" I am so happy at the House of Peace. We are all from different countries, have different faiths and speak different languages. None of this matters because we understand each other's pain. We are Neighbours."
“When I came to the House of Peace, I had lost my spark for life and felt severely kicked down. The House of Peace restored my belief in myself and in humanity. It taught me to appreciate everything and always to be grateful. It gave me the space and comfort to figure out my next step and to be a risk taker. The House of Peace will forever be a part of me.” Julianna, Uganda
NEIGHBOURS
The House of Peace provides a warm and engaging home for 20 newcomer women of diverse cultures and voices. These women, who have suffered beyond measure due to poverty, war, violence and abuse, may stay for up to two years.
The House of Peace is dedicated to help them heal from past trauma, set goals and move forward together with dignity and hope.
From 2004 to 2023, 180 newcomer women from 45 countries and
9 faith traditions have lived at the House of Peace as “Neighbours”, a term of endearment we use when referring to our residents.
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Staff are a live-in 24/7 resource. They help the Neighbours with health, education and immigration issues, computer problems, government and employment forms, resumes and references.
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Numerous House of Peace opportunities build confidence, broaden experiences and develop skills: private tutoring, music, yoga, swimming, art and sewing lessons, outings to cultural and sport events and visits to volunteers’ pools and cottages.
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Over time, Neighbours regain their professional status, find employment or further their education.
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When they are ready to transition, volunteers and staff are there to help pave the way.
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86% of the Neighbours stay in contact with the House of Peace.
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91% are employed and/or in school when they move forward.
Newcomer women from the following 45 countries have lived at the House of Peace:
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Botswana, Lesotho, Ghana, Nigeria, D.R Congo, Liberia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Sudan, Namibia, Gambia, Guinea, Chad, Uganda, Djibouti, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Bhutan, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Peru, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland, Canada, U.S.A
They are Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Quaker and Unitarian.
