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Our Story

For the last 30 years, Reception House Waterloo Region has supported hundreds of refugees each year from all over the world.

Reception House Waterloo Region is a community-based organization that provides a warm welcome to government-assisted refugees.

Our programs and services assist refugees throughout their settlement & integration process, enabling them to lead healthy and productive lives in their new community.

We start by providing the basics: temporary residence, orientations to life in Canada and down the line, we empower those we serve to find meaningful employment, improve their language skills and heal from trauma and loss.

How You can Help Refugees Settle in Waterloo Region

Yes, we have been welcoming our newest neighbours even during the pandemic. We are greatly appreciative to those who have reached out to us via telephone, email and social media. While we hope that we haven’t missed any offers of support, here are different ways you can help Reception House as we continue to welcome refugees in Waterloo Region.

Donation of New Items

If you’d like to donate new items, such as hygiene items that go into our hygiene kits, please take them to the rear entrance at 101 David Street in Kitchener. Use the bin marked Donations.

Items include:

  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Bars of soap
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental floss
  • Hand & Body Lotion
  • Men’s & Women’s Deodorant
  • Men’s & Women’s razor
  • Nail care (clippers, emery boards)
  • Diapers (size 1 to Pull Ups)
  • Tissues
  • Feminine hygiene products (pads and tampons)
  • Incontinence supplies

Volunteer with Reception House

If you would like to volunteer, please complete our volunteer form below and we will be in touch. When you apply to volunteer, please add any information we should know to the last section.

Financial Donations

If you’re able to, a financial donation will help us provide support to newcomers, such as mobility aids, medical care that is not covered by OHIP and dental work.

Donation of Gently used items

If you’d like to donate in-kind items like household items, we ask that you re-direct these items to Thrift on Kent or ReStore Habitat For Humanity Waterloo Region. We simply don’t have the space and resources for your kind generosity.  

Are you a landlord?

If you are a landlord and can assist us, please visit Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership and complete the form on Step 2.

Are you a Family Doctor?

If you’re a family doctor, please visit Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership portal and complete the form on Step 3.

MAKE A DONATION

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Latest News

Reception House 2021-2022 Annual Report

Reception House 2021-2022 Annual Report

April 2021 – March 2022 was a year of transition, growth, and resilience. During the past year, we saw an almost 400% increase in the number of people arriving at Reception House, largely due to the federal government’s Afghan Resettlement initiative that was...

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