Community
We work to reduce systemic barriers to employment faced by many underrepresented groups in our society, so everyone has equal opportunity to succeed. Beyond our day-to-day work, we also give back to our community by supporting a range of charities that are near and dear to us, organizations that help raise the tides for all.
Our Annual Initiatives
This is an 8-10-week paid program that provides newcomers to Canada with professional development, networking opportunities, job search support, and hands-on work experience within the Altis team, in support of finding them meaningful work. The goal is to help them overcome the barrier of “Canadian experience”, while connecting them with a professional network who has their back.
In 2023, we organized our inaugural Altis Bocce Battle, which has since raised over $100,000 for Christie Lake Kids (CLK). All funds support children and youth from low-income households by giving them the opportunity to attend summer camp, participate in afterschool programs and/or take part in CLK’s Leaders in Training program. Our co-founder, the late Toni Guimarães, was a CLK camper himself. As newcomers from Portugal, Toni’s family faced many challenges – and he was fortunate to be invited to Christie Lake Kids Camp for many years in a row, at no cost. CLK invested in him, and he consistently gave back. Toni passed away in 2016 at 51 years old after an arduous battle with advanced prostate cancer. He’d be thrilled to see us play his game, and raise money for his cause. In 2025, Altis is bringing CHEO on as an additional beneficiary for this event. Funds raised will be split evenly between CLK and CHEO’s Youth Mental Health Department.
Each year we make a corporate donation to CAMH, in support of the valuable work they due to create a better future for Canadians experiencing mental illness and addiction. Most recently, our funds were directed to the Health Equity Pillar at CAMH, which oversees three important initiatives:
- Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth, which supports youth under 25 years of age who are dealing with substance use and mental health concerns by providing services that support them and their families/caregivers in reducing harm, moving toward recovery, and making the best choices for themselves and their family.
- Womenkind, which is aimed at closing the gender gap and putting the unique needs and experiences of women and gender diverse people, including all people at the intersection of gender, race, and Indigeneity, at the forefront for mental health research and care.
- Shkaabe Makwa, a program designed to drive culturally-responsive systems and initiatives to achieve health justice and wellness for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Altis is committed to showing our appreciation for military families across Canada by actively supporting their access to employment opportunities. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Military Spousal Employment Network, an online hub that connects national business partners with more than 6,200 Canadian military spouses and family members seeking meaningful employment. The organization facilitates this through a job bank, virtual and in-person career fairs, employment development, and career training. We offer free resources and webinars to their community annually.
Organizations We Support Each Year
Our Team in Action
For two consecutive years, Altis has partnered with Friends of Ruby, a non-profit organization that supports 2SLGBTQIA+ communities experiencing housing insecurity. Our team has gathered to pack kits with essential care items and thoughtfully handwritten notes, to support these individuals, many of whom are youths.
This year our team organized a clothing drive for BBBS Ottawa, which was focused on collecting gently used business clothes to help someone else suit up for success. In addition to the clothing drive, we hosted an event called Big Possibilities, a career support and networking opportunity for the youth and young adults aged 14 to 24 at BBBS. Our goal was to provide valuable information to help them ace their job search, interview and LinkedIn profile.
Our team picked up their tool belts and built an accessible picnic table for Ontario’s largest Children's Treatment Centre (CTC), serving more than 20,000 children and youth with disabilities and their families, each year. As a team, our goal is to ensure equal opportunity for everyone—at work and beyond—and building a space where kids can show up and participate as their full selves helped us move one step further toward achieving it.
Last year, we organized a Burger and Blankets Day, during which our team members walked the streets of downtown Ottawa to hand out 100 blankets and 200 burgers to those in need in February, the coldest month of the year.
In 2024, Altis was selected as one of 12 organizations participating in the Shepherds of Good Hope inaugural 12 Days of Giving campaign. In addition to donating funds to support their new state of the art kitchen facility, our team will help prepare and serve lunch to people in need in the Ottawa community.
In 2024, our team participated in the CN Cycle for CHEO. We had cyclists, runners and walkers gather with family members in toe to get active for a cause. In addition to participating, our team donated $5,000 to support cancer care and research at CHEO.
Each year we organize run/walk groups in communities across Canada to participate in the Terry Fox Run. We see team members, family and friends from near and far come together for a cause. We pair our participation with a $2,500 annual donation to the Terry Fox Foundation.
Our Internal Community
At Altis, we believe in fostering a strong sense of community and connection among our team members. We offer a variety of engagement opportunities that allow our employees to connect, collaborate, and give back. This includes
A group committed to making a difference by organizing team-based volunteer initiatives that support our local communities.
Whether virtual or in-person, this committee plans community-based meet-ups and company-wide events, creating opportunities for team members to connect and build relationships.
This group meets weekly for walks or runs around downtown Ottawa, as a way to get active and bond as a team.
Connecting fellow sports enthusiasts who discuss, and compete in challenges, around major sporting events.
An informal group for parents, soon-to-be parents, and grandparents to share experiences, offer support, and build a community around family life.
A group bonded by their love of reading. They meet quarterly to discuss two selected books—one fiction and one focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) focused.
