The Ottawa Mission is a nonprofit organization based on faith. Their goal is very straightforward: to provide food, shelter and clothing for those in need. The shelter, located in the heart of downtown on 35 Waller St., is often misinterpreted by the general population. The establishment is thought-out, well-organized and has a disciplined staff who are there to help while enforcing a set of rules. According to Josh Curley, a 22-year-old social worker, the mission’s rule set includes the prohibition of drinking, smoking, drugs, weapons, paraphernalia. There are also set times for the clients to check-in and be in bed. “There is a program in place through the government called PNA (Personal Needs Assistance). This program gives all clients with no income $4 for every evening they sleep over. I think it’s a good idea, however, I feel these clients should have chores to do in order to get this ‘allowance’ every week. Chores with regards to keeping the mission clean, and their place of living,” he said. They strive to accommodate the needs of those suffering from hunger and poverty by keeping their services – such as client, health and addiction services — up to date with the needs of the residents. According to their website, they managed to obtain an average rate of 93 per cent occupancy throughout 2009, with a total of 1,627 registered clients.1
Next, this establishment doesn’t only offer the bare minimum to assist the poor and hungry. According to their pamphlet, their services and programs include client services, which targets those that are scrambling to make a positive life change. The Ottawa Mission’s Stepping Stones Learning Centre is a school within the organization, in conjunction with a certified teacher and several volunteer tutors. They will help with issues ranging from education to housing, and everything in between. Health services are also offered through a primary care health clinic, run entirely by volunteer dentists and hygienists, who successfully treat about 200 patients monthly. Addiction services are also offered through drop-in group counseling sessions. More specifically, there is a 30-day stabilization program to help maintain sobriety and suggest further treatment.This further treatment includes a number of choices, for example: “Lifehouse — an intensive five month drug and alcohol residential treatment program at the Mission.2” Upon completion of this rehabilitation program, there is two years of group support offered.
As a nonprofit organization, the Ottawa Mission need all the help they can get, that’s why they make it easy for those who have something to give. The volunteers are what make the whole operation run smoothly. Especially around times of increases hunger and adverse weather, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, more help is needed. According to their website, items in need range from furniture, time, money, appliances, etc. You can donate directly through their web page or even through the United Way. There has recently been an update so that citizens can donate through texting. This is mainly to target Ottawa’s youth, but since the world is home to over 4-billion cellphone owners, it can’t hurt. “Your generous donation of $2.97 provides a warm and nutritious meal for someone in need in your community,” says their online homepage.3 The shelter averaged a daily 214 residents overnight throughout 2009, while 1,136 meals were served. This adds up to a total of 414,520 meals all year.
SOURCES:
1. The Ottawa Mission pamphlet.
2. http://www.ottawamission.com/index.php?q=fastfacts.html
3. http://www.ottawamission.com/index.php?q=lifehouse.html
4. http://www.ottawamission.com
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