The International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons (IOKDS) is an international, interdenominational organization of Christian men and women whose aim is to carry out religious, educational, and philanthropic projects as a service to their communities.
Members organize in Circles to carry out the work of the Order and, in some areas, the members may also decide to form a District, County, or City Union. Unions are created to support and coordinate the charitable works of Circles within a City or District especially on larger projects – e.g. community housing, hospitals, retirement homes, schools, etc.
The Ottawa City Union was organized in February 1893 and has been involved in many projects over the past century, including the following more recent projects:
Projects and Services
KDS Village – 567 Cambridge Street South is a 70 unit low-rent apartment building for seniors who are age 64 and over. Built in 1964, it offers one-bedroom and bachelor units. It is managed by a Board of Directors appointed annually by the Ottawa City Union. The Apartment complex was recently expanded to include an additional 58 units and was renamed KDS Village.
Annual Scholarships through Endowments – Ottawa City Union demonstrates a commitment to education through the provision of annual scholarships at the following post-secondary institutions:
- King’s Daughters and Sons Bursary in Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
- King’s Daughters and Sons Bursary in Religion, Saint Paul University
- King’s Daughters and Sons Scholarship: MA or PhD in Counselling and Spirituality, Saint Paul University
- Grace and Ken Johnston Bursary for full-time 3rd or 4th year students studying History at Carleton University
- Elizabeth Wilson Memorial Bursary in Music, Carleton University
Annual Donations
Ottawa City Union also continues to support Camp Kaleidoscope – a Summer Camp organized and operated by Children at Risk Ottawa which provides a holiday experience for children with autism. The staff and volunteers deliver a high quality program of activities at this camp.
The Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) program is another community service supported by Ottawa City Union both financially and through the volunteer hours of local IOKDS members. The program provides meals to seniors and other clients in need.
Another community service program supported by Ottawa City Union is Centre 454 which is a day program serving people who are precariously housed or homeless in the Ottawa area. They are committed to serving those who require assistance in the form of support services, social recreation, and essential needs.
For more information about Ottawa City Union, contact – info@thekingsdaughtersandsons.ca.