by Oren Jungreis, Romero House Housing and Settlement Coordinator
It is a cold autumn day, and a person walks through the doors of Romero House, unsure of what to expect. They are greeted with warmth. Warm colours, a warm environment, and warm staff and volunteers. They are here because a friend recommended they come.
Looking to make a refugee claim amid big questions. About the process of making a refugee claim. About housing. About finding school for their kids. About their safety. They are welcomed by a community, with open arms, ready to embrace their humanity, and offer theirs back. Who are there to walk alongside them through this process, jumping through all the barriers and over the walls that come with it.
This is the experience of one of many, who walk into Romero House expecting a social service agency, and instead finds a community to be part of.
Every day we meet refugee claimants who are in a difficult moment in their journey, looking for someone to meet them where they are at. To center their voices, their needs, and their knowledge, while navigating social service systems designed to silence. Showing up with compassion and a deep-rooted sense of justice is at the heart of our intake program. It is because of this that walk-in clients choose to share their experiences of relief when their refugee claim is submitted, and joy when they are reunited with their family.
It continues to be a privilege to be part of the same community with all of the incredible people who find their way to Romero House through the intake program.