Refugees told us that the best way to reach them was to come directly to the shelter. We listened.
We relocated our work to the shelter and embedded our services into its existing space and infrastructure. We also bring partner organizations and service providers directly to residents, giving refugees easier access to employment, housing, mental health, and community support in one familiar place.
OUR TEAM
Our team is hired directly from the shelter resident community building leadership and employment pathways from within.
Hired from within
Recruited directly from the shelter resident community, creating real leadership and employment pathways.
Professionally trained
Skilled in social work, leadership, and resource navigation to guide each participant’s path.
Lived experience
Equipped with cultural insight and language fluency from having walked this journey themselves.
Deeply trusted
Trusted by participants precisely because they understand the experience from the inside.
OUR APPROACH
Our team is hired directly from the shelter resident community building leadership and employment pathways from within.
Aligned with each person's skills and professional goals.
Supports that strengthen resilience and belonging.
Credential support and mentorship leading to meaningful employment.
THE FUNDING MODEL
Annual operating budget
In rent, we work inside existing shelter infrastructure
Refugee & newcomer organisations coordinated and amplified
University of Toronto departments embedding evidence based practice
THE FUNDING MODEL
Foundation funding for staffing, coordination, and wrap around services including Power to Give and others.
Partnerships aligned with refugee employment pathways TD, RBC, IKEA, Home Depot, and more.
By choice so we stay agile and can support all refugees and protected persons, including claimants.
Donations and pro bono engagement that keep us flexible and grassroots connected.
LOOKING AHEAD
Other shelters, settlement organizations, and housing partners are now asking to bring the Shelter Hub to their communities. The demand is clear and the model is working.
Bring the Hub to additional refugee shelters across Toronto.
Launch a training program so partners can adopt the model with fidelity.
Embed the model in transitional and affordable housing settings.
Strengthen employer aligned pathways in healthcare, trades, childcare, and tech.
Formalize refugee peer leadership so navigators become sector leaders.
Deepen the evidence base to influence policy and practice.
THE OPPORTUNITY
So that refugees across Canada can rebuild their lives with dignity, belonging, and real economic opportunity.
From shelter to community · uncertainty to stability · isolation to belonging · unemployment to meaningful work
