Sharing a meal at Matthew House

Jason Shine, a sales rep with Sutton Group – Assurance Realty in Toronto, admits he had some doubts when he and his wife packed up their home and moved into a small, 90-square-foot bedroom at Matthew House.  The couple made a three-month commitment to serve as night managers at the refugee shelter in downtown Toronto.

“It’s interesting how much you can gain by being willing to sacrifice a little privacy,” says Shine, who shares a house with as many as 13 refugees every day.  There is one kitchen, one dining room and one television.  “When you put it into perspective, these are really small things to give up. What we gain is the opportunity to make friends from around the world, help people when they are most vulnerable and assist them in tangible ways.”

Since Matthew House opened its doors in 1998, it has welcomed refugees from 87 countries.  Most stay at the shelter for 60 to 90 days as they complete government paperwork, seek employment and arrange to find permanent housing.  Matthew House operates on government funding and the generosity of individuals in the Toronto area. 

“The Ontario Real Estate Association gave a sizable donation to Matthew House last year,” says Shine. “I was part of the grant application process this year.  It’s a great thing to give money but it’s also good to be able to say there’s a Realtor volunteering here.”