Oluwadare Fowowa came to Canada in search of a better life as a refugee from Nigeria.
Coming to the York Region about a year and a half ago, Fowowa said he ended up in housing charity Blue Door’s Passage House, transitional housing that provides supportive programming to help men get out of homelessness.
Fowowa was greeted by a surprise as he entered a new basement apartment Dec. 1. Thanks to the contributions of volunteers and local businesses, the home was completely furnished and stocked with food, free of charge.
“The first time I entered (the apartment), I see nothing. Coming the second time, it’s like paradise to me,” he said.
Blue Door worked with Newfie Sisters Staging and Downsizing, along with Parris Movers and other volunteers, to help give two young men coming out of Passage House a new home in Newmarket Dec. 1. Organizers said two more such move-ins for others coming out of homelessness will be taking place this week.
Newmarket-based Newfie Sisters owner Jen Bevin said they have helped Blue Door do moves like this for many years, usually about a half-dozen per year. Bevin said they can get donated furniture from people downsizing, and if it’s in good condition, they provide them to people transitioning out of homelessness through Blue Door programming.
“It feels good,” Bevin said. “It’s our way of giving back … Sometimes it’s not easy co-ordinating pickups with our busy workday.”
“At the end of the day, it’s the best feeling in the world,” volunteer Melinda Murphy added. “Knowing that you gave somebody a warm place to sleep.”
Blue Door caseworker Stela Kravchenko said the charity appreciates partners stepping up like this.
“It’s such a big thing, such a big deal,” she said. “With the economy and everything, anything really helps and I think also clients really appreciate that. It’s just heartwarming. You come home and you can call a place home.”
Peter Kareklas of the Aurora-based Parris Movers said they also like to give.
“I believe in karma as well,” he said. “I don’t expect it to come back to me, but it’s one big happy circle.”
Murphy said it makes a big difference to people, recounting a young man overwhelmed with emotion on seeing his furnished bedroom in Newmarket a few months ago.
“He cried and it was the best feeling,” she said.
Getting a new home was not an easy process, Fowowa said, with a low credit score. But he said Blue Door’s Passage House, which opened in 2022, helps ensure they can find housing.
“I now have seen a very bright future in Canada, especially with the good people surrounding us,” he said. “Seeing you guys giving us a clear road to walk on, I see a better future in Canada.”
