What we do
Imagine the feeling of walking into your home — the relief, comfort and sense of belonging. That’s what Matthew House Ottawa provides every day.
For the past 15 years, we’ve opened two doors:
- One for refugee claimants arriving in Canada with nothing, seeking safety and a new beginning.
- One for local families in transition — newcomers, individuals leaving homelessness and survivors of domestic violence — who need furniture to turn empty apartments into real homes.
Our residential homes offer a safe, family-style environment where refugee claimants can live, eat, receive support and begin their journey toward independence.
Our Furniture Bank serves thousands of people each year who are starting over and need basic furnishings to build a stable life.
Together, these programs provide dignity, comfort and a path forward for some of Ottawa’s most vulnerable neighbours.
How you can help
Give
Your donation goes directly toward furnishing homes, feeding and sheltering refugee claimants, and supporting newcomers as they rebuild their lives in Ottawa. Thanks to low operating costs and strong partnerships, every dollar makes a tangible difference — from groceries and housing to furniture deliveries that turn empty spaces into safe, welcoming homes.
Make a gift today: matthewhouseottawa.org/give
Volunteer
Matthew House Ottawa thrives because of its volunteers — from those helping refugee claimants settle in to those loading trucks at the Furniture Bank.
“Giving new Canadians a restart on their whole lives is a unique opportunity. It sends a message about our values and belief that everyone matters.”
Find out how you can get involved: matthewhouseottawa.org/volunteer
This article first appeared in the 2025 Giving Guide produced by the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below.
To learn more about this charity, please visit the latest issue of the Giving Guide:
