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Sojourn House gets a Case Manager

Everton Gordon, Case Supervisor joined the Sojourn family in June 2006.  A Jamaican immigrant, he has had considerable experience working in the social service sector.  He began his career in Canada as a Child and Youth Worker at Dellcrest Children Centre where he coordinated the multicultural initiatives for the agency.    He also worked for the Jane Finch Community, providing leadership and support in several programs for socially disadvantaged and economically marginalized youths and adults. Everton has also held several positions in case management and client support with the Anglican Houses, WoodGreen Community Centre, Catholic Children’s Aid Society as a Child Protection Worker, and Seneca College where he worked as a Counsellor and Instructor the Social Service Workers Program.  Everton has worked at Across Boundaries, an Ethno-racial Community-based mental health Centre, developing and delivering anti-racism education and training in the capacity as the Anti-racism Trainer.  He is currently a part time teacher at Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute in Malvern, Scarborough as a Sociology Instructor in the Step to University Program run through the Transition Year Program of the University of Toronto.   Everton juggles his professional work with community service and is currently an Organist and Music Director for the African-Caribbean Choir at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Everton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology as well as both Bachelor and Master Degrees in Social Work from York University.   He is presently undertaking doctoral studies in Education at OISE/UT focusing his research on racism and mental health.

Santiago de Jesus Mejia

Settlement Counsellor
Jesus has been a member of Sojourn House’s staff since 1989.  A man with an amazing story, Jesus escaped forced military service in his birth country, El Salvado at the age of 12, with the aid of a local coyote, a person who escorts illegal immigrants into Mexico and the US.  He lived in Houston, Texas for three years where he volunteered at the Romero Community Centre.  Moving to Toronto in 1987, Jesus started his career at the Jesuit Refugee Centre, raising the awareness of Canadians on various issues that confront refugees, with an emphasis on the plight of unaccompanied minors.  During this time, Jesus published an article with The Reporter on his dramatic escape, and his personal experience as a refugee and unaccompanied minor, an article that was later used to create awareness among high school and university students across Canada. 

In 1988, Jesus was approached to assist with the development of the first home that would provide shelter and assistance specifically for refugees in Toronto.  That house was Sojourn House where he proceeded to provide translation and interpreting services.  While working to complete his high school diploma he dedicated time to the production of a newsletter for newcomers “ The Newcomers Newsletter”, a newsletter that gave a voice to newcomers, allowing them to express their concerns and connect with other individuals who were in similar situations. 


In 1990 Jesus was admitted to the University of Toronto where he pursued a degree in General Arts.  He secured employment as a full time Counsellor for Sojourn House, a position he has held since, focusing mainly on refugee related legal issues.  He also holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science from York University; a diploma in Court and Tribunal Agent; a certificate in Service Provision to the Homeless from TAPE/St Michaels College, University of Toronto; and a Refugee Studies Certificate from York University. 
What drives Jesus, some might ask?  According to him, his driving force has been his six year old son who once said to him, “I will feel sad if I left everything behind like my house, school, pet and all my friends.  That’s why it’s good daddy that you work with people because you help them to get better.  I think children should be given toys, a place to play, and love…”