As global conflicts in Gaza and other parts of the world continue to escalate, Canada's commitment to taking in more refugees than ever before has meant many are ending up in Cambridge with nowhere left to turn but the Cambridge Shelter Corporation.
Last year Canada received 144,035 claims for asylum with Ontario accepting 44 per cent of all claimants.
It left The Bridges scrambling to deal with the influx that saw the highest number of refugee stays in the organization's history.
The Cambridge shelter was overwhelmed when about a third of its beds were occupied by refugees sent to Cambridge from Toronto and other municipalities last summer, with little direction from upper levels of government.
"That showed and taught us how to pivot during a difficult situation and really help these people," said Wayne Paddick, executive director for the CSC, which operates the only emergency shelter in Cambridge.
"We were put in a tough spot, but I think it proved that we can overcome anything at this point."
Paddick said the goal since then has been to expedite temporary and permanent housing for anyone staying with them.
Recognized as one of the most efficient shelters in the region for finding housing for its residents, The Bridges has found homes for up 60 people so far this year alone.
"I put a goal out for our team of housing 100 people this year and we are going to smash it," said Paddick. "When we get refugees they are motivated to work and get into housing moving beyond the shelter system."
Sunil Sukumaran is a refugee from India who came to Canada to flee religious violence in his hometown.
He stayed briefly at the Bridges and was able to find his own place after securing a job.
"I had some family here, but when I first came to Cambridge I had to stay a few nights at the shelter to situate myself," he said.
Sukumaran who now drives for Uber, said he originally came to Canada on a visitor visa but applied for refugee status when his visa was set to expire.
"I needed to get out of India, because where I'm from if you're Muslim it can be very dangerous. But here in Cambridge there is a community for me," he said.
Sukumaran noted he received a one-time payment from the government of around $2,000 and then for the first year in Canada received a monthly payment of a few hundred dollars.
"It was rough when I first got here, but you have to understand that even the worst here is still better than it was back home," he added. "The shelter helped me stay warm for a bit, I was very grateful."
Cambridge MP Bryan May told CambridgeToday the city will always be a place for refugees and our door is open.
He also said the federal government is ready to support local organizations and anyone coming to Canada to escape violence or oppression.
"We have the ability to respond to any increase in asylum seekers by adjusting operational capacity and investing in interim housing supports, like the Interim Housing Assistance Program," said May.
"Government-assisted refugees can access income support, language training, accelerated work permits, and employment services through service provider organizations."
May applauded the Bridges for doing amazing work housing individuals, but added they still need more support from all levels of government.
"Cooperation is more vital now than ever," he said.
In the meantime, The Bridges is working with the Region of Waterloo on a 'Scattered Site Housing' initiative that puts up people from the shelters who are ready to work and make the transition from the streets into a permanent home.
The program works with landlords from around the city to essentially rent affordable or market-value units and the region and shelter become the middle men for tenants and property owners.
"Recently the province gave us a rent top-up that really allowed us to get more people into apartments and it's making all the difference," said Paddick. "Right now, we have a zero per cent return rate, so that means all of our guys are keeping their housing once they get placed."
As Cambridge welcomes more refugees, Paddick and his crew said they're ready to get people into housing and provide a good first impression for new arrivals.
"It's all about helping people. We get a lot of flack from the community, but we are a part of the solution, not the problem," he said. "At the end of the day, we don't do this for the recognition, but to help people when they are at some of the lowest times of their lives."
