For a Few Hours, Everything Changes
Our Refugee Cup soccer team — 30 practices and more than 60 hours together — brought the cup home in 2025.
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Resident Stories
In their own words
Every story below was published with the storyteller’s consent. Where residents asked for privacy, names have been changed and stock images used — their words remain their own.
A Path Forward: Asia’s Journey into Healthcare
A Debbie Hill-Corrigan scholarship recipient, Asia is training for a career in healthcare in Canada.
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Making It Happen: John’s Refugee Journey
Arriving alone at 19, John earned his Canadian college diploma and is planning a university degree.
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Noel’s Journey Across Canada
From landing at Pearson to a finance career with the Northwest Territories government — and CPA studies.
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Finding Her Voice: Nella’s Story
Moving from Rwanda at 14, Nella earned a scholarship and is now studying social sciences — and considering law.
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A Life Taking Shape: Bisharo’s Story
Arriving from Somalia in 2021, Bisharo trained as a PSW, passed her citizenship test, and looks to nursing.
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Izehi’s Story
Arriving in 2017, Izehi found caseworkers, TTC tokens, an on-site health clinic — and a path to university.
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Amina’s Story
Arriving in 2018 with two children, Amina built a career in law — and her kids found music.
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Hani’s Story
Fled alone at 22; after 15 months in Transitional Housing, Hani is studying accounting — and playing Santa.
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Hafeez’s Story
Four months in immigration detention, then a work permit, a job at a grocery store — and cricket.
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Melena’s Story
A two-year program graduate now studying Culinary Nutrition — and volunteering back at Sojourn House.
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A Separated Youth Story
Anonymous by choice: arriving alone, finding a roommate, a high school diploma and an NBA game.
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Henry Ford
A former journalist’s literary account of arrival, surgery at Sunnybrook, and rebuilding.
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Bola’s Story
Arrived eight months pregnant; built a career at one of Canada’s top banks — and became a donor.
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Razia’s Journey
A family separated by war in Afghanistan, reunited in Toronto in February 2014.
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