House to Home organization in Ottawa helps newcomers set up their lives

House to Home, a charity in Ottawa, provides furnishings for newcomers to Canada. (House to Home/Facebook)

Refugees and some immigrants who arrive in Ottawa can come with nothing, and a local organization is working to help them build new lives by providing everything they need.

As the need for services grows, so does the need for donations to make that happen. Wilna Titeck and her family of three have been in Ottawa for only a few weeks, after moving from Cameroon.

"No stuff. Nothing," she said. "We just got the apartment and the apartment is empty."

New residents can come to House to Home, an organization in the Westgate Shopping Centre on Carling Avenue. From cups to plates, to chairs and brooms, all the essentials are provided.

"The table was very nice. Even the sofa (is) very nice," she said. "I really liked even the kitchen stuff."

The non-profit organization helps set up refugees and newly arrived immigrants who come from difficult circumstances.

Suzi Shore Sauvé says the goal is to give newcomers a chance to pick out gently used donated furniture and clothing, so they have what they need to start their lives here.

"You need that basic comforts of home," she said. "And then from there, you can grow and establish your life."

Shore Sauvé says the idea to start the non-profit began in 2020 when she helped find some furniture for refugees after being asked by a friend. She was inspired to continue the work because of her father, who was in palliative care, and who's parents were Jewish-Russian refugees.

"I was sitting on the couch and he said, 'wouldn't it have been nice if somebody would have helped my parents when they came here,'" she said. Her father passed away several days later.

"That stuck with me. I've been furnishing homes ever since."

Since then, Shore Sauvé has helped people arriving from the Ukraine, Afghanistan and other countries around the world. She says she sees about 60 families a month and the need is always consistent.

Newcomers pay $100 a person for the services. Shore Sauvé explains that is because it helps offset the organization's expenses, which receives no government funding. In return, people can personally choose everything themselves and have it delivered to their new home.

For those who are donating – items can be picked up for a small fee or dropped off for free. House to Home also runs free pick-up days.

Nicole Delplancke is dropping off things she no longer needs. She says she's happy to have it go to a new home.

"It makes you feel good that somebody else will make use of something you've loved," she said.

With people coming to use their services all the time, Shore Sauvé says they need "everything" but especially large items like couches and coffee tables, beds, nightstands and clean mattresses. The organization also needs kitchen items like tables and chairs.

She says kettles and toasters are also always needed.

"The other day, I had to run out and buy about 15 toasters because we didn't have any toasters," she said. "We try to make it a full package. Everything that you see in your house that you're like, 'I could not live without that.' They probably would rather not live without it also."

As her new couch is loaded into the truck, Titek says she is ready to set up her new home.

"I'm excited about that," Titek said.