A Heart for Serving Refugees: Louise's Story
“People in our city would be so lost without Matthew House’s furniture bank.”
– Louise Ebeltoft
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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“Some days I’m a mother or nurse, others I’m an accountant,” laughs Louise Ebeltoft when speaking about her role as Manager of Operations and Refugee Services for Carty House. One of Matthew House’s closest partner organizations, Carty House offers housing and supports for female refugees who have traveled alone to Canada.
It’s work Louise came to naturally after years of volunteering in the community. When her church became involved with refugee resettlement (including the establishment of Matthew House!), Louise felt herself drawn to the cause. “I had worked in dental services for 10 years,” she explains. “I really wanted to do something more meaningful. I didn’t just want a part-time job; I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me and watch it grow.”
When a job became available at Carty House, her former pastor encouraged Louise to apply. Now, she’s the organization’s only full-time staff member and has been working there for nearly six years.
“I really had the heart for it,” says Louise. “The women I get to work with are so amazing. They inspire me with what they are able to accomplish as newcomers. There’s so much we get to celebrate here, together.”
Though she was excited to begin in her role at Carty House, running an organization with very few staff and such a critical mandate came with a steep learning curve.
“When I started, I knew I wanted to learn from the best,” Louise recalls. “Who better to speak to than Matthew House? I connected with the Program Manager at the time, and she acted as my mentor.” Louise spent hours at Matthew House observing our operations and learning from the MHO model.
Today, as Matthew House welcomes new hires, Louise is now often in a mentorship role herself. She describes the relationship as symbiotic. As two of Ottawa’s three refugee-specific supportive housing providers, Carty House and Matthew House have often combined forces to share ideas, procedures, and community resources.
Because Carty House provides refugee women with housing for up to 18 months, they often welcome previous Matthew House residents in need of longer-term supports. In turn, Carty House frequently refers the women it serves to Matthew House’s furniture bank.
“People are nervous when they leave us for their own place; it’s like you’re moving away from your family in a way,” explains Louise. “Our residents go to the Furniture Bank nervous and scared, but the staff and volunteers are so reassuring and kind. They think of everything – all the little things you might otherwise forget.” She says the women Carty House serves are always incredibly appreciative of getting the things they need to start their own life in a new home.
Louise is reflective when asked why the Furniture Bank is so important to the community,. “You come to a new country with nothing. Suddenly you get housing and you’re excited, but it’s also nerve-wracking. You need so much to start a home. Where do you get furniture? How do you get that furniture back to where you live? The costs add up quickly… People in our city would be so lost without Matthew House’s furniture bank.”
“I always encourage people to walk room to room in their house and think of everything that’s gone into that space. Now imagine you get an apartment, but all you have is the key to your door. Then someone comes to you, taps you on the shoulder, and says ‘Hey, I have everything you need. You don’t have to worry; you can focus on other things.”
Matthew House donors just like you make that sense of relief possible for hundreds of families in our community each year. Please take a few minutes to learn more about donating furniture or making a financial gift today.
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Matthew House gratefully acknowledges the partnership of Louise and the entire Carty House team.
Here’s how you can open more doors and support Matthew House Ottawa:
Donations: 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.
Refugee Services: We welcome donations of grocery cards, groceries and frozen meals to help feed the refugees we have welcomed at the house, though we ask that you please contact Doreen in advance to make arrangements (dkatto@matthewhouseottawa.org).
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681. And please spread the word among your networks as well.
Pray: for past, present, and future residents and furniture bank clients
Since 2010, Matthew House Ottawa has welcomed hundreds of refugee claimants, and provided quality used furniture to 7000 families in need. We have done this as a large, dedicated team of volunteers and a handful of employees, with a lot of passion and commitment. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!