Mission Statement/Vision

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, playful, positive and unapologetic are truly who we are.

 

Founder: Daddy Mario Larochelle

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.

  • Volleyball player since 1986 (Montreal/Ottawa)
  • Softball player since 1992 (Montreal/Ottawa)
  • Volunteer with Pink Triangle Services (1998-2001) with Gayline phone helpline
  • Creator and collaborator of Swirl and Twirl (2003-2024) a wine, food and beer tasting fundraising event.
  • Winner of the Best Wine and Spirit Blind Tasting Award and First Runner Up at the first Ontario Best Sommelier competition (2004)
  • Winner of the 2005 Capital Xtra’s Hero Award for Sports & Athletics
  • Mr. Leather Ottawa 2006 and 4th place at the International Mr. Leather (IML, Chicago) competition
  • member of Rainbow New Beginnings (2016-2018); sponsoring newcomers to Canada
  • Sommelier, foodie, teacher and wine aficionado

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!

Creative Director: Glenn Crawford

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:

  • working as a journalist for a queer publication called Capital Xtra (2001-2003)
  • volunteering for Pink Triangle Services as a peer-led social group facilitator (2003-2004; now Kind Space)
  • fundraising and event planning including hosting Swirl and Twirl (2003-2024) which in 15 events raised over $145,000 for local queer charities, among other fundraising events
  • leading a campaign to create an official queer Village in Ottawa on Bank Street (2007-2012)
  • Winner of the 2007 Capital Xtra’s Hero Award for Community Activist of the Year
  • being selected as the 2010 Grand Marshal for the Capital Pride parade
  • researching and creating The Village Legacy Project on behalf of the Centretown BIA, which documents Ottawa’s local queer history through public art, a Web site and mobile app (2016-present; villagelegacy.ca)

Glenn also owns and operates his own graphic and Web design business, Jack Of All Trades Design.