“It’s not easy being all alone,” said Joy. “I’m glad I found House of Friendship.”
Joy came to Canada 23 months ago as a refugee from Nigeria.
“I had to run for my life,” said Joy. “I had to leave my family behind.”
Joy volunteers weekly at one of House of Friendship’s Neighbourhood Food Programs, where she also receives food support.
She found out about the program through a neighbour in her apartment building, who was also from Nigeria.
“Just seeing someone from my country, just talking to them, made me happy,” said Joy. “I asked her, ‘Please, I need assistance. Is there anywhere I can go?’
Joy received the help she needed, but soon decided to volunteer, both to give back her time and to help her with her ultimate goal of finding a job in Canada.
“It has been so difficult to find a job,” said Joy. “I needed somewhere to volunteer. I just want to be useful here, in the community.”
Currently, Joy is trying to make ends meet while living on Ontario Works, but it hasn’t been easy. She shares a two-bedroom apartment with a single mother; even so, her rent takes up most of the money she receives.
What little is left over has to be carefully set aside for anything extra, like clothing, which is why she is so grateful she can get food every week.
“I have to pay my bills, and it has been tough,” said Joy. “Without this food, how would I survive?”
Volunteering has also helped her get to know her neighbours, and find out about other available support. Joy regularly joins House of Friendship’s English Conversation Circle, even though she is quite fluent in English, simply to have people to talk to.
But most of all, Joy has enjoyed being part of the House of Friendship team, finding connection and community with both volunteers and staff.
“I feel like I have a family here,” said Joy. “Even though my family are not here, at least I have people around me here. They have been so good to me.”
Your support of our Food programs helps community members like Joy get the help they need. Thank you for your faithfulness and compassion!
