On July 23rd, 2025, I had the pleasure of joining the Jumpstart Refugee Talent team for a special tour of Romero House, located in downtown Toronto. Although it was a beautiful summer day, what made it truly memorable wasn’t just the sunshine, it was the warmth and humanity we experienced inside the homes of Romero House.
Romero House is more than just a shelter for newcomers, it’s a living, breathing community that has spent over 30 years nurturing a sense of belonging for refugee families arriving in Canada. Founded in 1991, Romero House started as a single home and now it has expanded into several houses that currently provide support to over 80 refugees. But what makes Romero House truly unique isn’t just the scale of its work, it’s the deep relationships it fosters between staff, volunteers, and the refugee families they serve.
Walking Into Homes
Our tour began at the main office building of Romero House, where we were greeted by Robbie Arzumanov, a dedicated team member at Romero House and originally from the country of Georgia. He was our guide for the day. He shared the history of the organization and took us through the ways they support families—not only by offering a roof over their heads but by building a sense of community, organizing big camping trips or groups lunches on a regular basis.
We visited five homes owned by Romero House, where refugee families currently live. Each house is located about 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from each other, and all are within close proximity to the Romero House office. Each house is divided into different units where different families live, and there are 19 units in total. The houses are warm and welcoming, with colourful murals on the walls and shared spaces designed for connection. This makes the homes feel welcoming, as they are filled with laughter, shared meals, and stories.
Robbie explained how the living model at Romero House is different from traditional shelters, which often provide only short-term housing with limited interaction with staff or others who live there.
“Some of our staff in Romero House live together with refugee families in those provided houses,” he said.
This model encourages deeper human connections and breaks down the barriers between those providing support and those receiving it.
One of the former staff of Romero House described it beautifully: “It’s a magical experience working in Romero House. As we live here with those refugee families, they’re so welcoming and warm-hearted that always sharing food or inviting me to their family’s activities.”
This level of closeness leads to a sense of extended family, where people from all backgrounds, whether they come from different countries, speak different languages, or bring diverse professional and personal experiences, can rely on one another.
The same former staff reflected, “We’ll have a lot of friends and really extend the social circle when working in Romero House. Generally, at work, adults have a strong sense of boundaries, but here, because different families live in one house, everyone has deeper interactions, and it is more like a big family, a big community.”
The Jumpstart team in Toronto viewing the mural at the back of the Romero House office building, symbolizing how Romero House uplifts and empowers the refugee community to rise.
Daily Life and Shared Moments
Inside one of their houses, Romero House has lovingly transformed the upper level of the backyard garage (the garage has been turned into a storage space) into a cozy, sun-dappled activity room. Nestled among tall trees, the space feels like a quiet retreat from the busy world. In there, families gather to play board games and simply enjoy one another’s company.
It was easy to see that Romero House doesn’t just provide physical shelter, they create a rhythm of life centered on connection.
“Sometimes we organize a big camping trip when the weather is good,” Robbie said. “We also have all the families together for lunch in the park, and each family brings a dish. In this way, they can all stay connected.”
From casual moments in the shared spaces to structured events, like group lunches in the park, everything is designed to reduce isolation and help families build lasting bonds. The focus on inclusion and togetherness is at the heart of Romero House, which is especially important for refugee newcomers who often arrive after trauma, facing barriers, social disconnection, and years of uncertainty. Having a strong, welcoming community from the start can make all the difference in rebuilding a sense of belonging.
Meeting Practical Needs with Care
Adjusting to life in a new country involves more than just emotional support. Romero House also provides tangible resources, such as free clothing and used furniture, donated from the community. We toured the donation room at the back of their office, where several bags of clothes were stored.
For many refugee newcomer families, arriving in Canada means starting over with very little. Clothing and household essentials—items many of us take for granted—can be expensive and hard to access, especially while navigating legal processes, language barriers, and job searches. These donations offer immediate relief and ease the financial burden during a critical time of transition
“Each week the volunteers of Romero House organize the donated clothes by hanging them on racks,” Robbie shared. “Refugee families can come and easily choose the clothes they need, for free.”
There’s also a garage filled with gently used furniture, donated by community members and offered to refugee families as they settle into new homes. These practical supports are essential to helping newcomers build a stable life and start fresh with dignity.
Reflections on a Powerful Day
As our tour wrapped up, I found myself deeply moved by what I had seen and heard. Romero House doesn’t just help refugees survive; they help them thrive. From its co-living model to its emphasis on community activities and particle support, Romero House offers a blueprint for how we can all build more inclusive, compassionate cities.
At Romero House, everyone contributes to the community in their own way, whether that’s by sharing food, organizing an event, helping with furniture, or simply being present. It’s a place where humanity is honoured, and where strangers become neighbours, and neighbours become friends.
On behalf of everyone from Jumpstart Refugee Talent, a big thank you to the staff and residents of Romero House for welcoming us so generously. This tour was not just informative, it was transformative. We left with a renewed sense of purpose and hope, knowing that places like Romero House exist and continue to grow in the heart of our community.
Message to Refugee Newcomers
For refugee newcomers, we know that starting over in a new country is not easy. It takes strength, courage, and resilience to rebuild your life in unfamiliar surroundings. But please remember, you are not alone.
While the journey may feel overwhelming at times, there are organizations like Romero House, Jumpstart Refugee Talent and many others across Canada, dedicated to walking alongside you. You don’t have to face everything on your own.
Stay connected with the community around you. Reach out. Share your story. Let others support you. There is a whole network of people ready to welcome you, stand with you, and help you build a future filled with hope and possibility.
Jumpstart is here to support you every step of the way:
https://jumpstartrefugee.ca/refugees/
To learn more about Romero House or how you can support their mission, visit: