The Ottawa Mission and YMCA of the National Capital Region form a partnership, opening a second Chef Ric’s location in the YMCA to expand the Food Services Training Program

YMCA residents and members, as well as people living and working nearby, can enjoy delicious low-cost food while supporting two important community organizations.

Ottawa, ON – With today’s opening of a second Chef Ric’s, located inside the YMCA of the National Capital Region, a new partnership between The Ottawa Mission and the YMCA is underway.

As Ottawa’s oldest and largest homeless shelter, The Ottawa Mission provides many emergency and longer term supports to help vulnerable people rebuild their lives.  Chef Ric’s, The Mission’s social enterprise established in 2021 on Rideau Street, offers delicious and affordable meals as well as catering services, with proceeds flowing back to help fund The Mission’s Food Services Training Program (FSTP). This second Chef Ric’s retail location within the YCMA’s Argyle Avenue location will serve the public, as well as YMCA members and residents.

The YMCA provides transitional and supportive housing to people in transition from homelessness, newcomers to Canada, and those living with physical, mental and/or substance use health challenges. The YMCA utilizes a Hub Model to supporting community, where a focus on increasing equitable access to services through a single location is prioritized. The addition of a second Chef Ric’s to the YMCA central location is part of this YMCA Hub approach.

This new partnership allows the FSTP to grow in scope and class size, with the YMCA space providing storefront retail experience, an expanded prep kitchen, and added classroom space for the FSTP program and its students.

Chef Ric’s is named after Chef Ric Allen-Watson, The Mission’s Director of Food Services and founder of the FSTP – a culinary job training program provided free to those at risk of homelessness. Homeless at age 14 himself, he knows the power of paying it forward. With over 400 graduates since the program was launched in 2004 and approximately 90% of FSTP graduates going onto careers in the food services industry, Chef Ric is grateful for the YMCA’s partnership. He shared:

“We are so excited about this new Chef Ric’s location, and thankful to the YMCA for generously providing this location to us at no cost. With rising levels of hunger and food insecurity, it’s more important than ever to provide nutritious and affordable food, just like we do here at Chef Ric’s.

“With this added space, we’ll also be able to increase our student intake from our current limit of 30 to 35 students per FSTP class, and graduate about 100 students per year. With around 250 people applying for the FSTP, this expansion is impactful and will change lives.”

This new Chef Ric’s location officially brings these two longstanding Ottawa institutions together. However, The Mission and the YMCA have been long linked through the vulnerable populations that they both serve. Mission CEO Peter Tilley touched on that connection:

“As the Food Services Training Program has evolved over its 20-year existence, our student intake has grown to include newcomers: asylum seekers and refugees determined to start a new life here in Canada. We’ve had FSTP students complete our program while living here in the Y’s transitional housing. We have each played our part in helping our vulnerable communities, and today, we’re teaming up to expand our reach. We’re so thankful that the YMCA has provided us with this wonderful location.”

Trevor McAlmont, YMCA CEO, spoke to the value of the partnership for those accessing the Y’s services:

“The YMCA is thrilled to be partnering with Chef Ric’s to provide affordable, healthy food options to our residents, clients, members, staff and neighbours. The YMCA makes it easy for our housing residents to receive support through a single access point hub that leads to wraparound supports, like job readiness, housing assistance, health and wellness, and more. Food services are a great addition to this model. With 250 people living in our Argyle Ave building and many more accessing our range of services, this food services partnership is another way we’re working to make services more accessible and easier to navigate.”

About The Ottawa Mission
Since 1906, The Ottawa Mission has been serving the homeless, the hungry and the lost by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills. In 2023-2024, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night and served an average of 3,103 meals every day.  The Ottawa Mission also provides to men and women health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in need in our community. In September 2020, The Ottawa Mission marked the one millionth hour that the shelter has been in existence since its founding in 1906. In 2019, the Mission became a housing-focused shelter reflective of its commitment to a home for everyone as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.

About YMCA National Capital Region
Founded in 1867, the YMCA of the National Capital Region is a registered charity dedicated to building healthy communities. The organization is committed to nurturing the potential of children, teens and young adults, promoting healthy living and supporting vulnerable people within the community. The Y serves thousands of people across the Ottawa region each year. Focusing on inclusiveness and accessibility means people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are served through all stages of life. To learn more, visit ymcaottawa.ca.

FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

For The Ottawa Mission:
Aileen Leo
Director of Communications
613.234.1144 x 305
613.712.3092
aleo@ottawamission.com

For the YMCA:
Heather Badenoch
Communications strategist
Village PR
613-859-8232
heather@villagepr.ca