News

💙 2 Weeks To Go — Fuel the Journey The finish line is getting close, and every step we take together changes lives. In just two weeks, our community will walk to show refugee families that they are welcome and not alone. Your donation today provides more than shelter and food—it brings safety, dignity, and hope. Each gift, no matter the size, helps families rebuild their lives and feel embraced by a caring community. ✨ Let’s fill these final two weeks with generosity and action. ⬆️ Click the link in bio to give and help us reach our goal before event day. Together, we can ensure that every family has a safe place to call home. #2WeeksToGo #CarryHope #ChristieRefugee #WalkForRefuge #FuelTheJourney #WelcomeRefugees

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

Injera! 🇪🇹 Our Kitchen Team has developed an ethnic food menu, offering families more ethnic food dishes throughout the month, with two days per week dedicated to a country and its national cuisine. Last week, Christie ate GOOD with #injera (Ethiopia). As families live at Christie for longer (average 6 months) due to the Toronto housing crisis, small comforts like food from home can make their stay in shelter a tiny bit more positive. Food is at the centre of so much. #refugeesupport #refugeeshelter #refugeesintoronto #ethiopianfood

New year, new beginnings! 🎒🎒🎒🎒🎒Back to School is special around here. We held our #backtoschool BBQ recently, providing 34 children living at Christie with brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies. Ten families who recently moved out of the shelter were also gifted with new school supplies. Thank you to the generous donors who helped make this back-to-school gift possible 💕 #backtoschool2025📚✏️ #refugeeshelter #refugeesintoronto #refugeechildren #refugeeeducation

Just like walkers pack the essentials for a long journey, refugees carry dreams, resilience—and often not much more. Your walk not only strides forward—it carries hope, safety, and community forward too. 💙 ✨ Haven’t formed your walking team yet? There’s still time. Invite your friends, colleagues, or neighbours. Every step you take together makes our goal brighter. ⬆️ Register today link on bio — space isn’t limited. We have all the space in the world. #WalkForRefuge #ChristieRefugee #4WeeksToGo #CarryHope

Getting ready for the #RideForRefuge isn't just about stretching your legs — it's about stretching your heart. 💪✨ This week, we challenge you to take that first step – join us and invite others to join the journey. 👉 Tag a friend you want on your team and let's ride/walk together for refugees!#whatmovesyou

Every great journey starts with a single step. For some, it’s a step towards safety. For us here at Christie, it’s a step towards supporting them. Want to support Christie and the work we do? Join our journey towards the Ride for Refuge. We’ll be biking and walking in support of refugees on Sat Oct 4. Register now (link in bio) #Rideforrefugee #refugeeswelcome #TogetherBeStronger

this summer at Christie ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ 1. Babies growing and thriving. Did you know there are 6 (!) babies under 6 months currently living at Christie?! 2. Small hands helping to set up our community garden. Thank you to the Jackman Foundation for funding this project. 3. Our annual staff retreat to Niagara Falls. 4. Some of the incredible staff that make up Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. 5. Winding down our Tuesday After-School Friendship program with Palmerston Public School. 6. Cake and fresh berries to celebrate the six women graduating from our in-house employment training program, Career Entry Pathway. 7. Learning about and recognizing Canada Day together for the 1st time. 8. Our Shelter Manager launching our Anti-Black Racism Committee to residents during July’s resident meeting. 9. Dance and food for our annual Multicultural Day celebrations. #refugeeshelter #refugeesintoronto #refugeeswelcome #refugeeswelcomehere