A modest Catholic charitable undertaking on the southern edge of Ottawa has offered vacations to needy families since 1975. Waupoos Family Farm, founded by dedicated members of the Cursillo movement and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, continues to rely on volunteer labour and donations to maintain and operate the farm.

Waupoos has provided a fun weekly program for 40 vacationing families in July and August by hiring four summer students, who benefit from the work experience and money toward their tuition fees, as camp counsellors and pool lifeguards, with a grant from the Canada Summer Jobs Program.

Until this year.

In good conscience, Waupoos could not agree to the required attestation that its core mandate supports a non-existent “charter right” to abortion. Waupoos is simply not about that. The Waupoos experience is about loving people, encouraging children and providing a place for rest and fun. As a consequence, the federal government denied Waupoos the grant it received in the past without question based on the good work it does for needy families and the enriching opportunities it provides for summer students.

Waupoos Family Farm will continue to do that good work. I believe that we, as a community, can band together to raise the necessary funds to carry on their outreach to the poor of our Ottawa region in the summer of 2018.

The Archdiocese of Ottawa has committed to raising half of the needed $24,000. Through a challenge grant, supported by benefactors, we commit to raising one-half of the necessary funds, namely $12,000. The other half is up to you. No matter how small (or large), your support is a step toward a fulfilling vacation close to nature and friendly farm animals for an inner city child. Please visit http://waupoos.com/donate/ to make your donation on-line or by cheque.

Waupoos Family Farm is one of the hidden gems of this Archdiocese. Situated on a beautiful 200-acre farm and forest property, Waupoos provides an enjoyable departure from urban life at nominal cost for low-income families with children aged 16 and under, who cannot otherwise afford a family vacation. Their core delivered service consists of eight weeks in five cottages in the months of July and August. This is when the help of four summer students is vital to having a stimulating and safe program for children while parents can enjoy a little relaxation.

Although the summer students are helpful, the year-round operation of the farm depends on the sacrificial contribution of resident farm families. Two or three families live in the farmhouse or cottage residences and take on the role of farm managers for an average stay of two years. If you enjoy country living and your family would consider a form of missionary work right here in Ottawa, the Waupoos Family Farm has a vacancy that you should look into!

The farm also offers about 12 weekend and holiday stays throughout the school year. This means that the farm can serve up to 100 families annually.

There are other opportunities to help. Each week during the summer months, a volunteer family serves as host. They make the cottagers feel welcome and assist with activities. In addition, there are annual cleanup days and festivals, during which it shouldn’t surprise you that the farmer in the bib overalls working next to you is a dentist or a Member of Parliament! You might also be able to help on their board of directors.

Please join me in funding Waupoos’ summer students. As you get to know the Family Farm better, you may hear the chapel bell beckoning you to do more there!

By Archbishop Terrence Prendergast – Archdiocese of Ottawa

Published on the Ottawa Sun Website.