FOUNDING STORY

Matthew House grew out of the vision of its founding director, Anne Woolger, who had a chance encounter with a refugee in the mid 1980s. His heart-wrenching story of escaping persecution ended with his account of feeling painfully unwelcome upon arrival in Canada. His story so deeply moved her that she decided to begin volunteering with refugees to help them feel welcome.

She subsequently began work at a city-run homeless shelter in Toronto, where her eyes were opened to the plight of refugee claimants seeking asylum in Canada. Recognizing the great shortage of caring shelters geared towards their unique settlement needs, Anne approached her denominational leaders and shared her vision of establishing a faith-based reception home to provide a warm welcome for refugee claimants. The name “Matthew” House was inspired by the New Testament passage in Matthew 25:35, where Jesus says, “ I was a stranger, and you welcomed me… 

Since opening in 1998, Matthew House has welcomed, sheltered and assisted thousands of newly arrived refugee claimants from over 100 different countries.  Guests have come from all walks of life, but the one thing they share in common is a fear of persecution and a need for protection. 

Matthew House Toronto holds the distinction of being one of the first small home-based shelters for refugee claimants to be opened in Canada, and it has played a key leadership role in inspiring the opening of many similar refugee claimant shelters/homes and programs across Canada based on the Matthew House model.  

While each house is autonomous, some even chose to replicate the Matthew House name, including: Matthew House Fort Erie, Matthew House Windsor and Matthew House Ottawa.  

We are also proud to work alongside our sister refugee claimant homes, for which our founding team has lent support, including: Adam House Toronto, Micah House Hamilton, Journey Home Vancouver and People’s House Toronto. 

Matthew House also has historical ties with Kinbrace Community Vancouver, and New Hope Community Services, Surrey, BC. 

Matthew House founder Anne Woolger recently served six years as the Co-Chair of the Working Group on Inland Protection with the Canadian Council for Refugees. Anne and the Matthew House Leadership team have also helped establish and support other important refugee claimant initiatives, including the Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants, and the Red Cross First Contact program.  Matthew House was also a founding member of the Refugee Highway Partnership, a faith-based international refugee-serving network.

Aside from providing shelter and support to newly arrived refugee claimants within our homes, Matthew House Toronto has a program for any claimant to access support with their refugee claim process. 

The refugee hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is the most important event that an asylum seeker must face when seeking protection in Canada, and we help them prepare with a simulation of the hearing. Launched in 2012, the Re–Course program currently helps over 800 individuals annually.

Currently, Jacky Tuinstra is serving as the Executive Director of Matthew House Toronto, and Anne Woolger is serving as the Founding Director.

Steve Shepherd is the Chair of the Board of Matthew House Toronto, which is a registered non-profit charity.

Executive Director

Jacky Tuinstra Harrison

Jacky@matthewhouse.ca

Board Chair

steve shepherd

Founding Director

ANNE WOOLGER

Anne@matthewhouse.ca