October’s Theme: Community and Giving Back
Practical ways to meet your neighbours, plug into the local sharing economy, and support great causes right in your backyard.
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Settling into a neighbourhood goes way beyond closing day and unpacking furniture—it is about feeling at home with the people around you. Whether you just moved into a new Ottawa neighbourhood or you have been on the block for years and want to expand your circle, building real local connections makes everyday life a lot sweeter. From school hubs and Buy Nothing groups to adult sports leagues and supporting local causes, here is a down-to-earth guide on how to connect and give back across the city.
Building Ottawa Community: How to Connect & Give Back
When you haul the last box out of the moving truck and hand over the keys to the movers, the real work actually begins. And I don’t just mean assembling IKEA furniture or figuring out which day the green bin goes to the curb. The real fun starts when you start figuring out who lives around you, where to get a decent cup of coffee, and how to actually feel like you belong on your street.
Around here, we have always run our team on a pretty simple idea: people come first, properties second. Real estate isn’t just about square footage or quartz countertops—it is about relationships. Finding a house is step one, but feeling truly at home happens when you build real connections and feel anchored right where you live.
Whether you just bought a semi in Alta Vista, landed a condo in Centretown, or have been living in Orleans or Beacon Hill for a decade, finding ways to plug in and give back transforms a street address into a true community. Here is a friendly, neighbour-to-neighbour guide on how to connect locally, tap into Ottawa’s awesome sharing economy, and support local causes right in your backyard.
Part 1: Getting Connected in Your Neighbourhood
You don’t need to host a 50-person block party to start making friends in your neighbourhood. Honestly, most of the best local connections happen naturally through your daily routine, your hobbies, and the everyday spots you pass by.
1. Schools as Neighbourhood Social Hubs
If you have kids, local schools are pretty much your automatic ticket into the neighbourhood social circle. But even if you don’t have school-aged children, school communities play a huge role in the vibe of a neighbourhood:
School Councils and Parent Groups: If you do have kids in class, joining the school council is the fastest way to find out what is happening on your block, meet other parents, and lend a hand on local projects.
Community Fairs and Seasonal Sales: Keep an eye out for spring fun fairs, seasonal craft markets, and plant sales held at local schools. They are totally open to the public, super low-pressure, and a great spot to grab a baked good while chatting with folks who live down the street.
The Schoolyard After 3:30 PM: Outside of class hours, elementary school yards function as unofficial neighbourhood parks. If you are out for an evening stroll, it is where casual chats, playdates, and impromptu dog greetings happen every day.
2. Tapping into Ottawa’s Sharing Economy
One of my absolute favourite things about Ottawa is how much people love sharing and swapping stuff. We have a thriving, grass-roots sharing culture that helps everyone save a few bucks, keep good items out of the landfill, and meet the people living just a few doors down.
Hyper-Local Buy Nothing Groups: If you haven’t joined your local Buy Nothing group yet, you are missing out! Organized hyper-locally on Facebook by neighbourhood or ward, these groups are all about giving away items you no longer need—100% free. Whether it is extra perennial hostas from your garden, baby gear your toddler outgrew, or a spare kitchen appliance, it is a great excuse to walk over to a neighbour’s porch for a quick chat.
The Ottawa Tool Library: Tackling a weekend DIY project or building a raised garden bed? You don’t always need to head out and buy expensive tools you will only use once. Check out the Ottawa Tool Library. It gives you access to specialized tools, workshops, and workspace, plus it is run by knowledgeable volunteers who are always happy to share tips with fellow DIYers.
Community Gardens: Ottawa has dozens of community garden plots tucked into neighbourhood parks and association grounds. Even if you don’t have your own plot, dropping by during a community weeding day or seed swap is a wonderful way to connect with local gardeners and take pride in your neighbourhood’s green spaces. You can find garden locations through the City of Ottawa Website.
3. Sports Leagues, Hobbies, and Finding Your Crew
If you want to meet people outside your immediate block, joining an organized club or recreational group is one of the most reliable ways to make real friends who share your interests.
Recreational Sports Leagues: Want to stay active without taking things too seriously? Organizations like the Ottawa Sports and Social Club run adult recreational leagues for everything from casual dodgeball and floor hockey to beach volleyball and softball. They cater to all skill levels, making them perfect for blowing off steam after work and grabbing a drink with teammates.
Running and Cycling Groups: With our incredible network of multi-use pathways along the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, and Greenbelt, this city is a runner’s and cyclist’s dream. Many local running shops host weekly casual group runs that end with a coffee or a local pint—super welcoming for newcomers.
Local Library Branches: The Ottawa Public Library system is so much more than just books. Local branches host book clubs, writing circles, language groups, and workshops. It is a warm, cozy community hub right in your neighbourhood.
Dog Parks: If you have a dog, you already know that dog owners are the easiest people to talk to. Frequent your local off-leash park at the same time every day, and before long, you will know every dog’s name (and eventually their owners’ names, too!).
Part 2: Giving Back Right Where You Live
Giving back doesn’t mean you have to sign up for a huge 20-hour-a-week commitment or sit on a formal board of directors. Small, thoughtful actions right around your corner do wonders for strengthening our local community.
(Quick heads up before we jump in: if you are looking for a deep-dive, step-by-step guide on formal volunteer placements across the city, keep an eye out for Noah’s upcoming article, “How to Volunteer in Ottawa.” He is covering all the details on structured volunteering, so I won’t steal his thunder here!)
1. Easy Ways to Make a Local Impact
If you are looking for simple, accessible ways to lend a hand across Ottawa, these local initiatives make it really easy to get started:
Food Banks and Little Free Pantries: Food security is a big topic right now. Supporting the Ottawa Food Bank or your local neighbourhood food cupboard can be as simple as picking up a few extra canned goods during your weekly grocery run. Also, keep an eye out for Little Free Pantries—small wooden cupboards in front yards or outside local churches where you can drop off non-perishable food directly for neighbours in need.
Seasonal Drives: Groups like the Caring and Sharing Exchange organize city-wide drives for back-to-school backpacks and holiday hampers, ensuring local kids and families get the support they need during peak times of the year.
Shop Local and Support BIAs: One of the easiest ways to keep a neighbourhood vibrant is simply buying your morning coffee, weekend bread, or hardware supplies from independent shops down the street. Supporting family-owned businesses keeps money in the local economy and keeps our main streets full of character.
Park Clean-Up Days: Every spring and autumn, community associations organize local clean-up events. Grabbing a pair of gloves and spending an hour picking up trash in a local park or along a creek is a quick, satisfying way to care for nature while chatting with fellow residents.
2. How Our Team Likes to Give Back
We believe in practicing what we preach. For our team, community involvement isn’t something we just talk about once a year—it is built right into how we run our business every month. Here is a quick look at how we stay involved locally:
Royal LePage Shelter Foundation: We are long-time supporters of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, Canada’s largest foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs. A portion of every single commission our team earns goes directly to local emergency shelters right here in Ottawa, helping women and kids find safety and support when they need it most.
Bonspiel for Shelter and “Name That Tune!” Whether it’s for the Shelter Foundation, Ottawa Cancer Foundation or another local community, our team loves it when we can combine a fun event with a great cause! Last year, Nick took the stage as one of the “Joe” amateur comics at “Laugh for The Cure,” a fundraiser for the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.
Coldest Night of the Year: For the past three years, our team fundraises and walks for “Coldest Night of the Year.” It’s a cross-Canada initiative that supports local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger or homelessness. Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $75,000,000 across Canada in 190 Canadian communities.
Spotlighting Local Businesses: Through our social media and blog features, we regularly shine a light on local Ottawa spots—whether it is a favourite pizzeria in Orleans, a coffee shop in Centretown, or a great local contractor. Raising visibility for local business owners helps everyone thrive.
5 Simple Ways to Connect This Week
Want to start putting down deeper roots in your neighbourhood today? Pick just one of these easy ideas to try out this week:
Join Your Local Buy Nothing Group: Search Facebook for your neighbourhood name + “Buy Nothing” and join. Say hi and see what neighbours are sharing!
Say Hello to Three Neighbours: Next time you are out watering plants, shoveling the walkway, or grabbing the mail, take two minutes to introduce yourself to someone on your block.
Pop Into Your Local Library: Drop by your nearest Ottawa Public Library branch, grab a paper calendar of events, and see what local clubs meet there.
Treat Yourself Locally: Swap one big-box store run this weekend for a trip to an independent local bakery, butcher, or farmer’s market stall.
Drop Off a Food Donation: Pick up three extra non-perishable items on your next grocery trip and drop them in the food bank bin at the store or a local Little Free Pantry.
Putting People First, Every Single Day
At the end of the day, a great neighbourhood isn’t built overnight—it is created through small, everyday choices to say hello, share what we have, and lend a hand where we can. Whether you are helping a neighbour shovel out after a big Ottawa snowstorm or just sharing garden tips over the fence, every little connection counts.
If you are thinking about making a move, exploring a new Ottawa neighbourhood, or just want a recommendation for a reliable local plumber or electrician, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love talking all things Ottawa and are always here to help!
What is your favourite way to connect or give back in your neighbourhood? Drop a comment below or send us a message on social media—we would love to hear your ideas!
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