Portraits of The Ottawa Mission: Karen Bailey

This is a poignant illustration of the need for food in Ottawa. In the words of one client, “I don’t have to go hungry today.” Food truck meals are prepared at Chef Ric’s, The Mission’s new social enterprise at the former Rideau Bakery.

Frank and Corey work in The Mission’s Housing Department, which reflects our commitment to a home for everyone as a fundamental human right. Corey began in Frontline and transitioned to Housing to support shelter guests to move into their own apartments. Frank began in Client Services and moved to Housing to support veterans who are homeless or precariously housed.

Peter Tilley joined The Ottawa Mission in 2013. Working with The Mission’s board of directors and senior management team, he has overseen the implementation of several ambitious strategic initiatives that have significantly expanded the range of services that The Mission provides to shelter guests and vulnerable community members.

Day Program is a drop-in group focused on peer support and education while Hope Program is a live-in treatment program focused on harm reduction. During the pandemic, the Day Program has been limited to clients booked into the Hope Program to minimize the risk of infection.

Emma is the Coordinator of Stabilization, the middle-tier of The Mission’s Addiction and Trauma Services suite of programs, which moves clients who choose to do so toward abstinence. “It can be easy to become homeless because something has gone wrong. It’s not easy for clients to ask for help. I feel humbled and lucky to be part of their stories. Everyone has a story and I’m blessed to create an environment for them to do that.”

As Ottawa’s oldest and largest emergency shelter, The Mission has grown from 12 dorm beds in January 1907 to 177 dorm beds today. Frontline staff book guests in and ensure they are settled in their respective dorms.

Ben has worked in The Mission’s Maintenance Department for over six years. Maintenance ensures that all buildings and systems are in working condition through regular preventative and corrective procedures, as well as planning and upgrading systems to reduce the need for costly and time-consuming emergency repairs.

At The Mission, education is about more than jobs. It’s also about instilling self-confidence, initiative and drive in vulnerable people through removing barriers and nurturing students. Our education programs bring dignity and hope to students who have previously doubted themselves.

Diane Morrison is fondly remembered as The Mission’s first female Executive Director, a position she held from 1992 – 2012. During her time as Mission leader, she brought forward many innovations to expand the supports available to help shelter guests and vulnerable community members rebuild their lives. Diane’s most poignant legacy is the Diane Morrison Hospice, which opened its doors in 2001

Providing care to her clients is extremely important to Mariam. “My passion is to help the needy and dying by assisting in daily living by giving care and providing clients quality care so they can die with dignity. By assisting I get satisfaction.”

Lesley is a nurse practitioner (NP) and has worked in the Mission’s health clinic for the past six years. Staffed by NPs from OICH and colleagues from The Mission, she also confers with healthcare providers external to the shelter. She is also responsible for ordering tests, lab work, and patient follow-up.

Teach someone to cook, and they can feed themselves and support others. For men and women wanting to change their lives, the Food Services Training Program teaches them the theoretical and practical skills needed to work in a commercial kitchen.

Originally a nurse from Ghana, Mercy fled her home in 2019 because she was about to be forced into a marriage not of her choice. Arriving in Canada, she had difficulty securing the support she needed to feel safe, included and valued — until she enrolled in the Food Services Training Program.

In its first year of operation in 1906 – 1907, The Mission served 13,440 meals. By 2018 – 2019, that total had climbed to 495,360. By 2021 – 2022 and more than two years into the pandemic, that total had risen to 938,210. To meet this need, we require significant storage capacity for daily and special meals.

Lulu, Dorothy and Silvia work hard to cook and serve shelter guests breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. They also prepare meals for people receiving live-in treatment in Addiction and Trauma Services and the Hospice.

After 40 years as a counsellor and social worker, Jean began volunteering in the kitchen at The Ottawa Mission, helping to prepare and serve meals, which she has done for the past several years. She works alongside Jack, Lulu, Dorothy and Silvia.