Every Refugee Needs More
Than a Place to Live.
They Need People Who Will Help Them Belong.
Adopt-A-Home equips churches to live out the gospel by partnering with local refugee homes to build meaningful relationships that help newcomers find belonging, hope, and better prospects for their future so they can thrive as they begin life in Canada.
Every Refugee Needs More Than a Place to Live.
They Need People Who Will Help Them Belong.
Adopt-A-Home equips churches to live out the gospel by partnering with local refugee homes to build meaningful relationships that help newcomers find belonging, hope, and better prospects for their future so they can thrive as they begin life in Canada.
Belonging Changes Everything
For many refugees, the hardest part of the journey begins after they arrive in Canada.
Far from family and friends, newcomers must navigate a new culture, a new language, and a completely unfamiliar way of life—all while trying to build a future from scratch.
While Canada has developed strong systems to support newcomers, one essential ingredient remains difficult to provide at scale:
Belonging.
Research consistently shows that meaningful relationships are one of the strongest predictors of successful newcomer integration. Friendships help newcomers overcome isolation, build confidence, practice English, access employment and housing opportunities, and ultimately feel at home in their new community.
That’s where your church can make an incredible difference.
For many refugees, the hardest part of the journey begins after they arrive in Canada.
Far from family and friends, newcomers must navigate a new culture, a new language, and a completely unfamiliar way of life—all while trying to build a future from scratch.
While Canada has developed strong systems to support newcomers, one essential ingredient remains difficult to provide at scale:
Belonging.
Research consistently shows that meaningful relationships are one of the strongest predictors of successful newcomer integration. Friendships help newcomers overcome isolation, build confidence, practice English, access employment and housing opportunities, and ultimately feel at home in their new community.
That’s where your church can make an incredible difference.
Adopt-A-Home
A Simple Way for Your Church to Help Refugees Belong
Adopt-A-Home equips churches to build meaningful friendships with refugees living in transitional housing through consistent weekly visits.
Many refugees begin their lives in Canada in shared transitional homes operated by nonprofit housing partners. These homes typically welcome 8–20 newcomers at a time while they look for employment, secure permanent housing, and begin establishing their lives in Canada.
Connecting Streams helps partner your church with a local refugee housing organization so you can “adopt” a transitional home in your community. Your volunteer team of 6–12 people then spends a couple of hours each week in that home, building relationships with residents through simple things like shared meals, games, walks, and community outings.
Connecting Streams provides the training, resources, and ongoing support, so your church can focus on what matters most: showing up consistently and building meaningful relationships that help refugees feel connected, supported, and at home in Canada.
Imagine the Impact
Imagine looking back one year from now and realizing your church had become part of dozens of newcomer stories.
Stories of someone finding their first job in Canada.
Stories of a family moving into their first permanent home.
Stories of conversations that helped someone learn English.
Stories of shared meals, new experiences, and meaningful moments.
And stories of someone experiencing the love of Jesus—not through a sermon or a program—but through the faithful friendship and everyday kindness of your people.
All because your church chose to adopt a home.
Imagine looking back one year from now and realizing your church had become part of dozens of newcomer stories.
Stories of someone finding their first job in Canada.
Stories of a family moving into their first permanent home.
Stories of conversations that helped someone learn English.
Stories of shared meals, new experiences, and meaningful moments.
And stories of someone experiencing the love of Jesus—not through a sermon or a program—but through the faithful friendship and everyday kindness of your people.
All because your church chose to adopt a home.
How It Works
Adopt a Home
We’ll partner your church with a local refugee housing organization and help you “adopt” one of their transitional homes for the next year.
Build Your Team
Recruit a small team of volunteers.
We’ll provide the training, resources, and ongoing support so your team feels confident and equipped.
Show Up
Spend a couple of hours each week sharing meals, playing games, going for walks, and building genuine friendships that help newcomers feel like they belong.
Follow Where the Relationships Lead
As friendships grow, opportunities to care naturally emerge.
Whether it’s helping someone practice for a job interview, celebrating a birthday, connecting them with employment or housing opportunities, or simply being there during a difficult week, your church can respond in ways that reflect the love of Jesus and help newcomers belong.
Adopt a Home
We’ll partner your church with a local refugee housing organization and help you “adopt” one of their transitional homes for the next year.
Build Your Team
Recruit a small team of volunteers.
We’ll provide the training, resources, and ongoing support so your team feels confident and equipped.
Show Up
Spend a couple of hours each week sharing meals, playing games, going for walks, and building genuine friendships that help newcomers feel like they belong.
Follow Where the Relationships Lead
As friendships grow, opportunities to care naturally emerge.
Whether it’s helping someone practice for a job interview, celebrating a birthday, connecting them with employment or housing opportunities, or simply being there during a difficult week, your church can respond in ways that reflect the love of Jesus and help newcomers belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much work is this going to create for our church?
We’ve intentionally designed Adopt-A-Home so pastors aren’t left running another ministry. Connecting Streams helps match your church with a housing partner, provides volunteer training, equips your team leads, and offers ongoing coaching and support. Your church’s role is simply to recruit a small volunteer team and faithfully show up each week.
Does our church need experience working with refugees?
Not at all. Most churches don’t.
Every volunteer receives training in cultural humility, healthy boundaries, trauma-informed care, and relationship-building before getting started. We’ll equip your team with everything they need to serve confidently.
How long does an Adopt-A-Home partnership last?
We ask churches to commit to one year. Meaningful relationships take time to develop, and consistency is one of the greatest gifts your team can offer.
At the end of the year, you’ll have an opportunity to celebrate what God has done, reflect on the experience, and decide together what comes next.
How many volunteers do we need?
Most churches recruit a team of 8–12 volunteers, including one or two Team Leads.
Only a few volunteers are needed at each weekly visit, allowing your team to rotate throughout the month while providing residents with consistent relationships.
What kinds of activities do volunteers do?
The focus isn’t running a program—it’s building friendships.
That might look like sharing meals, playing games, going for walks, celebrating birthdays, practicing English, exploring the community together, or simply spending time talking over coffee.
As relationships grow, new opportunities to care for and support residents naturally emerge.
Are volunteers expected to solve residents' problems?
No.
Professional settlement services continue to be provided by the refugee housing organization.
Your team’s role is different—but just as important. You’re there to build genuine friendships, encourage residents, and respond to opportunities for care that emerge through those relationships.
What about sharing our faith?
Adopt-A-Home exists because we believe Jesus calls us to love our neighbours.
We encourage volunteers to serve with humility, compassion, and respect. Spiritual conversations are welcomed when they arise naturally and are invited by residents, but we never pressure anyone or make practical support conditional on religious participation.
Many churches find that consistent friendship creates natural opportunities to share the hope they have in Christ.
Ready to Learn More?
Could Your Church Help Newcomers Find Belonging?
We’re currently looking for a small group of churches to help us pilot Adopt-A-Home before expanding the program across Canada.
If your church is interested in providing support to refugees and you’d like to explore whether Adopt-A-Home could be a good fit, we’d love to connect.
Whether you’re ready to become a pilot church or simply want to learn more, the next step is a conversation.
It’s your chance to ask questions, hear more about the vision, and explore whether this could be a good fit for your church.
