WHAT BEGAN
AS A MEAL…
ONE MAN’S JOURNEY OF HOPE
ANNUAL REPORT
2013 / 2014
A MESSAGE FROM
THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, a stranger
and you welcomed me…” Matthew 25:35
People are often surprised to learn that behind the doors of
35 Waller Street an average of 1,300 warm meals are served
every day. Many of the people who come in for these meals
are staying in our shelter; some are in our treatment
programs; others are ‘at risk’ of homelessness and need help
from time to time when they have nowhere else to turn.
Whatever the reason, The Ottawa Mission is always able to
offer a warm smile, a hot meal and a comfortable bed.
In many cases, those meals are the beginning of a new
journey, as people quickly learn that The Mission has much
more to offer than food and shelter. The help often extends to
better health care through our primary health clinic, pain
relief thanks to the dental clinic, educational support in our
learning center, or new hope through addiction treatment or
job training.
Whether you are one of our dedicated volunteers or a
donor, you can take comfort in knowing that you are making
a difference in someone’s life. Your gift of a hot, nutritious
meal can make life a little more manageable today and give
people hope and direction for the future. We are truly
blessed.
Thank you and God bless.
Peter Tilley
Executive Director, The Ottawa Mission
A MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF
THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank
our volunteers, staff and donors for their continuing
commitment to The Ottawa Mission. We would also like
to acknowledge Peter Tilley for his success during his
first full year as Executive Director. Under his
leadership, we were able to sustain the highest levels
of client care and donor, volunteer and community
engagement. Congratulations Peter!
During the past several months the Board, along with senior
management, have been engaged in a strategic planning
process to establish priorities for the next 3 years. As part of
this process, we visited and studied many similar
organizations across Canada and the U.S. While we gained
some great new ideas, we also re-affirmed that The Mission
is a benchmark organization in many ways.
The breadth of the services we provide and the integration of
these services – including our addiction treatment programs,
our transition housing, our learning centre, our medical and
dental clinics, and our hospice – are second to none. We
witness every day that what begins as a meal, or a safe place
to sleep, can indeed become a life-changing experience.
And for that we should all be proud.
Since The Mission began operating in 1906, all that we do has
been grounded in – to paraphrase our mission
statement – “the reflection of Jesus’ love in serving the
homeless, the hungry and the lost”. With the continued
support of our donors and volunteers, we strive every day to
build upon this foundation of faith in serving those who need
our help the most.
Thank you and God bless.
Jennifer Parr
President of the Board of Directors, The Ottawa Mission
2013 HIGHLIGHTS
2013 HIGHLIGHTS
WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE ARE
FEEDING THE HUNGRY
FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER
In 2013 a total of 472,793 meals were served
– an average of 1,295 meals each day. 1,733
men were provided with shelter, and our
266 beds had a 97% occupancy rate.
Thousands of items of clothing and shoes
were distributed. The need for these basic
services continues to grow.
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
The door of our Chaplain’s office is
always open, and many people stop
by each day looking for advice, or just to
share their thoughts. Chapel service is
held daily, and the 50 seats are always
filled.
HEALTHCARE/HOSPICE
The Ottawa Mission has on-site
medical and dental clinics to provide care
for our residents and others living in
shelters or on the street. In 2013 there
were 7,498 patient visits to our medical
clinic and 930 visits to the dental clinic.
Also, 22 people were cared for in our
Hospice during their final days.
WHAT BEGINS AS A MEAL...
Every day at The Ottawa Mission we serve an
average of 1,295 meals. Many of the people who
sit at our table are living on the streets or sleeping
at the shelter. Others are living on their own but
can’t afford to buy food. Some are staying with us
while they undergo addiction treatment.
Regardless of why they eat with us, the food they
receive goes beyond providing a basic necessity of
life. It is prepared with love and served in an
atmosphere full of friendship and respect. It brings
with it a sense of belonging that most people who
come to us are sadly lacking.
And, for many people like Michael, whose story we
will share with you, what begins as a meal often
turns into a life-changing journey of hope.
A JOURNEY OF HOPE...
During his 37-year battle with addiction, Michael
had been through many other treatment facilities
before he finally found what he was looking for at
The Mission. It was clean and bright, and it offered
everything from food, clothing, medical and dental
care, to education and job training. As Michael
says, “The place seemed filled with a sense of
hope.”
Michael spent time in Stabilization getting ready
for long term treatment and then entered
LifeHouse, our 5-month residential program. At
LifeHouse he learned about understanding and
accepting the underlying causes of his addiction,
and how to overcome years of negative thinking.
Most importantly, he learned that many things that
were absent in his life – including his family – were
2013 HIGHLIGHTS
WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE ARE
RESTORING HOPE
ADDICTION SERVICES
The Mission offers three levels of
addiction treatment programming – the
Day Program, a daily drop-in session;
Stabilization, a 30-60 day program to help
men prepare for long term treatment; and
LifeHouse, a 5-month residential
program. In 2013, 79 men completed the
Stabilization program, and 25 graduated
from LifeHouse.
AFTERCARE
At The Ottawa Mission, our Aftercare
programs play a key role in the long term
success of people receiving treatment.
For men who complete the 5-month
LifeHouse program, we offer continuing
counselling and support for up to 12
months.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Many people who come to The
Ottawa Mission have mental health
issues, addictions, or other personal
crises. Our Case Management team
provides one-on-one support for as long
as it is needed, and guides people
towards available treatment options and
support systems.
2013 HIGHLIGHTS
WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE ARE
CHANGING LIVES3
EDUCATION & JOB TRAINING
Getting back into the workforce is a top
priority for the people we serve. That’s
why we offer training programs in food
services and custodial skills and have a
teacher in our Stepping Stones Learning
Centre to help men and women achieve a
variety of educational goals. We also have
phones and computers available for use in
our Client Services Centre.
HOUSING
Helping people move out of the shelter
and find suitable housing is integral to
our work at The Ottawa Mission. In 2013,
our housing support team helped 100
people find a place to call home. We
also provided second stage housing for 15
people who graduated from our
addiction treatment programs to assist
them with their transition back into the
community and independent living.
VOLUNTEERS
From preparing and serving meals to
organizing clothing donations and
tutoring students in the Stepping Stones
Learning Centre, volunteers are vital to
The Ottawa Mission. Each week we are
able to fill 250 volunteer shifts at the
shelter. Our volunteers include
students, retirees, families and
workplace teams – and we simply could
not help as many people as we do
without their generous gift of time.
A LIFE CHANGED...
Michael has now been sober for three years, has
reunited with his wife and two daughters, and has
a good job.
He has also achieved something else that he never
imagined possible. He has published a book about
his journey. It’s called “My Clean and Sober Life –
Breaking the Chains of Addiction”. Michael’s wish
is that his book will show others who are struggling
that a better life is possible – that there is always
reason to hope.
Michael is grateful to The Mission and its
supporters for giving him a second chance at life.
As he says, “The care, encouragement and
counselling I received have given me the
motivation, inspiration and tools I need to live a life
of sobriety, happiness and love.”
2013 / 2014
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
REVENUE AND EXPENSES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2014
REVENUE
City of Ottawa……………………………….3,716,465
Donations
- Transferred from Foundation …………...3,020,205
- Other……………………………………...107,330
Other income…………………………………389,045
Total Revenue………………………….7,233,045
EXPENSES
Program/operational salaries and benefits…4,979,688
Operations (food & shelter)……………….......659,572
Rent, insurance, maintenance and utilities…..725,677
Client Support (clothing,transportation, etc.)…211,716
Administration………………………………...341,331
Amortization of capital assets………………...315,061
Total Expenses…………………………7,233,045
Net (expense) for the year ...................................... 0
Complete financial statements available
on request—by phone at 613-234-1144 or by email at
[email protected]
A MESSAGE FROM
THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE
OTTAWA MISSION
FOUNDATION
Every day so many hungry and desperate people walk
through the doors of The Ottawa Mission. It is our task
at The Ottawa Mission Foundation to make sure no one
is turned away because of a lack of resources.
We take that responsibility to heart every day as we work to
meet the need and we are grateful to you, our donors, for
standing with us in this important calling.
In the recent past we have been working with you to make
sure that your precious gifts are used as wisely as
possible. We want to thank those of you who have chosen to
become monthly donors or to give to us online as this has
saved us the cost of mailing and postage. We want to thank
all our donors for ensuring that no one goes hungry or is
forced to sleep on the street, and that those who need help
have access to all of the other vital programs and services
we offer.
As we look forward to the year ahead I pray that you will
continue to support our essential ministry so that together we
will be able to meet the most basic needs of those who are
hungry and homeless.
I invite you to become a monthly donor – a Champion of
Hope. Even $10.00 a month will help ensure that no one is
turned away. You can do so now by just picking up the phone
and calling us at 613-234-1155. Then just say “I want to
become a Champion of Hope for the homeless.”
With sincere appreciation,
Rev. Laird Eddy
Executive Director, The Ottawa Mission Foundation
GIVE A GIFT – CHANGE A LIFE
DONATE ONLINE AT
OTTAWAMISSION.COM
CONTACT US
35 Waller Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7G4
p: 613-234-1144
f: 613-234-2813
e: [email protected]
facebook.com/OttawaMission
twitter.com/OttawaMission
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION NUMBER:
10815 0509 RR0001
MISSION STATEMENT
The Ottawa Mission reflects Jesus’ love in serving the
homeless, the hungry, and the lost by providing food,
shelter, clothing and skills and offers faith and hope for
building a wholesome life.
ANNUAL REPORT
2013/ 2014