Our History Since 1987
Our History
Nearly four decades of welcome
From a community outreach project in 1987 to one of Toronto’s leading refugee housing organizations — this is the Sojourn House journey.
It began with outreach
A Toronto-based community group became deeply concerned about the lack of immediate support available to newly arrived refugees. The group conducted outreach work to examine the basic needs of refugee claimants and to explore innovative solutions. It was clear then that what these children, youth, women and men needed was shelter.
The first Sojourn House opens
Backed by financial support from the Council of Christian Churches, the Metropolitan Housing Commission, individuals, foundations and corporations, a downtown Toronto building at 51 Bond Street was renovated — becoming the first Sojourn House, offering short-term shelter to 25 newly arrived refugees.
A bold new vision: transitional housing
Over the years it became clear that some refugees were struggling to settle due to the trauma of their refugee experience and needed longer-term supportive housing. A Transitional Supportive Housing program was developed as a vision for a new Sojourn House — the first program of its kind for newcomer refugees in Canada: a two-year housing stabilization and support program.
101 Ontario Street opens
In May 2006 the new building at 101 Ontario Street opened — an $11 million project that expanded shelter capacity to 50 beds and brought the Transitional Housing program to life on site, with on-site support and guidance through residents’ refugee, immigration and settlement processes.
Recognized as a best-practice model
Sojourn House was awarded the Newcomer Championship award by the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The program was toured by visiting diplomats and presented at conferences as a best-practice model.
Health care returns to refugees
Sojourn House partnered with Women’s College Hospital’s Crossroads Clinic to open an in-house clinic, responding to federal changes that left many refugees without coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program — restoring access to basic medical care.
The clinic grows
Regent Park Community Health Centre joined the clinic, providing a doctor for an additional day each week and extending care for newly arrived residents.
The Family Program opens
In response to increasing demand, Sojourn House opened a 24/7 Emergency Family Shelter Program at an additional location, with private dwelling rooms designated for refugee families.
Three times the size — and still growing
Sojourn House has tripled in size. Alongside the main shelter and family program, a satellite shelter for single men was added due to increasing demand, and the Skills for Life program now supports separated refugee youth aged 16–24 who arrive in Canada alone.