Graphic Organizer by Elli Efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp Sojourn House en-us 2019-12-07 00:23:03 UTC 2025-10-01 15:40:33 UTC hello@padlet.com elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421069410 2019-12-07 00:24:19 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421069410 elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421069624 2019-12-07 00:24:23 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421069624 Location elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421081044 101 Ontario St, Toronto, ON M5A 2V2]]> 2019-12-07 00:28:36 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421081044 History elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421086338 During the late 1900s, 1987 to be exact, a community group from Toronto was concerned about the lack of immediate support available to newly arrived refugees. Wanting to help the refugees, the group did a lot of research on the basic needs of refugee claimants and explored innovative solutions to assist them. After all their research it was clear that the immediate need was selter. In 1989, the first Sojourn House was built. It was a building located at 51 Bond Street in downtown Toronto, that got renovated. The Sojourn House was able to provide short term shelter to 25 newly arrived refugees.

Over the years we realized that there were some setbacks and we needed some new additions for the refugees and in 2001 a Transitional Supportive Housing program was developed as a vision for a new Sojourn House. Sojourn House gave some funds for the new building that would include not only a shelter program like the first house but also a program for a two year housing stabilization support program for refugees experiencing settlement difficulties.

The new building, located at 101 Ontario Street, opened in May 2006. The expansion was doubled so now we had 50 beds. The project went very far for a small agency. 

Six years later, in 2012, Sojourn House was awarded the Newcomer Championship award by the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.  Our model has been presented at conferences as a best practice model for refugee integration.

]]> 2019-12-07 01:01:42 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421086338 Mission/Goals/Objectives elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421088092 Sojourn house’s mission, goals and objectives are, to provide a safe place and create an inclusive environment where refugees are supported and empowered to pursue a life in Canada and to build a safe world and a better future for refugees. 

]]> 2019-12-07 01:05:11 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421088092 Services & Programs elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421091224 2019-12-07 01:06:21 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421091224 Emergency Selter elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092227 The Shelter Program provides short-term emergency shelter, 3 daily meals plus snacks  to refugees, which has 58 beds divided between 18 dwelling rooms. Shelter is only provided for newcomers seeking asylum in Canada. To many refugee claimants, Sojourn House is a place where they can spend their first night without fear, a place where they can finally rest without the fear of violence.]]> 2019-12-07 01:06:59 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092227 Transitional Housing elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092311 The Transitional Housing Program has been in operation since 2006. This is for refugees who have had difficulties with their transition and require longer-term support and it’s for 2 years. The program has 52 fully furnished apartments that hold about 100 refugees. ]]> 2019-12-07 01:07:36 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092311 Satellite Program elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092362 Sojourn House recently opened a satellite shelter located at 250 Queen St. East. This program provides Sojourn House with an additional space to accommodate up to 20 beds for single men. It’s only for short-term emergency shelter and the refugees are given 3 daily meals plus an evening snack.]]> 2019-12-07 01:07:53 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092362 Outreach elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092412 The Outreach Program provides outreach services to Sojourn House residents moving to the community for one year after leaving Sojourn House. ]]> 2019-12-07 01:08:11 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092412 Housing Stabilization elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092445 The Newcomer Housing Help program assists newly arrived refugees to access and maintain housing in their new community. This program not only makes sure that the clients maintain stable housing, but also focuses on stabilizing clients with physical and mental health complications. ]]> 2019-12-07 01:08:24 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092445 Health Clinic elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092500 In 2014 Sojourn House partnered with Women’s College Hospital Crossroads Clinic to improve healthcare access for refugees. This clinic was formed in response to Federal Government changes that terminated healthcare services to refugees. With these changes many of our clients were not covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFH) leaving them without access to even basic medical care. The in house clinic was created by Sojourn House in collaboration with WCH. In 2015 the Regent Park Community Health Center joined the clinic providing a Doctor for an additional day a week. The in house clinic operates three days a week. Patients book appointments in advance and are seen by a nurse practitioner or a doctor on-site, in a safe and accessible environment.]]> 2019-12-07 01:08:40 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092500 Food Service elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092526 The food service program at Sojourn House focuses on providing daily nutritious meals, supplying 3 meals plus an evening snack to all residents living in the shelter and in the satellite program. Sojourn House caters to its client’s special dietary needs, cultural food preferences and food restrictions. Sojourn House hosts monthly birthday celebrations in the Shelter Program and facilitates all religious accommodations during periods of religious observance. ]]> 2019-12-07 01:08:56 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092526 Youth - Skills For Life elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092699 Sojourn House’s Skills for Life program has been developed to settle and integrate “separated refugee youth” into Canada. A separated refugee youth is a young person between the ages of 16-24 who is seeking protection in Canada and has arrived alone without family or social support. Skills for Life was designed to assist youth with life skills, counselling and social activities aimed at supporting them during their settlement process. ]]> 2019-12-07 01:09:16 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421092699 elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421111486 2019-12-07 01:59:26 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421111486 elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421111531 2019-12-07 01:59:46 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421111531 Quality of Program elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421122877 Shelter Programs:
During 2018 we served 263 people, which included 210 males, 53 females and 67 youth from 32 different countries.

Transitional Housing Program:
During 2018 we served 195 people from 26 different counties. We served 19 males, 47 females, 29 youth, 2 trans and 98 children.

Sojourn House spends almost all the funds that it gets and it does for good and useful purposes.

Ciro Muiruri "Giving you 5 starts is an understatement. This is the best Shelter in Toronto! 3 years ago, I was homeless and you were there for me. I love Sojourn house."
Bruce Kairagwire "It's amazing place for refugees home"

]]> 2019-12-07 03:12:51 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421122877 Efficiency of Money elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123108 2019-12-07 03:14:20 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123108 Benefits to the Community elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123338 In more than 30 years Sojourn House went from nothing to helping thousands of refugees find a safe place here in Canada. Sojourn House is proudly one of the first and largest refugee housing agencies in Toronto and a leading organization in refugee care.]]> 2019-12-07 03:15:59 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123338 Foundations elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123660 Our biggest donor this year was the City of Toronto but some of our other 2018 funders were:
  • James A. Burton and Family Foundation
  • The Minhas Mohamed Foundation
  • The PhilipSmith Foundation
]]> 2019-12-07 03:18:21 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123660 Paid Staff elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123712 Shelter Program:
Settlement Counselor
416-864-0515 Ext. 221 or 222
Outreach Social Worker
416-864-0515 Ext. 234 or 232
Housing Counselor
416-864-0515 Ext. 228 or 235
Housing Stabilization Social Worker
416-864-0515 Ext. 238
Overnight Worker
416-864-0515 Ext. 221

Transitional Housing Program:
Transitional Housing Coordinator
416-864-9900 Ext. 242
Settlement Counsellor
416-864-9900 Ext. 241
Settlement Counsellor – Child, Youth and Family
416-864-9900 Ext. 249
Youth Social Worker
416-864-9900 Ext. 225
Youth Settlement Counsellor
416-864-9900 Ext. 220

Administration/Management:
Executive Director
416-864-9136 Ext. 227
Senior Director of Shelter and Housing
416-864-9136 Ext. 240
Director of People Services
416-864-9136 Ext. 247
Director of Facility and Maintenance Services
416-864-9136 Ext. 239
Director of Food Services Program
416-864-9136 Ext. 231
Director of Finance & Administration
416-864-9136 Ext. 226
Shelter Manager
416-864-9136 Ext. 501
Admin. Assist./Bookkeeper
416-864-9136 Ext. 237
]]> 2019-12-07 03:18:50 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421123712 Funders elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421124879
  • City of Toronto – Homelessness Partnering Strategy
  • City of Toronto – Shelter Support and Housing Administration
  • Government of Ontario –  Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, Newcomer Settlement Program.
    • ]]>     2019-12-07 03:27:56 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421124879     Money elli_efstathopoulou https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421128949 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS REVENUE:                                             2018               2017
    Government Funding                                                                         $ 6,091,968       $ 4,026,334
    Donations and Other Revenue                                                         $ 354,594          $ 335,576
    Total Revenues                                                                                   $ 6,446,562       $ 4,361,910

    EXPENSES:
    Programs                                                                                             $ 3,096,041       $ 2,336,318
    Rent                                                                                                      $ 1,897,574 
    Building                                                                                                $ 780,577          $ 571,017
    Administration                                                                                    $ 2,089,252       $ 752,068
    Total Expenses                                                                                   $ 5,965,870       $ 3,667,142

    Excess of revenue over expenses before    
    non-operating revenues and expenses                                           $ 480,692          $ 694,768
    Non-operating revenues and expenses:
    SCPI capital grant recognized                                                          $ 89,000            $ 89,000
    Investment income                                                                            $ 36,712            $ 34,754
    Amortization                                                                                       $ (298,794)       $ (285,894)

    EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR          $ 307,610          $ 532,628
    ]]>     2019-12-07 04:01:42 UTC https://padlet.com/elli_efstathopoulou/3o4a82l9fivp/wish/421128949