Bringing community need to light: Soroush’s Story
“Without furniture, it’s not a home. We are creating homes for people.”
– Soroush Jafari
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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“Ottawa may not be the largest city, but the need here is great,” explains Soroush Jafari.
One of Matthew House Ottawa’s newest staff members, Soroush has been working as our Volunteer Coordinator since immigrating to Canada from Iran this summer. The journey here wasn’t a quick one: a skilled worker entry program meant to take six months instead took a year and a half due to the pandemic. One week after his arrival, Soroush began his new job at Matthew House.
“As an immigrant, every day here is a new experience,” says Soroush. “What is unique about this job is you are interacting with a sample of all the different people in Canada. You’re seeing the different backgrounds, different ambitions, and different cultures that make up this community… The chance to meet everyone and work with such a diverse group is something I really love about this job.”
The role of Volunteer Coordinator at MHO was a perfect fit for Soroush, who worked with refugees through the Red Cross and UNHCR for more than four years before coming to Canada. When he saw the job listed online, he knew he had to apply.
Soroush now provides volunteer coordination for both programs at Matthew House Ottawa, Refugee Services and the Furniture Bank. He travels between programs and is responsible for coordinating the schedules of 50+ volunteers, recruiting new ones, and helping with their training and onboarding.
“The whole organization is a uniting force of community,” Soroush says.
He recalls a man who stayed at Matthew House for three months and used to volunteer at the furniture bank. When he and his wife eventually moved into a home of their own, they had no furniture. Fortunately, they were able to come back to get their needed items from the same program they had themselves supported.
“There are entire families who have been sleeping on the ground, people who don’t even have a chair. Home is supposed to be a place of comfort, where you can have peace and quiet and relaxation,” reflects Soroush. “Without furniture, it’s not a home. We are creating homes for people.”
When asked what he wishes more people knew about Matthew House, Soroush re-emphasizes just how in-demand its programs are.
“Not everyone is aware of how much need exists. Our waiting list for the furniture is around 150 families… The chair or the mattress or the bed that someone is thinking of getting rid of can change people’s lives.”
After starting his career in Canada with Matthew House, Soroush is bringing his expertise and support to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
With your support, Matthew House can continue changing lives for years to come.
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Matthew House Ottawa supporters help keep programs like our Furniture Bank running. Here’s how you can open more doors for our community:
• Donate: you can make a donation online or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
• Volunteer: We currently need volunteers to support our furniture bank and refugee services programs. Click here for more info and to apply.
• Donate Furniture: If you have gently-used furniture to share 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. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!