Author Archives: The Ottawa Mission

Everyone needs advice on managing their finances at some point in their life. For those living on low incomes, these challenges can be especially overwhelming. That’s why The Ottawa Mission, in partnership with the YMCA-YWCA, is about to launch a series of free workshops to help people who need it most.

The program is called M.Y. Money Works. Sponsored by SEDI (Social and Enterprise Development Innovations) and the TD Bank, M.Y. Money Works covers all the bases. It deals with debt and credit, income tax issues, saving and budgeting and shopping smart. It also makes people aware of the many free financial services that are available to them in the community.

The first round of the program begins on February 11, and everyone is welcome. The workshops will take place at various locations across the city and will be offered on an ongoing basis. If you are interested in participating, or know of someone who could benefit, please contact Program Coordinator Hayat Khefifi at 613-788-5001, ext. 5159 for more information, or complete and submit this application and referral form.

(To print form hover mouse over bottom right once viewing PDF, then select the print option when it appears.)

Once a month, people coming into The Ottawa Mission for a meal are treated to a wonderful dinner provided by a special organization.

‘Lawyers Feed the Hungry’ will mark its fourth anniversary in Ottawa this spring.  The program got its start in Toronto many years ago, but spread to Ottawa in 2010 and partnered with The Ottawa Mission to help provide meals to hungry people in this community.

The local legal community raises the money to buy the food for the special meal and Ottawa Mission kitchen staff and volunteers prepare it. Then on the third Thursday of every month, a group of volunteers from different Ottawa law firms come into The Ottawa Mission, put on their bright yellow aprons, and serve a warm, delicious meal.

To date, the Ottawa “Lawyers Feed the Hungry” initiative has raised more than $80,000 and provided almost 21,000 meals for people in need!

“Support is fantastic within the local legal community”, says Jonathan Richardson, one of the lawyers who spearheaded the Ottawa program and remains very involved. “We have law firms that have been contributing money and volunteers since we started in Ottawa and others just coming on board. It demonstrates to me how valuable the program is and how much members of the legal community want to give back.”
To learn more about Lawyers Feed the Hungry, or to become involved,  visit the website at: https://www.lawyersfeedthehungry.ca/ottawa.html#program_highlights  or contact Jonathan Richardson at Augustine, Bater LLP at jmr@abblaw.ca

At this time of year, so many Ottawa natives and tourists alike share the enjoyment of skating on the world’s longest skating rink.  It’s a simple, inexpensive pleasure and almost anyone can participate.

But for most of the men staying at The Ottawa Mission, not having skates puts this activity out of reach.

Bert is staying at The Mission as he begins his journey toward recovery from addiction.   He was visiting with our Chaplain, Tom Donohue a few days ago and they got to talking about the fact that the canal was about to open for the season.   Bert shared that as a child he would often skate on a pond near his home – it was one of his favourite pastimes.

Chaplain Tom took this information to heart and, after a couple of phone calls, secured a few pairs of gently used skates in various sizes.  Bert stopped by Tom’s office a few days later for another chat and Tom was able to present him with his own pair of skates.  Bert was surprised and delighted by this unexpected gift, and has been enjoying his skates ever since.

Sometimes, the simplest gesture can make all the difference.

If you have a pair of gently used men’s skates to donate, you can do so by dropping them off at the shelter (53 Daly Street) or by calling us at 613-234-1144 to arrange for pick-up.

2014 has been ushered into Ottawa by Mother Nature’s bone-chilling weather. This extreme cold makes life more difficult for the men staying at The Ottawa Mission’s emergency shelter. The limited space inside the shelter becomes a little more crowded, getting out in the community to search for jobs and housing becomes a little harder for people staying here,  and the daily requests for warm winter clothing go up.

But there is a silver lining to the cold start of this New Year.  It has resulted, once again, in an outpouring of generosity from the community. It started in the weeks leading up to Christmas and continues still, with people from all walks of life bringing in warm coats, boots, toques and gloves for the men staying at the shelter.  The clothing room is now well stocked for this latest cold snap – our thanks to everyone who brought in donations.

“I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t been able to get a pair of winter boots from the Mission’s clothing room”, says Steve, a resident at The Ottawa Mission for the past 3 weeks. “I saw someone pull up and drop off a box of boots and coats yesterday at The Mission’s Front Desk, and it actually gave me a warm feeling – like someone really cares about me and  the other guys staying here”.

On behalf of Steve and all the others at The Ottawa Mission making good use of the warm winter clothing donations, we thank you and send you our wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful 2014.

Adam and Amy Graham were 10 and 9 years old respectively when Christmas day took on a whole new meaning.  They woke their parents, Tracey and Ron, and everyone trooped downstairs to open gifts.  As is usually the case, the big event was over in a matter of minutes, and Amy and Adam were feeling deflated and a little disappointed. Ron had an idea that he felt couldn’t wait.  The whole family, still in their PJs, put on their winter gear, got in the car, and drove to the Byward Market.  Ron wanted the children to see that some people – the homeless in our community – didn’t have any Christmas at all.

This experience had a huge impact on the children.  They began coming downtown each Christmas morning with small gifts to hand out, paid for with money they had saved or raised.  Four years ago, they found themselves at The Ottawa Mission handing out socks.  When they asked staff what else people might enjoy, the answer was Tim Horton’s gift cards.  This simple gift could work wonders – it would allow them to get out of the shelter and go to a place where they would feel just like everyone else.

Adam and Amy began raising money in earnest, dropping flyers off with their neighbours, and holding fundraisers at school and with their sports teams.  The first year they funded about 40 cards.  Last year, between their efforts and Dad contacting Tim Horton’s for a little extra help, they were able to hand out over 300 cards – plenty for people at The Mission and other local shelters.   According to Mom Tracey, “We get so much out of this small gesture.  Everyone we meet is so thankful, and Adam and Amy (now 15 and 14) have gained an appreciation of the true meaning of Christmas that they carry with them into their lives all year round.”

Thank you to the Graham family for making Christmas day special for so many people in need.

I’ve been at The Ottawa Mission for just over six months now, so this will be my first time experiencing Christmas at the shelter.  Even so, as I reflect upon the universal Christmas themes of comfort, hope and peace – I can say in all honesty that I see demonstrations of these special gifts that we can give one another around me every day.

When we are able to provide people with food, shelter, medical and hospice care, we are really providing them with the gift of comfort at a time when they have no other options.

When we help people battle long-term addictions, or offer those who are out of work opportunities for education and job training, or help those who have nowhere to live access affordable housing, we are providing them with the gift of hope for a better life.

And when we offer spiritual guidance, or the special counselling that goes along with our treatment programs, or just listen when people need to unburden themselves, we are providing them the gift of peace in their otherwise turbulent lives.

All of you who support The Mission, especially during the Christmas season, are helping us help the most vulnerable members of our community at an especially difficult time of year for them.  And you are giving hundreds of people the precious gifts of comfort, hope and peace.

God bless you and your family this Christmas season and all year round.

Peter Tilley
Executive Director
The Ottawa Mission

A homeless shelter is a place where no-one would choose to spend the Christmas season, but for 235 men who need to sleep in our beds every night, that is the reality they face. And for them and hundreds more people in our community who are living in poverty or on the streets, the meals and events planned over the holidays at The Ottawa Mission are all they have to look forward to.

That is why we work so hard to make this time of year as special as possible.

Beginning early in December, we set up and decorate a tree in the Chapel, and people are invited to have their picture taken – something they can then pass along to family and friends who may be concerned about their welfare.

There is also a morning set aside early in the month where people can come together in the dining room and write out Christmas cards to send to their loved ones.

A little closer to Christmas there is carol-singing (led by talented staff musicians and singers – see picture), bingo, movies and cookie decorating.

A highlight for many is our annual Christmas dinner – being held this year on December 22 – when we expect to serve more than 2400 turkey dinners with all the trimmings.

And, of course, on Christmas Eve there is a special Chapel service for anyone who would like to attend – and it’s always packed.

All of these activities are made possible by the heartfelt hard work of our staff and volunteers and the generosity of our donors. You all bring gifts of hope to those who often feel forgotten at this special time of year. Thank you.

Dave’s life of addiction began when he was barely a teenager. Over time he lost everything – his parents, his children, and any hope for the future. It was only when an overdose nearly cost him his life at age 45 that he decided to seek help, and he found it at The Ottawa Mission. That was six months ago, and the change in Dave has been amazing.

When Dave came to us he was angry, bitter, and filled with guilt. He spent a month in The Mission’s Stabilization Unit where he experienced his longest stretch of sobriety ever. With this came the understanding that he was not alone on his journey – that people cared about him. He also received medical care, ate properly for the first time in years, began exercising, and gained the strength he needed to continue his recovery.

Dave moved on to LifeHouse – our 5-month residential treatment program. The counselling he is receiving is allowing him to open up as he never has before. He says he has never cried so much in his life – but it’s a huge relief to do so. Dave’s life is back on course – he’s working towards his high school diploma and plans to go on to college. And he has reconnected with his parents and his three children whom he hasn’t spoken to in 13 years. He now greets each day with new-found optimism and hope. As Dave says, “For the first time in my life I feel at peace. It’s the best gift I have ever received.”

This year Christmas will be a joyful time for Dave because, along with the gift of peace, he is getting a second chance at life.