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.

When you meet Wenyin for the first time you are struck by his beaming smile and humble nature. And when you hear about his journey over the past year, you can’t help but be amazed by how much he has turned his life around in such a short space of time.

Wenyin is 36 and emigrated to Canada with his mother and sister from South Sudan fourteen years ago seeking asylum from persecution. Wenyin struggled for many of those fourteen years, and his self-destructive behaviour caused a rift in his family.

Things came to a head in the fall of 2016 when Wenyin lost his property management job and his apartment. He came to The Ottawa Mission in crisis and has not turned back. Right away he started attending our Day Program – a drop in session for men suffering from addiction. He also visited our medical clinic where he received treatment for depression, and strengthened his commitment to healing by attending our daily chapel service and participating in bible study.

When Wenyin learned about our Stepping Stones Learning Centre, he grasped the opportunity to improve his future job prospects by working on completing his high school education. At this writing, he is just a couple of months away from achieving this. But there’s more! Wenyin also completed a Custodial Training Program offered by St. Nicholas Adult High School, and this summer he is working every morning at Inspiration Village in the Byward Market as part of a maintenance team keeping the site in pristine condition.

As Wenyin says, “Before I came to The Mission, I had never completed anything I started, and I was wasting my life. Now, with the support and encouragement of everyone I have met at The Mission, I have accomplished more than I could have imagined. They keep me motivated and I still feel inspired every day.”

Congratulations, Wenyin. We are inspired too!

Glen has spent much of his adult life in and out of shelters across Canada, including The Ottawa Mission, struggling with addiction and trying to find a way to stabilize his life.

Glen stayed with us for several months last year and says although life is pretty chaotic living in a shelter and sharing a dorm with others, he feels The Mission is one of the best shelters in Canada. He appreciates the volunteers and staff that work hard every day to keep the shelter clean and prepare meals for people staying here. Glen goes on to say, “Dealing with a serious addiction for most of my life left me on the streets for years. I’m a very private person and asking for help was hard – I always felt judged. But I didn’t feel that way at The Mission. A housing case manager worked with me to find a safe and affordable place to live which, in turn, stabilized my life. I live alone and still visit The Mission from time to time for a meal because it is a very welcoming place.”

Glen adds that even now that he has his own place he continues to receive support for practical things like how to pay bills and establish routine in his life. Glen has few friends and admits loneliness can hit sometimes. But he’s very happy to finally have a place of his own and grateful to The Mission and its supporters for their generosity.