Kahina's Story
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m doing it so my kids can have a better future”? For Kahina, this isn’t just a saying—it’s the very reason she left everything behind.
Six months ago, Kahina and her husband packed up their life in Algeria and moved to Ottawa with their three young sons. They came not just for safety or opportunity, but for something more hopeful education. “In Canada, teachers build curiosity, confidence, and creativity in their students,” Kahina shares. “My boys come home excited about learning. They never felt that way before.”
But starting over in a new country isn’t easy. After managing to secure housing, Kahina found herself facing a different kind of hardship: a house without furniture. No beds for her sons. No kitchen table for shared meals. No chairs to rest after a long day.
That’s when a woman at the Vanier Community Centre told her about Matthew House Ottawa’s Furniture Bank—one of over 60 partner agencies working together to support newcomers and low-income families. Through a referral from the City of Ottawa, Kahina booked an appointment. It took several months—demand is high, and the waitlist now exceeds 700 people—but she held on to hope.
And when the day finally came, she was overwhelmed—but not by the furniture.
“Everyone was smiling,” she recalls. “They genuinely cared about me. Someone even called to make sure I got home safely. I couldn’t believe the kindness.”
That same day, furniture arrived at her door. Beds, a dining table, dressers—the essentials that turned an empty space into a real home. “We were just living in a house with walls,” Kahina says. “Now we have everything we need.”
She’s been sharing her story ever since, telling everyone she meets about the generosity she found here. To donors and volunteers, she says: “You’re not just giving furniture. You’re giving families a fresh start. You’re putting smiles on our faces.”
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The Furniture Bank now serves over 1,800 families a year—but with such high demand and limited space, we know we can do more. That’s why we’re working toward a larger warehouse to help reduce wait times and reach even more families, faster
Want to be part of the solution?
Donate: you can give online here or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
Volunteer with us: We currently need volunteers to support our furniture bank and refugee services programs. Click here for more info and to apply.
Refugee Services: Do you have an extra room in your house? Or a home to rent? If so, please complete this form, and we will follow up to discuss how we might partner together to welcome and support refugees. We have some big plans and you can help!
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture to share give us a call at 613-591-6681 ext 2512 and spread the word among your networks as well.
Thanks to your support, since 2010 we’ve been able to welcome hundreds of refugee claimants, and give furniture to families in need. This work wouldn’t be possible without you.