WISE welcomes volunteers to work with us to make a difference regarding safety in Ottawa. We provide volunteer training.  We welcome high school students looking to complete  their volunteer hours. Call us today and let’s discuss how you can be part of the movement to end violence against women.  The community needs you. 613-230-6700 or apply now by completing the Volunteer Application Form and return it to info@wiseottawa.ca

Become a volunteer

There are numerous ways you can contribute.. Let’s meet and get you started ON ANY OF the following:

  • become a trained safety audit facilitator
  • help create reports that create important recommendations on safety
  • assist in follow up meetings with communities to advocate for safety

  • assist in developing workshop tools and activities
  • promote workshops to marginalized communities
  • conduct evaluations

  • represent the organisation at various information fairs in the community
  • share information about  WISE programs and events
  • assist in organising WISE’s annual fundraising activities such as silent auctions and raffles

represent WISE on the Women’s Events Network organising committee and plan city wide events such as Take Back the Night, the December 6th. Vigil and the Clothesline Project.  These events are aimed at raising public education and awareness on the issue of gender-based violence.

  • assist around the office with filing, printing, and organizing
  • assist communications team with updating and posting on our social media pages (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

Become a board member

Women’s Initiatives for Safer Environments (WISE) is a dynamic, feminist charitable organization working with the Ottawa community to improve the safety of public spaces for women and other vulnerable members of the community. WISE is looking for individuals interested in making a difference in community safety for all vulnerable people in Ottawa.

WISE believes its Board of Directors should be representative of the community it serves. To that end, WISE is especially interested in receiving applications from individuals with a commitment to ending systematic oppression who are / identify as:

  • Having lived experience of violence
  • Black
  • Indigenous
  • Having a disability
  • A member of a racial and/or ethnic community
  • Part of the LGBTQ2S+ community
  • Part of the francophonie community
  • Being at the intersection of any or all of the above mentioned.

If you are looking for a rewarding experience, would like to share your professional skills such as, but not limited to, experience in accounting, law, HR, policy and advocacy, fundraising, research, etc., and can contribute a few hours a month to make Ottawa a safer community to live in, download and complete the application form and return it to the Policy & Administrative Coordinator valeriecollicott@wiseottawa.ca

“It’s been an honour to serve on WISE’s Board of Directors over the past 5 years. I’ve gained invaluable board governance experience particularly in the realm of policy and program development, risk and financial management, operations, and strategy. WISE offers a collegial and supportive environment, enabling Directors to work on or lead files of most interest to them. If you’re looking to make a difference in your community, I highly recommend joining WISE’s Board of Directors.

What makes WISE so special is the level of passion and commitment of staff, Directors and volunteers to end gender-based violence. This is what has led WISE to have outsized impacts on increasing public awareness of gender-based violence, addressing community safety issues and empowering women and marginalized communities. I’m grateful that our city has organizations like WISE.”

Alana Couvrette

“I was a member of the WISE Board of Directors for four years. In that time, I was able to witness the dedication and determination of the small but mighty WISE team. Valerie, Elsy, the Board Members and all of the co-op students that have supported over the years have been integral in making Ottawa a safer community for all.”

Christine Gillard