Helping support Ottawa's homeless community during COVID-19

The Ottawa Mission has been supporting the homeless community in greater Ottawa since 1906. It provides many programs that help our most vulnerable citizens improve their lives.

Through a TELUS Friendly Future Foundation grant from the Ottawa Community Board, the Ottawa Mission continues its community support during COVID-19, even under significant new health restrictions. Our funding went to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for Mission staff and volunteers to keep them and their shelter guests safe. As a result, the Mission has been able to continue delivering emergency food and shelter, as well as other services when the need has never been higher. The average number of daily meals served has increased by 41% and the number of people estimated to be sleeping outside has doubled since the beginning of the pandemic.

"The generous support of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation enabled us to purchase gowns, gloves, masks and other protective equipment ... "

“At The Ottawa Mission, we’ve worked tirelessly since the pandemic was declared to minimize the risk of COVID-19 and ensure everyone’s safety while continuing to deliver desperately needed services to our community’s most vulnerable,” said Ottawa Mission CEO, Peter Tilley. “The generous support of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation enabled us to purchase gowns, gloves, masks and other protective equipment that have been essential for us to continue to deliver these services and meet the needs of people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness.” 

By partnering with organizations like the Ottawa Mission, we continue to support Canadians in need and help focus attention on solutions to combat food insecurity where it's most needed.