Author Archives: The Ottawa Mission

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, January 25th, 2018

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Mission is thrilled to announce Mattamy Homes as a Lead Sponsor for this year’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) walk-fundraiser. On Saturday, February 24th, The Ottawa Mission along with Mattamy Homes, ask that you walk with us and thousands of others across Canada in the annual Coldest Night of the Year event.

The Coldest Night of the Year is a family-friendly walk (2k, 5k or 10k) that provides people of all ages an opportunity to experience a hint of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, especially during our cold Canadian winter. People can create a team with family and friends and raise pledges to support the life-changing programs at The Ottawa Mission. The Mattamy Homes Team is excited to also participate in the walk, alongside hundreds of others, to support The Mission.

This year’s event begins at Ottawa City Hall and sees walkers follow set routes through the downtown core. At the end of the walk, participants are offered delicious chili, dessert and hot beverages with their teams back at City Hall.

To register your own team or to learn more about the event, please visit: cnoy.org/ottawa

#CNOY18
#OttawaMission

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, The Ottawa Mission sheltered an average of 233 men every night and served an average of 1,308 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also houses a Hospice, Addiction Treatment programs and a Medical/Dental Clinic for the homeless.

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: The Ottawa Mission
Peter Tilley, Executive Director
t: (613) 234-1144 x 226
e: ptilley@ottawamission.com

About Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 10 markets –Charlotte, Raleigh. Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida – and in Canada, those communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information.

Mattamy Homes
Shannon Wood, Production Coordinator
t: (613) 831-5141
e: Shannon.Wood@mattamycorp.com

#CNOY18
#OttawaMission

MEDIA RELEASE
December 14, 2017

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Mission helps hundreds of people who are struggling during the Christmas season. It hopes to make the holidays a little brighter with its annual Christmas Dinner this Sunday and preparations are already underway in the Mission kitchen as it is estimated 2,500 plates of delicious turkey dinner will be served to those who are homeless, hungry or alone.

The special Christmas Dinner will take place Sunday, December 17^th from 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in The Mission’s Dining Room.

Many special volunteer servers, including some from Ottawa City Hall, Queens Park and various community leaders, will be dropping by during our special dinner event. They will join about 110 community volunteers who will be on hand to help out as well.

That meal will consist of:

• 2,500 lbs Oven Roast Turkey
• 24 Pans Savory Stuffing
• 450 Tourtiere pies
• 600 lbs Mashed Potatoes
• 250 lbs Glazed Baby Carrots
• 250 lbs Green Beans Almandine
• 3,000 cupcakes
• 230 Dozen Rolls
• 50 Gallons Giblet Gravy

As always, generous donations of food and money from people in the community make this event possible and The Ottawa Mission extends its heartfelt thanks to those who make it possible.

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 2015, The Ottawa Mission sheltered an average of 231 men every night and served an average of 1,300 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also houses a Hospice, Addiction Treatment programs and a Medical/Dental Clinic for the homeless.

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Peter Tilley

Executive Director
613-234-1144 ext.226
ptilley@ottawamission.com

A few years ago, Pierre woke up on a park bench in the rain in Simcoe, Ontario. He was addicted, homeless and suicidal. His childhood was one marked by a dysfunctional family, a poor education, and little or no affection. And he had forgotten how to smile. But that night he felt a glimmer of hope. He says it was a sign from God, and he somehow found the strength to reach out for the help he needed to change his life.

He came to Ottawa for treatment of his addiction and, while in treatment, he learned about The Ottawa Mission’s Second Stage Housing program. This program offers transitional housing to men in recovery who need time to prepare for re-entry into the community. At our Second Stage houses, a group of six men cook, clean and re-learn how to look after themselves. They also receive regular support from Ottawa Mission staff as they continue their journey.

Pierre was welcomed into Second Stage – and it was a time, he says, that transformed his life. The care he received had an amazing impact on him. “Working with people at The Mission has taught me so much. It has taught me that there are good people willing to help if only you ask. And they have given me the tools I need for a better life.”

Pierre is now living in his own place, attending church, going back to school, and looking forward to his future. As Pierre says, “I am so proud to say that I am now over 2 years sober. I thank God and The Mission for saving my life. Today I have many reasons to smile.”

At 75, Harvey Steinwald has done a lot of volunteer work. He feels fortunate in his life and wants to give back to his community.

For many years, Harvey has been a member of the Ottawa chapter of the Knights of Pythias – an international charitable fundraising organization. They have been donating to The Ottawa Mission for 15 years – most recently contributing towards special bakeware for our kitchen, where we serve an average of 1,307 meals a day.

Harvey had never visited The Mission in person until just last year and, for him, it was a truly eye-opening experience. He said he realized for the first time the extent of the good work that was happening here, and he decided right away that he wanted to be part of it. Now, every Wednesday, Harvey hops on the bus outside his home in Kanata for his 45 minute ride to The Mission, where he spends the morning helping in the kitchen and serving lunch to several hundred people.

“The work that goes into providing good food to people in need is extraordinary,” says Harvey. “The Mission’s kitchen team is welcoming and very well organized, and volunteering here simply makes my day. I go home pretty tired after my shift, but it’s so gratifying to know I’ve made a difference.” Harvey, on behalf of all of us, we thank you for your generous support – past, present, and hopefully for long into the future. You have become part of our family, and we are so grateful for all that you do!

Two extraordinary things happened to Chris this year that have given him a new lease on life. Chris has been homeless since he was 16. He is now 56. He has lived his life either on the streets or in and out of shelters between here and Toronto.

Chris came to The Ottawa Mission a year ago. He was suffering from cancer and became a patient at our Hospice. He came and went from the Hospice while he underwent surgery and treatment and recently, while still in our care, he received the wonderful news that his cancer was in remission. That’s the first extraordinary thing.

While staying with us and gaining strength, we connected Chris with resources to find him somewhere to live and now, for the first time in his life, he has a place to call home. That’s the second extraordinary thing.

Of his time at The Mission, Chris says, “You couldn’t ask for better people. They’ve given me a chance that I’ve never had before.”

Despite his hardships, Chris has always felt empathy for others in his situation, and gave his time, when he could, to volunteer at soup kitchens.

Chris is now living in a supported housing facility, continuing to regain his health, and strengthening his commitment to finding a way to give back and help others. He aspires to be an outreach worker and his strong faith guides him in his journey. As Chris told us, “Even though it seems sometimes like there is no point in going on, faith will bring you hope.” We couldn’t agree more.

Monique was working part time in the cafeteria at Algonquin College earlier this year, and having a difficult time making ends meet, when she unexpectedly received a special gift from a fellow employee – the gift of hope. The gift came from William, a graduate of The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP).

Monique enjoyed working in the cafeteria, but lacked the formal training that would help her move ahead to a better job and a long-term career. William told her all about the FSTP, and she was intrigued enough to investigate further.

Monique has since graduated from the five-month program and can’t say enough about her experience. Asked about her first impression of The Mission she says, “I was in awe. People think this place is just a soup kitchen, but it’s so much more, and the door is always open.” Monique was equally impressed with the FSTP, which offers people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness an opportunity to gain the skills they need to find a good job.

She points out that, aside from working in a fully-equipped industrial kitchen, the program also has a theory component to it – and the textbooks used are from Algonquin College’s culinary program. Students also receive certification in First Aid, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), health and safety, and food handling.

Since graduating from the program, Monique is working part-time, and pursuing full-time opportunities. In her words, “The Mission, and the FSTP, have provided me with the motivation and confidence I need to build a better future. I am very grateful for this special gift.”

It’s been a rough few years for 56 year-old Barry. He had a good job for 14 years as a window installer until the company closed its doors. And then he had some serious medical problems that left him with a long recuperation and unable to work. For the first time in his life, Barry found himself needing social assistance to make ends meet.

As time went by, Barry’s health improved, but he couldn’t uncover any job opportunities. Part of the problem was, having been in the same job for so long, Barry was at a loss as to how to conduct an effective job search. Barry’s brother had spent some time at The Ottawa Mission, and he recommended that Barry connect with our Client Services Centre.

The Mission’s Client Services Centre provides a variety of support to people who are struggling – whether they’re looking for housing, upgrading their education and job skills, or looking for referrals to other community support services. For Barry, it was all about finding a job. Staff helped him in so many ways – building a solid resume, providing training in computer basics, hands-on assistance with his job search, helping complete application forms, and even accessing the proper clothing to wear to interviews.

Today, Barry is working full-time, and he is so thankful for all the support he received. “People were unbelievably helpful, and their kindness put a smile in my heart. I’m so grateful that this type of service was available for me. They went the extra mile for me, and I’ll never forget it.”

Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Mission helps hundreds of people who are struggling during the Christmas season. We hope to make the holidays a little brighter with the annual Christmas Dinner. The Ottawa Mission’s special Christmas Dinner will take place Sunday, December 17th from 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in The Mission’s Dining Room.

Preparations are already underway in The Mission kitchen as it is estimated 2,500 plates of delicious turkey dinner will be served to those who are homeless, hungry, or alone.

Many special volunteer servers, including some from Ottawa City Hall, Queens Park, and various community leaders, will be dropping by during our special dinner event. They will join about 110 community volunteers that will be on hand to help out as well.

The menu for our Christmas Dinner consists of:

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• 2,500 lbs of oven-roasted turkey
• 50 gallons of giblet gravy
• 450 tourtières
• 600 lbs of mashed potatoes
• 400 lbs of glazed baby carrots
• 400 lbs of green beans almondine
• 230 dozen dinner rolls
• 3,000 cupcakes provided by ‘Cupcakes 4 Christmas’

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As always, generous donations of food and money from people in the community make this event possible, and The Ottawa Mission extends its heartfelt thanks to those who support this initiative.

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Peter Tilley | Executive Director, The Ottawa Mission
613-234-1144 ext.226
ptilley@ottawamission.com

At 55, Chris is beginning a whole new life – one he could never have imagined even a year ago.

Chris’s adulthood was marked by addiction and trouble with the law. Although he was college educated and had a good job, a number of influences – including a troubled relationship with his father, the sudden death of his mother, and failed personal relationships – led him to a life of drugs.

Thirteen years ago, Chris became a father. As with most people, becoming a parent was lifechanging for Chris, but he was not equipped – mentally or physically – to really embrace fatherhood because of his addiction.

Then one day his young son came up to him, put his hands on Chris’s face, and said, “Please stop what you’re doing. I need my Dad in my life.” Chris vowed to himself to conquer his addiction, and he was successful. But Chris had a lot of difficulty finding work – he says not only because of his background, but also because of all his tattoos.

Last year Chris was on social assistance when his case worker told him about the Food Services Training Program at The Ottawa Mission. Chris had always had a passion for cooking, so he immediately applied and was accepted – tattoos and all!

Chris graduated from the five month program in June, and is working full time. As Chris says, “I am so grateful to my son for being such an inspiration to me, and to The Mission for the training and encouragement they have
provided. I have a career now, and I have hope for the future. And most importantly, I can provide for my son.”

As she approached retirement after 40 years as a counsellor and social worker, Jean Wylie was looking for volunteer opportunities. Thankfully for us, she answered the call one day to help make sandwiches at The Ottawa Mission. That was seven years ago, and Jean has become a familiar face to the staff and clients at The Mission where she never misses her Tuesday shift helping to prepare and serve meals.

Beyond this, Jean volunteers or participates in just about every community fundraiser that The Mission is involved in – including Coldest Night of the Year, WestFest and many more.

But for Jean, working in the kitchen and serving people in need holds a special place in her heart. She points out that many clients at first are reluctant to even make eye contact with the volunteers and staff. But, she says that over time they come to trust you. “Sharing a smile with someone who likely doesn’t get a lot of people smiling at them during their day is an uplifting experience. And the gratitude they express is overwhelming. I’m also very grateful.”

As Jean was returning home from the shelter recently, still wearing her Mission Volunteer t-shirt, she was approached at the bus stop by a young man. He wanted her to know that five years ago he was a client at The Mission, and his life has totally turned around. He is working full time and has a place of his own. He just wanted Jean to know that her work as a volunteer really matters.

It really matters to us too Jean! Thank you and God bless.