Operation Come Home | LIFE AT OCH

The Ravens Shadow

“Madness looms overhead like an eagle searching for prey. Slow as a turtle, sure as death. The path from darkness is long and painful. Twisting and turning to its hearts content. Remember, the light is always there.“

James F.

“I enjoy being part of Beadworks because it has given me something constructive and creative to do while out on the streets. I look forward to coming to OCH and working on jewelry instead of being stuck around hard drugs, crime, or negative people. Before coming to Beadworks I never considered making jewelry or designing things at all but now that I’ve given it a go and made a little money, I’m considering pursuing some type of fashion & jewelry design course when I’m more settled down. Food Matters has helped me learn to work in a group environment in a positive way. I hardly knew how to cook at all when I started but the program has really helped. The people who run the program have made the recipes simple and easy to follow so that cooking the dishes isn’t intimidating or confusing. I have also learned to cook various types of healthy food so I’m better equipped to take care of myself.”

Jenna Beattie

“I cannot begin to express how much OCH has truly helped and inspired me to be more than I ever thought I could be. When I first came to the drop in I was 17. I was addicted to several things, I had no home, I was on and off the streets, and it seemed to me that my life was going nowhere any time soon and never would. The staff just kept on encouraging me. They encouraged me to go to the shelter and they encouraged me to get my first place. Even though it wasn’t much, I didn’t have to sleep on the streets anymore. They encouraged me to strive for better when it was troubling me. They encouraged me through the birth of both my children and most recently to graduate. I have achieved all of this and more with mainly them to thank for it. Thank-you so very much OCH, I owe you a lot.”

Courtney Hill

“I would like to tell you how OCH has helped me reach my personal and educational goals. OCH has helped me with trying to find housing and has given me one-on-one support with problems I have had in the past and future. Thanks to OCH, I now am in a long term housing program and working on my grade 10 in the school program. It is great – I have almost completed one whole course. OCH is very supportive and is very understanding to the youth that come in here”.

Anonymous

“Dear Operation Come Home, when I was a younger man (in my very early twenties) I found myself in Ottawa. I was adopted in the mid-seventies and at the time I had come into contact with my biological family. I was stuck in Ottawa and unsure of what to do. Someone recommended Operation Come Home after a week. When I went to the office – the staff were very caring and understanding of my predicament. Within a few weeks – they had arranged for travel to meet my family in Grande Prairie. It was very generous for an organization to help me this way, I hope that Operation Come Home stays in Ottawa for many years to assist youth in need of assistance and understanding.”

D.

“I am thankful for OCH. They provide employment and education, and a breakfast program for youth at risk. They provided me with food and basic life essentials. I have met very friendly people here and the staff are very kind and thoughtful. Thank you for all of your help.”

A.

“I’ve been coming here for about 4 or 5 years now and without the drop-in I would probably still be on the streets addicted to god knows what. I have gone from that to proud mother in a stable condition and going to college. I graduated from here. I loved my time here, and they still help me a lot from time to time.”

Corey Illings

“Since coming to Operation Come Home, I have found stable housing, started post-secondary education at Algonquin College and kept myself healthy, safe, and strayed away from substance use. Without OCH, I would probably be on the streets, still using drugs.”

The Ravens Shadow

James F.

Jenna Beattie

Courtney Hill

Anonymous

D.

A.

Corey Illings

C.M.

Brie

Big Byrd

Kader

Taylor