More refugees expected in Ottawa as borders re-open As Ontario braces for the next wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts are predicting an influx of refugees in response to border restrictions easing internationally.
"Every time I walk through that door, Now, the organization is looking I treat every person individually, towards the future — and doing honouring their story and experience its best to prepare. and helping move them forward from where they are,” says says Doreen Katto, Program Coordinator, Refugee “We know people in need have been Services.“First thing is usually waiting in dangerous dange conditions,” their refugee claim and paperwork. says Allan Reesor-McDowell, the We help with that. Employment. Executive Director of Matthew House Every job requires experience, how Ottawa (MHO). “With the help of our do you get experience when you’re a amazing supporters, MHO will be newcomer? You volunteer. We help here to open the door for people in with that. And then you need a home, urgent need.” you’re able and willing to pay, but you need furniture. We help with that." The local organization o has been operating since the aftermath of MHO expanded its housing capacity the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, already last year when it opened a second location, growing to 24 transitional serving 16,000+ refugees and Louis, Matthew House employee beds for refugees. The addition of a low-income individuals to date. While COVID-19 posed new second truck has also enabled its “When our community unites for a Furniture Bank drivers to deliver challenges for the charity, it has cause, we can do truly amazing managed to adapt and thrive. th furniture five days per week. things,” says Reesor-McDowell.
Refugees need your furniture. Matthew House Ottawa’s Furniture Bank serves more than 600 refugees and low-income families in our community each year. Here’s how our supporters are helping to make a difference, by the numbers.
2,327
$425
4,679
volunteer hours contributed so far in 2021
average cost to furnish a family in need’s home
items of furniture donated by our community this year
Visit matthewhouseottawa.org or contact (613) 591-6681 to make your donation.
56
GIVING GUIDE 2021
obj.ca Ottawa Business Journal