Strength in Supporting Others: Femi’s Story
“If I wasn’t fortunate enough to live in Matthew House, I would have died here in Canada.”
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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Femi is blunt about the challenges he faced as a newcomer as he shares his story. After arriving in Ottawa from Nigeria and spending a month living in a shelter, he felt profoundly unsafe based on his interactions with fellow residents.
“I couldn’t sleep there anymore,” he explains. “I needed somewhere to go, and thankfully a case worker connected me to Matthew House Ottawa.”
Femi was welcomed by an MHO house manager with open arms.
“The staff are so welcoming and compassionate,” Femi shares gratefully. “It was amazing. My first night of sleep there was the best I’d had in ages. I didn’t wake up until almost noon the next day – I was so exhausted from what I’d been through.”
Anxious to find a job, Femi applied for his work permit. As he waited for legal permission to work in Canada, he decided to keep himself busy volunteering. Femi was delighted to hear there was a volunteer opening in the Matthew House Furniture Bank warehouse.
Though the physical labour was very different from his prior career as a manager and accountant, Femi found himself enjoying the work. He eagerly offered to come in more often upon hearing there was a volunteer shortage.
“I love to care for people,” he says, “so working in the social services is the perfect fit for me. It’s amazing to have found an organization that shares my values and ideals. What I enjoy most is serving people. I derive strength from it.”
Femi credits Matthew House for giving him the stable foundation and family feeling he needed to begin recovering from the trauma he’d endured – both before and during his early days after coming to Canada.
“I felt so rejected at first,” Femi recalls. “I didn’t know where to go. Matthew House saved my life.”
After his work permit arrived, Femi was able to enroll in Matthew House Ottawa and Causeway Work Centre’s Newcomer Training and Employment Program. Part-time work eventually turned into a full-time warehouse volunteer management role.
“I’m here in the midst of very good caring people, staff and clients alike – they’re so amazing,” he says. “In seeing them, I always forget my problems. I enjoy every moment of my work – every minute, second, hour I’m spending here.”
In addition to his role in the warehouse, Femi has put his administrative skills to good use as a house manager for one of MHO’s transition homes.
“I want to continue everything within my capacity so this organization can grow larger and do even more,” he explains. “Matthew House’s contributions to my life will never be forgotten and I will tell this story to my children and their children one day. I will tell it to every person that I come across. My prayer is that God will ensure Matthew House lives on for generations.”
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Matthew House Ottawa supporters open doors to opportunity for newcomers like Femi. Here’s how you can help:
• 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!