Author Archives: The Ottawa Mission

Dwight has been in and out of shelters for many years. He often managed to hold down a job but spent a lot of his earnings on his growing addiction. Now, at age 46, Dwight is turning his life in a new direction and says it’s time to look forward, not back.

At The Ottawa Mission Dwight is not only working hard on his recovery through our addiction treatment programs, but he also has his sights set on another long term goal.

Dwight is studying at The Mission’s Stepping Stones Learning Centre and hopes to soon be able to write the GED, or secondary school equivalent exam. With support from our teacher, he’s taking math and literacy courses and art workshops, where he’s creating pieces like the one in this picture. Once he completes his GED, Dwight says the next goal will be to take Theology courses at college to help him achieve his dream of being a minister.

Dwight knew at a very young age he wanted to be a minister even though he was raised in a family that didn’t attend church and wasn’t encouraged to pursue his goal. During his time at The Mission, he has finally received the caring and practical support he needs to help him realize his dream.

Dwight is determined to one day share his blessings with others who are suffering by providing spiritual guidance to people in a shelter like this one. God speed, Dwight.

This winter has been bitterly cold and long for everyone in Ottawa – but doubly so for people staying in shelters. Not only is it more difficult for those looking for housing or jobs to get around, but staying indoors in a shelter with limited public space and cramped bedrooms only adds to the stress for many people in crisis.
As we all anxiously await warmer temperatures, at The Mission we will be facing the weather head-on with a special event this Saturday, February 21.  The Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk has been growing in many cities across Canada in recent years, and this is the first year The Ottawa Mission has taken part.   And we are very pleased to report that the response from the community has been amazing!  Not only will we have almost 200 walkers out on our downtown route this Saturday, but hundreds of others have also contributed pledges to show they care about those in need. It’s expected that more than $42,000 will be raised to help support the  The Ottawa Mission’s vital work for those who are homeless and hurting in our community.
As well, almost 60 volunteers will be on hand this Saturday to help us ensure the event goes smoothly – many of them standing outdoors in the cold to guide and cheer on those who are walking the route.
The wonderful support we have received for our 1^st Annual Coldest Night of the Year walk has warmed our hearts – and the hearts of those staying at The Ottawa Mission – even during one of the coldest winters in recent memory.  Thank You!

For many people Valentine’s Day includes planning a celebratory meal. The same is true at The Ottawa Mission. Every year, we work hard to make sure that those who are alone feel included on this special day. And we always have help from our generous community!

This year, Mayor Jim Watson and members of City Council are front and centre on February 13, sponsoring our Valentine’s lunch, and personally coming in to serve the meal to those who are hungry.

A delicious Valentine’s themed pasta meal and extra treats will be on the menu. And when word gets out that the Mayor and Councillors are coming in, it gives everyone who attends a real boost. We always get comments about how much it means to them to know that people have gone out of their way to help make things special. It’s often acts of kindness like these that not only lift peoples’ spirits, but motivate them to make changes in their lives.

The definition of love that we like to honor on Valentine’s day and throughout the year – and as demonstrated by our City Council – is about the help so many give freely to people in need. It is the definition that reads “unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Many men seeking help with their addictions at The Ottawa Mission have dealt with past trauma in their lives, specifically physical or sexual abuse. No one will ever know for sure how many men are sexually abused as children, but some stats suggest that as many as 1 in 6 experience sexual abuse by age 18.

The Mission’s addiction treatment programs are focused on issues related to trauma but now, thanks to a new partnership with an Ottawa counselling agency, clients who have suffered past abuse are getting access to even more specialized treatment. The Men’s Project is a non-profit charitable counselling agency that has been providing services to men and their families since 1997. They tailor individual programs to specifically meet men’s needs.

The Mission and The Men’s Project have partnered to offer Men & Healing, a program designed specifically for men who have experienced childhood physical and/or sexual abuse.   The  “Phase One” group runs for 6 weeks, while “Phase Two”  is offered in 10 week segments.  Phase One helps to educate the men about how they have been affected by their past trauma and how to rebuild a sense of safety and trust in their lives. They learn emotional coping skills and how to build healthier relationships.  In Phase Two, the focus is on processing the trauma and integrating their new skills at a deeper level.

Despite the partnership being relatively new, the feedback is positive and the success stories are growing. Those participating in the Men’s Project tell us that their road to recovery is made stronger by the knowledge they have gained through this wonderful partnership.

Together we are bringing renewed hope to men who have been suffering in silence for many years.

This week across Canada the spotlight is being shone on the issue of mental illness through Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk” campaign. At The Ottawa Mission, we can certainly relate to how important it is to end the stigma against mental illness and build a better understanding of how this type of illness affects people from all walks of life.

Every day at The Mission we open our doors to those who are suffering – from physical problems, from addictions, from loneliness. The fact is that, in the majority of cases, their problems are rooted in mental illness. It may be as a result of being traumatized by having served in the military in a war zone. It may be as a result of childhood abuse. It may be as a result of a mental health issue they have struggled with all their lives. Regardless of the cause, this issue is huge among people who are homeless.

Thankfully, through our partnerships with organizations like the Royal Ottawa Hospital, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Ottawa Police Service, we are able to direct some of those who are suffering from mental illness to the right resources to get the help they so desperately need. But the availability of these resources continues to be a big issue, and there are still far too many who fall through the cracks.

Our challenge is to make sure that people who are homeless – and without a voice – remain part of the discussion about the devastating impact of mental illness across our community and our society. We will continue to do all we can to give a voice to those who feel forgotten.

Access to education is a right that many of us take for granted.  At The Ottawa Mission, we meet many people who have had to cut their formal education short due to life circumstances.  Many have not had the opportunity to set or obtain educational goals, whether they are in pursuit of a career, or simply for the joy of learning.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of a program that aims to address this need. Discovery University is made possible by a partnership between The Ottawa Mission, the University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University and First Baptist Church, along with other valued organizations in the community.  Through “DU”, men and women in low income situations can take part in free, non-credit university style courses.  The courses run for 10 weeks in the Fall, and again in the Winter and along with the weekly class, there is also a weekly discussion group.

Discovery University courses focus primarily on the Social Sciences and Humanities fields, with the belief that experiencing these disciplines will empower students to think and engage more critically with their community.  Many students have taken multiple DU courses since the program’s beginnings. One of these students is Jim:“Before I became involved in Discovery University I was unemployed and on Ontario Disability Support Payments.  I was living an isolated existence in my apartment.
One day a neighbor told me about “DU” and gave me some information and an application form for the next course. I was interested, so I applied and was accepted. Since then, I have participated in eight “DU” courses, including ones that have explored Music, Drama, Poetry, Politics, Ethics, Philosophy, and Aboriginal Studies. The courses have provided me with intellectual stimulation and have helped me lead a more organized life. I take better care of my appearance and actions because I want to be at my best when interacting with other people on a regular basis. I have made new friends in the relaxed and mutually respectful community that is  DU.”

This term, Discovery University is offering two courses: Ethics and the Human Person taught by Saint Paul University professor Father Mark Slatter and Digital Photography, taught by University of Ottawa professor Rosalie Favell. Our thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful community program.

For people who have successfully completed The Ottawa Mission’s 5-month LifeHouse addiction treatment program, what happens next can be equally important to their ongoing recovery. Some men have a home to go back to, but others have nowhere to go. For these people, The Mission offers the option of Second Stage transitional housing. Rob is one of the current residents.

Rob has been living in one of The Mission’s two Second Stage houses for seven months. He lives with four other men who have also been through addiction treatment. As Rob says, “We’ve all been there, so we can support each other if someone is having a tough day.” They share the chores, cook for themselves, and once a week, there’s a house meeting to discuss any issues or concerns that have arisen. For many, it’s the first “normal” living environment they’ve experienced in years.

While staying in Second Stage, residents continue to have regular counselling sessions. As well, an Ottawa Mission housing outreach worker regularly visits the residents to support them in their search for a permanent home. Many of the men are starting over from scratch and need basic furniture and kitchen supplies, and our housing outreach team helps with that too.

Rob says finding affordable and safe housing is his biggest worry right now because it is in such short supply. But he appreciates this transition time in a Second Stage home as well as the ongoing support he’s receiving from The Mission. Rob adds, “It’s giving us the time we need following treatment to get back on our feet and prepare to be on our own again, and for that I’m grateful”.

Guest Blogger – Rev. Laird Eddy, Executive Director, The Ottawa Mission Foundation

At some time in our lives we have all known what it feels like to be left out.  It may have been someone’s party when we were young or a group of people at work who decided they didn’t want us working with them on the latest project.  No matter what the situation, each of us can think of moments in our lives when we felt ‘uninvited.’

Many of the people who stay with us at The Ottawa Mission feel uninvited.  They feel uninvited to the opportunities that the rest of us take for granted.  A chance for a job, a home, higher education or some other privilege.  The time when they feel most uninvited is when they wish they could give back.   When we are in a position to help, we sometimes forget the despair people feel when they can never get ahead enough to give back.  The cold days of winter can feel that much more bitter if you are the one who has to always be on the receiving end of things.

Jesus often called us to extend warm hospitality to those who feel uninvited.  He asks us to invite the poor to our table and to extend the warmth of friendship to people who have been left out.  He teaches us to share with others as if everyone had been invited to a family feast.

During these cold winter months let’s take up that calling and make sure that no one is left feeling uninvited.  At The Mission we welcome everyone as if they were invited guests.  We provide food, friendship and opportunities to give back where they are able.  We invite you to help us do that.

This past year has been rough for Gisele, her husband and their two children as circumstances forced them to turn to social services for help. But she was determined to turn things around and make a brighter future for her family. While speaking with someone at Ontario Works, Gisele learned about an opportunity to get some firsthand training in the food services industry at The Ottawa Mission.

Like most women, Gisele says she learned some cooking basics from her mother while growing up in Haiti and enjoyed making meals for her family. She felt working in a kitchen would be something she would enjoy – and she was right! Just a few short weeks ago, Gisele graduated from The Ottawa Mission’s 5-month Food Services Training Program, and she now has a full blown passion for cooking. She credits the kitchen team at The Ottawa Mission for her success. “They were welcoming, patient and very supportive of my circumstances”, she says.

Today Gisele is working in the kitchen of a local community college. She would like to eventually write her Red Seal exam to become a chef and her dream is to one day open her own family-run restaurant. As she says, “This is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life – I love it!”

So, 2015 is already shaping up to be a great year for Gisele, and she is so grateful to The Mission and its supporters for the wonderful second chance that the Food Services Training Program has provided for her and her family. Continued good luck, Gisele!