Local fundraising power Greenspon, Lariviere join DSYTC

CARP – Husband-and-wife philanthropists Lawrence Greenspon, an Ottawa lawyer, and Angela Lariviere, a marketing executive, will co-chair the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre’s (DSYTC) Village of Hope campaign and work towards reaching its $4 million goal to complete construction on the brand-new treatment facility in the Carp Road corridor to support youth aged 13 to 21 struggling with mental health and substance use issues.

The couple officially joined the campaign in front of the still under construction centre this morning (Oct. 19) on Bradley Side Road and were immediately handed a very big cheque.

Greenspon, a high-profile Ottawa lawyer currently representing the defence in the so-called Freedom Convoy trial, says he knew Smith for more than 40 years.

“We did hundreds of fundraisers,” Greenspon told West Carleton Online. “In 1983 Dave and I started working together. Hundreds of events. Everybody knew of his energy and commitment o the community. His Number One love was this project. Of all the people he helped, this was the cluses to his heart. Angela and I are honoured to join the Village of Hope campaign.”

The announcement was made by DSYTC board chair, Ottawa Police Service deputy Chief Steve Bell.

“It’s an important day for us,” he said. “This is a vital community service. It’s a place to go and find a fresh start. We look forward to continuing to work. It’s a labour of love.”

Shortly following the announcement, Greenspon and Lariviere accepted a $300,000 donation from Dave’s daughter Sharron Smith to support her father’s legacy.  

“Dad was involved with a lot of charities, but the DSYTC is his legacy,” Smith said. “It’s an absolute necessity in the community. The new facility is going to be amazing, and it will mean shorter wait times for young people who need help.”

With major contributions from BridgeGreen Fund, a division of the Minto Foundation; the Shirley Greenberg Family Fund of the Ottawa Community Foundation; Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg of the Danbe Foundation; and many others in the community, fundraising is currently at $1.5 million of the $4 million goal.

“Our family has been personally touched by the issue,” Lariviere says. “The DSYTC exists to make sure youth and their families get the help they need when they need it most. Now the centre needs our help – and help from the whole community – to reach $4 million and complete the final phase of construction of the new facility and bring Dave’s vision to life.”

The new facility, expected to open its doors in early 2024, will expand treatment capacity by 25 per cent, reduce wait times and provide support to those on the waitlist. It will also consolidate its current three locations, bring clients and staff together under one roof and enable better collaboration and delivery of programs and services. Construction has made significant progress since West Carleton Online took a tour of the facility last April with Dave’s widow.

Since its inception, the DSYTC 20,000 youth and families have been served.

Established in 1993, the DSYTC is a non-profit, community-based agency dedicated to helping youth between the ages of 13 and 21 overcome substance use, mental health, and other related challenges to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Our programs and services include live-in addiction and mental health treatment for young people, family support as well as assertive aftercare services. Primary care (nurse practitioners), psychiatric support, prosocial recreation and academic programming are also part of our core offering.

For more information about the DSYTC and Village of HOPE campaign, please visit https://davesmithcentre.org.

To see all West Carleton Online’s coverage of the centre’s progress, click here.