News

✨CHRISTMAS AT CHRISTIE✨✨✨ . . . #refugeefamilies #refugeestories #refugeeshelterhouse #refugeesintoronto #firstchristmasincanada

Ever wondered what a room at Christie for a family of three or a family of four (with newborn) looks like? For the first time in a long time, we have empty rooms at Christie. This is a trend almost every holiday season as families rise to the pressure of securing housing in order to spend their first Christmas in Canada in their own space. In total, six families have or will have moved out of Christie this month. . . . #refugeeshelter #refugeesintoronto #refugeefamilies

✨✨✨🦋last day of our After-School Children’s Program until 2026✨✨✨🦋 #refugeechildren

We’re offering our community ideas for giving for Christmas and beyond — well into the New Year. Give in time for Christmas, or (more needed!) in the New Year when our supplies of basic needs dwindles and donations tend to dry up. Here’s what we’re looking for. . . . #refugeefamilies #refugeeshelter #refugeesupport #christmasgiving

❄️❄️ WINTER THINGS ❄️❄️ Holiday parties begin and hearty meals from our talented kitchen team continue and a Children’s Program egg drop challenge takes place (everyone was a winner!) and sledding fun and Women’s Program workshops wrap up and our youngest residents being together in friendship and birthdays. . . . #refugeeshelter #refugeefamilies #refugeefamiliestogether

Christie residents together with staff Carol and Meyuu (back row, right) at this Fall’s Women’s Wellness Program graduation. For women living at Christie, the majority of whom are single mothers (68%), our Women’s Wellness Program is a six-week series of health and well-being workshops we offer twice per year. This Fall’s cohort included many new moms with babies. Meaningful workshops and information sessions addressed new mom stress, postpartum depression, parenting, diabetes, the importance of health screenings and healthy eating. A big thank you to our Child and Family Worker, shelter support staff, on-site health clinic doctors and other guest speakers involved in ensuring the program’s continued success for this cohort. A further thank you to the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health for continuing to fund this invaluable program in 2025, as part of their $1.75 million investment in community programs that help improve the state of women’s healthcare across Canada. . . . #refugeehealth #womenshealth #refugeewomen #newmomsupport #shoppersfoundationforwomenshealth #refugeeshelter #refugeewomenrising

As we head into the Christmas and holiday season soon, we are looking to meaningfully support the many refugee families who have recently moved out. Food is expensive (!!) and grocery gift cards help offset costs for refugee families settling into apartments and juggling Canadian expenses (Christmas toys, winter clothing, utilities, rent) for the first time. . . . #givingback #refugeefamilies #foodinsecurity #foodinsecurityawareness #refugeeshelterhouse

Did you know that almost 70% of refugee families who stayed in Christie shelter last year were female-headed single parent families? Did you know that almost 1000 health appointments were held at our on-site health clinic, with the majority of patients seen being girls and women? Did you know that last year we held 13 Women’s Wellness Program workshops, to supplement the health and and wellness services offered to women living at Christie? Our Women’s Wellness Program is a six-week series of health and well-being workshops for women living at Christie, covering topics including parenting, art therapy, nutrition and healthy eating and stress management. Thank you to the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health for continuing to fund this invaluable program in 2025, as part of their $1.75 million investment in community programs that help improve the state of women’s healthcare across Canada. Christie was one of 12 organizations selected for our work improving access to healthcare for women. We are grateful. Our next Women’s Wellness Program session begins in October 2025. #refugeehealth #womenshealth #refugeewomen #shoppersfoundationforwomenshealth

✨ Meet Damaris & Her Son ✨ From arriving in Canada with only hope and a suitcase to becoming a strong voice for refugee families—Damaris’s story is one of courage, love, and transformation. 🌍 Discover how Christie Refugee Welcome Centre walked alongside her every step of the way, and how together we can keep building safe beginnings. 💛 Read her story & be inspired #RefugeesWelcome #RideForRefuge #NewBeginnings #ChristieRefugee