Car Seats for Newcomers

The Capital Prosperity Foundation has partnered with the Ottawa Police Service to reach more families in need. Together, they provide essentials like food, furniture, and household necessities to support caregivers and children across the city.

It was brought to the attention of acting staff sergeant Chabine Tucker, from the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Unit of OPS, during an annual event with The Ottawa Hospital, that new mothers were looking to leave the hospital without a car seat. 

“Many newcomers are not aware that you need a car seat to leave the hospital with a newborn in Ottawa,” said Tucker. “I thought of the Capital Prosperity Foundation and brought the idea to the founder, who agreed to fund it.”

Through Sgt. Tucker’s empathy, proactivity and commitment to community service, a new program between CPF and OPS, called Car Seats for Newcomers, was born.

The program supplies car seats to hospitals, which they can hand out to parents who are unable to leave the hospital with their baby as they do not have a car seat meeting the legal requirements, or do not have the means to purchase one. The program eases parents' concern regarding fines and, most importantly, provides families with newborns and young children the ability to keep their children safely secured through their early years. 

“I would like to thank OPS and CPF for the generous donation of the infant car seat [which we were able to donate to] a couple who immigrated to Canada in 2024 with their young child,” said a staff member of the Maternal and Newborn Care Program at The Ottawa Hospital general campus. The father has been searching for employment but with his education and credentials from Cameroon not recognized in Canada, it has been challenging.

“With the birth of their second child, they are struggling to make ends meet, surviving off their dwindling savings,” the staff member explained. “They appreciate the gift of the car seat as it has helped to alleviate some financial concern.”

In 2023, CPF partnered with OPS on pilot projects to test drive new programs, and they continue to make a positive impact in the lives of Ottawa children and their families.

This year, CPF set a goal to raise $250,000 per year for 3 years so they can support 20,000 children annually in marginalized communities across Ottawa.

To find out more and donate to CPF, visit capitalprosperity.org.