We continue to learn a great deal from these precious people as they tell us their stories and teach us about their cultures. Our tastes have changed—literally—so that if you were to look in our pantry, you’d have no idea where we’re from. Our experiences have ranged from eating pacha (boiled lamb’s head) and fou-fou to attending immigration hearings; from teaching English to editing grad school applications. We have enjoyed introducing newcomers to turkey and cranberries, teaching them about our city, and telling them the Christmas story.

When I returned from volunteering overseas this year I wanted to be able to continue to work in the human rights field and MHO was a natural fit. It is a perfect complement to the abstract and theoretical knowledge I acquired in my years of schooling. I am still a fairly new volunteer at MHO but it already feels like home. I love going to my volunteer shift once a week. The staff and the residents are all incredible people and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with each of them.

When I came to Canada, I came as a refugee with my family because of war in Iraq, and the threats we had received because we practice a different religion than others in Iraq. After about 2 years, a private agency sponsored us to come to Canada with 18 other refugees. It was difficult for me and my family to come to a new country, but the good thing that it was safer and the laws in Canada allow us to be accepted as we are. My own experience as a refugee is why I wanted to work with Matthew House Ottawa. I want newcomers to live in Canada, be safe, and feel welcome. 

As an alcoholic in early sobriety, volunteering has been one of the single most important aspects of my new "recovery plan" - recently celebrating 3 months continued sobriety.  It has reminded me of my personable nature and natural capabilities and put my education and life experience to use without expectation of return.  I'm relearning self-respect, responsibility, respect, vigilance, self-control, vision, commitment, routine, motivation and focus, that my opinion does matter.

My name is Andrea McLaren and I’m the Booking Coordinator for MHO:FB. I speak with clients wishing to shop for household items, Referring Agents who inevitably use our service to help their clients and I liaise with our other volunteers who help our clients once they arrive at our location. I have had many different experiences while working…most of them pleasant…on occasion I have been in difficult situations but that is par for the course of volunteering…and on those days you say to yourself, “What am I doing here? ” and then the next call comes in and it all makes sense again.