Opening more doors of opportunity
Imagine how it feels to walk through the door of your home: your relief and the immediate comfort of belonging.
It’s that same feeling Matthew House Ottawa brings to those we serve.
Matthew House Ottawa has two metaphorical doors: one for refugees making a fresh start in Ottawa, and one for newcomers and other families who need furnishings to settle into long-term, secure housing. It’s been a year of growth and resilience at Matthew House, and we wouldn’t be able to open our doors to so many people without the support of our community.
Everyone who comes through those doors has a story… A story like Frederick’s.
The hard-working father fled his home country with his wife and three children after attacks at their doorstep. Making the difficult decision to split up for logistical reasons, Frederick and some of his family arrived in Canada via Montreal last year.
They initially stayed in a shelter, where they at least had food and a bed. But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t seem to get the refugee process started.
Thankfully, another charity referred Frederick to Matthew House Ottawa. “It’s like a home, like a family – the community is palpable,” he shared with us, describing his experience of walking into Matthew House for the first time.
While in our homes, residents live with dignity, build relationships, and access practical help for everything from government paperwork and work permits to making their way around Ottawa. Thanks to caring people like you, our residents have a safe and happy place to call home where they can relax in the garden, make a healthy meal, and enjoy time together... Just like any other family.
“It’s like a home, like a family – the community is palpable”
Will you help Matthew House open more doors for people in need? Your special holiday gift of $350, $100, or $50 can help equip newcomers and other low-income Ottawa residents with the resources they need to begin a new chapter – from help navigating the refugee process to furniture to turn empty rooms into a home. Please give generously to support more of your neighbours like Frederick today!
After experiencing the comfort and support of our Refugee Services program, Frederick was eager to become involved in the Canadian workforce. It was then he entered through another Matthew House Ottawa door: our Furniture Bank.
With a warehouse stocked with generous and gently-used donations from our neighbours, the Furniture Bank helps people transitioning to permanent housing make their new space feel like home. It is heartbreaking, but not uncommon, to hear that families were sleeping and eating on the floor before their Furniture Bank appointment.
Shortly after joining the Matthew House community, Frederick became the first participant in our Newcomer Training and Employment Program, which provides a 3-month paid part-time job at the Furniture Bank, along with workforce skills development training, resumé support, and job search help.
Frederick has since accepted a full-time job as the Furniture Bank’s Warehouse Assistant, and now plays a key role in furnishing 100 homes each month for families in need. Looking to the future, he hopes to leverage this Canadian work experience to establish his own business.
Matthew House hopes to continue supporting Frederick’s journey in the months to come – as we do for all our residents. That’s why we recently expanded our services to be able to help more refugees, for longer periods of time.
Though MHO has traditionally housed newcomers for three to four months, housing and credit challenges were making it difficult for residents to move out and onto their next chapter. Now, we've expanded our services to include transition homes, giving residents another stable place to live while they adjust to life in Canada and seek longer-term housing. Staff are available on an as-needed basis, and transition home residents (like all former residents) have continued access to support from the Matthew House team on their journey to independent living.
It is because of the care and compassion of our donors, that we were able to open five new transition homes so far this year.
But we need your continued support this holiday season. Every refugee arriving in Canada deserves the opportunities that come with walking through our doors.
Will you help support some of our most vulnerable neighbours by making a donation to Matthew House Ottawa today? Together, we can keep our doors open and welcome more people in need like Frederick.
Thank you in advance for your powerful gift. I’m wishing you and your family a happy and warm Christmas and holiday season!
Allan
Allan Reesor-McDowell
Executive Director
Matthew House Ottawa
Your support reminds people that while they are rebuilding their lives—whether from homelessness, abuse, poverty, or as a refugee - they are not forgotten. Thank you for being such a critical influence on their journeys through your generosity and commitment to give back. Please make a donation today.