The drive to serve others: Basel's Story
“Everything begins with having that safe place that meets your needs… From there, possibilities are endless.”
– Basel Jalab
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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“When I moved to Canada, I knew I wanted to turn my passion for human services into my career,” says Basel Jalab.
As the Warehouse Manager and Interim Program Manager for Matthew House Ottawa’s Furniture Bank, Basel has done just that. Having started in his role in April 2022, you can now find Basel busy both behind the scenes and on the showroom floor at the Furniture Bank.
“To ensure we’re serving people properly, you need to ensure there’s a warehouse full of suitable furniture ready to go,” Basel explains. “We don’t accept furniture that’s in poor condition because it’s important to us that our clients feel like they’re being treated with dignity every step of the way.”
With prior experience working in engineering and emergency management, Basel brings both attention to detail and heartfelt compassion to his job – and is proud to support other Canadian newcomers. “The amazing thing about coming to Canada is that you’re not treated like a stranger,” Basel reflects. “You become part of a community. If you have the heart, commitment, and skills, there are great opportunities here.”
Basel’s position at the Furniture Bank means he is often interacting directly with clients to help them fill out paperwork or assess their furniture needs. He says he is proud to see the commitment of the MHO team to enhancing people’s lives.
“I remember my team chasing after a woman who had shown up too late for her furniture appointment,” he recalls. “She’d come by bus with her young baby. They were determined to help her, even if it meant giving up their own breaks… She was crying with gratitude.”
The significant need throughout Ottawa means Basel is dreaming of the day the Furniture Bank is able to expand its space – and subsequently serve more people every month. “We help six households a day as of this month,” Basel says. “But without more warehouse space, that’s really the maximum we can squeeze into a day.” In September 2022 alone, MHOs Furniture Bank furnished 101 homes for newcomers and low-income families.
“Your home is your foundation,” says Basel. “People need furniture to be able to function in their daily lives. Everything begins with having that safe place that meets your needs… From there, possibilities are endless.”
With the opening of Matthew House’s new transition homes, the Furniture Bank has gotten even busier – providing beds, chairs, and other household items to help refugees on their next step to living independently.
“These programs help people restart their lives,” Basel explains passionately. “You can see the happiness in the eyes of the people you are serving. They are grateful, and they are thanking you. What could be better than that?”
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Matthew House Ottawa supporters help keep programs like our Furniture Bank running. Here’s how you can open more doors for our community:
• Donate: you can make a donation online or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
• Volunteer: We currently need volunteers to support our furniture bank and refugee services programs. Click here for more info and to apply.
• Donate Furniture: If you have gently-used furniture to share give us a call at 613-591-6681. And please spread the word among your networks as well.
• Pray: for past, present and future residents and furniture bank clients
Since 2010, Matthew House Ottawa has welcomed hundreds of refugee claimants, and provided quality used furniture to 7000 families in need. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!