BECAUSE OF YOUR GIFT OF HOPE

When we last wrote about Adam, we talked about his dream of pursuing opportunities in the community where he could help others who were struggling in life. We’d like to provide an update on Adam’s progress. But first, a bit of background.

Adam’s early life was filled with hardship and tragedy. Throughout his childhood, his parents suffered from addiction and Adam also fell into addiction in his early teens. By the time he was 20 he had lost two siblings to violent death. He became a father at the age of 22, but lost contact with his son. Adam was living a life filled with anger and mistrust.

Adam came to The Ottawa Mission in 2007 desperate for help. He had heard about our LifeHouse residential addiction treatment program, and was determined to make a change. It’s now been eight years since Adam graduated from LifeHouse, and he still can’t say enough about what he took away from the experience. “I had very few life skills when I came to The Mission. I was also angry at a lot of people in my life. I learned how to forgive – myself and others – and how to manage my addiction. These are priceless gifts, and I feel blessed.”

Adam has turned his blessings into action in the past year and has moved forward with fulfilling his dream. For the past several months, Adam has been volunteering weekly at The Mission’s Day Program where he offers encouragement and support to others who are dealing with trauma and addiction. He has also been spending time helping young offenders at another community agency. And Adam’s other great joy is that he has built a strong and loving relationship with his 14-year old son.

For Adam, the most important message to get across to people who are struggling is that forgiveness is the key – forgiving others who have caused harm in your life, and forgiving yourself. He feels that there is nothing that cannot be overcome in life, and he is living proof.

Congratulations, Adam!

IS GIVING JASON THE CONFIDENCE TO MOVE ON

A simple act of kindness three years ago changed Jason’s life. He was drifting, troubled and homeless when a cab driver saw him sitting by the roadside at 4 a.m. and brought him to The Ottawa Mission. He was welcomed by our Front Line staff and offered food and shelter for as long as he needed it. So much has happened since then.

As with many people who come to us, it took Jason a while to open up and trust people, and to look around him to see what kind of help was available. He began attending the Day Program where he met many other men in the same situation, and still attends on a regular basis. He also visits our medical clinic to get the medication he requires.

But, beyond this, Jason has become an eager student at our Stepping Stones Learning Centre. With the support and guidance of our full-time teacher, he has completed 2 out of 8 online courses as he works towards a certificate in Medical Transcription from Algonquin College. And his marks are excellent!

We’re also happy to report Jason now has a new place to live! He worked with our housing support staff to find a safe and affordable place of his own and they even found him some donations of furniture and a computer so that he can keep up with his schoolwork.

Most importantly, Jason has gained a sense of confidence and self-worth after many years of struggling.

Jason is so thankful to The Mission – especially our learning centre – for the tremendous encouragement they have given him, and continue to give him, as he moves forward with hope. And, as Jason says, “I look forward to someday helping others the way I have been helped at The Mission.”

MADE MERY’S DREAM COME TRUE

Mery moved to Canada from her native Peru ten years ago. While still living in Peru, she studied culinary arts, and always dreamed of making a career out of cooking, but the
opportunities to work in her chosen field in Canada were limited because she lacked the proper credentials. She ended up working in low paying jobs, relying on friends for help, and living in public housing with her husband and three children.

All that changed three years ago when Mery learned about The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program. The 5-month program not only allowed Mery to learn new kitchen skills and work in our industrial kitchen, but allowed her to improve her English language skills – thanks, she says, to a great deal of kindness on the part of The Mission’s Chef Ric and his team.

Mery graduated from the program with flying colours in March 2012. The Christmas while she was still in the program was especially special for Mery and her family. Staff from The Mission, who knew they were struggling financially, showed up at her house with a “ready-made” Christmas, including food and gifts for all the children. Mery will never forget that special day.Since then, with the help of an education subsidy, Mery has completed the 2-year Culinary Management program at Algonquin College which she graduated from with honours this spring. Along the way, Mery won awards in Algonquin’s annual Hot Food Competition, and was a finalist in an international culinary competition held in Montreal this year!

Mery now has the career she always hoped for and, as she says, “I am so thankful for the Food Services Program at The Mission – it gave me the chance I needed to pursue my dream of a better life for me and my family.”

BRINGS COMFORT TO WAYNE

 
This past August, thanks to community donations and a generous corporate gift from TELUS, The Ottawa Mission was able to announce the expansion of its Diane Morrison Hospice from 14 to 21 beds. The Hospice represents a partnership between The Mission and Ottawa Inner City Health and offers 24 hour care to chronically and terminally ill patients who have nowhere else to go. Wayne is one of those patients.

Wayne is 75 years old and spent most of his adult life working in the computer field. He fondly remembers the early days of computer technology when he was an MIS Manager working in service bureaus in both the government and the private sector. So much has changed since those days, but Wayne still keeps current with the latest technology.

Wayne has been staying at the Hospice for the past year while he undergoes treatment for cancer. Before he came to us, he had spent considerable time in and out of hospital. He lived alone in subsidized housing, and there finally came a time when he knew he could no longer take care of himself.

Thankfully for Wayne, and so many other men and women like him, he had The Mission Hospice to turn to. He is comfortable in his room, surrounded by his computers, and knows that he will be taken care of for as long as he needs us.

The Hospice is a special place, clean and nicely decorated and, more importantly, filled with a sense of compassion and dignity. On behalf of Wayne and all the patients who will be spending this Christmas in loving care, we thank you for your support.

YOUR GIFT OF HOPE MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE

Hope can make a world of difference for someone staying in a shelter any day of the year – but especially during the Christmas season. Our caring and compassionate volunteers, donors and staff do so much to bring comfort and joy to those who have nowhere else to go.

Last week, I had a conversation with Luc.  He has been staying with us for the past 3 months, trying to find work and save up enough money to pay for his first and last months’ rent at a new apartment. Luc told me that it’s the acts of kindness that touch him the most – like people dropping by the shelter with donations of winter gloves or bringing in Christmas baking to share with people who come to The Mission for meals. For him, the spirit of Christmas glows warm and bright here at The Mission every day because he knows that, with your support, he can make it through this difficult time in his life.

We also recently celebrated with the men and women who have just completed the Food Services Training Program in our kitchen. Our friend Steve tells me that not only does he have a job now that he’s completed the program, but he has renewed hope for a better life.

Thank you for supporting the people who come to The Mission. Your gift of hope helps them find their way.

Have a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

By Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen October 22, 2015

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Article Summary

On a Mission to make chefs

Laura Robin, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: October 22, 2015 |

For the last three years, the Ottawa Wine & Food Festival has partnered with The Ottawa Mission, donating thousands of dollars from unused drink tickets and empty wine bottles to help buy Christmas dinners for the homeless. This year, the tables will be turned.

At a session called Mission: Potable on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 31, men and women from the Mission will be cooking small plates of Christmas dinner for well-heeled festival goers. The event is aimed at offering attendees tips on preparing holiday meals and choosing wines to match, but it shines a light on a remarkable program.

For the last decade, Mission chef Ric Watson — himself a survivor of addiction and life on the street — has offered chef training through a program at The Mission.

“A handful of the students have been homeless, staying at the Mission, but all have been on social services and at risk,” says Watson. “The program began very basic, but it has grown and evolved. Now we put on two five-month programs each year.”

And here’s the kicker: “We’ve had a 100-per-cent placement rate for our last three classes of graduates.”

John Raymond says he saw a notice about the chef’s training program when he was in The Mission’s cafeteria for lunch.

“It appealed to me because I had worked as a cook before, at The Olive Garden on Merivale Road,” says the 52-year-old. “Then I worked for 28 years as a tire technician for Goodyear, but that blew out my knees.

“I was in the Mission’s recovery zone when I started the program. Now I’ve been clean and sober for eight months. The program is absolutely amazing. Chef Ric is a fantastic teacher. I’ve also received my high school diploma through the credits I’ve got from his course.

“I’ve been hired to work in the kitchen at Carleton University,” he said last Friday. “I start this afternoon.”

The program, which is funded through donations and partnered with Ontario Works (a program for people in financial need), includes practical experience in The Mission’s spotless kitchen, classroom lessons in The Mission’s chapel and placements in Ottawa restaurant kitchens and catering companies.

Watson smiles when he talks about another student who was a political refugee from Africa and could not speak English when he arrived at The Mission.

“He finished the course, got his high-school diploma and went on to do the two-year culinary program at Algonquin College. Now he works full-time and has his own house. He still stops by to say hello.”

The seven remaining students in this fall’s program at The Mission (several others have already been hired to work elsewhere) will not only help prepare the holiday meal for the Wine & Food Festival session at 2 p.m. Oct. 31, they will also assist chefs from the Canadian Culinary Chefs
Federation prepare high-end hors d’oeuvres for the premium Tasting Alleys on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

“It’s a fantastic chance to get experience,” says Raymond.

Joan Culliton, producer of the Wine & Food Festival, says she hopes the festival’s relationship with the program will continue to grow.

“Last year, when Jamie Kennedy was here, he wanted to go over and meet the staff at The Mission — that was very impressive,” says Culliton.

“Right now, one of the sexiest things you can do is be a chef. What Ric is doing is helping people build a next chapter of their lives. We couldn’t be more proud to be involved.

AS I RETIRE…

Many of you will remember the moment when my wife Diane Morrison retired from the good work she had accomplished at The Ottawa Mission. Like my wife before me, I have spent 23 years in faithful service to this ministry and I have decided that the moment has arrived when I should join her in retirement.

Diane and I dedicated ourselves to the work of The Mission, and it has been a privilege and a blessing to be part of your lives for these many years.  I am grateful for the generosity that you, our donors, have shown over the years, through your gifts and your prayers.  Diane and I will now join you as people who support The Mission from a distance by offering our prayers and our gifts for the sake of those who are lonely and homeless.

For Diane and I, this has been our life’s work. With your help we have been able to accomplish much. As we enter our retirement years together, we will continue to be proud of the good work that a new generation of leaders will now carry forward. For the sake of the homeless, we know that you will continue to support them with the same kind of dedication. Thank you for the many years of steadfast faithfulness you have shown during the time of our leadership at The Mission. Thank you for continuing to be faithful to this important ministry.

May God give you every good blessing!

People who volunteer at The Ottawa Mission are motivated to do so for many reasons. For Lilly Priebe and her daughter, Kelsey Gutoskie, their motivation is deeply personal. Just over a year ago, Lilly and Kelsey lost Jordan, their son and brother respectively, to mental illness. Jordan was part of a warm and loving family, and was himself a very kind and caring person. In his memory, Lilly and Kelsey wanted to do something to help others who were suffering who did not have the benefit of family love and support. Their journey led them all the way from Pembroke to volunteer at The Mission.

They have served long hours at our Christmas and Easter holiday dinners, and also fundraised close to $3,000 for our Coldest Night of the Year walk in February. In May, Lilly celebrated her birthday – the first one since losing Jordan. Kelsey wanted this to be a special, uplifting celebration for her mother, so she arranged for them to volunteer in our kitchen that day. She also arranged with the kitchen staff to serve birthday cake to all those who came in for their lunch that day – a real treat!

Lilly and Kelsey would be the first to admit that they are getting so much more from their volunteer work than they are giving. As Lilly says, “The atmosphere at The Mission is wonderful. People who are hungry and homeless are treated with the dignity and human kindness that everyone deserves. And the smiles you get from those you serve are like gifts.”

Lilly and Kelsey are committed to continuing to travel in from Pembroke to The Mission whenever they can, and we are so thankful to have them as part of our volunteer family.

Filomeno arrived in Canada as a refugee from Angola in April 2014. After several months, he still lacked the proper paperwork to enable him to seek employment, and his housing arrangements fell through. This young man had always worked hard, and he was heartbroken at the thought of being homeless. Someone suggested that he seek shelter at The Ottawa Mission, and Filomeno has not looked back!

While staying at the shelter, Filomeno connected with our Client Services Centre, where staff helped him develop a plan for his future. His goals were clear from the start. He wanted to find a job, and he wanted to find a way to give back to his new community.

As a first step, Filomeno looked for a way to improve his English skills. We helped him to enroll in a five month course called “ESL for the Trades” and he passed with flying colours! He also joined our French Club to improve his communication skills. Finally, our staff worked with Filomeno to develop his resume, and helped him obtain his work permit.

Today, Filomeno has achieved his two goals. He is working part time as a dishwasher, and he is volunteering several times a week at another charity where he works in the garden and helps out at their food bank. He has also applied for housing and looks forward to living on his own and continuing to give back in whatever way he can.

Filomeno can’t say enough about the help he has received at The Mission. In his own words, “I am thankful for all the support in this building – you just feel as though everybody cares about you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Barry completed The Ottawa Mission’s LifeHouse addiction treatment program four years ago. During his time with us, he decided to focus not only on his recovery, but also on rebuilding his health. So Barry began participating in The Mission’s weekly Run/Walk Program which provides men staying at the shelter with the opportunity to take part in outdoor exercise with the support of a volunteer coach.

Barry took the program to a whole new level and in 2011, his first year as a runner, he completed a half marathon! This past spring, Barry provided us with an update on his running activities, and we’d like to share this with you.

“I recently participated in Ottawa Race Weekend and completed my second full marathon! What’s more, I set a new personal best, 4 hours and 7 minutes, beating last year’s time by 7 minutes! I’ve come a long way since I first started to run four years ago during my time at The Ottawa Mission.

The Mission supported me through a very difficult time and helped me discover running, which has taught me many of life’s hard learned lessons, like patience, endurance, goal-setting, acceptance and self-love. It has allowed me to spend time with myself and take care of my body by exercising and being mindful of what I eat. I also exercise my mind by meditating while running and being in the moment.

Every time I stop by The Mission I see familiar faces, warm smiles, and people who don’t judge me because of my past, and I’m hoping I can help give back some of what was freely given to me.”

Barry used this marathon, and last year’s as well, to raise funds for The Ottawa Mission for which we are so grateful. It’s wonderful to see a young man not only achieve his sobriety goals, but improve his life in ways that he never dreamed were possible.

Mission accomplished!