Thuraya and her family made the move to Ottawa from Jordan just over a year ago in search of a better life. Her first priority was to find a job, but she ran into the same roadblock experienced by many people – the difficulty of finding work without Canadian experience. Thuraya met with a counsellor at a local community association and when she talked about her passion for cooking she was referred to The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP). She applied, was accepted, and so began her new life!

Thuraya says she learned many new practical skills working in The Mission’s industrial-sized kitchen for five months – from knife skills to proper food handling. But over and above this, the people at The Mission who run the program – Chef Ric and his crew – were very understanding. “They really want you to learn and succeed, and they were very patient and took the time to make sure that I got the help I needed.”

Thuraya graduated from the FSTP this past December and by then she already had a job!

On top of this, she’s working with staff at The Mission’s Stepping Stones Learning Centre to obtain her High School diploma, and she plans to continue her culinary training at the college level.

Thuraya says, “I would like to thank everyone at The Mission and all the people who support this wonderful program! It’s made a big difference in my life, and my family and I are very grateful.”

Cory was just 15 years old when he began his long struggle with addiction. He’s 36 now, and after many attempts at rehab over the years, he finally feels like he has turned the corner thanks to The Ottawa Mission.

Cory entered The Mission’s LifeHouse program last August. LifeHouse is an off-site residential facility that offers five months of intensive addiction and trauma treatment.

For Cory, so many aspects of LifeHouse seemed to make a difference for him. The environment itself, and the exceptional care and compassion he received made him feel safe and secure for the first time in years. And he found the strong focus on dealing with trauma not only innovative, but a very important part of his healing. He says that a lot of effort is put into “figuring out what works for you as an individual. The whole experience was life-changing for me.”

During his time at LifeHouse, Cory also started working on his future. His goal is to become a social worker, so he consulted with our on-site teacher who put him in touch with a career counsellor at Algonquin College. He had all the pre-requisites he needed to apply for their Social Worker program and is expecting to hear about his acceptance in March. And he has his sights set on eventually obtaining a Master’s Degree.

Cory graduated from LifeHouse, is nine months sober, and is living in one of The Mission’s 2nd Stage transitional houses while he continues his recovery. He volunteers at another local shelter, and is happy, motivated, and very hopeful.

As Cory says, “I will be forever grateful to The Mission for their amazing support, and I know now that life can be good!” We wish you all the best, Cory.

Paul is a gentle person whose love of God, and his fellow human beings, shines through in all that he does. He is certified as both a Pastoral Care Worker and a Palliative Care Worker and we, at The Ottawa Mission, are benefitting from his expertise in both areas.

Paul has given the gift of his time every week for the past few years as a volunteer at The Mission’s Hospice. He visits with people who are chronically ill or in palliative care, and each visit is as unique as the individual. Sometimes he prays with them, sometimes he brings magazines and other items they have requested, but many, many times he just listens. And in listening, he says, he often gains new insights that help him in his own life and enrich his faith.

When asked what brought him to The Mission as a volunteer, Paul candidly shares that he is 35 years into his own recovery journey. His empathy for the people served by The Mission is grounded in his own personal experience, in his gratitude for his life, and in his desire to give back. As Paul says, “If I make one spark of a difference, then I have done my job.” And, in fact, The Mission is just one of many organizations that Paul gives his time to as a volunteer.

Supported and coached by his “wonderful wife Lise” – herself a Palliative Care nurse – Paul has carved a special place in the community, at The Ottawa Mission, and in the hearts of the people he helps. Thank you, Paul, for all that you do.

Ottawa-born Jeff is friendly, gracious, and has some interesting stories to share about his life. In his younger days, he spent time on the stage in Toronto – appearing in such productions as “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” and “Godspell”. He then embarked on a career in food services managing and serving in restaurants in several Canadian cities.

Later on in life, Jeff sometimes struggled, and when he had nowhere else to turn, he would stay with us at The Ottawa Mission. He knew he was always welcome here.

Recently Jeff became seriously ill. At 56, he was living alone and when he could no longer take care of himself, the first place he thought of was The Mission’s Hospice. The Hospice is a 21-bed facility attached to the shelter that offers 24 hour care to chronically and terminally ill men and women in need, and the beds are usually all occupied. Thankfully for Jeff, there was room for him when he needed it.

Jeff moved into the Hospice a couple of months ago, and since then he has begun to feel better. He says the Hospice is a very special place. Beyond being clean and bright, and having good food, it’s the staff who make all the difference. In his words, “I am often overwhelmed with gratitude for the care I’m receiving here. The nurses are fantastic – they are very knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. Anyone who is struggling should know that the doors at The Ottawa Mission are always open.”

Jeff hopes to be well enough to return to living in the community in the spring, and when he does, our thoughts and prayers will go with him.

A welder by trade, Joel turned to The Ottawa Mission because he was unemployed, couldn’t find a job, and had nowhere to live. He has since been working with our client services team who are helping him develop a good resume and navigate job opportunities, and his search is well underway. But he still needs our support – and he knows that, thanks to your generosity, our doors will be open for as long as it takes for him to get back on his feet.

In the meantime, something magical has happened in Joel’s life thanks to a program managed by The Mission called Discovery University (Discovery U).

Discovery U allows people who are homeless or living on a low income to participate in non-credit, university-level Humanities and Social Sciences courses at no cost. Thanks to a partnership between The Mission, University of Ottawa, Saint Paul University, Carleton University and First Baptist Church, the courses are taught by university professors and all textbooks and course materials are provided at no cost to the students.

Joel had what he calls a “dormant passion” for photography, so when he found out about a10-week Digital Photography course at Discovery U, he jumped at the chance to take part. This past December, Joel graduated with great praise from his instructors, some of his work has already been published, and it’s also proudly on display at The Mission!

As Joel says, “Discovery U has given me the gift of self-confidence, and I am more determined than ever to find a full time job and to further my education in photography at the college level.” Joel has found hope for a much better future, and we are confident that his dreams can come true. Good luck Joel!

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.