Our videos
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Click on an image below to access one of our 4-5 minute promotional videos for Federated Health Charities. There are 5 different videos for you to choose from.
Our History
Video Transcripts
[Start of recorded material 00:00:01]
Tatyana Parfenyuk: Manager of Finance & Administration, Federated Health Charities
Federated Health Charities was created by employees of the Ontario Public Service, and it has been around since 1983, and we fundraise for over 20 charities.
Sarah Wood: Executive Director, Federated Health Charities
Federated Health, a lot of people don’t know, started because just a small group of a few employees wanted to give to one charity for one year. That’s it. That’s all this was supposed to be. They had no idea that they were getting the ball rolling on something that was going to be so huge.
Tatyana Parfenyuk: Manager of Finance & Administration, Federated Health Charities
Over the years it grew, it included more charities and more employees of Ontario Public Service. In 2002, the organization was legally founded and became a corporation in all of Ontario.
Sarah Wood: Executive Director, Federated Health Charities Sarah Wood, Executive Director, Federated Health Charities
Now it’s been more than 40 years, with thousands of people involved and more than 20 charities that we raised funds for, and more than $50 million raised.
Jonathan Lebi: Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
Federated Health has grown up as an organic charity in the OPS, and now it’s gone from that adolescence to that mature adulthood, and I want that Federated Health to get its roots firmly planted and expand in terms of not just how it operates, but how it makes sure that its impacts are known. And so, I hope that that continues just as it matures, and I feel like Federated Health has that opportunity, and I hope that this grows.
Jana Osbourne: Campaign Support Lead, Federated Health Charities
I hope only for Federated Health to grow greater and greater. There are so many people in the Ontario Public Service who are newer, and so, I hope to contribute through my role with Federated Health, I really hope to contribute and be able to spread the word and teach people about what Federated Health actually stands for.
Dr. Neivin Shalabi, Ph.D.: Training Standards Assessor, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
I like to actually have this wonderful model that was started by OPS long years ago also being modelled in other nations and in other countries because it’s very important that the government is supporting such an important mission.
Pauline Padmore: Communications Services Branch, Ministry of Finance
The future, from where I sit, I can personally say that the future looks bright for Fed Health. The future is something that I see not just 21 health agencies under this umbrella, I see it doubling. Not in the near future, but that’s something that we can look forward to. I see a bright future, and I see a strong future as well.
Sarah Wood: Executive Director, Federated Health Charities
Federal Health Charities has grown a lot since it started in the 80s, and I really, really attribute all of that growth to the relationship that we have with the Ontario public servants, with our charities, and with our donors. Federated Health is not a huge corporation where you can’t access us. We’re a couple people who you can get on the phone. We’re very accessible to our donors, to the charities, and to our volunteers. And I really think that’s been the key to our success. It’s a cause that’s shared by all of us, and I think that’s why people show up year after year to give their money, and to give their time, and to give their passion, because it feels like it’s theirs.
[End of recorded material 00:02:48]
Our Story
Video Transcripts
[Start of recorded material 00:00:03]
Jonathan de la Cruz: Manager, Internal Communications, Ministry of Education
I think it is so powerful that the Ontario Public Service runs this campaign. Civil servants are hardworking people that have a very finite amount of time and resources, and in spite of that, they make room on the side of the desk to give to community. I know that my time and resources, efforts, by giving to Federated Health makes an impact in our community because if you don’t have your health, you don’t have much. And so, by giving my resources, I’m making an impact on those in our community so that their quality of life is better. And I think that’s really special.
Erin Donahue: Deputy Director, Strategic Programs, Business Solutions and Operations, Public Safety Division
It’s one thing to donate a day of your time, or an hour, or sit with a lovely group of individuals. But it’s another to see the actual monetary impact of what those donations come to fruition and actually do. To see the advancements that your investment actually makes, to see the research that it goes towards, that’s the impact moment for me.
Wanda Minnings: Manager, Information and Strategic Communications, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
I really feel that the charities that Federated Health Charities funds fills in the gaps in the healthcare system that we have available to us. From a diagnosis to a test to a visit with a family doctor, I now have somewhere to go, and my family members have somewhere to go, to speak to people, to fill in information, self-educate, and become more self-aware.
Danielle James: Disability Determination Adjudicator, Ontario Public Service
When you face different challenges with your health, you need a little bit of extra support, and I believe that the Federated Health Charities and supporting Federated Health Charities can help people as they have their health challenges navigate through those challenges and continue to live a better life, increase their quality of life, and it’s nice to know that there are places and charities and resources, both in the Ontario Public Service and as a part of the Federated Health campaign, where we can work together and people get what they need across the province.
Sarah Wood: Executive Director, Federated Health Charities
Federated Health Charities recognizes that health equity is not there for all populations in our community. There are underserved populations that are not getting the support and the resources they need, so a big part of what we do is try and assess who are those communities and how can we help, how can we adjust our processes to meet their needs, rather than making them meet our processes.
So, we’ve got a lot of ways in the behind the scenes that we support charities that maybe don’t have as much money, they don’t have as much resources, they’re not as connected. We make sure that they’re able to be a part of this program, so they have the same opportunities for donations as any other organizations do. Our goal is for anyone who experiences our campaign to see all 20 plus of our charities equally, that they have the same opportunity to give that no one is prioritized.
Pauline Ladmore: Communications Services Branch, Ministry of Finance
The money still goes evenly across the board, so cancer is no better than heart and stroke, heart and stroke is no better than the arthritis organization. And we look at the need and what’s being done with the contribution. So, I really love that about Fed Health.
[End of recorded material 00:03:00]
Our People
Video Transcripts
[Start of recorded material 00:00:03]
Sarah Wood: Executive Director, Federated Health Charities
When someone makes a donation to Federated Health, it goes to exactly the organization that they want to support. Whether that’s one charity or they want to give to the 20 plus that we support, our processes are set up in a way where you get to decide. You say what causes you want to support, and our promise is that we make sure the funds get to their bank accounts.
Jonathan de la Cruz: Manager, Internal Communications, Ministry of Education
This campaign makes it really easy to make a donation. Just with a couple clicks online, I can make a donation off my payroll. If I wanted to do a top-up or an additional donation, I could just go on the website, put in my credit card information, and know that my dollars are making an impact on people’s lives.
Erin Donahue: Deputy Director, Strategic Programs, Business Solutions and Operations, Public Safety Division
In terms of volunteering more generally, it gives me that sense of I’m doing good, and I’m having an impact. You never really get to see the end result, but when you donate your time with Federated Health Charities, you know it’s going to a good cause, and that leaves you feeling satisfied and fulfilled at the end of the day, knowing that you yourself are making a difference each and every day that you volunteer.
Mike Da Silva: Senior Manager, Land Registry Services Branch, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
So, if you’re interested in volunteering in Federal Health, I really encourage you to do so, because you’ll find that it’s really rewarding. And you’ll notice that a lot of people who are involved in Federated Health in the campaign are back every single year because of what it means to them personally, but it also the reward that it also has for them as an individual.
Danielle James: Disability Determination Adjudicator, Ontario Public Service
I was just drawn to this idea that this was a place where people came together and enjoyed each other’s company, plus raised money for a really good cause.
Melanie Kisirye: Policy Coordinator, Assistant Deputy Minister – Health, Social, Education and Children’s Policy (Cabinet Office)
The Ontario Public Service has a large voice. There are over 60,000 public servants that work for the Ontario Public Service, and I believe that we continue to use our voices, and we continue to advocate constantly for Federated Health. It’s very important for each employee or every ministry to get involved so that there could be – see change eventually in a lot of the health systems.
Andres Laxamana: Director, Social Assistance Central Services Branch, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
There’s a power to the individual, but it’s that much more powerful when you have a group or a community with one singular goal.
Latifa Benhaddi: Program Consultant, Cabinet Office
Be a hero and contribute because you can have this in your family, someone that has a disease can be close to you, and you can be proud to say that you can help those people just with $5 by pay cheque.
Jana Osbourne: Campaign Support Lead, Federated Health Charities
There is no reason not to volunteer for Federated Health. It is absolutely an opportunity for yourself to grow as an individual. It’s a really great opportunity to really get your name out there and do some good for the world.
Pauline Padmore: Communications Services Branch, Ministry of Finance
So, to those considering volunteering for Federated Health for the first time, I would say don’t even give it a second thought. Just say yes.
Linda Chihab: Assistant Deputy Minister, Child Welfare and Protection Division, Ontario Public Service
When I think of Federated Health, I think of making a difference. Participating in the campaign is a tangible way of making a difference and living the value of public service. If we all do our part in Federated Health, in supporting Federated Health, we can have a huge impact.
[End of recorded material 00:03:03]
Our Impact
Video Transcripts
[Start of recorded material 00:00:03]
Andres Laxamana: Director, Social Assistance Central Services Branch, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
I wanted to volunteer for the Federated Health Charities because I do have a medical background, so I think it was a good area to focus on. Also, the fact that you have the option to be able to support those health charities that are most meaningful for you, and basically maybe have potentially impacted yourself or your family.
Damion Copeland: Senior Policy Advisor (Acting), Black Equity Branch, Treasury Board Secretariat
One of the things that stood out for Federated Health that makes it different is who doesn’t have a family member, whether it’s cancer or anything else, that are faced within the 20 plus charities. And then myself being a sickle cell trait individual and having close people to me who also have the full-blown disease, those were the reasons for me to get involved.
Linda Chihab: Assistant Deputy Minister, Child Welfare and Protection Division, Ontario Public Service
I was involved with Federated Health before I knew I was involved with Federated Health. I’ve had the benefit and the privilege of direct services. When I was young, my father had cancer, and at that time, we really needed a lot of support, and since that time I have been really passionate about my involvement and know that with the 21 Federated Health charities, that it touches all of our lives in many different ways.
Jonathan Lebi: Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
My father has multiple sclerosis. It’s really impacted his life, and I see that. And when I saw Federated Health had the MS Society listed, it was a reminder that there are other ways to give back, and it’s really important to donate and to put my money out there when I can. There’s no amount too small, and there’s no amount too big. Give what you can. And so, that’s guided me and especially with Federated Health.
Wanda Minnings: Manager, Information and Strategic Communications, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
I’ve always put my hand up to volunteer for a variety of things all throughout my life, and I was raised in a family of giving. And when I came into the Ontario Public Service and saw that there was an opportunity to give back, that’s what I did, and I haven’t stopped.
Jason Arandjelovic: Chief Administrative Officer & Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Colleges & Universities
I think I’ve been involved for the majority of my career being in the Ontario Public Service. Whether that’s donating to one of the charities on an annual basis, or volunteering in an existing activity that’s taking place and contribute in that capacity, knowing that I’m making a difference for the broader community across the OPS and also the people of Ontario.
Melissa Kittmer: Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
The insights and experiences I’ve gained through participating in Federated Health is just really the collective experience working with other individuals in Ontario Public Service, and so it’s working as a team across ministries, across regions, towards a common goal, and that’s really to support the Federated Health campaign.
Erin Donahue: Deputy Director, Strategic Programs, Business Solutions and Operations, Public Safety Division
We’re all so different at the end of the day. We have different jobs, different titles, different pressures and passions, different draws on our attention, but having that shared goal of volunteerism automatically connects us, so I’ve gained the opportunity to learn how to work with different individuals and be inclusive, while still having that shared sense of commonality.
Melanie Kisirye: Policy Coordinator, Assistant Deputy Minister – Health, Social, Education and Children’s Policy (Cabinet Office)
I think that it’s important to make time for Federated Health because a lot of people are suffering in silence right now. And so, because of their health issues, they aren’t able to advocate for themselves, is the reason why I wanted to make time for Federated Health.
Jonathan de la Cruz: Manager, Internal Communications, Ministry of Education
I’m going to quote a really good friend of mine who said that “If you can’t give money to your community, you give your time.” And for me, I’m very privileged to have capacity to give resources to community, and I’m thrilled that I have the opportunity to do that through Federated Health.
[End of recorded material 00:03:19]
Our Motivation
Video Transcripts
[Start of recorded material 00:00:03]
Melissa Kittmer: Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
Since I started in the OPS in 2006, I’ve always donated to Federated Health Charities in support of the number of charities that they have, including Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and Canadian Cancer Society specifically. Initially, I was involved because my father-in-law had a spinal cord injury as a result of falling off an everyday household ladder. So, that was initially what inspired me to support research and resources and advocacy for spinal cord injuries.
And then more recently, my mother was diagnosed in 2020 with breast cancer. And then I was subsequently diagnosed in 2022 with breast cancer. And so, I’ve been actively involved in raising awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society, and funds as well. What makes Federated Health unique to me, I think it’s really that specific lived experience with breast cancer and the importance that I hold in terms of the value with respect to research, advocacy, and supports for people that are affected by cancer.
Andres Laxamana: Director, Social Assistance Central Services Branch, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
December of 2023, my husband passed away of sarcoma, and so, very much deeply impacted by that. An awful lot of good things happen in cancer clinics and in charities that support people going through the euphemism they call a cancer journey. I think that’s my most poignant and most recent experience, and it’s something that really kind of reinforced the importance of supporting these charities that support people who go through these very, very difficult journeys.
Mike Da Silva: Senior Manager, Land Registry Services Branch, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
I think all of the charities and all the support they’ve done to my family has really hit home and really helped. So, I just want to say thank you for Federated Health to support all the many different charities it does because it also hits home in many different ways. It hits from the heart and stroke, from the mental health, the diabetes through cancer. I’ve known so many people through all the different charities and just family members that it hit. So, I think it’s important for me.
Dr. Neivin Shalabi, Ph.D.: Training Standards Assessor, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
I have a experience with cancer, not myself, but for my mum. My mum is a very strong, forward-looking woman. When I got this call from my brother, especially him being a medical doctor, I knew it was serious. First of all, I was in denial because I always think of my mum as a strong person. I donate to charities because this is what my mum has taught me throughout the years. My mum cares a lot about people around her, and somehow, she instilled in me and my brother this understanding or deep commitment to people around us, and somehow, we feel that our own happiness and well-being are very much interconnected to the happiness and well-being of those who live around us.
Jason Arandjelovic: Chief Administrative Officer & Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Colleges & Universities
I give because there may be people in my life that are impacted that I don’t know about, and so, if I’m giving to these charities, indirectly I might be making a difference in those people that either I work with, that I socialize with, or my family members that may be struggling that are not comfortable sharing with me what their struggle might be. And so, by giving to these organizations, indirectly I am benefiting the unknown amongst me that may be struggling that I’m just not aware of.
[End of recorded material 00:03:18]
We also have promotional videos for each of our charities. To view these videos, as well as compelling stories from our charities, please visit the page for your charity of choice here federatedhealth.ca/charities
For general questions:
647-278-9861
federated.health.charities
@ontario.ca
Address
315 Front St. West, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 0B8
Follow us
For general questions:
647-278-9861
federated.health.charities@ontario.ca
Address
315 Front St. West, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON
M7A 0B8
Follow us
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