Matthew House Refugee Services (Ottawa) Inc.

About the Company

Modelled after Matthew House in Toronto, Matthew House Ottawa’s name derives from our Christian roots: we are motivated by Jesus’ call in Matthew 25:35 to feed, clothe, shelter, and serve our global neighbours who arrive into our community.

The key values that guide our work derive from our Christian foundation and include hospitality, loving service, compassion, respecting human dignity, and building community. These values permeate our programs and interactions between staff, volunteers, and the people we serve. Service has been central to our identity, and we seek to serve in ways that offer dignity and humanity to those who have experienced marginalization.

Starting over is never easy. And for the hundreds of refugees who arrive in Ottawa each year, starting over can feel impossible. Many find themselves sleeping on the streets or in crowded shelters, wondering how they will ever find a job or a safe place to live in a city full of strangers. After fleeing persecution, they now find themselves navigating a whole new set of obstacles.

We believe that no one should face these challenges alone. For the refugees we serve, Matthew House Ottawa is more than just a place to live: it is the promise of a new beginning. The people who walk through our doors come with little more than determination and the clothes on their backs. When they leave after a few months with us, they leave with the skills, resources, support, and confidence necessary to live independently in their new home in Canada.