After retirement, Doug had the time to respond to the deep spiritual and emotional pull he felt inside to help those in need. Yet despite that longstanding pull, Doug still wasn’t prepared for the sense of fulfillment and shift in perspective he underwent once he became a regular Mission volunteer.
Summer 2025 Newsletter
More Than a Meal: Doug's Story
“For reasons I cannot explain, volunteering at The Ottawa Mission has always been placed upon my heart.”
While Doug had already helped many in need as a longtime donor to The Mission, when he started volunteering, he discovered an even deeper sense of gratitude and community connection. But, when he first started out, he was unsure what to expect.
He aimed to serve Mission clients with courtesy and respect, and that’s exactly what he ended up receiving back from them — along with a healthy dose of appreciation.
“Experiencing the clients’ gratitude, even with their struggles, has had a significant impact on my outlook on life and my appreciation of what I have.”
With a laugh, Doug shares how Ron, a regular community client he’s come to know, always walks back through the meal line after eating. Not to get more food, but to thank everyone one more time before he leaves to continue on with his day.
Doug was also moved by what goes into each and every Mission meal service. As Doug says, we’re all one extended family at The Mission, and that includes you as a donor!
“When I talk to people about The Mission, they often assume we’re a simple soup kitchen. I tell them, it’s so much more than that. The love and quality that goes into the food here… it shows the clients that we care.”
A Hot Meal. A Sore Knee. And a Decision That Saved His Life: Dan's Story
Dan had never even heard of our DYMON Health Clinic. Living on a fixed income and looking for help to make ends meet, he was visiting our Mission dining room for a community meal when he noticed our clinic next door. He hadn’t seen a family doctor in almost a decade and was experiencing some persistent knee pain. So, after his meal, he decided to drop in for an appointment.
Dan was seen by Sara, one of our nurse practitioners. As part of a general check-up, she took Dan’s blood pressure. The results told her that Dan might be suffering from something worse than just a sore knee.
Dan was asked to come back in for some follow-up tests, and, unfortunately, they soon determined that he had lung cancer. But within about a month, Dan was in surgery and the cancer was removed.
“I’d been to other clinics about my knee, and they’d just tell me to ice it. If The Mission’s clinic hadn’t caught my cancer, I wouldn’t be here today. I was so impressed by the level of professionalism: they truly care.”
Now cancer free, Dan happily relies on the clinic for all his health needs: he’s received additional treatment for his kidneys, and our eye clinic even connected him with an ophthalmologist where he underwent successful cataract surgery!
“It’s so fortunate that I stopped in after my meal at The Mission. There’s nothing else like this clinic in Ottawa.”
School's Out For These Inspiring Graduates
As young students finish their school year and head into summer, we’re so proud of our own clients who’ve proven that learning can be a lifelong pursuit at the MCA Ottawa Stepping Stones Learning Centre (SSLC).
Your support has ensured that three of our SSLC students — under the guidance of our in-house teacher, Kathy — will complete major educational programs this June.
Kristen first heard about our classroom while staying in a local women’s shelter. She took Kathy’s classes to obtain her high school diploma and now she’s set to graduate from Algonquin College’s Law Clerk Program — as an Honours Student.
And that’s not all. Clients Spencer and Christine will be attending an OCDSB graduation ceremony to receive their high school diplomas for their dedicated studies in Kathy’s classroom.
These are incredible milestones for Kristen, Spencer and Christine.
Upcoming Events
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Location: The Ottawa Mission (53 Daly Street)
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Doors Open Ottawa is a free annual event where key locations in the city open to the public for tours. This is your chance to explore the meaningful work that happens behind The Mission’s famous blue doors. No registration is required – tours will be approximately 40-minutes long, running at 20-minute intervals.
Date: Running until August 24, 2025
Location: Ottawa Art Gallery (50 Mackenzie King Bridge)
Normee Ekoomiak was an Inuk storyteller from Nunavik. He was also the first official client of our hospice back in 2001. Once in our hospice care Normee began to heal — and pursue his love of art. We encourage you to visit and take in Normee’s incredible work. It is a reflection of the beauty that lives in everyone we serve at The Mission.
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Location: Infinity Convention Centre (2901 Gibford Drive)
Time: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
We’re thrilled to mark the 21st anniversary of The Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP) at this year’s Blue Door Gala, proudly presented by Caivan. Named after The Ottawa Mission’s iconic blue doors, the gala symbolizes new beginnings and real hope.
Summer of Hope
Did you know that 1 in 4 families in Ottawa don’t have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food? Hunger in Ottawa has skyrocketed, spreading to every corner of our city. The lineups in The Ottawa Mission’s dining room and at our food trucks are only getting longer.
Thanks to a generous group of donors, all gifts made until June 30 will be MATCHED. That means your gift will bring TWICE as many meals directly to community members, right where they are.
The warm, nourishing meals provided by our Food Truck Program allow vulnerable people to stretch their resources to stay housed, pay bills and get back on their feet. Donate now and help us reach more neighbours in need this summer. Thank you for making this a Summer of Hope!