Daddy Therapy is a sassy way to fight ageism, mental health and raise money for our queer community.
We want to remind people that we are fun, positive and playful, despite getting older and wiser.
We are still relevant and contributing members of our community.
Fun, positive, playful and unapologetic are truly who we are.
The Daddy Therapy initiative came after Mario watched the movie Puss in Boots: The Last Wish while on a trip to Mexico City. We all need a Perrito in our lives.
Having lost several friends and family members to depression over the years, shining a light on ageism and mental health issues became a priority. With Mario being an eternal optimist (glass is always half full), Daddy Therapy came to light as a sassy way to be fun, positive, playful and unapologetic and to raise money for our amazing queer community.
Mario has been a blessed gay man since 1968, born in a small town located in the Eastern Townships, Quebec.
Daddy Therapy is Mario’s farewell to our great community of Ottawa, as he is planning to return to his Eastern Townships roots by 2026.
He had the chance and the opportunity to meet great friends, many amazing volunteers and mentors upon his arrival in Ottawa in 1997. They’ve embraced and welcomed him since day one, by answering his requests and debating so many great and not-so-great ideas in regards to projects for our Queer community.
This is the reason why Daddy Therapy is raising money for the Ottawa Senior Pride Network—so these leaders and mentors, so essential to our community, can keep doing an amazing job, despite getting older and facing different life challenges everyday.
Life is not easy and nobody should face it alone. This is why we are an extended blessed family. This is why we will keep fighting and celebrating every day.
Truly and sincerely yours forever, Ottawa,
Love, Daddy Mario!
Glenn is proud to be involved with Daddy Therapy as designer and creative director. He has been involved in community building and activism within the National Capital Region for over 20 years, being primarily focused on building community, supporting our local community organizations and documenting our community’s history. His activism work includes:
Glenn also owns and operates his own graphic and Web design business, Jack Of All Trades Design.
Anmar Zawi is a dedicated humanitarian professional with a BA in Translation (Arabic-English). He has extensive experience in refugee support, case management, and community outreach.
Previously, Anmar works as a Settlement Outreach Worker for the IRCC program at JFS in Ottawa. He coordinates mental health presentations, events for 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers, maintains community partnerships, manages volunteers, makes referrals, and provides bus passes to newcomers. Before that, he was a Case Navigator and Coordinator at Capital Rainbow Refugee, Ottawa. His responsibilities included intake assessments, educational and career support, health service matching, legal referrals, and COVID-19 safety education.
Internationally, Anmar worked with World Vision in Turkey as a Monitoring and Evaluation Worker, and as a Protection Assistant at the International Middle East Peace Research Center, supporting refugees from the Middle East and Africa. Anmar also contributed to Everyone’s Sister and Rainbow New Beginnings in Ottawa and ASAAP in Toronto, supporting MSM populations and conducting peer sessions. He participated as a Peer Research Associate in the YSMENA Research Study in Toronto, developing study tools, recruiting participants, and leading discussions.
He possesses excellent communication skills, computer proficiency, and fluency in English, Arabic, and Turkish. His training includes active listening, psychological first aid, case management, HIV/AIDS awareness, ethical research conduct, and suicide intervention. Anmar has volunteered with The 519 in Toronto, contributing to Pride celebrations in 2019, and with the City of Ottawa, assisting with flood prevention, LGBT film festival events and Freedom Souire. Anmar is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need through his work in humanitarian aid and community support, making him a valuable asset to any organization.
