Our History
Since our founding in 1906, we’ve evolved beyond emergency support to provide all the tools people need to rebuild their lives, extending mercy, dignity and compassion to all who enter our doors.
The Beginning
In 1906, a public meeting was held to discuss opening a shelter for homeless men camped along the Ottawa River.
Work began and The Mission officially opened on George Street in January 1907, moving to its current location on Waller Street in 1912.
The Great Test
During the Great Depression, there was an unprecedented surge in men seeking meals and shelter. Government-funded social programs didn’t exist yet, so The Mission rallied community support to expand and meet the need for “soap, soup, and salvation” in a time of extreme hardship.
The Rise of Addiction
Through 1960 to 1980, addiction to illicit drugs became more common. Shelter clients began to include younger men who came to The Mission to find help staying off substances and upgrading their education.
The Evolution of Support
As substance use and mental illness became recognized as the main cause for homelessness in the 1990s, The Mission evolved beyond emergency services to include programs focusing on residential addiction treatment as well as education and employment support.
Since that time, the withdrawal of government support for both affordable and supportive housing have contributed to the catastrophic increase in homelessness.
The Journey to Today
The Mission has continued to adapt to meet the ever-increasing needs of our community, becoming a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right.
The Mission has also introduced a medical and dental health clinic, a hospice, in-shelter mental health care, job training programs, and more.
