A company based in Wingham is supporting an organization that supports refugees resettling in and making the local community their new home.
Royal Homes has donated $125,000 to Reception House Waterloo Region.
Reception House supports Government Assisted Refugees during their first year in Canada.
The money will be used for “First Canadian Home Start-Up Kits” which provides kitchenware, small appliances, toolkits and general household items.
"We have a great country that we can share with them," said Pieter Venema, President of Royal Homes. "Our donation is to help that process to welcome them, include them and show them the kind of Canada that we really are."
Royal Homes builds custom prefab homes. The company states that the current surge in home building has given Royal Homes and it’s 200 employees a banner year in very difficult COVID times.
"The basis of families, comfort, shelter from the storm," added Venema. "A place to share time together, educate your children and a place to build a future."
Reception House supports Government Assisted Refugees during their first year in Canada by providing support as people transition to a new country.
The organization connects people with government supports and services like social benefits, healthcare, and education.
It also helps individuals and families find housing; supporting people to gain employment; and helping people navigate other resources, systems, and services that help create a sense of integration and belonging as they settle in the community.
"Reception House would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Royal Homes for their generous gift to support the people we serve, we greatly appreciate this significant contribution to refugees resettling in our community," stated Lynne Griffiths Fulton, Interim CEO of Reception House.
"This gift will provide families arriving to Reception House in 2022 with household items like small appliances, kitchen ware, cleaning supplies and tools, and help turn houses into homes for our newest neighbours."