A home for the holidays (and other days)

With only two staff and a small number of volunteers, Hospitality House has managed to find ways to welcome thousands of newcomers for more than three decades. The compassionate refuge for those seeking safety and support in Canada has remained committed to empowering refugees, advocating for their rights, providing essential services and fostering community integration.

Now with new leadership and a new home, the non-profit organization continues with the same mission and a renewed commitment to serve those arriving to make Manitoba home. More than 120 people this year alone have been welcomed by Hospitality House.

Resettlement co-ordinator Elodie Furaha, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been with Hospitality House for seven years, first as a volunteer, and eventually becoming employed with the charitable organization.

“I find it rewarding, especially myself being a refugee,” said the mother of two daughters, adding that she’s fortunate to be doing something she’s always wanted to do.

“It’s not an easy task. There are so many other things. I’m still learning,” she said, adding that her job involves everything from being a driver and taking newcomers to interviews to working on sponsorships, to explaining how to use a microwave.”

There’s all kinds of learning that happens during the settlement process, and a few particularly significant challenges, too. Finding housing for new arrivals is one of the bigger ones.

“When it comes to housing, it’s really difficult,” said Furaha. “So many landlords want to see credit history, bank history. Refugees have none of that. To build credit history it will take some time.”

And when it comes to sponsorships, there are often delays that can be heartbreaking for family members in Manitoba who have to wait for painfully long periods of time to be reunited with loved ones.

Furaha focuses on what can be done and appreciates those who contribute to making life a little easier for newcomers as they navigate a new country, a new culture, a new environment and often a new language.

Hospitality House has two group homes — transitional places available for people when they arrive who have no other options for housing. Food banks and churches help out to ensure everyone has food to eat. Furaha says donations of good, clean bedding including blankets are always welcome.

These days, refugees are arriving from many countries around the world, with larger numbers from Sudan, Chad and Uganda.

“It can be really difficult,” said Furaha. “One of our friends who stays in the house asked, ‘Can we have a Christmas tree?’ They feel lonely. It’s difficult for everyone… culture, religion, being homesick, the weather. What we do is try to help everyone get involved or engaged — try to cheer everyone.”

Furaha created a group chat for newcomers who want to check in, find out how everyone is doing, and share a meal, sometimes gathering to celebrate special occasions.

With extensive experience working with newcomers and asylum seekers, Ghezae Hagos Berhe accepted the role of director of administration in 2022.

“You get to be one of the people who actually participates in saving lives directly. As a refugee, I know what displacement means,” said Berhe, originally from Eritrea.

The married father of two — and registered immigration consultant — is excited about their new location to better serve clients and honoured to be in a position to help.

“We were always thinking we wanted to have something of our own. Now we have our own place,” he said, about the purchased space at 231 Isabel St. “We are near IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba). People can come. Everybody loves it. We have our own place to have meetings. It’s a great achievement.

“We have a lot of support from our board members — who are from all walks of life — community, supporters and volunteers. We are especially grateful for our funders, the Winnipeg Foundation, for their community grants consistently for the past three years; the Mahon Family Foundation; and Sisters of Our Lady of Missions of Winnipeg; and both our private and community donors. We couldn’t do this work without them.”

Berhe points out that at this time there is a huge unprecedented global displacement, yet there is a restriction on sponsoring refugees.

“The government is reducing the number. This is a huge problem. By not supporting refugees, we are leaving people — who need protection — unprotected,” he said, noting that the sponsorship program has been put on a long-term pause for now.

The Canadian Group of Five (G5) private sponsorship program involves groups of five or more Canadians getting together to sponsor refugees from abroad to live in Canada permanently. For over 40 years, programs like the Group of Five have served as a model for other countries around the globe to bring hope to refugees, worldwide.

“This is not uncontrolled immigration,” Berhe explained, about the planned and executed program, which involves Canadians volunteering to help newcomers settle into their new lives in Canada.

“We have an international obligation and a moral obligation to support those who need us — a private family program will work. The private sponsors support them for the first year, and the program is managed very well. Canada is made through immigration and refugee protection. This is our history and this is who we are. This is something we should continue in a manner that works. Hospitality House has been the pillar of this program for many years.”

Interest from a wide range of potential sponsors — including prominent community members — remains as high as ever.

“Community members want this program to continue,” said Berhe. “From different ethno-cultural communities, churches, mosques, prominent community leaders — the demand is there.”

To learn more or to contribute, visit: hhrmwpg.org or call 204-589-2092.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca