Raven first heard about our Food Services Training Program (FSTP) while staying at a local women’s shelter. She shares “I came to Ottawa with 3 kids and only 3 bags. I was starting from scratch.”

Raven had left Thunder Bay out of necessity, in search of a better future. When a former FSTP grad told her about our program, she saw a pathway to stability and independence for her young family…

Thanks to donors like you, we can offer the FSTP for free, devoid of any barriers that might typically prevent those in need from obtaining transformational job training:

“I’m a single mom.” Raven shares. “I don’t think other programs would allow me to work around my schedule of caring for my daughter, but the FSTP did.”

Raised by her grandparents, Raven’s grandmother was both the family chef and a professional cook. Through her, Raven gleaned some invaluable experience, which resulted in her being named FSTP class valedictorian.

One of Raven’s course highlights was preparing Indigenous cuisine at our Country Food Feast. With a laugh, she recalls struggling at first with an ulu, a knife traditionally used by the Inuit, as she prepared some arctic char.

Raven is Ojibwe, from Whitesand First Nation, so cooking for the vulnerable Indigenous community was not only especially meaningful, but also one of her culinary career goals. In fact, she completed her work placement with Larga Baffin, a local medical boarding home for those travelling from Nunavut for medical services. After this, she was hired on with the Chef Ric’s team!

Krysia is a dedicated Mission volunteer and legacy donor. When asked why she decided to support The Ottawa Mission by including a charitable gift in her will, she said:

First, always take care of your family and determine their reasonable needs, and then make commitments to donate an amount through your will, or annuity, or life insurance, to the charity or charities of your choice. When you are leaving your hard-earned money to an organization, it is important to do your due diligence.

When I was offered a tour of The Ottawa Mission, I had not realized the full scope of their work and was blown away with how they helped all who wanted to be helped from the moment they arrived. They offer counselling, hot meals, clothing, a bed, medical, dental, social services, ID, diplomas, job training programs, homes of their own, an amazing Hospice, and more.

This was how The Ottawa Mission became my first charity of choice. “With these challenging times, it is important that we empathize with others and take the time to share what we can, when we can”

The Ottawa Mission gratefully accepts gifts in the form of securities. Donations of publicly listed securities are exempt from capital gains tax and a tax receipt for the full value of your donation is given, making this an appealing way to provide food, shelter and hope to people in need!

For information contact Rachel DeGreef at 613.234.1155 or complete the Gift of Securities form:
ottawamission.com/securities Please send a copy of the completed form to rdegreef@ottawamission.com.

At our Diane Morrison Hospice, he goes by John, but within his community he’s also known as ‘Pops’ and ‘Uncle John’. At 61, John shares that he’s earned those nicknames out of respect and endearment for helping, as he affectionately calls them, “my 3 generations of street children” adapt and survive while experiencing homelessness.

But one day, John found himself in an unfamiliar role. A deep cut on his leg became infected, and suddenly, he was the vulnerable one. It got so bad that medical professionals believed an amputation was John’s only option to survive.

John pushed back and it was determined that an alternative option of extensive wound care and an eventual skin graft could work, but it would need time, care and patience. And that’s when the team at our Diane Morrison Hospice stepped in.

When he first came through our doors, John was frail and largely immobile; unable to even raise a spoon to his mouth. He also needed specialized care because he’s lived with addiction for much of his adult life.

Our nurse practitioners cared for his wound, our kitchen team fed him and put some meat back on his bones; physiotherapy, mental health, and wound care specialists were brought in. John’s addiction was also treated. Soon, his overall health rebounded tremendously, and he received a successful skin graft!

After lifting his coffee to his mouth and taking a sip, John shares how thankful he is for our hospice team that helped save his leg.

It’s your generosity that makes miracles such as this possible. Thank you!

The Blue Door Gala is the signature fundraising event for our Food Services Training Program (FSTP), showcasing food prepared by our students and a class graduation.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: ottawamission.com/blue-door-gala-2024 or email bdg@ottawamission.com