highJinx is a social business and community hub at  403 Catherine Street, Ottawa, Ontario  helping vulnerable and marginalized Neighbours. We believe in grassroots actions that truly help. We take no government funding, we resell antiques, kitsch and oddities to fund our work.

At highJinx, Karen and Leigh, the founders and former social workers, provide a homey atmosphere where all are welcome.  They take a no nonsense approach to helping vulnerable Neighbours, such as Seniors, Homeless Individuals, Street Involved, Addicts, Families, and the Marginalized by cutting out the red tape and judgment and adding back in some love and understanding.  Non-traditional social work is where it's at.  We meet people where they are and walk with them.  We provide a daily food pantry, hot meals, a furniture bank, housing support, harm reduction practises, life skills workshops, transportation, a community garden, creative projects and a house for Neighbours to enjoy, create in and feel at home.  All of this under one roof in an informal setting where you feel more like you are at an Auntie's house rather than a drop in centre.

The house is also a retail space selling donated oddities, antiques and retro items with the net profits funding our initiative.  We take no funding, or prisoners, we cut out the middleman and we take a bare bones resourceful approach to everything we do.  The main floor is retail but also a family style kitchen to serve food and store pantry items to give to those that need.  The second floor is a gallery space as well as filled with kitsch for sale set around a large diningroom where people eat, gather and meet.  The basement houses a workshop for all to use, a craft bar, a furniture bank and pet food and supply depot.  The back yard will be a raised container garden for the community to cutivate, enjoy and harvest.

We do it all, social work and sales, in our Community House and believe in sharing, helping and keeping it simple.  Our house is your house and home is where the highJinx are.  We need help to keep the doors open, lights on and fridge full.  Our family of Neighbours in need is rapidly growing and people walk in to our house every day is search of help they cannot get through the traditiional broken system.  Being a non-registered not for profit and rarely fitting into traditional funding programs, we rely solely on donations to get our work done and keep the house running. We don't have big overhead or expenses, any staff or even wifi. Grassroots. Please help us help.  We rely on Neighbours helping Neighbours.  Simple.

Thank you. Much gratitude.

See us at

www.highjinxottawa.com