Sarah* was working for the government in her country of origin, but political unrest and the nature of her job made her the target of death threats. At the same time, Sarah was pregnant with twins and the pregnancy became high-risk.

Fearful for her safety – and the health of her unborn babies – she fled, leaving everything behind. Sarah went to Atlanta, where she gave birth to her boys who needed treatment after delivery. Alone in a new country with newborns, Sarah’s life was complex, isolating and frightening. From Atlanta, Sarah moved to Montreal, then Toronto, where she and her boys found refuge at a shelter.

Homeless and jobless, Sarah juggled motherhood, immigration and refugee claim appointments, and social work meetings. With support from the Christie Refugee Centre,Sarah was able to secure affordable housing, but like so many of her neighbours, she could not afford to furnish her apartment and she and her boys ended up sleeping on blankets on the floor..

After visiting Furniture Bank’s showroom, Sarah was able to select furnishings to turn her empty housing into a home. Now, her kids are sleeping in beds, they are eating together at a kitchen table, and have a couch to relax on.

“I woke up this morning as if I was in a dream. I still can’t believe this is my home and I get to live here – that my babies have an actual bed to sleep in. I don’t have to move anymore; I am home.”

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients

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