For individuals facing housing instability, trauma, or marginalization, a job is more than a pay cheque — it’s a turning point. Through our two flagship job training programs — The Food Services Training Program (FSTP) and The Maintenance Services Training Program (MSTP) — The Mission is building brighter futures by offering practical skills, career mentorship, and a path toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.
Now in its 22nd year and led by, Chef Ric, our Food Services Training Program is one of Ottawa’s most respected culinary training initiatives. Designed for individuals who have experienced hardship, FSTP provides hands-on training for employment in commercial kitchens. With over 400 graduates and a 90% employment success rate, FSTP is a proven model for helping people rebuild their lives through meaningful work.
Building on the platform and success of FSTP, The Mission launched our Maintenance Services Training Program in January 2025 to address growing labor shortages in building maintenance and property management — sectors critical to housing stability. MSTP offers participants training in essential trades, including plumbing, electrical, drywall, fire safety, janitorial services, and more.
Students also gain:
- Industry certifications
- Job placements with local housing landlords and property management firms
- Life skills development, mentorship, and employment coaching to support long-term success
Thanks to early demand from employers and positive outcomes with the first cohort of 5 students, The Ottawa Mission is now doubling the MSTP’s capacity to graduate 10 students per cohort (20 annually).
We are proud to have received the endorsement of BOMA Ottawa following our pilot launch:
“BOMA Ottawa supports MSTP because it delivers tangible benefits for both the community and the commercial real estate industry. MSTP equips individuals facing barriers to employment with valuable trade skills in building operations, maintenance, and repair professions that are in high demand among BOMA’s member companies. Graduates gain hands-on experience that opens the door to employment opportunities, while employers benefit from motivated, pre-trained candidates who can quickly integrate into their teams. Supporting MSTP aligns with BOMA’s values of community leadership, economic development, and workforce sustainability.”
— Dean Karakasis, Executive Director, BOMA Ottawa
Our Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to the visionary partners who believed in MSTP from the beginning, including:
The Aggarwal Family, The Minto Foundation, The Halo Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and Amazon.
Join Us
There are many ways to support and partner with MSTP – job placement, guest lecturer, financial support and employment. By doing so, you will help marginalized individuals unlock their potential, connect with meaningful work, and achieve lasting stability.
To discuss the many ways you can support MSTP reach out to:
Sherry Stafford
Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships
The Ottawa Mission
sstafford@ottawamission.com | 613-915-7829
