WoodGreen Community Services wins sector awards for innovation and leadership

East Toronto agency nets awards for bold advertising campaign and for outstanding leadership by its Executive Director

OTTAWA, Nov. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - WoodGreen Community Services, a social services agency in Toronto, received two awards from the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) yesterday. The first award recognized WoodGreen's commitment to innovation and advocacy through its 'Single Mom Celebrity' campaign. The second award celebrated the commitment and leadership of the agency's President and CEO, Brian Smith.  

The ONPHA Innovation Award is a new award that recognizes a non-profit housing provider that finds creative and innovative ways to make a positive impact on their community.

The 'Single Mom Celebrity' campaign included subway posters of mock tabloid magazines featuring WoodGreen clients. The advertisements asked transit riders, "What if we cared about those living in poverty as much as we care about celebrities?" The campaign also went viral on social media, reaching as far as France and Australia, and was acknowledged by celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell.

The Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award is presented by ONPHA each year to someone whose energy and vision contributes to the cause of non-profit housing in Ontario.

Brian Smith has been the President and CEO of WoodGreen for 36 years. When he began in 1978, the agency had 40 staff members. Today, the $40-million organization employs 650 staff members and 1,000 volunteers who serve more than 37,000 people each year.

Each year, ONPHA recognizes its housing members through its Awards Program. Other awards include the Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award, the Tenant Achievement Recognition Award and the ONPHA Innovation Award. More information about ONPHA's Awards Program and this year's winners is available at www.onpha.on.ca/awards.

About ONPHA
For more than 25 years, the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) has been the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario.  Our 760 member organizations operate more than 168,000 non‐profit housing units in over 220 communities in Ontario. They provide affordable homes to a diverse range of tenants, including: seniors; low‐income families with children; Aboriginal people; the working poor; victims of violence and abuse; people living with developmental disabilities, mental illness, addictions and HIV/AIDS; and the formerly homeless/hard‐to‐house.

SOURCE: Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA)

For further information: Media contacts: ONPHA, Sharad Kerur, Executive Director, ONPHA, 416-723-2835, [e-mail], www.onpha.on.ca; WoodGreen, Jessica Malone, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, 416-645-6000 ext. 4015, [e-mail], www.woodgreen.org