Furniture is silent in its power. We understand the role of food, clothing and shelter in our lives but we often take furniture for granted, until we don’t have access to it. For our clients transitioning out of homelessness or displacement, furniture has a profound impact on their ability to live dignified and productive lives. These are their stories.
“Because I was leaving a hostile environment and the hostility towards me continued after the separation, having furniture wasn’t just a luxury, it was a necessity. I had to prove that I had a home that was suitable for my child and her well being. I needed furniture – and the Furniture Bank – so that I would be able to have a bed for my child and a dresser drawer to store her clothes.”
Sandra, a former Furniture Bank client
Kaola’s Story
Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels and cultures. It can quickly lead to loss of employment and in many cases, loss of home – as it did for Kaola when she became homeless in 2010. “Not having a place increased an already strong feeling of isolation, like I did not belong anywhere.”
Upon walking into our showroom, she was immediately drawn to a stately antique dressing table, which brought back vivid and happy memories of being a little girl. The furniture Kaola chose that day brought back the feeling of home, safety and security – something she hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
“I was physically removed from my house – I couldn’t believe it. My son was with me at the time. Luckily for her, my daughter was at a sleepover. We were locked out of the house and couldn’t get anything inside: furniture, housewares, clothing and valuables, nothing! Furniture Bank’s furniture donors made our empty house a home, something I couldn’t afford to do on my own. It helped bring my family back together.”
Martin Train, a former Furniture Bank client
How Your Furniture is Helping Syrian Refugees
“The families will never forget that there were Canadians, like the Furniture Bank and its donors, who opened their hearts and minds to ease their transition and to make their resettlement in Canada dignified and with the least amount of stress.”
– Aris Babikian, Retired Citizenship Judge
Your furniture currently helps refugees every day though our existing partnerships with 18 refugee and newcomer settlement agencies in addition to Lifeline Syria, the Armenian Council, as well as privately sponsored families.
For refugees, including the current influx of Syrian newcomer families, the security and stability that comes with an established home plays a key role in the resettlement process.
As more Syrian newcomers become settled in their new country, your donations will provide those who are new to Canada with the dignity and stability they deserve, by assisting them in furnishing their homes.
Since 1998, Your Furniture Has Helped
70,071
Individuals
28,854
Families
But there is more work to do….
Currently, there are an additional 150 social service agencies in the GTA that are actively requesting access to our services. That translates to over 30,000 people in the GTA alone that are living without (or with inadequate) furniture each year.
Your support can play a transformational role in ensuring all Canadians live with the dignity and stability of a furnished home.