Rebuilding Lives at
The Ottawa Mission
Hear Stories of Hope
For those facing homelessness, The Ottawa Mission not only provides emergency essentials of food and shelter, but also the programs that provide hope, opportunity, and lasting change; programs that rebuild lives.
Job training, addictions and trauma counselling, education, and housing support are a handful of the critical Ottawa Mission programs that lift people out of and away from homelessness, for good.
In their own words, learn how Randy, Jennifer, Hakim, and Kristen used your support to rebuild their lives at The Ottawa Mission.
How We Rebuild Lives
Over the past year:
270
people placed into housing
89
graduates from our free job training programs
107
graduates from our addiction treatment programs
135
people accessed our educational programs
3,469
patient consults at our DYMON Health Clinic
1,208,935
meals handed out“I am resilient, hardworking, and sober.”
Without a home to call his own and mired in a life dictated by addiction, Randy turned to The Ottawa Mission for support.
“My son was that bright light that I focused on. I finally admitted that I needed help, and so I went to treatment.”
After joining our addiction and trauma treatment programs and attending our in-shelter classroom to finish high school, Randy started believing in himself.
“I was so used to quitting. But here at The Mission I felt like I had what I started calling ‘Team Randy’. I had so many people on my side.”
“I am brave, spontaneous, and one of a kind.”
Before she found The Ottawa Mission, Kristen felt isolated.
“When you’re at your lowest, you don’t believe that anybody cares, or that anybody wants to help.”
Once Kristen enrolled in our MCA Ottawa Stepping Stones Learning Centre (SSLC), she realized that a helping hand is out there.
Soon, she gained a high school diploma, along with a lot of confidence. Kristen then set her sights on college.
“SSLC showed me that I was capable. That I could build a future. That I could find stability.”
“I am a mother, a teacher, and a lover of food.”
Jennifer and her young family were doing OK, until they weren’t.
After an injury left her husband unable to work, Jennifer couldn’t find the job that would help make ends meet.
“My self-esteem was at it’s absolute lowest.”
Then she found Chef Ric’s and our Food Services Training Program (FSTP), a free job training program.
Today, Jennifer is thriving as a cook at a local catering restaurant, giving back as an FSTP teacher, and, most importantly, she and her family are secure and hopeful once again.
“I am a father, a superintendent, and resilient.”
Hakim dropped everything, including a career as a civil engineer in Uganda, to come to Canada with his son in search of a new life.
When he couldn’t find work in his field, Hakim was struggling to get by.
Everything changed when Hakim found our Maintenance Services Training Program (MSTP).
At no cost, Hakim gained the trades-based skills to start a new career as a building superintendent.
“The MSTP has given me hope and a future. I can now exhale.”
Programs That Rebuild Lives
Food Program
Every day we serve hope to those in need through warm meals in our dining room and food truck program.
Emergency Shelter
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’re here to ensure our clients are provided with comfortable shelter at night.
Housing Services
As a housing first shelter, we work with each client to create housing plans that reflect their individual circumstances.
Client Services
Our dedicated team helps individuals achieve their goals by providing support in employment, education, and mental health.
Job Training
Through educational services and job training programs we support those in need launch their new beginning.
Addiction & Trauma Programs
Through 5 unique programs, we provide harm-reduction and live-in treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs.
Health Services
We provide on-site primary healthcare, dental care and palliative care for people experiencing homelessness.
Chaplaincy Support
Daily chapel services and spiritual care that extends mercy, dignity and compassion to those seeking comfort.
