Author Archives: The Ottawa Mission

Ottawa Mission job training program achieves 95% success rate in helping people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness achieve employment and independence

Ottawa, ON – Today, 14 graduates of the Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP) received their diplomas. This five-month training program provides men and women the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to work in a commercial kitchen. In addition to students and Ottawa Mission representatives, educational and private sector partners participated in the graduation.

“Since 2004, 149 students have graduated from this program, and, to date, 142 are employed by the time they graduate, a success rate of 95%,” noted Director of Food Services Chef Ric Allen-Watson.

“Our government applauds this program for its success in preparing more people for work by overcoming barriers to employment and helping employers attract skilled workers,” the Hon. Lisa MacLeod, MPP, Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services stated. The program also enjoys significant support from partners within the educational and private sectors.

“Applicants must demonstrate only one qualification to be accepted: a strong desire to change their lives for the better. Students pay no costs and we ensure they have all the tools they need to succeed,” noted Ottawa Mission Executive Director Peter Tilley. Students receive training in WHIMIS, health and safety, Food Handler’s Certification and first aid/CPR.

The unparalleled success of this program instills not only the knowledge and practical skills to work in a commercial kitchen, but also dignity, self-sufficiency, pride, and independence. “Many of these graduates have never graduated from any form of higher education or training, and have also endured significant hardship in their lives, including family violence and neglect, serious health conditions, transition to a new country, and other challenges,” Allen-Watson added.

“We are proud at the Mission to support students to rebuild their lives through this unique and highly successful program,” Ottawa Mission Board Chair Matt Triemstra concluded.

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 hope. In 2017- 2018, The Ottawa Mission sheltered an average of 236 men every night and served an average of 1,312 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and men’s clothing to thousands in need in our community.

FOR INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT:

Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C 613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com

The Ottawa Mission’s Chef Ric, who directs our food services programs, is often quoted as saying, “A person has to eat well to live well.”  At The Mission, this means preparing and serving the best meals we can to people in need, so that they might have the strength and hope to tackle difficult issues and move on to better lives.  This effort is blessed by the generosity of people who donate to help pay for meals, and also to community partners who donate food – like our good friends at the Orleans Community Garden (the Garden).  This summer will mark the 7th year in a row that The Mission has benefited from the kindness and hard work of the dedicated volunteers at the Garden.

Every Tuesday during the growing season people from the Garden show up at The Mission with a carload of beautiful fresh produce – fruits, vegetables and herbs, and even honey – that our kitchen staff uses to prepare the more than 1,400 meals served at The Mission every day. These donations have grown significantly over the years and now average an incredible 4,000 lbs. per season!  The Garden also helps out with supplies for The Mission’s rooftop herb garden, and makes an annual donation to support The Mission’s herb garden at the Ottawa Little Theatre.

We are honoured to be the charity of choice for the Orleans Community Garden and want to express our deep gratitude to its President and organizer extraordinaire, Gina Lapointe, and all of her team for their contribution to providing this special nurturing and hope to those in our community who need it most.

When Albert walked inside The Ottawa Mission and read the sign on the wall over the front door – our mission statement – he knew he had come to the right place.  And the progress he has made in the past five months is a testament to not only the support he has received to “build a wholesome life”, but also to his own hard work
and determination.

Albert had a career he loved – working with children and adults with disabilities – when his life spiralled out of control with addiction.  He lost his job, his home and his family connections.  For many years he drifted around Ontario – and even stayed for a time at The Mission over a decade ago.  When Albert decided to make some serious life changes, he knew that The Mission would offer him the tools and support he needed.

When he began staying with us, Albert had 10 goals in mind.  By his latest calculation, he has achieved 33.  Here are just a few.  Beyond regaining his health, and achieving six months of sobriety, he has worked to get his identification papers back in order, found employment, and applied for college to take courses to get his career back on track.  And, at the top of his list, he has reconnected with family members – including his daughter and brother – whom he had not spoken to for 15 years.

Albert says that the staff at The Mission have inspired and motivated him every step of his journey so far.  “I am very grateful for all the support and positive reinforcement I have received, and to everyone who supports the work of The Mission.  My life has changed because of this place.”

Shawn remembers last summer’s heat wave very well.  He was staying at The Ottawa Mission at the time and considered himself lucky to have a place to stay.  But he also remembers the tremendous efforts of staff at The Mission to help everyone they could – handing out thousands of bottles of water, and patrolling the neighbourhood telling people to come inside for a break from the heat, or to seek medical care.  And Shawn knows from personal experience that The Mission is always there when people need help the most.

At just 33 years old, Ottawa-born Shawn has experienced a lot of hardship in his life.  He was raised in a family where both parents suffered from addiction.  He was exposed to drugs at an early age, and eventually succumbed to addiction himself.  He has spent many years homeless and in the shelter system. 

This year, Shawn made the decision to fight back against his addiction.  He began attending The Mission’s Day Program where, in addition to group sessions held on weekday mornings, clients can receive one on one counselling.  Shawn also recently completed two months in our Stabilization unit, an abstinence-based program designed to assist men in stabilizing their lives and their addictive behaviour.  As Shawn says,

“The Mission provided me with the structure, routine and care that I needed to make big changes in my life.  And everyone here goes the extra mile for you.”

The icing on the cake for Shawn is that The Mission also helped Shawn find a safe and affordable place to live as he continues to receive treatment and rebuild his life, and he moved in this spring.  This is the first time in 5 years that Shawn has a place to call his own!

Thanks to your generosity, things are finally turning around for Shawn.  And he has a whole new life ahead of him!

On March 5, 2019, a memorial service was held for Itee, a resident of The Ottawa Mission’s Hospice.

The Hospice is a very special place where homeless men and women receive 24-hour palliative nursing care, and vital emotional and spiritual support, in the final days of their lives – provided with compassion and dignity by Mission staff and volunteers, and partner agency staff.

When someone dies, a memorial service is always held in our chapel to allow friends, family and staff to mourn and provide solace to one another. And so it was on March 5th with Itee’s family, many friends, and care providers in attendance – more than 60 people in all.

Itee was an Inuit woman who came from a large family in Nunavut. Two of her children, her sister, and many nieces and nephews came to her service, offering stories of unending love, warmth, and kindness – stories that were echoed by friends and neighbours who were touched by Itee in their lives.

Itee had borne significant burdens, tragedy and loss in her life, but she had done so with remarkable courage, resiliency, and empathy towards others. This power of unconditional acceptance, supported by a merciful spirit, was very much in evidence at her service. Many spoke of Itee’s influence on them, which nourished their own ability to deal with loss.  It was a moving experience to hear of the life of someone who, although often marginalized by others, nonetheless always smiled and greeted everyone with “good morning” and treated everyone with respect.

Itee loved to be outside. On her corner down the street from The Mission she would often spend time enjoying her independence and community. We at The Mission and those passing by who spoke with her daily will not forget this as we pass by that corner, remembering with fondness her smile and the sense of inclusion she embodied.

Itee’s powerful lesson of openness and acceptance is her unending legacy at The Mission.

In Jaison’s own words, “Growing up was just filled with disappointments. I was in and out of children’s aid, detention centres and jail, all while learning addiction
and crime.” 

At 44 years old, Jaison has tried addiction treatment no less than 18 times.  He says that the programs at The Ottawa Mission finally made the treatment “stick”, and after leaving treatment in 2018, he moved on with purpose to a different life.  A very important part of this experience has been about accepting God into his life. Jaison was baptized on August 5, 2018, and devotes considerable time to his church and to bible study.  He has found purpose at last.

As part of moving forward with hope and determination to a better life, five months ago Jaison enrolled in The Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP).  He has worked in restaurants and fast food outlets in the past, but wanted to upgrade his skills.  He is graduating from the program in June, and is already working part-time while awaiting news of a full-time role in another non-profit organization.  His ultimate goal is to help others by providing outreach support – to give back for all he has received.

Jaison says that his time in addiction treatment at The Mission and as an FSTP student has taught him about integrity, responsibility and being part of a team.  In fact, after a harrowing childhood, he now has a new definition of family – one that consists of the people at his church and the people at The Mission.  Jaison has been renewed in body and soul, and is deeply grateful.