Food Services Training Program graduate 27 students to new careers and lives

Ottawa, ON – Today the Ottawa Mission celebrated the graduation of 27 students of its renowned Food Services Training Program (FSTP) trained at “Chef Ric’s”, the shelter’s social enterprise at 384 Rideau Street.

One of these students is Curasa Clayton, who found the FSTP after moving to Ottawa “looking for a fresh start and a safe place to heal. I was a little worried that I was too old to be trying something so new: to start over in such a way. But I took a deep breath and took the plunge.” After graduation, Curasa will be applying to the Culinary Management program for further training to advance her new career.

Fellow graduate Janine Harrington also found a fresh start through enrolling in the FSTP. “I worked for 15 years as a Registered Massage Therapist. I have always had a passion for nutrition, food and cooking. When I started this program, I was pumped, because I knew I was challenging myself on many levels. I’m kind of stubborn, so I put my foot down and said “You can do anything for 4 months and you’re doing this.” Janine is currently employed at Tulips and Maple, a catering company, and will be enrolling in the Culinary Management program for further training to advance her culinary career.

This graduating class of 2025 is the first one after the 20th anniversary of the program in 2024. In that time, over 400 students have graduated, 90% of whom went on to careers in the food service industry. The FSTP was created by Chef Ric Allen-Watson, the Mission’s Director of Food Services. Homeless at age 14, he knows the power of paying it forward. “When I started at the Mission in 2002, I saw myself in the faces of the people I served food to. While it was satisfying, it wasn’t enough. That’s why I started the FSTP: to help vulnerable people more by supporting them to become independent. I can’t wait to help even more people over the next 20 years of the program.”

The FSTP is funded entirely by donations. With both homelessness and food insecurity at record levels in Ottawa, this program is needed now more than ever. “I want to express my sincere thanks to our incredibly generous donors, who have changed so many lives in our community for the better by your continuing support for this program,” Ottawa Mission CEO Peter 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 skills. In 2023-2024, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night and served an average of 3,103 meals every day. The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
T 613.234.1144 x 305
C: 613.712.3092
E-mail: aleo@ottawamission.com