Food Services Training Program graduates 32 students to new careers and lives

Ottawa, ON – Today The Ottawa Mission celebrated the graduation of 32 students of its renowned Food Services Training Program (FSTP) trained at “Chef Ric’s”, the shelter’s social enterprise at 384 Rideau Street.

Amongst the graduates are two valedictorians, Ash Perry and Tae Hwan (Joseph) Park, who together demonstrate the wide range of people helped by the program.

In his 50s, Ash is grateful for the opportunity the FSTP has provided as he’s moved on from a recovery house towards stabilizing and relaunching his life. “Beyond the instruction and training… the small things, like the FSTP’s free grocery program, the life coaching, the employment resources, they weren’t actually small things… they were a godsend.”

In his 20s, Joseph knew that he wanted to break into the culinary industry but couldn’t find work. “…the common response I got was that they wanted someone with culinary training. I looked up culinary school but it was very expensive and wasn’t a realistic option for me.”

Now, Joseph has the training to launch his culinary career, where he plans to pursue a path of operating his own commercial food truck or restaurant. Beyond Ash and Jospeh, each and every FSTP graduate has a similar story of hope, perseverance, and transformation.

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. Ninety percent of FSTP graduates go on to careers in the food service industry. This success is one reason for the incredible popularity of the program, with over 250 people applying for this cohort.

“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. And that’s why we’ll be expanding the program this fall to accommodate even more people who need help,” Allen-Watson noted.

The FSTP is funded entirely by donations. With both homelessness and food insecurity at record levels in Ottawa, this program is needed more than ever. “Our incredibly generous donors have changed so many lives in our community for the better by your continuing support for this program. On behalf of our students, thank you so much,” 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 2024-2025, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night and served an average of 3,312 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
aleo@ottawamission.com