As hosts, we provide a safe, calm place to land, while refugees get their feet under them.

Dave and Rebecca Smith, Open Homes Hosts

Open Hearts and Homes—Providing Safety for Refugees

In 2024, CJI welcomed Open Homes under their umbrella. 

“What I appreciate most about Open Homes is that it provided my family and me with a safe, temporary place to stay,” says David Vallee. David and his family arrived at the Canada-USA border in 2015. Staff at the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Office (IRCC) told them about cities where they could settle, and they chose Kitchener. IRCC referred them to Compass, a local settlement organization that connected the Vallees with Robert and Lisa Shuh. “Lisa welcomed us into her home, introduced us to her family, and even gave up her daughter’s room for the four of us. We were deeply moved by their generosity and hospitality.”

Elmira, Ontario, farmers Lisa and Robert know what it’s like to be newcomers. From 2002 to 2004 they lived in Nicaragua with their four children. Lisa says it was tough “being dropped into a situation where we knew only a handful of people. We didn’t know the language. We had to find someplace to live. We had to figure out the city, where to shop for groceries and so on.” What made their situation easier was that they had money and jobs. Lisa recognizes that most refugees coming to Canada are fleeing traumatic situations. “They generally have financial issues because they’ve left businesses and jobs.”

David and his family spent a month with the Shuhs. Then the Shuhs introduced them to another host couple, Dave and Rebecca Smith. “They welcomed us with open hearts,” says David. The Smiths made the Vallees feel at home and helped them navigate settling into Canada. David adds, “We were welcomed into a family environment and had the chance to meet people with experience in Canada, who helped us understand the country’s rules, social systems, and culture.”

Dave and Rebecca say, “About 12 years ago, we purchased a home with a basement apartment so we could host refugees.” Dave adds, “Every refugee or family is different. Some want you quite involved. Others are much more independent and are just happy for a place to stay.” Dave and Rebecca appreciate that Compass is available to support newcomers with completing paperwork, getting a health card, figuring out the transportation system, looking for jobs and housing etc. “As hosts, we can provide a safe, calm place to land for a short period, while they get their feet under them.”

Hosting refugees has given the Smiths an appreciation for other cultures. “There is value in getting along with people who are different from you.” They add, “As a host, you learn it doesn’t always have to be my way or the way we do it in Canada, and your worldview expands.” The Smiths are pleased that many families who lived with them are doing well in Canada. 

Open Homes began when families at Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church (WMB) asked the church to formalize a refugee hosting program. “A few families had already been hosting refugees informally,” says Lisa. In 2015, the church asked Lisa to assist with the refugee ministry when one of the pastors was off on medical leave. Lisa saw bringing structure to Open Homes as an essential next step. The group wrote a training document to guide hosts in welcoming newly arrived refugees. “For the next three or four years, more people were hosting and joining partner circles to accompany refugee families,” says Lisa. 

When WMB grew concerned about liability issues, Lisa, along with Isaiah Ritzmann, looked for a community partner better equipped to include Open Homes under its umbrella. 

“We searched for an organization with longevity, sustainability, and charitable status.” Several potential partners were concerned about liability. After six months of discussion, Community Justice Initiatives agreed to operate Open Homes. Lisa appreciates that though CJI is a long-standing charity, it still has a “grassroots flavour.” She’s also grateful for CJI’s trauma-informed services. Refugees seek asylum in Canada because their lives are in danger in their home countries. They need services that consider their trauma. In addition, CJI has “structures that mitigate risk and a process to deal with conflict.” CJI helps guests and hosts develop a written agreement on how to live together well, and they can access mediation if needed. “This provides safety and accountability and reduces liability, but it also makes it better from a human perspective,” says Lisa. 

CJI Interim Executive Director, Kate Crozier, is excited about the new partnership. “This service addresses a crucial gap in transitional housing. The values of Open Homes and CJI are deeply aligned, ensuring that those seeking refuge are welcomed with the support they need to build a new life.”

What happens to refugees who can’t access safe housing in our community? “They end up in a shelter or on the street,” says Dave. “One of the couples was on the street with their child before they came to live with us.” Living in a stressful environment makes it hard for people to put together their refugee claims and to have peaceful relationships with their families. “If more people had true refuge, maybe [their claims] would have succeeded, and they wouldn’t have had to go back to horrible situations,” says Rebecca. 

“For the good of our own society, we don’t want more people on the street and struggling. The more you can welcome and integrate people, the more they’re going to adapt to life in Canada and be healthier, and better able to contribute as citizens.”

 

 

Interested in becoming an Open Homes Host?

Open Homes is a community of “hosts” who offer medium-term housing for refugees (“guests”). Hosts offer safety, warmth, and relationship for people newly arrived in the Waterloo Region. Guests and hosts live together in mutually supportive community. CJI’s ongoing support includes mediation, conflict coaching and other supports. We work with you to create the best chance of a successful Open Homes connection!
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