Ottawa Mission marks 20 years of its Food Service Training Program
The Ottawa Mission provides more than crucial shelter to those that find themselves without a home; its Food Services Training Program is one of many services offering the ingredients needed to succeed.
On Thursday, 26 students graduated from program. For graduate Raven Spade, it's the start of a new chapter in life.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"It's very emotional," she tells CTV News Ottawa. "Working in a kitchen is the goal."
Spade moved to Ottawa from Thunder Bay to improve her and her children's lives, learning the skills in the program to move forward.
"I arrived in a shelter and I'm basically starting from scratch," she said.
Students at Chef Ric's learn what it takes to work in a commercial kitchen, and the connections to start a new career.
"It's important because that's just the tip of the iceberg. Now they've succeeded. It's done everything they needed to do to be successful, and they've changed their lives," says Chef Ric Allen-Watson, the Ottawa Mission's Director of Food Services.
Launching in 2004, the Food Services Training Program is marking its 20th anniversary this year. According to the Mission, there have been around 350 graduates since the program began and nearly 90 per cent have found a job in the food service industry.
"One of the things about the program, we've got a lot of contacts and a lot of people willing to help you on the journey," says Nathan Adaka, who also graduated on Thursday.
"When I have this is my hand, it occurs to me I've come really far," he says, as he proudly holds up his certificate.
The program highlights how much the Mission does. It's not just basic shelter; it offers primary care, a dental clinic, hospice, and language and job training.
"And on top of that, we're still serving 3,000 meals a day and having 246 people sleep here every night. So more than a shelter, but still very much needed service," says Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley.
All of it is a recipe for success for graduates like Spade, who says she's also showing her children what's possible.
"I can do it, and I did. I'm so happy and grateful."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
Trump election victory 'very unlikely,' but 'possible': former FBI director Comey
Former FBI director James Comey says while he believes former U.S. president Donald Trump "will be defeated" in the upcoming presidential election, he doesn’t think it’s a given.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.