Author Archives: The Ottawa Mission

Why I work for The Mission: NIVES

Nives has worked at The Mission for three years, the past two as Coordinator for the Hope and Day Programs. “The Hope Program is a residential treatment program focused on harm reduction, and the Day Program is a psychoeducational and support group offered to men impacted by addictions and trauma.” Nives spend most of her time providing individual counselling and group facilitation to shelter guests and community clients.

“I meet people where they’re at. I’m very grateful to be working through a harm reduction model. By offering a non-judgmental space for clients to explore the underlying reasons for their behaviours, we often see them gain confidence and skills to better their own lives. It’s amazing how people can grow when they feel accepted.”

Working with clients has given Nives much. “They’ve taught me that homelessness can happen to anyone. Some of the most intelligent, creative and resilient people I know have been impacted by homelessness. The shelter environment can at times appear gloomy, but it’s also filled with people who exhibit kindness, courage and hope.”

Why I partner with The Mission : YETTY

Yetty has worked as the Administrative Coordinator within The Mission’s Hospice for the past four years. She previously worked at the Health Clinic. Within the Hospice, she supports the nursing team while performing other duties like connecting with patients’ families, assists with burials and cremations, and helps patients with tasks such as money management. For chronic palliative patients, she connects them to supportive housing. “Since they are stable, they can have a better quality of life in the community.”

Patients come from all backgrounds. “There’s a fine line between who is homeless and who is not.” For Yetty, it’s an honour and a privilege to work with patients, many of whom have experienced trauma. For most, the Hospice is their last home, and providing care means gaining their trust. “Here we provide a supportive environment where no one dies alone.”

Yetty also notices changes in family’s perceptions. “Some are uncomfortable that we’re in a shelter due to the stigma concerning homelessness. When they see how we treat patients, that judgement fades away. We change people’s minds through compassion.”

Why we work for The Mission: ANDREW AND LEANDRO

Andrew and Leandro are one of two sets of brothers who are a part of The Mission family. Leandro joined in the summer of 2019 out of a desire to help people. Before coming to The Mission from the military, he hadn’t seen much homelessness, and was humbled by the overwhelming need for The Mission’s services. “I remember an older couple who came for a community meal before the pandemic. The meal hour was almost over, and they hadn’t yet finished. When I mentioned that the hour was almost over and they had to finish, they slid the remainder of their meals into a bag and left. That hit me hard.”

While things have changed due to COVID-19, interactions with clients continue to make an impression on Leandro. “These changes are challenging, but we find ways to connect with clients. For example, we see them in the community meal line and catch up with them even though they can’t enter the shelter. This maintains our rapport with them.”

Andrew joined a bit later, after working in a group home. “I’ve learned a lot about homelessness since coming here, especially how debilitating mental illness can be. I’ve also learned about empathy, compassion, and discretion in terms of how to respond to clients to meet their needs. Each client is different, and each teaches me tolerance, acceptance and how to support each person. Ultimately all clients want to move on from the shelter, and we want them to do that. We help them along their way to independence, everything from helping them get their meds, to small thing such as handing out toiletries.”

“I’ve seen increasing diversity among our clients, including students and refugees. Coming from an immigrant family, this breaks my heart. Homelessness is completely non-discriminatory, and anyone can become homeless. Clients appreciate the support they receive across programs, which is phenomenal. I’m happy to hear from former clients after they’ve left the shelter and are doing well.” Leandro says.

Andrew notes the support he receives from his team. “I’ve learned a lot from staff here and am really thankful. The training we get here is fantastic. And the mentorship from supervisors and our manager Mikel is great. Our team members trust each other and look out for each other. We take care of each other.” This extends to Leandro as well. “I’m reassured that Leandro’s on my team and has my back.”

“We wouldn’t be here if The Mission didn’t do good work,” Leandro notes.

The Ottawa Mission Marks One Million Hours of Service to Ottawa since 1906

Our special report on this anniversary is available here.

Ottawa, ON – Today, representatives from The Ottawa Mission, Ottawa city council and the province marked the one millionth hours that the shelter has been in existence since its foundation in September 1906. The Mission also released a major report on its impact within the community during the past year, accomplishments that were achieved in the midst of both the Covid-19 pandemic and the homelessness emergency gripping Ottawa.

“The Ottawa Mission was founded less than 50 years after Confederation. At that time, Canada had a population of 6.5 million people. More than 50% of Canadians lived in rural areas. Neither women nor Indigenous peoples could vote. Average life expectancy was 50 years,” noted Councillor Catherine McKenney, City Council’s Special Liaison for Housing and Homelessness, who MC’ed the event.

Last year, the Ottawa Mission:

  • Provided shelter for 1,755 unique individuals. Last year also marked the third straight year that the shelter has been at more than 100% capacity.
  • Served an average of 1,422 meals per day, or an astonishing 520,373 meals per year.
  • Supported an astounding 17,713 patient consults within its health clinic while also dealing with Covid19.
  • Successfully housed 202 people last year, a particular challenge given restrictions imposed by Covid19.
  • Graduated 104 and 123 students respectively from its educational and job training programs as well as Addiction and Trauma Services.

Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley noted the parallels between the profound hardship of the Great Depression and current situation due to Covid19 and lack of access to affordable housing. “In 1929, the Mission served just over 73,000 meals. By 1932, we had served over 425,000 meals, a sixfold increase. The shelter also accommodated an overflow of transient men searching for survival in truly desperate times. As during the Great Depression, this year, Covid19 has made our situation even more difficult, with so many people in our community falling on hard times. This, coupled with our emergency situation since then concerning homelessness, has been particularly difficult for us, but we’ve risen to this challenge.”

Chef Ric Allen-Watson also noted the parallels between long ago and today for The Ottawa Mission. “When I learned that the Ottawa Mission has served over 18.3 million meals over one million hours, I thought: Wow. I then thought: what would all of those people have done if the Mission wasn’t here?” He continued. “The pandemic has made community hunger much, much worse. Hungry community members now receive three meals at once through our garage entrance. I’ve personally seen people who are so hungry that they rip the bag of food open as soon as they get it. That’s why we continue with this service.”

Former Board of Directors President Paul Mckechnie noted the evolution of The Ottawa Mission emergency services to help those in need improve their lives. “My history here goes back a long way. My father was a board member here. He brought me here over 60 years ago, and I’ve been attached to the Mission ever since. it’s both remarkable and poignant to consider what has changed, and yet, what remains the same about The Ottawa Mission. When I see the growth in services and the broad range of services that the Mission offers, it’s both thrilling and humbling to watch it grow.”

Manager of Housing Services Marc Gallant noted the results of the first year of the Mission’s new Housing Department, a tangible demonstration of the Mission’s commitment to safe and affordable housing as a human right. “Before COVID-19, we had made great strides in finding homes for shelter guests and diverting people to alternate accommodation: housing placements were up 34% and those diverted were up by 61%. After the pandemic was declared, many external agencies curtailed or stopped their operations altogether, and requirements to stay home made it difficult to support clients in their housing searches. However, staff persevered and continued to offer support when and where they could. As a result, we placed 202 people into housing, a 4.7% increase over last year, and the number of individuals diverted away from the shelter to alternative accommodation increased to 168, or 37.7%. These impressive results under very difficult circumstances provide a positive outlook for the future on our work to ensure that everyone has a home.”

Councillor Mathieu Fleury noted The Mission’s results concerning homelessness. “I’m glad to see the success of the Mission’s Housing Department. These efforts need to continue to grow, with support from the City of Ottawa. In addition to our City’s housing and homelessness emergency, the effects of COVID19 have clearly demonstrated the gaps in services available to our most vulnerable. The Mission works hard every day to support those in need in our community.”

Mayor Jim Watson noted the recent partnership between the City of Ottawa and the shelter to keep people safe during the pandemic. “The City has been very pleased to work with the Mission’s staff and other homelessness service providers concerning both the Routhier self-isolation centre for Covid19 as well as the Jim Durrell Centre and the Dempsey Community Centre to support social distancing measures within the shelter system to ensure that shelter guests, employees, and volunteers remain safe.”

Jacques de Moissac representing MPP Lucille Collard noted the particular challenges facing the provincial riding of Rideau-Vanier. “The riding of Rideau-Vanier has unique challenges. Unfortunately, it has the highest usage of food banks in all of Ontario. MPP Collard is glad to know that the Ottawa Mission is here to meet the needs of our constituents for access to healthy food. To have served over 520,000 meals last year and over 18 million meals over these past million hours is truly amazing.

Councillor McKenney also noted the changes to those who have sought The Mission’s help over time. “As the oldest and largest homeless shelter in Ottawa, the Mission has changed remarkably to continue to meet the needs of our most vulnerable community members. As it has changed, those who turn to the shelter for help have changed as well: both men and women; those from racialized communities, including refugees and new immigrants; those who are First Nations, Inuit and Métis; those who belong to gender and sexual minorities; and those of different faiths, or of no faith. I congratulate the Ottawa Mission for continuing to deliver your essential services to our most vulnerable community members. This is especially important now given the twin challenges that our community continues to face from both a homelessness emergency, and also the Covid19 pandemic,” they 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 2018 – 2019, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 195 men every night and served an average of 1,358 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, PLEASE CONTACT:

Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
613-712-3092
E-mail: aleo@ottawamission.com

Why I turned to The Mission for help: MICHEL

Michel is a semi-retired senior who moved to Ottawa in 2019 from Quebec to be closer to his son. Prior to moving, he had no idea how difficult it would be to find affordable housing in the nation’s capital, where rents have soared by over 13% in the past two years (the highest increase in Canada). Michel’s experience is unfortunately not unique: single older males saw a significant increase in the average length of stay in Ottawa shelters from 2018-2019. With nowhere to go, he ended up at The Mission, where he spent over seven months in the shelter trying to access affordable housing. At first he tried to find a place on his own, but then accepted the help he was offered by Shayna of The Mission’s Housing Department. After seven months, he moved into an apartment managed by Ottawa Community Housing.

“My apartment is very nice. I’m grateful to The Mission and to Shayna for helping me find my own place.”

Why I partner with The Mission: CYNTHIA

Cynthia is a Nurse Practitioner who has worked at The Mission’s health clinic since 2011, with a one year pause to obtain her PhD in Nursing. In addition to the clinic, she also provides care to vulnerable community members at other shelters, within people’s homes, and, as part of the response to COVID-19, in the assessment van where she tests patients. “Some clients can’t come to the clinic so we go to them.” Cynthia calls this approach “healthcare without walls”. “I appreciate the flexibility to meet people where they’re at and get them the care they need.” Cynthia also connects care providers and vulnerable patients through virtual care online.

It means a lot to Cynthia to earn trust and break down barriers to care for people who are homeless or insecurely housed, and help them overcome impediments to obtaining healthcare which include physical or mental illness and past negative experiences with the healthcare system. “Some people fear homelessness or people who have addictions. When you get to know them, you come to understand they’re the same as we are: human beings.”

Why I work for The Mission: DYLAN

Dylan has had a lot of pain and hardship in his young life. But he has also accomplished more than he ever dreamed possible, and credits The Mission for supporting him when he needed it most.

When he was very young, Dylan had fallen into alcohol and drugs, and spent time in jail. Although his remorse was overwhelming, with the love of his family, he achieved his high school diploma while incarcerated, and also discovered he loved working in the kitchen there. Upon release, he enrolled in and graduated from the FSTP, and then from Algonquin College’s Culinary Management Program on the Dean’s List and Honour Roll!

Dylan felt part of something special at The Mission: for the first time in his life, he didn’t feel judged. He got a job in The Mission’s kitchen in 2019, and built on this in 2020 by becoming the new FSTP Coordinator. “I really developed a passion for helping people because if someone could do that for me, I should be paying it forward.”

Why I volunteer for The Mission: LAURIANNE

Laurianne has volunteered continuously at The Mission since 2006,except for two periods away. She works in the kitchen and the clothing room. During COVID-19, she worked five shifts a week. “It’s my pleasure and duty to serve clients; I feel inspired to help them. They need and deserve it.”

Laurianne’s favourite task is to serve meals. “I enjoy interacting with clients. I greet them with a smile, address Francophone clients in French, ask how they are, and try to remember their preferences. I want them to know that they matter. When you offer warmth and sincerity, even those that don’t respond initially begin, over time, to respond, to smile back and a connection is made, which is precious.”

Laurianne’s service has taught her a lot about homelessness. “You realize how precarious life can be. All it takes is for one thing to go wrong and anyone can become homeless. And many are trapped in homelessness because of the lack of affordable housing in Ottawa.”

Help The Ottawa Mission Feed the Hungry this Thanksgiving by Donating Frozen Turkeys

Ottawa, ON – As we head into the fall, planning is well underway for The Ottawa Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner, which will take place on Monday October 12th.

Covid19 protocols to keep shelter guests, community members, employees and volunteers safe while continuing to deliver essential support continue at the shelter. Accordingly, the meal for shelter guests will begin at 11:30 am in the Mission dining room. The Thanksgiving meal for community members who would otherwise go hungry will be available at the garage entrance beginning at 1:00 pm. To continue to support vulnerable community members as much as possible, The Mission will also continue to provide two additional meals for community members to take with them.

On any given day, The Ottawa Mission serves 1,358 meals to shelter residents and those in need in the community. During Thanksgiving, The Mission will provide 2,000 – 2,500 meals for this special occasion for those who would otherwise go hungry.

“It takes between 80-100 large turkeys, or about 2500 pounds of turkey, to feed everyone who comes to our special Thanksgiving dinner,” says Chef Ric Watson, Director of Food Services at The Mission. “Our kitchen volunteers and staff are working very hard to ensure that to ensure everyone will have a delicious turkey dinner by preparing for this very special event in advance.”

Also on the menu will be: savory stuffing (30 pans); mashed potato (450lbs); roasted vegetables (350lbs); vegetarian quiche (150 portions); fresh baked rolls (250 dozen); giblet gravy (50 gallons); pumpkin tarts with whipped cream (2500 portions); and bottled water and juice (2500 units).

Frozen turkey donations can be dropped off between 7 am – 5 pm at the garage entrance to The Ottawa Mission at the corner of Waller and Besserer. Please ring the bell and a staffperson will arrive to receive your donation.

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 2018- 2019, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 195 men every night and served an average of 1,358 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, PLEASE CONTACT:

Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
E-mail: aleo@ottawamission.com

Doing Nothing Could Cost Plenty

It used to be all about protecting his family – making sure a guardian had been named and that there would be enough money to raise the children in the event of a tragedy.  They had been taught that having a current Will was essential!  But now that the children were grown and his wife had passed away, he wasn’t sure what a new Will should look like.

He had heard from others that his estate could hold a big tax bill. He didn’t have to pay taxes on the bank accounts and investments he had shared with his wife when she died but what would happen when he passed away?

His advisor affirmed that Estate Planning was important because his life situation had changed.  When they laid out his financial landscape and added up all his assets, he was surprised at the number. The values of his home, life insurance policies, RRSP’s and RRIF’s, and investment accounts added up to a few hundred thousand dollars.  They also determined that he did have a tax liability on his estate.

“Doing nothing will cost your estate plenty; doing some simple planning can benefit so many.”

If he didn’t change his Will, about 50% of the value of his RRSP and RRIF could be lost to taxes because their entire value would be treated as income in the year of his death.  The capital gains on the few stocks he owned would also cost his estate money.

As he became more and more uncomfortable with the thought of so much money being paid in taxes, his advisor carefully laid out some options:

  • Naming a charity as the beneficiary of his RRSP and RRIF could offer his Estate a donation receipt that would wipe out the taxes owed.
  • Donating stocks directly to charity either while he lived or through his Will would ensure the capital gains were eliminated.
  • Changing the beneficiary on the small life insurance policy he had owned for so long to charity would allow him to claim the premiums as donations while he lived or would offer a donation receipt for the whole death benefit when he died.
  • Leaving a percentage of his Estate to charity in his Will would provide a legacy that would reflect his life and the things that were important to him.

His planning would serve to eliminate any taxation on his estate and would still leave his children with an inheritance that would help them out while the charities he chose would also receive generous support.

Although this isn’t a real story, it is an example of many people that our partners at ADVISORS with Purpose work with every day.

ADVISORS with Purpose (AWP) is part of the family of ministries of Financial Discipleship Canada. As a Mission partner, AWP offers free and confidential estate plans for our donors, helping these donors fulfill their desire to be faithful stewards of assets that will be left behind in their estate and will. This confidential service is provided at no cost to Mission supporters; there are no obligations and the Estate Advisors will never try to sell you any product.

For more information or to set up a time to speak with an Estate Advisor, click here or contact Advisors with Purpose at plan@advisorswithpurpose.ca