Making It Happen: John’s Refugee Journey
Arriving alone at 19, John earned his Canadian college diploma and is planning a university degree.
Read storyFor a Few Hours, Everything Changes
Every spring, the Refugee Cup brings together teams of refugee claimants from across Toronto for a soccer tournament unlike any other — a few hours in which the pressures of settlement, hearings and paperwork give way to the simple joy of the game.
Sojourn House’s team practised some 30 times between May and mid-July — more than 60 hours on the pitch. Settlement counsellor Jesús Mejía, who works with the team, has seen what those hours mean: friendship, confidence and a community that cheers for each other.
In 2025, Sojourn House brought home the Refugee Cup. But the real prize, players and staff agree, is everything that grows around the team — belonging, routine, health and hope.
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