About Us
Mission, Vision and Values
Our Mission
The object of the Help Our Students Program is to provide financial assistance to students living in difficult circumstances in order to help them graduate high school.
Our Vision
A future where high school graduation enables opportunities and dreams for all Ottawa high school students, regardless of income.
Our Values
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Equality and Inclusion: all eligible students, regardless of religion, race, sex, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation can receive a HOST Program award.
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Simplicity: the processes to receive a HOST Program award are clear and simple to put into action for schools, recipients and the organization.
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Compassion: drives our behaviour and our decisions.
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Transparency: school officials and donors can easily access information about the financial activities of the organization.
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Financial Management: efficient and effective spending on program delivery and administration.
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Accountability: the Board of Directors reviews and approves our financial statements and submits them to auditors when our annual revenues exceed $1,000,000.
How It Started
When I was 17 years old, in my first year of university, I decided to quit school for a number of reasons, including financial difficulties. My father, a middle class factory worker, gave me $100 (a lot of money in 1962) and convinced me to return to school. I graduated from the Royal Military College, had a successful career - in the military and at the National Arts Centre - and raised an amazing family. I always remembered that day and it is my goal to try to do the same for students in similar circumstances.
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In 2005, a very good friend, Don Stephenson, and I started an informal “Secret Santa” program at Christmas time by asking a local high school to select deserving students; we gave them each a $75 gift certificate to the local shopping centre. In 2010, I decided to create the Help Our Students Program to provide financial support throughout the entire school year.
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Using funds solicited from family and friends, we were able to support three students - two from St. Matthew High School and one from Cairine Wilson Secondary School - by giving them $100 each month, from September through June, for a total of $1,000.
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After the first year, more individuals, businesses and organizations donated to help us keep going. The Help Our Students Program has grown each year. In 2025-26, we are supporting 270 students in 66 Ottawa high schools and 8 high schools in the surrounding area. The award has grown to $160 per month.
Richard Lussier
Chair of the Board and President
Future
Five Year Plan
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We will support no less than three students in every Ottawa youth high school and strive to reach five students per school, by undertaking to increase our fundraising.
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We will adjust the amount of the award each year according to the increase in the Consumer Price Index, but we will strive to reach a monthly award of $250.
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We will develop and implement a succession and restructuring plan.
Challenges
Developing a succession plan, including a plan to determine the level of administrative staffing required to support the work of the President.