Resident Florence celebrates her Canadian citizenship.
The three-story home provides temporary shelter for up to 10 people. In 2022, SNJM opened Oak House to complement Angela Rose House. This additional two-story home accommodates 10-12 individuals and serves as a transitional space for refugees ready to integrate into the community and achieve independence.
Refugees (families and single women) arrive first to Angela Rose House and, once they have completed their immigration application and begin working, move to Oak House to prepare for resettlement and integration into the Windsor community. Ilda Demir, who has served as coordinator of the homes for more than seven years, works directly with the residents, getting them settled and providing resources.
The impact of Angela Rose and Oak Houses is evident in the stories of its residents. Florence, a former resident, reflected, “When I arrived in Canada, I was welcomed here at the Angela Rose House. This has been my home since I entered Canada, and I thank God that I am now a Canadian citizen. I was helped with every need, regardless of how big. Truly, this is a place of hope.”
Another resident who moved to Oak House in January 2024 shared a similar sentiment: “I am so thankful for Ilda bringing us here from the immigration hotels, where I couldn’t cook and didn’t have enough space for my girls. Thank you to God for bringing the Angela Rose and Oak Houses into existence. It is a home filled with love, peace and laughter. A home where you are well taken care of, where the Sisters make sure you are safe. A home of no discrimination. My safe place.”
Besides offering transitional housing, Angela Rose House staff help the refugees with settlement, work with them to understand and complete the refugee claimant process, provide emotional support, walk them through registering children in school and adults for ESL classes, accompany them to appointments, and prepare them for independence. All the services aim to make the entire process easier for them as they settle into their home and integrate into the community.
For over 16 years, Angela Rose House has welcomed more than 360 refugees from 43 countries. Today, 20 refugees, including children, are residents of the two houses, continuing their journeys of rebuilding their lives in Canada. The benefits are long-lasting. Many of the refugees who have been through the houses maintain connections with each other as a supportive community.
The Angela Rose and Oak Street Houses are more than a refuge. They are a symbol of hope, resilience and the enduring spirit of hospitality that transforms lives and inspires communities.