“It’s Like You’re Family.”
When the counselor told Fatem that they knew an organisation that could help her get furniture, for free, Fatem thought she was being scammed.
“I said, I need furniture for my apartment because it was empty,” said Fatem, “and my counselor said there is one program with Matthew House that provides furniture for free. How is that possible? I couldn’t believe it,” she explained. “I said, ‘yeah, but maybe I should pay something.’”
This feeling—surprise at the unprecedented generosity of strangers—would be a common and unexpected theme for Fatem’s first year in Canada. Moving here with her husband, they both knew that “it’s not easy to start a new life in a new country, new culture.” Believing in their vision of a new life, they were prepared to face the trials with stoic acceptance.
Then, Fatem met the team at Matthew House.
“As a newcomer, you don’t have income, you don’t have a good situation,” explained Fatem. “When you have someone support you, you can never forget that.” At the Furniture Bank, Fatem described how everyone was “very kind, very helpful. Many times they asked me about what items I wanted to choose. They give you time and explain everything in detail.”
But what moved Fatem the most was when the team, learning about her challenges with English, found a volunteer who would guide her in French (which she is fluent in, along with Arabic). “To have someone help you, to make sure you have everything you need,” she said, “it’s like you’re family.” Today, Fatem is trilingual, and speaks comfortably in English.
By the end of her appointment, Fatem found necessities like “a mattress, eating, table, chair,” as well as a new TV and “a beautiful yellow sofa that I love.” Just one day after her appointment they were all delivered to her new flat.
Despite having a proper place to sleep, eat, and be together with friends, for Fatem, what she gained most from Matthew House wasn’t the furniture. “It’s more emotional,” she explained, because “it’s someone giving you help for the first time.”
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You can help people like Fatem transform their empty spaces into homes. Here’s how:
Donate: you can give online here or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
Volunteer with us: We currently need volunteers to support our furniture bank and refugee services programs. Click here for more info and to apply.
Refugee Services: Do you have an extra room in your house? Or a home to rent? If so, please complete this form, and we will follow up to discuss how we might partner together to welcome and support refugees. We have some big plans and you can help!
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture to share give us a call at 613-591-6681 ext 2512 and spread the word among your networks as well.
Thanks to your support, since 2010 we’ve been able to welcome hundreds of refugee claimants, and give furniture to families in need. This work wouldn’t be possible without you.