By Jordyn Reid-Stevenson, Broker, Joanne Goneau Team
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in CREA’s REALTORS Care® Day in Ottawa, marking my second year volunteering with REALTORS Care®. It was a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community I grew up in, a community that has given me so much on a personal level.
Being a REALTOR® connects me to people, neighbourhoods and the places they call home. Volunteering is another way to strengthen those connections and contribute to the community I care about.
Photos and video from REALTORS Care® Day
A short video from the day
Open the video separately if it does not play in your browser.
What was REALTORS Care® Day in Ottawa?
The Canadian Real Estate Association’s event brought together REALTORS® attending PAC Days to volunteer in partnership with Ottawa Community Housing. The event took place on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.
According to the official CREA REALTORS Care® Day event page, the planned activities included painting common areas and preparing and distributing hygiene kits through the OCH Foundation’s Tomorrow Ready program. The program also offered volunteers the opportunity to hear from Ottawa Community Housing staff about social housing and the people the organization serves.
The program helps address gaps in access to everyday essentials. It is a practical opportunity to contribute while learning more about the work taking place in our city.
Why did I volunteer for a second year?
Ottawa is the community I grew up in, and it has given me so much on a personal level. Volunteering with REALTORS Care® is one way I can give something back.
For me, it is about making time for the community that has helped shape who I am. Returning for a second year was an opportunity to show my appreciation through action, contribute my time and work alongside others who care about the people who call Ottawa home.
That personal connection was at the heart of my decision to take part. Giving back does not always have to mean doing something on a large scale. It can mean setting aside time, listening to what is needed and being willing to help.
How does volunteering connect to my work as a REALTOR®?
My work gives me a close connection to Ottawa’s communities. Volunteering gives me another way to participate in them and learn from people whose experiences may be different from my own.
Every conversation about housing connects to someone’s daily life. A person may be renting, buying a first property, raising a family or looking for a home that better suits their needs. Whatever their circumstances, the place they call home matters.
Alongside REALTORS Care® Day, I also participated in CREA PAC Days in October 2026 for the third year, advocating to Parliament on behalf of clients. Advocacy and volunteering are different ways to contribute, but both reflect something important to me: caring about housing means caring about people.
That includes people whose housing journeys may look very different from those of the clients I work with each day. I value opportunities to broaden my understanding of housing in Ottawa and bring that perspective into my work.
Why is learning part of giving back?
Volunteering is also an opportunity to listen. Community organizations understand the needs of the people they support, and their experience can help volunteers contribute in useful and respectful ways.
The event was an opportunity to learn from the people involved. Taking the time to understand the purpose behind a task matters just as much as completing it.
It was also a chance to work alongside fellow REALTORS® who had made time to contribute. Coming together around a shared purpose reminds me that we can each play a part in caring for our communities.
What does giving back to Ottawa mean to me?
Giving back means making time to show up, listen and help where there is a need. It means recognizing that a community is shaped by many people and organizations working together.
For me, Ottawa is more than the place where I work. It is the community I grew up in and one that has supported me personally. Being able to contribute my time is a meaningful way to express my gratitude.
REALTORS Care® Day was one opportunity to be part of that effort. I’m grateful to Ottawa Community Housing, the organizers and fellow volunteers for making it possible.
For me, being a REALTOR® is about more than selling homes. It is also about being an involved neighbour and contributing to the community I’m proud to serve.
If you would like to connect about life in Ottawa or your own housing goals, get in touch with Jordyn Reid-Stevenson and the Joanne Goneau Team.