Despite the cold, rainy, and overcast weather, this year’s Tulipathon brought together a dedicated community of supporters determined to walk in support of affordable housing. Around 100 participants gathered among the tulips at Commissioners Park, reconnecting with familiar faces and welcoming new ones into the MHI community.

Thanks to the slower and more prolonged spring season this year, the tulips were still in beautiful bloom, creating a colourful backdrop for an afternoon centred on connection, community, and purpose. Throughout the event, conversations flowed easily as many participants reunited with people they have come to know through Tulipathon over the years. For many, the event has become more than just a fundraiser. It is an annual tradition and an opportunity to reconnect with others who care deeply about supporting affordable housing in our community.

The spirit of the day was a reminder that even under grey skies, people continue to show up for one another. Whether walking as part of a team, volunteering, donating, or cheering others on, every person contributed to the sense of community that makes Tulipathon so meaningful year after year.

To date, Tulipathon has raised just over $89,000 toward this year’s goal of $125,000. While the walk itself may be over, fundraising continues until June 30. Every dollar raised supports MHI tenant subsidies, helping individuals and families maintain safe, affordable housing.

There is still time to help us reach our goal. Together, we can continue making a lasting difference in the lives of MHI tenants.

​Tulipathon is a chance to take meaningful action on affordable housing in our community.

Each year, people across the city come together to walk, give, and support the work of Multifaith Housing Initiative. What begins as a simple walk leads to real impact for tenants who need safe, stable housing.

This year’s campaign comes at a time when the need for affordable housing continues to grow. Funds raised through Tulipathon help maintain homes, support tenants, and create opportunities for people to build stability in their lives.

We are proud to have Natasha Hall & Associates Inc. returning as our Presenting Sponsor. As they shared: “Natasha Hall & Associates Inc. is proud to return as Presenting Sponsor for a second year in support of Multifaith Housing Initiative and the meaningful work they do right here in our community. Our values are deeply aligned in believing that safe, stable housing strengthens families and neighbourhoods, and we are committed to being part of a local solution to the housing crisis for those who need it most.”

Tulipathon is powered by community. Walkers, donors, volunteers, and partners come together with a shared purpose. Every step and every contribution helps make affordable housing possible.

Join us.

​This year’s Tulipathon was a joyful celebration, full of fun, meaning, and community spirit. Under the sunny skies on the afternoon of May 25, 2025, there was a fantastic turn out in support of safe, permanent, and affordable housing for all. Notably in attendance was the Tareen family, representing the late Dr. Farook Tareen, the original founder of Tulipathon and a driving force behind MHI’s ability to continue hosting this special fundraiser year after year. The entire team at MHI would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone that has donated, fundraised, walked among the tulips, and helped to spread the word about Tulipathon 2025.  

MHI was delighted to welcome MPP and MHI Patron, Catherine McKenney as this year’s guest speaker. Accompanied by their adorable dog, Jellybean, MPP McKenney also took on the role of judge for the annual banner competition.

Congratulations to this year’s creative and crafty winners: 

• 1st Place – Kitchissippi United Church
• 2nd Place – Barrhaven United Church 
• 3rd Place – St. John the Evangelist Church 

It was also excellent to have Councillor Rawlson King (Ward 13, Rideau-Rockcliffe) and Councillor Jeff Leiper (Ward 15, Kitchissippi) in attendance to support the cause. 

Throughout the afternoon, participants were excited to reconnect with longtime MHI friends and welcome new faces. Some of these wonderful new friends came from MHI’s fall 2024 amalgamation with Gloucester Housing Corporation. This amalgamation has brought new communities, tenants, board members, vendors, supporters, and staff members. Since last year’s Tulipathon, the MHI team has more than doubled in size—growing to 16 devoted staff members! 

This 25th annual Tulipathon also brought a few fresh—and very welcome—sights and sounds. Children proudly showing off their expertly painted faces, the cheerful melody of the Colour of Diversity Marimba Band playing songs such as “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and the excited shouts of young people (and perhaps some young at heart MHI staff members) playing in the bouncy castle. This was the first year that MHI featured a dedicated “Family Fun Zone”, and with such an enthusiastic response, it certainly will not be the last.  

Thank you once again to all the Corporate Sponsors:  
Presenting Sponsor - Natasha Hall & Associates – Cooperators  
Family Fun Zone Sponsor - BLG  
Reception Sponsor - Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall 
Community Champion Sponsors - Giant Wholesale Distributors, Waidt Developments Ltd., A Everest Locksmith, HVAC Maximum Heating and Cooling, DanCan Electric, Go! Pest Control, Meridian, Fotenn Planning + Design, and Sunshine Snow Service. 

A special note to MHI’s Tulipathon Fundraising Teams:  
Your energy, commitment, and passion are creating real momentum—spreading awareness about the life-changing impact of affordable housing and rallying your trusted communities for support. The competition has been exhilarating, and it's not over yet! 

Let’s keep the momentum going. Fundraising continues until June 30, so there’s still time to make an even bigger impact and reach this year’s goal of $125,000. After that, MHI will be proud to publicly announce this year’s top fundraising team. 

Thank you for your incredible efforts. Let’s finish strong!

Check out the photo album here!

Each May, rain or shine, the Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) hosts Tulipathon, a 3KM walkathon fundraiser at Commissioners Park. This annual event invites MHI’s 80+ faith group members, their congregations, and the wider community for a scenic walk through the tulips. With 100% of all proceeds going toward MHI’s subsidies program, our goal this year is to raise $125,000. With our fall 2024 amalgamation with Gloucester Housing Corporation, MHI has an increased number of families and individuals that qualify for rent subsidies. We are ready to work with our community to make this Tulipathon the most successful one yet.  

The foundation of Tulipathon is built around the Tareen family. Tulipathon was founded in 2000 by the late Dr. Farook Tareen, with support from the Ottawa Muslim Association. Dr. Tareen was deeply committed to raising awareness and funds for causes he cared about, including addressing homelessness and the affordable housing crisis in Ottawa. Initially, MHI was one of the beneficiaries of Tulipathon’s efforts, but as the fundraiser continued to grow, its ownership was eventually gifted to MHI. Tulipathon plays a vital role in MHI’s ability to provide more than $400,000 annually in rent subsidies to residents, helping them maintain their housing affordability. None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of the wonderful Tareen family and the generosity of Ottawa’s faith communities. 

Save the Date
Our 25th annual Tulipathon will take place on May 25, 2025. This event will feature welcome speeches from community and faith leaders and government officials, and a lively post-walkathon reception. In addition, this year’s Tulipathon will offer special musical entertainment, as well as a Family Fun Zone. Children and youth have aways been welcome to attend Tulipathon, but this year we will have several activities lined up that are catered directly to them, including inflatable structures and face painting stations. We encourage you to bring the whole family for a meaningful and fun day together.  

This is also the first year that MHI is actively seeking corporate sponsorship. We have a sponsorship package that features dynamic sponsorship levels and assets. Huge thank you to DanCan Electric, Go! Pest Control, HVAC Maximum Heating and Cooling Inc., and Sunshine Snow Service Inc. for joining the cause as Community Champion Sponsors. We are also fortunate to have the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall as our Reception Sponsor this year. If you know of any businesses that may be interested in supporting Tulipathon, please direct them to MHI’s Fundraising Department at [email protected] or 613-686-1825 x 312.  

The fundraising period for Tulipathon runs from April 1st to June 31st, 2025.  

Tulipathon is MHI’s signature fundraiser, and it is an inspiration to see the different faith groups, organizations, families, and individuals that come together each year to raise money for safe, permanent, and affordable housing for those who need it most. As always, we remain delighted by the generosity and commitment that we see in our supporters.  

For more information and to find your fundraising team, please visit: www.multifaithhousing.ca/tulipathon

Tulipathon is held each year at Dow's Lake by MHI, and is one of the signature fundraising events for the organization, totaling over $100,00 each year for tenant subsidies. What is so amazing are the different groups, organizations, families, and individuals that come together each year, united in their efforts, to raise money for affordable housing for those who need it most. The history of the Tulipathon is a very personal story for the Tareen family which started more than 25 years ago.

My father, the late Dr. Farook Tareen, wanted to create a sustainable way to raise awareness and funds for the various charities that he supported. He was also a very physically active person, who played tennis, cross country skied, biked, and walked. He wanted to blend his two passions of exercise and giving back to his community. With a few close friends, he started the Tulipathon walk, even designing the logo.

The first ever walk could not have gone any worse!  It was a cold, rainy spring day. The wind was relentless, blowing hats of heads, and forcing people to lean into the breeze. The rain was frigid! Not only that, but Dr. Tareen was only able to get a handful of his closest friends to show up, and he did not raise very much money. Most of the donation that year was from his own pocket.  

But he did not give up!  He kept running the event, pledging to walk the Ottawa Canal around Dow's Lake each year to raise more awareness and more money. His close friends were steadfast, and walked with him every year, and each year, the number of participants grew.  Many of these friends are still avid Tulipathon supporters!   

Today, Tulipathon has hundreds of participants supported by so many wonderful people of various faith, cultures, and backgrounds. The Tulipathon Walkathon Campaign was donated by Dr. Tareen to MHI, one of his favourite charities. MHI is doing a fabulous job to continue this wonderful legacy and has taken it to the next level!  

The Tareen family is honoured to be a part of the MHI, and this vibrant, positive, amazing group of people. We are so happy and impressed to see what they have done with the Tulipathon Walkathon.  Dr. Tareen would be so proud of the legacy that he left behind!

With sincere thanks,
Nazira Tareen, wife of the late Dr. Tareen, 
Omar Tareen, son of Dr. Farook & Nazira Tareen,
Sam and India Tareen, grandchildren of ​Dr. Farook & Nazira Tareen.