Charity
This year's District Charity, as selected by the District Deputy Grand Master, is The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, with support through Masonic Foundation No. 2620.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to look toward the future with hope. But for some, struggles with substance use, mental health, and other challenges can make that future difficult to see.
The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre is dedicated to changing that. Located in the Ottawa area, the Centre provides specialized treatment and support to young people between the ages of 13 and 21 who are struggling with substance use and related challenges. Its programs include assessment, live-in treatment, continuing care, family services, counselling, education, and other supports designed to help young people build the skills they need for a healthier and more positive future.
But treatment is about more than overcoming a difficult period in someone's life. It is about restoring confidence, rebuilding relationships, and helping a young person see that their circumstances today do not have to define their tomorrow.
The Centre's approach is grounded in compassion, evidence-based care, and the belief that addiction is a health condition that deserves to be treated with dignity and understanding. Most importantly, it provides young people with a safe place for a fresh start.
The story of the Centre began with its founder, Dave Smith, who believed that when a young person needed help, something had to be done. His determination led to the creation of Ottawa's first addiction treatment centre dedicated to young people in 1993. His guiding belief was simple: if we can turn around one young person's life, then we just have to do it.
That spirit of service continues today.
As Freemasons, we believe that our responsibility extends beyond the walls of our Lodges. Supporting the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre is an opportunity to help young people in our community find hope, regain their confidence, and build a future filled with possibilities.
One young person. One fresh start. One life changed.
More information can be found at davesmithcentre.org.
The Grand Master’s Charity is the Masonic Foundation of Ontario.
The Masonic Foundation of Ontario was expressly created to broaden Masonic Charity in Ontario beyond the confines of the fraternity and thereby to integrate Freemasonry into the community and give the community a greater awareness of the ideals of Freemasonry.
The Foundation was formed in 1964 by a special act of the Ontario Legislature. It is a public foundation and a registered charity. The objects of the Foundation are to receive, maintain, manage, control and use donations exclusively for charitable purposes within Ontario. The Foundation is permitted to use its donations for the relief of poverty, the advancement of education and the advancement of other purposes beneficial to the community (no capital projects). The Foundation is committed to funding bursaries, medical research, drug and substance abuse education and other specific community projects which fall within its guidelines.
More information can be found at masonicfoundation.on.ca.