Sojourn House Newsletter!

From the Executive Director's Desk

 It’s hard to believe that December is already here!  It is the time of year that invariably makes me reflective.  How fortunate I am knowing that my family, friends and loved ones are safe.  Even as I cherish my loved ones and know that I can be a part of their joys, trials and tribulations I cannot but feel the cumulative sadness of the many refugees staying at Sojourn House many of whom through no fault of their own:

have lost their entire families to conflict and persecution do not know if their families and friends are still alive suffer daily anguish at being separated from their families struggle with the fact that while they might survive many a friend, husband, sister, brother, child, father, mother, grand mother,…left behind may not survive….

As I sit here tangibly feeling the many unshed tears, I also remember the strength and resilience of many refugees who have passed through the hallways of Sojourn House and have successfully settled in Canada.  It reminds me of how privileged I am and what a privilege it is to work with such a remarkable group of people. This is why the work of Sojourn House with refugees must continue.  
The fatigue of two major moves from 51 Bond Street and 321 Jarvis Street in the last year, to finally “settling” Sojourn House at 101 Ontario Street seems to lift when I think of the trials and tribulations that a refugee goes through to find safety and refuge. I feel energized and ready to work towards achieving a renewed vision that will bring dignity, hope and compassion to the lives of refugees.  
I urge you as you cherish your loved ones during Christmas and the Holiday Season to please help us and give generously to Sojourn House so that we can ease the settlement of refugees – ordinary people like you and me with ordinary goals of having a home, a family, a community, a sense of safety, dignity and connectedness.  I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all our Sojourn House friends, donors, volunteers, staff, residents and tenants for your caring and generous support – it makes such a huge difference in the lives of refugees. 

In particular, I would like to thank the three creative ex-resident and resident scribes, Ashella, Ben, and Noor, who have once again humbled me by their resourcefulness and resilience and made another dream for Sojourn House come true – A Quarterly News Letter, The Sojourner.  Driven by the residents and ex-residents of Sojourn House, The Sojourner shall share the exciting things that happen with our current residents, tenants, staff, as well as sojourners who have “left the nest” but who continue to support our vision of “building a future for refugees” with unwavering faith. 
I would like to extend my Best Wishes to all for the Holiday Season and Peaceful, 2007.

Thank you for making a difference !