Youth speaker Dex Renaud, left, and emcee Komal Minhas share a laugh together on stage during the Rise & Thrive charity breakfast for YSB, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
How a simple call to the Youth Services Bureau changed Dex Renaud’s life forever
There was a time not too long ago when Dex Renaud could barely make conversation, let alone speak in front of a crowd. This morning, the 18 year old told 400 community and business leaders at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast how the Youth Services Bureau helped them finally feel seen, heard and understood.
“I never thought in my life that I would be sitting in front of all of you doing this, because I had, like, crippling social anxiety. I can’t talk in front of people … I can’t even call my doctor — my mom has to do it. But here I am sitting with all of you because YSB gave me the confidence to do it,” Renaud said on stage with emcee Komal Minhas.
While the sold-out event wrapped up in just 90 easy-breezy minutes, it was packed with inspiring stories and warm sunshine that left the crowd energized for the workday ahead. As well, the Horticulture Building was filled with vibrant colours, infectious music and eye-catching banners.
A sold-out crowd of 400 attended the Rise & Thrive breakfast for YSB held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The gathering also recognized the 65th anniversary of Youth Services Bureau, a community-based organization that supports Ottawa youth and their families through free programs that address mental health, housing, employment and youth justice.
The breakfast shone a light on youth mental health, which is one of the priority areas for the presenting sponsor, the Senators Community Foundation. It was represented by president Jacqueline Belsito and such members of the Ottawa Senators hockey club as retired Sens player Chris Phillips, now vice president of business operations.
“When a young person struggles, everyone in that family struggles,” Belsito reminded the room.
The Rise & Thrive campaign has already raised over $313,000 for the YSB, with a goal of $350,000 by year’s end.
From left, YSB Foundation board chair Rebecca Murray, YSB Foundation executive director Patti Murphy, and Jacqueline Belsito, president of presenting sponsor Senators Community Foundation, at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Sandy McDonald, regional director of Bell community affairs at Bell Canada; Jodi Hamilton, operations manager at Bell Media; Syntax Strategic director of brand marketing and media relations, Megan Shaw; and Syntax Strategic principal Kate Cornick at the Rise & Thrive breakfast in support of YSB. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Four hundred community and business leaders, including former Ottawa Senators player Chris Phillips (centre), attended the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast in support of YSB, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, YSB Foundation board members Robert Rhéaume (president and CEO of CCRS Advisory Services) and Stacey McMillan, new corporate strategy partner for Modern Niagara, alongside fellow attendee Yasser Ghazi, vice president of commercial financial services at RBC, at the Rise & Thrive Breakfast in support of the YSB. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The crowd heard how Renaud had been on the verge of dropping out of high school prior to their involvement with YSB. “I didn’t believe I would achieve anything. Ever.”
The constant guilt, shame and loneliness didn’t help matters. “I felt like there was a dark cloud over my head all the time, no matter what I did.
“And then YSB happened,” the youth said, reflecting on their renewed hope for a brighter future. “I feel like I deserve to be happy.”
Renaud first reached out to YSB after noticing the 24/7 Crisis Line phone number on a school poster. They placed a call. The initial conversation went so well that the youth visited the walk-in clinic to speak with a professional and soon became involved in several programs, including one that helps youth to finish high school.
Renaud told everyone how excited they are to soon start the Child and Youth Care program at Algonquin College. “I want to hopefully be able to change someone’s life the way that mine was changed by YSB. I want to be there to help someone when they’re struggling, and I want them to know that they’re not alone,” said the teen, who was accompanied by their mother.
Dex Renaud shared the story with emcee Komal Minhas of how the Youth Services Bureau changed their life during the Rise & Thrive Breakfast held in support of the YSB. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Attendees, including the table from CLV Group, delivered a standing ovation to guest speaker Dex Renaud after the youth shared their story at the Rise & Thrive breakfast fundraiser for the YSB. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Retired Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau, who was also the inaugural board chair of the YSB Foundation, with his daughter, Marie Bordeleau, an associate at Emond Harnden Labour and Employment Law, at the Rise & Thrive breakfast held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at the Horticulture Building. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, YSB Foundation board member Bobbi Faulkner with fellow attendees Nella Zourntos (RE/MAX Absolute Realty), Ottawa Senators vice president of operations Chris Phillips and his wife, Ottawa realtor Erin Phillips, and Laurel York at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The crowd also heard from Greg McPherson, who has raised thousands for youth mental health at YSB since losing his son Aric to accidental overdose. He’s been doing it by walking 100 kilometres over a 24-hour period as part of On the Road 4 Mental Health.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe took to the stage to commend YSB on its ongoing work helping young people and their families. “As a father of two teenagers, this work is really, really important to me. I appreciate what you’re doing.”
Last month, the mayor pledged to collaborate with other organizations to end youth homelessness in Ottawa by 2030. “It’s an ambitious goal, but it’s achievable if we work together,” said Sutcliffe, noting that ending youth homelessness early can prevent the cycle before it begins.
Also at the breakfast were YSB CEO Nina Gorka; YSB Foundation executive director Patti Murphy and her board chair, Rebecca Murray, senior development officer at Carleton University.
Patti Murphy, executive director of the YSB Foundation, and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
YSB Foundation volunteer fundraiser Greg McPherson, while admittedly not a morning person, made a point of attending and speaking at the Rise & Thrive charity breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Rebecca Murray, board chair of the YSB Foundation, was joined by her husband, Ottawa lawyer Patrick Murray (Murray & Associates) and daughter Fiona Murray at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
A sold-out crowd of 400 attended the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast for YSB, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Christie Lake Kids’ manager of corporate sponsorships, Reza Mashkoori, in conversation with Adam Joiner, CEO of BGC Ottawa, at the Rise & Thrive breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
YSB Foundation executive director Patti Murphy with Isabelle Perreault, founder and CEO of Differly and a former board chair of YSB Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
YSB CEO Nina Gorka seen in the audience at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Bruce Raganold, director of business development at Welch LLP, and TAG HR CEO Priya Bhaloo at the Rise & Thrive breakfast for YSB held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Senators Community Foundation, on stage at the Rise & Thrive breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Elliott Bourgeois, senior manager of the private client group at First Avenue Investment Counsel, Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada executive director Caitlin Morrison, YSB Foundation board chair Rebecca Murray, and Jeff Todd, vice president of marketing and communications at WCPD Group of Companies, at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Four hundred community and business leaders attended the Rise & Thrive Breakfast in support of YSB, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, YSB Foundation board members Balwinderjit Singh Kapoor (account executive, business development for MDS Aero Support Corporation) and Scott Lawrence (chief operations officer at HealthCraft Products Inc.) at the Rise & Thrive breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Artist Sarah Bradfield completed an entire painting over the course of the Rise & Thrive breakfast to help raise funds for YSB. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Melissa Somers (senior director of resource development at United Way East Ontario) with Traci Spour-Lafrance, executive director at the OCH (Ottawa Community Housing) Foundation, and her board chair, Melissa Reeves, COO at Linebox Studio, at the Rise & Thrive breakfast for YSB. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP: Sierra Forster, Désirée Estephan-Saliba, Anne-Marie Magneron, Tim Thomas and Katrina Bekkers at the Rise & Thrive fundraising breakfast for YSB held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, YSB board chair Tanya Gracie, YSB CEO Nina Gorka and YSB board member Anne Lawson at the Rise & Thrive breakfast held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
