CBC Ottawa's Share Central

CBC Ottawa Share Central wishes to thank you for donations of cash and Wish List items to The Ottawa Mission and The Well. This year's Share Central raised over $40,000 and thousands of donated items.

Thanks to Sparks Street Mall Management for supporting Share Central 2009, and the following businesses for their generous donations:

Chili for Charity, which raised $1200 over lunch-time was kindly donated by:

• Lunch, 121 Bank Street
• Mexicali Rosa’s, 33 Clarence Street in the Byward Market
• Muffin Plus, World Exchange Plaza
• Hot Chocolate courtesy of Toss it Up, 208 Sparks Street

Gift Prizes donated by:

• Brixtons, 210 Sparks Street
• D’Arcy McGee’s, 44 Sparks Street
• Hallmark, 203 Sparks Street
• True Bijoux, 200 Sparks Street
• Yesterday’s & Centretown Tavern, 152 Sparks Street
• and Ottawa Hydro for their generous donation of an EnergyStar washer and dryer to The Well.

Thank you to our performers who warmed the hearts (and toes) of the Share Central concert goers:

• Jim Bryson
• The Mighty Popo
• Share Central Brass Quintet

Season's Greetings from CBC Ottawa.

Share Central Schedule

Ottawa Morning features The Well and airs weekdays 5:30 to 8:35 a.m

The Well is a drop-in program for women and women with Children. They offer a free clothing boutique, free light breakfast and hot lunch, access to laundry and shower facilities, and other personal support services that help to improve the lives of women in the community every day.  Ottawa Morning will explore the Well and unearth the different ways they help to improve the lives of women in Ottawa every day.
Donate Now .

All in a Day Features the Ottawa Mission and airs weekdays 3 to 6 p.m.

The Ottawa Mission is more than just a roof overhead and warm meal for men in need.  It also offers an addictions treatment program, learning centre, dental clinic, hospice, primary care clinic, and various training programs.  Listen to All in a Day to hear first-hand how this organization helps homeless men in Ottawa. Donate Now

Donate to the Mission's Christmas Project!

Bring any of the following donations down to CBC Ottawa (181 Queen Street) starting December 7:

• cash donations
• men's toiletries (shaving cream, razors, shampoo, soap)
• men's wool socks
• men’s winter gloves
• winter hats or toques
• new or gently used men’s winter jackets (sizes S-XXL)
• new or gently used men's work boots (sizes 7-13)
• new or gently used men's winter boots (sizes 7-13)
• new men's underwear
• new or gently used men's clothes (all sizes)
• towels

Listen again:

Nov 30, 2009
Hostels To Home Baskets
When men are ready to move-out of The Ottawa Mission they can turn to Mission staff for help. The case managers help their clients find and keep their new homes.
Listen (Runs 6:53)

Lifehouse Client
Lifehouse is a five-month residential drug and alcohol treatment program at The Ottawa Mission. Danny Brisson's graduation day is December 16th.
Listen (Runs 1:48)

December 7, 2009
Front Line Services Desk
The Front Line staff welcome people into the Mission 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Their job description includes security, crisis intervention and being a friend.
Listen (Runs 4:51)


Dec 8, 2009
Stepping Stones Learning Centre
Teacher Marianna Proskos helps men reach their educational goals here. It often starts with learning self-confidence.
Listen (Runs 7:57)




Dec 9, 2009
Chef Ric Watson's Tourtiere Pie
Chef Ric is hosting a Christmas Dinner at The Mission for 2500 people this year. That's 300 tourtiére pies!
Listen (Runs 10:03)

Food Services Training Program
Marc Simoneau's life took a dramatic turn when Chef Ric Watson offered him the chance to wear an apron in the Mission's kitchen.
Listen (Runs 2:46)

Dec 10, 2009.
Comfort and Joy in the Chapel
Tom Donohue leads the Mission's Chapel service. Grab a songbook and join the choir of men in the Chapel.
Listen (Runs 5:14)



Dec 11, 2009
Ottawa Morning broadcasted live from The Well between 5:30 a.m. and 8:37 a.m.

The Well's Longest Serving Volunteer
Meet 82-year-old Beth Cook and hear what she's learned from the women at The Well over her past 25 years of volunteering.
Listen (Runs 2:26)

The Well's Drug and Alcohol Support Group
Lisa is nine months sober. Hear her describe what The Well's Recovery and Healing Program means to her.
Listen (Runs 1:03)

The Well's Angels Choir
The Well's in-house choir performs live on Ottawa Morning on Friday, December 11th. Hear a sneak peak of what they prepared for the show.
Listen (Runs 1:37)

All In A Day
Ottawa Mission Executive Director Diane Morrison
When Diane first started at Mission she was a volunteer who scrubbed the walls and served breakfast. A couple of years later, the kindergarten teacher gave up her job and joined the Mission's staff. Hear about her start and the Boxing Day fire of 1992.
Listen (Runs 5:36)
Men can die with dignity at The Mission's Home Hospice. Everyone told Diane the Hospice idea was crazy, but she made it happen, with a help from community donors.
Listen (Runs 7:24)
Christmas is both a joyful and painful time of year at The Mission.
Listen (Runs 4:34)
The Mission is working on ways to house men beyond the walls of 35 Waller Street.
Listen (Runs 5:26)




26 years and Counting
Andrew Wright has worked in housekeeping at the Mission for 26 years. He's seen and cleaned it all. Hear the song he wrote when the Mission's hospice opened.
Listen (Runs 4:05)







Poet of The Mission
Robert Pottie is the Mission's unofficial poet-in-residence. Hear him read one of his poems. Then hear Diane Morrison explain why a Christmas gift he gave her is one of the best she's ever received.
Listen (Runs 2:01)






Lifehouse Graduate
Don Watson has struggled with anxiety and alcoholism for decades. He couldn't order a cup of coffee without having a panic attack. Hear Don addressing a standing-room only crowd at his graduation from the Mission's drug and alcohol resident rehab program.
Listen (Runs 7:03)
Listen to a poem Don wrote at Lifehouse (Runs 1:32)