As part of our efforts to continue to support the most vulnerable in our community while ensuring the safety and security of our clients, in the wake of CV19, we have made the following adjustments to our programs:

• The Shelter is open only to staff, scheduled volunteers and residents who are booked in.
• Shelter residents continue to receive 3 meals per day.
• Take-out community meals are available from 1 – 1:30 pm at the entrance at the corner of Waller and Besserer
• All visits to the Hospice have been suspended.
• The Dymon Health Clinic is following strict protocols concerning prevention, containment and assessment.
• Client Services building is closed
• Case management and mental health supports available at the shelter entrance at 35 Waller

The following programs have been suspended until further notice:

• Day Program
• Chapel Service
• Client educational programs (Stepping Stones Learning Centre and Discovery U)
• Food Services Training Program
• All Client social activities

In this extraordinary time, we appreciate the understanding of our clients and the community concerning these changes, and we will review on a continuous basis to keep people safe and ensure continued needed services. Your generous support in this time of need will ensure that these essential activities continue.

As the COVID-19 situation unfolds in Ottawa, the Ottawa Mission is working closely with Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa Inner City Health and our partner emergency shelters to ensure the health and safety of everyone who interacts with our organization. We are in continual contact to ensure we have the most current information and can adjust our operations accordingly as the situation unfolds.

We are continuing to support and care for the most vulnerable members of our community and we will not close our doors or stop accepting new clients who need our continuing support and care. The wellbeing of our clients and shelter guests, community members who rely on us, volunteers, partners who help provide our many essential services, and our employees who provide exceptional support to those who need it remains our top priority.

All our regular activities have been reviewed in detail and modified to minimize the risk of infection while maintaining essential services for our clients. The health of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is often compromised which may leave them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Given this reality, we are adjusting our operating procedures to ensure that the risk to our shelter guests and other populations remains as low as possible. Strict protocols are in place to identify possible cases of COVID-19 should they be present. We have taken appropriate measures for assessment, testing, and care in the event of a possible case of COVID-19.

We have increased and enhanced our cleaning procedures, and have disseminated information provided by Ottawa Public Health to our staff, clients, residents, volunteers, and community partners so that they are aware of both the symptoms associated with COVID-19, and best practices to minimize its spread, including regular handwashing and social distancing.

We are continuing to do our part to ensure community health and safety. We are working closely together to maintain services to our clients while ensuring strict cleanliness and disinfection practices, as well as the need to identify possible cases and reporting them to Ottawa Public Health.

In this difficult time for organizations serving the most vulnerable in our community, monetary donations are the best way to support our work. If you wish to make a donation, you can do so here. Due to the rapidly changing nature of COVID-19 and the vulnerable population that we support, we are not accepting in-kind donation drop-offs or visitors until further notice.

In January, Ottawa city council declared an emergency situation regarding homelessness with unprecedented numbers of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. We will do everything in our power to meet their needs as we work our way through this.

We will continue to provide timely updates through our website and social media channels. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to work diligently to ensure the continued safety of our clients and all those who need our support.

On behalf of our guests and the staff at The Ottawa Mission, please accept our thoughts and prayers for you and your loved ones.  We remain deeply grateful for your continuing support.

Peter Tilley

CEO, Ottawa Mission

OTTAWA, ON – Friday, March 13, 2020 – As the COVID-19 situation unfolds in Ottawa, The Ottawa Mission, Shepherds of Good Hope, The Salvation Army, and Cornerstone Housing for Women are working closely with Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa Inner City Health to ensure the health and safety of everyone who interacts with our organizations.

The wellbeing of our clients in our shelters, residents in supportive housing, community members who visit us, volunteers, partners who help provide our many services, and our employees who provide exceptional support to our vulnerable populations is our top priority.

Strict protocols are in place to identify possible cases of COVID-19 should they be present. We are prepared to take appropriate measures for assessment, testing, and care in the event of a possible case of COVID-19.

All shelters have increased cleaning in our buildings and have disseminated information provided by Ottawa Public Health to our staff, clients, residents, volunteers, and community partners so that they are aware of best practices, including regular handwashing.

All of us are continuing to do our part to ensure community health and safety. We are working closely together to maintain strict cleanliness and disinfection practices as well as to identify possible cases and report them to Ottawa Public Health.

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For more information about this issue our organizations would kindly ask that all media inquires be directed to Ottawa Public Health, as they take the lead on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

With bitter temperatures and a colder than normal winter forecast, The Ottawa Mission is urging governments at all levels to work together to address the worsening situation concerning homelessness in Ottawa and nationally. This comes as a new public opinion poll by Nanos Research indicates significant concern about the impact of homelessness both in Ottawa and nationally, and a strong desire for governments to work with other stakeholders towards solutions.

Click here for the media release in English

Cliquez ici pour le communiqué de presse en français

Click here for the Impact Report

Click here for the Nanos Research Poll

Ottawa, ON – During The Ottawa Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner, which was held on October 14^th, the shelter served 2,948 meals. On any given day, the Ottawa Mission serves over 1450 meals to shelter residents and those in need in the community. During special meals such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, The Mission provides 2,500 – 3,000 meals for those who would otherwise go hungry. In addition to warm and nutritious food, the Thanksgiving dinner provides a sense of shared community and fellowship to those in Ottawa who may not only go hungry, but also find themselves alone.

On the menu was: roasted turkey (2500 pounds); turkey savory stuffing (30 pans); baked ham (300lbs); mashed potato (450lbs); corn niblets and roasted red peppers (350lbs); green beans almandine (350lbs); assorted pies (2500 units); fresh baked rolls (250 dozen); and giblet gravy (50 gallons).

According to Ottawa Public Health, one in 15 households in Ottawa is food insecure. Food insecurity contributes to poor mental health, diabetes and heart disease. On a yearly basis, The Mission serves almost 479,000 meals to shelter residents and members of the community at large.

“Poverty, homelessness and food insecurity are serious public health issues. We at the Ottawa Mission are doing our part to address food insecurity and keep people healthy through our meal program,” said Ottawa Mission Executive Director Peter Tilley.

Since the 2008 recession, the numbers of food banks and their clients have increased by almost 30%. The City of Ottawa has some of the highest concentrations of hidden hunger in the province. The riding of Rideau-Vanier in which The Mission is located has the highest use of food banks in the entire province: 15% of residents visited a food bank in 2018 — more than 16,500 people. As well, Ottawa South and Ottawa West-Nepean are among the 10 ridings across the province with the most food bank users per capita.

“Our kitchen volunteers and staff worked very hard to ensure that to ensure everyone had a delicious turkey dinner. Our frontline staff went the extra mile to ensure that all who entered our Mission could be accommodated. And our donors and supporter have been profoundly generous in their support. A huge thank you to all,” Tilley 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 2017, The Ottawa Mission sheltered an average of 236 men every night and served an average of 1,458 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides health services, mental health supports programs, 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
C 613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com