Since its founding, The Ottawa Mission has evolved from a simple emergency aid provider to an organization that gives people important tools to rebuild their lives. As a result, those who seek help always receive it. You can learn more about the history and work of The Ottawa Mission on ottawa1.one.
Founding History
The first public meetings began in 1906. The reason was to discuss opening a shelter for homeless men who, at the time, had camped along the Ottawa River. Work began soon after, and The Ottawa Mission officially opened in January 1907 on George Street. In 1912, the charity moved to 35 Waller Street, where it remains today.
During the Great Depression, there was an extraordinary surge in the number of men who needed food and shelter. At that time, the government could not offer any social programs. The Ottawa Mission then began to attract community support to expand its operations and provide assistance to people.
From 1960 to 1980, the problem of substance addiction became extremely widespread. During that period, young people increasingly began to come to The Ottawa Mission for help. They received not only support but also practical assistance, which helped them overcome their addiction and improve their education.
In the 1990s, substance abuse and mental illness were recognized as the main causes of homelessness. As a result, The Ottawa Mission’s activities expanded beyond emergency services. Inpatient addiction treatment, education, and employment support programs were added. Find out more about easy employment tips for Ottawa residents.
It should be noted that The Ottawa Mission is the oldest and largest homeless shelter in the city.
Chef Ric’s
This is a unique social enterprise of The Ottawa Mission, a community asset for all parts of society. Chef Ric’s continues the legacy of the former “Rideau” bakery, which was founded in 1930 by the Cardish family. This place gave warmth and a sense of home for a long time. That is why Chef Ric’s embodies this vision through healthy and affordable ready-made meals, expanded catering services, and a culinary training program. Read more about the history of restaurants in Ottawa.
The history of this place began in 2004, when Chef Ric Allen-Watson saw and heard the people who came to The Ottawa Mission for help. They wanted to change their lives. Then, the chef had an idea of how this could be done. For example, he could teach men and women the skills needed to support themselves and find a job. Thus, the Food Services Training Program was born. In 17 years, almost 200 graduates have been trained and graduated.
In 2020, it was time to find a new location for this program. Ric Allen-Watson was looking for a place that could accommodate more students and provide better learning conditions. The premises that previously belonged to Rideau Bakery at 384 Rideau Street were chosen. The updated Chef Ric’s social enterprise is an example of a unique place that offers healthy and affordable food, as well as a transformative vocational training program for men and women who dream of changing their lives.
Vertical Farm Initiative
The Ottawa Mission, together with RBC and Growcer, announced an initiative to grow healthy, fresh, local greens for use in the charity’s food programs. This will allow them to serve vulnerable community members throughout Ottawa.
RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) is a global financial institution with a focused and principled approach to achieving leading results. RBC is proud to support a wide range of community initiatives through donations, community investments, and employee volunteer activities.
Growcer, a company from Ottawa, helps communities be food resilient with hydroponic modular farms and food storage solutions. Each year, more than 125 Growcer farms across North America grow more than 10 million servings of nutritious greens throughout the year.
The Royal Bank of Canada donated $1.5 million to the Ottawa Community Foundation for the Food Resiliency Fund, a donor-led fund in partnership with Growcer. It was then that the idea of launching a local vertical farm to safely and sustainably grow fresh, nutritious, and healthy food appeared. Part of the funding supports the initiative with The Ottawa Mission, allowing the charity to grow its own products. In addition, moving growing locations closer to food consumption locations allows for a reduction in transport emissions and water use and minimizes food waste in a sustainable way.
The Ottawa Mission’s CEO, Peter Tilley, said that the initiative to launch a local vertical farm will allow residents to have access to nutritious local products all year round. According to him, this will help clients stay healthy.
The Ottawa Mission’s Director of Food Services and Chef, Ric Allen-Watson, concluded that the cost of healthy food has indeed increased. Accordingly, it has become more difficult for the charity to provide access to it. This initiative, according to the chef, will allow them to provide the necessary support to people and also provide more opportunities for students. For example, they will be able to learn about the food industry and also find stable employment.
The Work of The Ottawa Mission
In 2023-2024, The Ottawa Mission provided emergency shelter to an average of 187 men every night, and also distributed an average of 3,103 meals every day. The charity constantly adapted to the regularly growing needs of the community. It is worth looking at the main areas of The Ottawa Mission’s work.
- Access to medical and dental care. This is critically important for people who do not have access to the healthcare system.
- Hospice services. This is palliative care and support for those in the last stages of life.
- Psychiatric care in shelters, as well as providing consultations for residents who are struggling with mental problems.
- Chef Ric’s nutrition training program.
- The charity is working to help homeless people find permanent housing. This step is key on the path to stabilizing their lives.
Support for The Ottawa Mission
There are many ways to support the Ottawa charity. For example, these can be donations, volunteering, and advocating for those in need. Any support is help for those seeking a better life. You can view a list of everyday items that can be donated on the organization’s website. Find out how you can get involved with The Ottawa Mission.
The Ottawa Mission is a modern charity that solves the problems of poverty and homelessness through a comprehensive approach. The organization’s employees create a holistic support system that helps people rebuild their lives and integrate into society. The Ottawa Mission demonstrates that homelessness is a consequence of social, medical, and economic factors. The organization’s work is an example for others, because real help is not a temporary solution, but an investment in restoring a person’s dignity and self-sufficiency.
