The Ottawa Mission is grappling with a staggering increase in demand for its services, a spike it says is driven by a toxic drug supply, a severe lack of affordable housing and a rising number of newcomers seeking support, according to its annual report released Thursday.
In 2023, the charity reported over 1.1 million meals served, a dramatic rise from the 500,000 meals served annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization also increased its food service capacity over that time.
Brenda Rothwell is very special to The Ottawa Mission for a number of reasons. She is a generous long time donor, she served on our Board of Directors, and is now part of our “Legacy Circle” by leaving The Mission a gift in her will. Her commitment to The Ottawa Mission has deep roots.
Brenda’s Dad, Austin, was a WWII veteran, master brick-mason, and loving father of four who suffered with alcoholism. When struggling, Austin was often separated from his young family and living on the streets — spending many nights at The Mission. The kids loved Austin unconditionally, but worried about him all the time. As Brenda says,
Whenever any of the kids expressed their concern about where their Dad was, her Mom would say,
And the children took great comfort in that. Over the years, Brenda has seen the organization grow to become a vital part of our community offering a full range of programs to help people in need like her Dad, and this has strengthened her commitment even further. In leaving us a gift in her will, Brenda is “paying it forward” in loving memory of her Dad and the care he received, and with hope that The Mission will be around for years to come to provide people in crisis with the support they need to move on to a better life.
You Can Make A Difference
There are a number of charitable gift options that can be made now or through your estate plans.
Learn more: https://ottawamission.com/get-involved/legacy-giving/
Ottawa, ON – During The Ottawa Mission’s annual Thanksgiving meal, which was held on October 9th as well as the week prior to Thanksgiving through the shelter’s food truck program, The Mission served 16,496 meals – a new record for a special meal service.
“It takes 6,000 pounds of turkey to feed everyone during our special Thanksgiving dinner,” noted Chef Ric Watson, Director of Food Services at The Mission. Also on the menu was: 3000 lbs. peeled potatoes; 2000 lbs. glazed fresh carrots; 150 gallons of gravy; and 900 vegetarian quiches. “This Thanksgiving meal count is yet another example of the overwhelming need for food in our community.”
Prior to the pandemic, The Mission served 495,360 meals annually. This past year, it served an astounding 1,057,489 meals. “While it has been heartening to welcome community clients back into our shelter for meals, our community faces very serious challenges in a post-pandemic environment, the most shocking of which is the skyrocketing rate of hunger,” stated Peter Tilley, Ottawa Mission CEO.
“This means that we served the equivalent of more than one meal for every person in Ottawa this past year. It’s disgraceful that increasing numbers of people in our community have to choose between paying their rent and feeding themselves and their families,” Allen-Watson added.
This is one reason why The Mission launched its food truck program. Beginning in September 2020 with one truck and five stops serving 500 meals per week, it now has two trucks which deliver over 7,000 meals per week at 35 community partner locations across the city to ensure that those who cannot travel to the shelter do not go hungry. The shelter is working to expand this program in response to continuing overwhelming community need.
“Poverty, homelessness and food insecurity are serious public health issues. We at The Ottawa Mission are doing our part to address shocking increases in hunger and keep people healthy through our meal program,” said Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley. “Now more than ever, our team of staff, volunteers and service partners supported by our donors are working harder than ever to meet the increasing need in our community.”
About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving the homeless, the hungry and the lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2022-2023, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 177 men every night and served an average of 2,898 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C: 613.712.3092
E-mail: aleo@ottawamission.com
Ottawa, ON – Earlier this month, The Ottawa Mission and its partners in the Diane Morrison Hospice unveiled its new Memorial Wall. The Wall, which measures 24 feet wide by 8.5 feet high, tells the story of how the Hospice came into being, and stories of those who have received care, those who have provided it, and the profound connections between them. The Wall also contains all the names of all 413 people who have passed away in the Hospice since 2001. After the Wall was recently installed, current Hospice clients as well as friends and family members stopped and touched these plaques, remembering their loved ones.
People who are homeless have a far greater risk of premature death than those who are not. “Since 2001, we have been a leader in palliative care for homeless people,” stated Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley. Until 2018, the Diane Morrison Hospice was the only Hospice affiliated with a homeless shelter in North America.
“Diane Morrison’s vision for end-of-life care was based on compassion, dignity and community, a vision shared by our partners in the Hospice Ottawa Inner City Health (OICH), Carefor, and other service providers,” Tilley added. “In the words of Jack, one of our first clients: ‘The Ottawa Mission Hospice is the nicest place I have ever lived. No one in my entire life has ever cared for me this much.’ This is what our Hospice is all about.”
Manager of the Hospice Yetunde Owolabi noted the complexity of providing care to homeless clients and the importance of trust between those who receive care and those who provide it. “Our Hospice offers medical, psychosocial and spiritual support tailored to each person’s needs, including a specialized understanding of complex mental health needs and addictions. Our clients have had great challenges in their lives and find it hard to trust others, and we offer unconditional acceptance The Hospice team offers them a safe and welcoming place during the most difficult time of their lives. For most, the Hospice is their last home, and providing care means gaining their trust. We provide a supportive environment where no one dies alone.”
Rob Boyd, CEO of OICH, spoke of providing care to homeless people where they’re at within the shelter system. “Our very first program was the Diane Morrison Hospice operated with the Ottawa Mission. All OICH programs are operated in partnership with shelters, housing providers, hospitals, and community health providers. OICH has 9 special shelter-based healthcare services, 5 supportive housing services and outreach programs to help people with their health concerns. We are proud to provide care to vulnerable people who often face stigma. We are also proud to provide this care through emergency shelter system, which is sometimes seen as providing only food, clothing and shelter without longer-term wraparound supports.”
Boyd also noted the importance of expanded the Hospice model of care and providing stable and predictable funding. “Hundreds of vulnerable and homeless people in Ottawa need the kind of care that the Diane Morrison Hospice provides. Our clients find it very difficult to access care appropriate to their needs. We also need more dedicated spaces such as the Hospice to reach these patients.”
The Hospice has received over $100,000 in private funds raised by the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem since its inception in 2001. It has also received support through an annual grant from the government of Ontario. However, this support is not guaranteed. “We need stable and predictable public funding to ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our clients,” Boyd concluded.
About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving those who are homeless, hungry and lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2021-2022, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 118 men every night and served an average of 2,570 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, primary care, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C: 613.712.3092
E-mail: aleo@ottawamission.com
Ottawa, ON – Today The Ottawa Mission celebrated the graduation of 20 students of its renowned Food Services Training Program (FSTP) trained at “Chef Ric’s”, the shelter’s social enterprise at 384 Rideau Street.
Of the 20 students graduating this week, 19 have secured positions in the industry.
One of these graduates is Pauline, whose Mohawk name is Katsitsyaroroks. New to Ottawa, Pauline enrolled in the FSTP to get back on her feet. A teacher, artist, elder and grandmother from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Pauline is a determined student with a big laugh.
As part of her FSTP curriculum, Pauline helps prepare, cook, and serve traditional Indigenous foods such as caribou, bannock, char and others during the Country Food Feast that The Mission hosts each month. First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people have a disproportionate burden of homelessness in Ottawa. Country foods can be hard to access in our community, and this meal is deeply meaningful to the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people who come to The Mission for these special occasions. “It’s been wonderful to serve these meals. They know it’s their medicine food,” Pauline says.
Pauline combines her extensive knowledge of Mohawk food and culinary traditions with the FSTP’s valuable lessons on the business of food service. Her goal is to use what she’s learned and eventually return to Tyendinaga to build a business that nourishes her community through both traditional foods and cultural teachings. “The FSTP opens the door to help me give back. That’s all people need: love and full bellies.”
The FSTP was created in 2004 by Chef Ric Allen-Watson, The Mission’s Director of Food Services. Homeless at age 14, he knows the power of paying it forward. “Someone reached out to me and showed me that education could help. That’s why I started this program: to help other people rebuild their lives.”
Since 2004, 258 people have graduated from the program, almost 90% of whom have gone on to positions in the food services industry. In September 2021, operations for the FSTP were moved from The Ottawa Mission’s kitchen to Chef Ric’s to add more space and increase the capacity of the program. The next session of the FSTP began earlier this week and has 25 registrants.
As Ottawa continues to deal with many forces buffeting our community such as inflation, hunger, poverty and homelessness, The Mission will remain the first place of refuge for increasing numbers of vulnerable people going forward for the next several years. “By expanding this incredibly successful program at Chef Ric’s, we’re doing our part to help even more people in need,” Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley concluded.
About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving those who are homeless, hungry and lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2021-2022, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 118 men every night and served an average of 2,570 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of its housing department. Visit ottawamission.com to learn more.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C 613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com
Sue is a registered practical nurse, who through Ottawa Inner City Health, has worked at our Diane Morrison Hospice since 2014. Early in her career, she found work at palliative care facilities and hospices, and quickly realised it was her calling.
Nursing at the hospice differs from typical nursing. Monitoring the clients well-being goes beyond administering medicine and tracking their health. “Here, you’re dealing with the whole person: mind, body, and soul.” says Sue.
As the first shelter-affiliated hospice in North America, there are 20 beds available for under-served chronically or terminally ill homeless and at-risk members of our community. Our clients may not qualify nor be suited for other palliative and hospice care due to mental health issues, addiction, lack of family support, poverty, and more.
Because of their debilitating illnesses, clients can feel worn down or even defeated when they come through our doors. Sue and the rest of our hospice staff do incredible work to lift spirits and offer comfort.
“Part of our end-of-life care is connecting families back together. People need closure” states Sue. Hospice staff will help our clients track down family. In many cases, they’ll help write letters to loved ones to reconnect and mend relationships that were damaged over the course of challenging lives. Inevitably, clients grow to view each other and our staff as extended family.
Despite the obvious challenges of working in a hospice, Sue deeply values her work. “I’m satisfied when I feel like I’ve done everything for them. When they pass, I feel that they’ve gone on to a better place, a place without pain and suffering, and that’s what’s important to me.”
Your kind support provides a peaceful and dignified passing for our clients. On behalf of those who turn to us for help, thank you.
Normand started volunteering with The Mission over 6 years ago and has consistently and quite amazingly volunteered for 5 shifts a week since then. At 77, he earned his living as a bus driver, but found himself with too much free time once he retired.
“I took my pension, and the days were long at home; so I decided to volunteer” he says. After a brief pause to reflect, he states “This is my family now”.
Normand’s family is made up of our team of kitchen staff and fellow volunteers. Following him back into the kitchen, he lights up as he chats with his colleagues. They share jokes and laughs as they begin to prepare for dinner service. In an average shift, Normand will help with food preparation – today he is chopping up some vegetables. Then, right on schedule, he’ll line up to help serve dinner.
Caring volunteers like Normand are vital in our ever-increasing need to feed our community. As grocery prices continue to rise, more and more people depend on The Ottawa Mission for meals. Normand knows just how important our meal service is to those who pay us a visit.
“When you give them a plate, there’s a big smile on their face. It’s what keeps me going”.
We are so appreciative of our amazing volunteers like Normand!
Learn more about how to volunteer at The Ottawa Mission & watch our volunteer appreciation video below!
Teckla has been volunteering with us for 4 years, and her passion to help her community is proven by the fact that she has already given us over 1,700 volunteer hours. That’s an astounding 71 full days of volunteer service!
Having lived here for over 30 years, Teckla noted the growing need to provide food, shelter, and services to our vulnerable community. She joined us for a Saturday shift, which turned into a Sunday shift, and then a Monday shift. Now she volunteers as many as 5 days a week.
“I want to help these people. When I was young and growing up in Sri Lanka I was in an orphanage, so I am able to put myself in their shoes” she says.
Teckla brings an inspiring work ethic to each and every shift. She had a brief stint volunteering for our laundry services, but finds that the hustle needed to prepare and serve meals better suits her boundless energy. She also prepares and packages to-go meals that are brought up to the guests staying in our hospice.
“We’re like a big family here. We all teach each other and we all give a little bit. I’m happy to do it”. She reflects.
We’re so grateful for our volunteers; we could not serve our community without the help of compassionate people like Teckla!
Learn more about how to volunteer at The Ottawa Mission & watch our volunteer appreciation video below!
A cornerstone of the Ottawa Mission for over 20 years, Jack has provided countless hours of his time in service to our community. As a volunteer, he has sat on our Board of Directors for decades and has helped to guide the long-term outlook of the Ottawa Mission.
Of our volunteer board of directors, Jack says “You represent the community”. The board includes, and has included our local: CPAs, doctors, professors, spiritual leaders, and homelessness and housing experts, to name some.
As for himself, Jack spent 18 years in federal politics as an MP. With a smile, he warmly reflects on bringing fellow politicians over from the Hill to volunteer alongside him at our meal services. And it’s in our kitchen where Jack continues to provide additional volunteer hours, serving out nourishing meals to those in need. He knows how impactful both of his volunteer roles can be.
To volunteer on the board is important because it helps set the direction that the Mission takes. However, it’s equally important to volunteer in the kitchen because I get to work alongside our staff and get to know our clients, which is really meaningful”.
We appreciate the kindness and generosity of all our volunteers, no matter the role. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to provide the services that our community’s most vulnerable so desperately need.
Learn more about how to volunteer at The Ottawa Mission & watch our volunteer appreciation video below!
Like so many of our selfless volunteers, Linda is inclined to highlight others as opposed to herself. We spoke to Linda about Lloyd, who was a remarkable volunteer for the Ottawa Mission.
This year, Linda and a team of our volunteers participated in The Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk in memory of Lloyd. The walk raised money for local charities that support people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Lloyd’s team raised an exceptional $18,770!
Of Lloyd, Linda remembers “He had a way of making you feel special when he spoke to you. He was a warm, humble man.”
A dedicated volunteer herself, Linda has helped prepare and serve meals alongside fellow volunteers for the better part of 15 years. Over that time, those fellow volunteers became close friends. She’s also helped out at our special community events, such as bingo night.
Linda is passionate about breaking down the stereotypes faced by those who use our services. She remarks that many of those that come through our dining hall doors have jobs but simply cannot afford to always purchase and cook their own meals at home.
She knows just how much the vulnerable in our community appreciate a helping hand. When asked about her favourite part of volunteering, she replies “The gratitude of the people we’re serving”.
Thanks to caring people like Lloyd and Linda, we’re able to be more than a shelter.
Learn more about how to volunteer at The Ottawa Mission & watch our volunteer appreciation video below!
