Reaching Beyond the Bricks

The cool, clear skies of October 18th made it the perfect day for the ‘Seeds of Hope’ gardening event. Hosted in partnership with the Matthew House, St. Maurice Church, Holy Rosary Church, and the Hintonburg community, the event received sponsorship from Merkley Supply, Tim Horton’s Wellington and Giant Tiger Wellington. “It was a beautiful day, and everyone worked together really well,” said Ellen, one of the parish volunteers. “I met new people, and everyone was friendly and helpful. The word I’d use to describe today? Community.” 

The people came together to dig, plant, and grow something more than flowers: connection. For many, the event was not just about gardening but about creating bonds that cross backgrounds and experiences. Andrea, one of the organizers, shared that the hope was to bring together local churches and Matthew House Residents who are Newcomers to Canada to strengthen the cooperation between these groups and the broader community. 

Dennis, one of the organizers and a member of the Holy Rosary Parish Financial Council, noted how special it was to see so many faces. “Normally I only have a small group of volunteers,” he said. “But today we had a dozen people, including Newcomers from Matthew House. It really felt like we were part of something bigger.” In preparation for the gardening day, additional volunteers from Matthew House and the community worked hard together to contribute their time and labour.

Jean Baptiste from Haiti, a Resident of Matthew House, reflected on how volunteering has helped him settle in Canada. “When people are involved in their community, even little activities can build something big,” he said. “Gardening connects you to nature. It teaches you about life.” 

Righot, another Matthew House resident from Congo shared how volunteering gives him a chance to connect with people beyond his building and feel more at home in a new country. 

From volunteers to local business sponsors, everyone played a part. Mason, a member of the community, described how he got involved after hearing about the event through a friend. “It’s a great way to feel part of something,” he said. “A lot of people spend their days in offices, so getting outside to work with your hands and meet others is refreshing.” Finally, St. Maurice Church generously shared plants with Holy Rosary Church and hosted a similar event at their location. Their lead organizer, Anna, reported a great turnout, shared purpose and bonds. 

At the end of the day, the garden was more than a patch of soil. It reflected teamwork and shared purpose. "There is room for everyone," Andrea said. "No matter what your talent is, there is always a way to get involved." 

As the planted seeds grow, they will serve as a representation that community grows strongest when people reach beyond their bricks into other's lives while creating an environment that is welcoming for everyone. 

Mercy Ayodele is an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa studying Public Administration. Her interests include public policy, community engagement, and advocacy for marginalized communities. When she’s not diving into her coursework, she’s probably watching a movie or singing along to her favorite songs.  

Matthew House is a faith-based, volunteer-driven, charitable organization that helps refugee claimants in Ottawa to establish connected, safe, healthy, and dignified homes within our community. https://www.matthewhouseottawa.org/

If you would like to become involved in the gardens or grounds at 1153 Wellington West/Holy Rosary Church please email: ottawaholyrosary@gmail.com or call.

To find out more about helping in the gardens at St. Maurice Church on Meadowlands/Perry St. please email: office@stmauriceparish.com or call.