Mark was released from the federal correctional system with nothing but the clothes on his back and a determination to reform his life.
Thanks to you, he found hope, belonging, and his future through our Food Services Training Program (FSTP).
Christmas 2025 Newsletter
Because of You, Mark Found Hope
"What more can I say about The Ottawa Mission, other than it gave me some hope for life?"
Mark was living in a halfway house when a program officer at Correctional Services Canada told him about our FSTP Program.
Possessing a passion for cooking, Mark would regularly prepare full meals for the six to seven other men living in his halfway house. So, a no-cost culinary training program like the FSTP seemed like a perfect opportunity for him to turn over a new leaf and restart his life.
"Chef Ric interviewed me. I was open about my past. He saw my potential and was willing to give me a second chance. He said, don’t let me down."
Mark heeded those words and threw himself into the program. An outsider to Ottawa, he soon found a sense of belonging in Chef Ric’s kitchen, where his culinary talent flourished.
His hard work and talent were noticed in another kitchen, too. Mark had taken a dishwashing job at a highly regarded local restaurant. Upon learning that he was enrolled in the FSTP, the head chef suggested that Mark stay and complete his work placement in their kitchen.
"When I came out of the corrections system, I didn’t have a dollar. The Mission and this community accepted me with open arms."
Soon, he was out of the ‘dish pit’ and thriving in his workplace’s prep kitchen with the skills he had gained from our program.
On graduation day, Mark was named co-valedictorian of his FSTP class and was proud to share that he’d been promoted from dishwasher, to prep cook, to line cook at that same restaurant.
As he stood at the podium, Mark reflected on how he and 27 other people in need were able to relaunch their lives.
"Thank God for the donors. I originally thought that a program as complete and helpful as the FSTP had to be government-funded. When I found out that the community supports it all, I was blown away. We owe it all to you."
Feyi Gives the Gift of Compassion on her Birthday
Feyi wanted to celebrate a milestone birthday in a meaningful way. Having moved to Ottawa-Gatineau recently, she thought back to her Masters practicum in counselling and psychology in Kitchener.
There, a client shared that he owed the start of his recovery journey to an Ottawa Mission counsellor who first engaged with him, putting him on a path to eventually reunite with his wife and two daughters.
With this moving personal account in mind, Feyi reached out to The Mission to register as a volunteer and inquire about donating to cover the costs of a meal service on her birthday.
"Everyone was very respectful and so appreciative. I served men and women, young and old. I served people wearing business attire, wearing work clothes. You can see that some people really are only one paycheque away from homelessness."
Once the logistics were worked out, Feyi arrived at our shelter to serve the birthday lunch she donated. To really mark the occasion, she also bought enough birthday cake for everyone!
While serving, Feyi was touched by the gratitude she received from clients and surprised by the variety of people she interacted with.
Regardless of how and why our clients come to rely on us for support, Feyi believes in helping without judgement.
“We need to open our hearts. There can be enough for everybody in this world if we can all give a little something. We just need to link our hands together.”
Thank you for joining hands with Feyi. Together, we can continue to be there for those in need.
Upcoming Events
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
384 Rideau St | 11am-6pm
180 Argyle | 11am-5pm
Join us at Chef Ric’s, The Ottawa Mission’s social enterprise for a festive meal available to the public. All funds support The Mission. For only $11.99 you can enjoy roasted turkey, savoury stuffing, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, tourtière, and apple pie.
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
Location: Live Stream
Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm
The Food Services Training Program (FSTP) is a FREE 4-month program, that provides world-class culinary training to individuals experiencing homelessness or job insecurity—and boasts an incredible 90% job placement rate. Watch the live stream of our Winter Graduation Ceremony through Chef Ric’s Instagram account.
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Location: The Rogers Centre (55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J2)
Time: 4pm – 7pm
Join us for a family-friendly fundraising walk in support of The Ottawa Mission. Both 2km or 5km route options are available. Come on your own, with family, or with a group of friends or colleagues to walk, wheel or stroll for a good cause! Together, we can continue to make a difference this winter.
How You Helped Move Kristen From Homelessness to the Honour Role
As she sits inside our MCA Ottawa Stepping Stones Learning Centre (SSLC) classroom, Kristen reflects on how far she’s come. The Algonquin College diploma sitting next to her asserts that she has, in fact, come a very long way from living in a tent a handful of years ago.
"If you look back to 2021 I was living in a tent."
Back then, as the cold Ottawa winter approached, Kristen felt like she had no other options as she checked into a local women’s shelter.
Thankfully, Kristen was mistaken. She was referred to SSLC, our in-shelter classroom that helps shelter and community clients obtain high school credits, apply for post-secondary education, and much more. There, she met our teacher, Kathy, and they got to work.
"When you’re at your lowest, you don’t believe that anybody cares, or that anybody wants to help."
Soon, Kristen gained a high school diploma, along with a lot of confidence. She then set her sights on college. With The Mission sponsoring her to help cover the costs, Kristen was accepted into Algonquin College’s two-year Law Clerk program.
Kristen thrived in college. She became a peer tutor while repeatedly landing on the Dean’s List. Along the way, she stayed in touch with Kathy and The Mission for support and guidance.
"SSLC showed me that I was capable. That I could build a future. That I could find stability."
If she needed a textbook that she couldn’t afford, The Mission would help purchase it. Whenever she received another ‘A’, she’d email Kathy to celebrate. After two years of hard work, she walked across the stage at Algonquin’s convocation to receive her Law Clerk diploma.
Having moved on from the shelter system, Kristen is now set to work in her field and continue building her new life. Kristen didn’t know that people like you could help to change her life. Thank you for making a difference in Kristen’s life, and in the lives of others like her!
Christmas at The Mission
On Sunday, December 14th thousands of people will gather in our dining room for a warm Christmas meal, and a chance to connect with a caring community. For only $4.68, you can provide a special Christmas meal to families and people in need. Put a meal on a table and a smile on a face this Christmas.
Provide Christmas meals today by donating here or calling 613-234-1155.