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In my new role as Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness
Ottawa (Alliance) I have been immediately struck by the vibrancy of the
Alliance’s community of members and key stakeholders. And I have been reminded
that we are only as strong, as knowledgeable, and as effective as our capacity
for collaboration allows us to be.
The Alliance is an important voice on homelessness in Ottawa, engaging public
and elected officials, the media, community partners and the wider Ottawa
community. Furthermore, the Alliance plays an important role in convening
members and community stakeholders to address and advance issues and efforts
related to ending homelessness and housing insecurity.
My vision is to build on the successes of the Alliance – as a leader in
engaging an informed community – as a convenor of local expertise and
experience – and in providing a strong, policy focused voice for the sector. I
will be looking to you, the members, and to local partners, to help inform the
potential for partnerships, to advise on advocacy and policy priorities, in
identifying research activities, and to where the impacts of housing
insecurity are most prevalent on the ground.
To this end, over the next few months I will be working on a number of
strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the Alliance’s member engagement,
community building and administrative capacity, including:
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Ongoing engagement with Alliance members, community partners and
stakeholders;
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Supporting the Alliance’s four strategic community based working groups,
being the Research & Evaluation Working Group, Policy Committee,
Communications Committee & Membership Development Committee;
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Strengthening the Alliance’s communications platforms around education,
policy and advocacy priorities for the sector;
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Convening the annual Community Forum on Ending Homelessness – November 22nd,
2017.
There are many ways for community members to get involved and to share your
knowledge with the Alliance:
I was left a prosperous legacy by my predecessor, one I am eager to build on
and enhance through new partnerships and opportunities. I encourage each of
you to also take part in one of the many opportunities for engagement and
input that the Alliance offers, and I look forward to hearing from you
directly.
I would also like to thank the Alliance’s Board of Directors, for their warm
welcome and support throughout my transition. The Board’s collective expertise
and leadership in the sector is unparalleled, and is a true recognition of the
strength of Ottawa’s Alliance.
Sincerely,
Kristen Holinsky
ABOUT – BIO – Kristen Holinsky
Before joining the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, Kristen worked as
Director, Programs and Strategic Initiatives with the Canadian Housing and
Renewal Association (CHRA). CHRA is a national member based non-profit that
advocates at the federal level on affordable and supportive housing and
homelessness issues. Kristen oversaw the programming and communications of
CHRA’s annual National Congress on Housing and Homelessness, as well as the
association’s research, advocacy and online education programs. She also
maintained and established partnerships with sponsors, members and
stakeholders.
Kristen holds a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University, and
an MA (UCL) and BA Honours (Carleton) in Cultural Studies. Kristen has also
worked with the U.S. Embassy, Federal Government of Canada, National Gallery
of Canada and City of Ottawa Public Arts Program.
With a keen interest in grassroots community development, Kristen has also
volunteered with the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa and Lowertown East Residents
Committee, and currently sits on the Board of Directors at Interval House
Ottawa.
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