ministry partners who lead in welcoming newcomers to Canada – ministries supported from the start by CBWOQ
Did you know that one of the founders of Matthew Houses across Ontario will say that without CBWOQ’s support, right from the beginning, their ministries may have taken much longer to take root and flourish? That’s the impact that CBWOQ has had in the lives of those called to lead in the area of refugee/newcomer ministry in Ontario and Quebec, and in the lives of those who have called Matthew Houses and Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre – home.
Thank you for your gifts through the year and for the gift you may want to give before December 31.
(Cheques must be in the mail by December 31 to be attributed to your 2021 income tax receipt.)
When you give to CBWOQ, you give the healing gifts of refuge and home to some of the most vulnerable in Canadian society.
Matthew Houses – Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, Fort Erie
At Matthew House, Ottawa, 40 asylum seekers found refuge, and the team furnished about 650 homes through their furniture bank . . . in 2021! In 2022, the ministry plans to double its capacity for helping seekers. Young men like Louis who arrived by himself from Rwanda in 2019, and found the help at Matthew House, Ottawa, that he desperately needed. He found safety. He acquired job skills and now works at the furniture bank. Here’s a little of what he says:
“Volunteering at the furniture bank is similar to living at the Matthew House. It’s like a family.”
Read more about the boldness of Matthew Houses in Ottawa, Fort Erie and Windsor here.
Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre (Oasis), Toronto
At Oasis, Erika Abele and her team have experienced an increase in their women’s counselling program over the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased needs, more references coming in from other organizations and greater accessibility to the program as it pivoted to online (virtual) delivery all played a part in this uptick. Many women who access Oasis’ services like this counselling program become volunteers – learning job and English language skills, finding a supportive community and most of all – love.
Read more about how Oasis adapted its ministries to keep supporting the vulnerable in their community even during the pandemic. Click here.