She was welcomed with open arms at Matthew House, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential services to newcomers and helping them build a life in Canada. Angela’s transformative experience at Matthew House inspired her to give back. She now sits on the Board of Directors where she works with Sarah Nakato, the house manager and Katie Sanders, a program coordinator with the City’s Housing and Homelessness Services, to help newcomers find belonging in the community. Read more about Angela’s journey.
Redefining long-term care with a person-centred approach
Staff at Peter D. Clark and Garry J. Armstrong long-term care homes are helping residents, and their families feel as supported and at home as possible with a new type of care. Person-centred care moves away from clinical, task-based environments and focusses more on who the residents are as people and their individual needs. For Geeta Singh and Bintu Totangi, Registered Practical Nurses with the City of Ottawa, person-centred care is about putting the resident first. Our aging population deserves the best in care and this new approach is enriching their quality of life through more choice, autonomy and relationship building. Read more about this new approach to long-term care.
Narrator: When it comes to our aging population, they deserve the best in care. Which is why the City’s long-term care homes are doing care a little differently.
Geeta Singh (Registered Practical Nurse): To me, person centric care is very individualized. It's about knowing the person first, putting the person first.
Narrator: With a person-centred approach to care, residents and their families have more choice and options.
Bintu Totangi (Registered Practical Nurse): Now, we have to be flexible, to adjust to their routine, to their perspectives, give them the autonomy and the freedom, the independence to make their own decisions, to be the drivers of their own care.
Narrator: Staff are able to work with families to customize resident care.
Pamela Smit (daughter of resident): Person-centred care is really about, is staff just understanding mom and knowing what's important to her, what's not important to her, when she does want to do something or not.
Narrator: And the residents and their family members feel more at home.
David Clyde (husband of resident): We’re glad to be here, I just love the people that work here, and I can go home and feel good and know that she’s in a secure place and she’s being taken care of.
Narrator: With investments in the quality of life of our residents and in staff engagement, long-term care that is truly person-centred, allows everyone to thrive.
Developing swimmers today, leaders tomorrow
Many of us remember learning to swim as a kid but unfortunately due to financial barriers many youth don’t get the same opportunity. That was the inspiration for Marc Latreille, recreation supervisor at the Splash Wave Pool and his team to participate in the I Love to Lifesave program. Funded by the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the program provides opportunities for youth and teens to practice swimming skills and develop lifesaving techniques. The program has been a huge success with all 12 candidates receiving their Bronze Star. Six of that group also achieved the next level, Bronze Medallion, and four of those teens went on to reach the Bronze Cross – which is an outstanding achievement. Read more about the I Love to Lifesave program.
