A Truth You Can’t Ignore: Richard’s Story
“The joy at the Furniture Bank is contagious!”
– Richard Martin
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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“I have no doubt that this is my calling.”
Richard Martin’s voice is full of enthusiasm as he describes his passion for volunteering. After retiring from a career as a scientist with Health Canada, Richard knew exactly how he wanted to spend his time: making a difference for others.
“You become very aware of the suffering around you,” Richard reflects. “I have a house, a car, a safe place to sleep – a lot of people don’t. I can’t gloss over that. People aren’t as lucky as I am. The very least I can do is something to ease that burden. It almost feels like it’s an urgency. It’s something I must be doing to support the community.”
Richard describes the first time he stepped foot into Matthew House’s Furniture Bank as a pivotal moment. Already deeply involved with other organizations, and having started a food rescue program of his own, he nonetheless decided to become an MHO volunteer.
“One of the things I loved most was seeing how many people working at the Furniture Bank were refugees themselves – that full-circle story,” Richard shares. “When Basel [MHO’s Furniture Bank Program Manager] asked if I wanted to get involved, I jumped at the chance.”
Richard’s shift at the Furniture Bank starts at 9am every Tuesday, when he arrives for the warehouse meeting to run through the list of families being helped that day. When families begin arriving and tagging the furniture they want, Richard begins helping to pack items up and move them to the loading dock.
“I love that this work is so hands-on,” he explains. “I love getting to meet so many different people, from so many different walks of life, and helping them create their homes. The joy at the Furniture Bank is contagious!”
Richard shares that he feels proud to be Canadian as he helps out at the Furniture Bank, grateful to be one part of a network of people making the adjustment to life in a new country or other challenging circumstances a little bit easier.
“Safety is such a huge thing,” Richard reflects. “You want to wake up in the morning and know you’re in a safe and supportive community. I’ve met refugees who tell me they’re so grateful to be here, where they can feel that way. I want to do my part to create more safety.”
When asked what he might say to someone else to encourage them to volunteer with Matthew House Ottawa, Richard is thoughtful.
“Human nature is to want to help each other and support our community,” he says. “I think that can get clouded over or interrupted by all of our other obligations, which is understandable. But if you can find a few hours a week, you’ll be part of something with an amazing energy. You’ll get to welcome new Canadians – the people who are going to be our neighbours, our doctors, our future leaders – and make them feel at ease. It’s an investment in our country, and a better future for all of us.”
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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!