Program update (September)
Thank you so much for your support of the work Matthew House Ottawa and the people we serve. Here is an encouraging update, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Refugee Services
The big news in our refugee services program is that we just opened a second location! We have made a one year commitment to rent an 11-bedroom house that is set up very well for our program (with the option to extend the lease if we choose). It is located in South Keys, and we are in the process of taking referrals from the city and shelters to fill the beds. If you know of any refugee claimants who need housing and assistance with their claim, please feel free to be in touch.
While the "normal" flow of refugees has been significantly disrupted by the pandemic, there are still refugees in our city (in shelters and temporary hotels stays, for instance) that we are well positioned to serve. And the need for shelter is only going to increase as it gets colder. If you are able, we invite your financial support to make the launch of our second home for refugees a success.
If you need some encouragement, read this touching story about the impact that Matthew House Ottawa had on lives of Biggest and his family: “We moved and everything seemed to go wrong at once. We ran out of money. We couldn’t afford to pay rent. My wife got sick. We went to the hospital and we didn’t have enough money to pay our bills… We were desperate. No one could take us in.” Read more...
Furniture Bank
While it continues to be a challenging time, things are going well at furniture bank. Demand has remained strong throughout the summer, and we have safely increased the number of households we furnish to 15 homes per week, which is back to our full capacity.
We are grateful to have fully furnished 329 homes this year (through August), a significant achievement during a global pandemic! To give you a sense of the impact this program is making on the lives of our clients, I encourage you to read Bemvindo's story: "When we moved into our apartment we had nothing. Now, we can sit on the couch together, eat meals at the kitchen table, and sleep in our beds. We were able to choose all of our furniture and that made my family very happy." Read more...
Furniture donations have been steady, and we are consistently booked 2-3 weeks out for furniture donation pick-ups. If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681 to discuss options for a safe drop off or pick up.
How can I help?
If you want to continue making the work of Matthew House Ottawa possible, here are some ways to help:
Make a donation: We could really use your financial support as we launch our new home for refugees. Click here to give online.
Become a monthly donor: The consistent support from our monthly donors has been a HUGE help during this time, and we would encourage you to give in this way if you are able. You can set up a monthly donation here – just click “donate monthly” tab at the top of the page. Call me if you have any questions: 613-255-0168.
Ride for Refuge: This year's ride will look a bit different given the pandemic, but I encourage you to put in a team and walk or ride to support the work of Matthew House Ottawa.
Thank you
Thanks again for your support of the work of Matthew House Ottawa. I am so grateful!
May God bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. This continues to be an unusual and unsettling time, but we will get through it. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions: 613-255-0168 or arm@matthewhouseottawa.org.
Sincerely,
Allan
Allan Reesor-McDowell
Executive Director
Matthew House Ottawa