The Soli*City ‘Toronto Soli*darity Access Guide’ online pamphlet, accessible online and in print.
In 2013, the City of Toronto adopted the Access TO policy, positioning itself as a “Sanctuary City”, the first in Canada to make such a commitment. This policy was meant to ensure that all Toronto residents, regardless of immigration status, could access municipal services without fear of being asked about their status or having their information shared with federal immigration enforcement. The vision was bold and hopeful: a city where no one would be denied care, shelter, or support due to where they were born or how they arrived.
More than a decade later, there remains a gap between what the policy promises and how it plays out in everyday life. Due to funding restrictions, inconsistent application of the policy, and various service delivery barriers, the process of accessing services for immigrants with precarious status is often filled with confusion, fear, and exclusion.
The Soli*City team, with the support and guidance of our community partners, has been working to develop the Toronto Soli*darity Access Guide in direct response to the realities faced by precarious status immigrants in the city. We focused on including low-barrier services that offer services regardless of immigration status, do not require an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card or identification, and are grounded in community care. The guide includes service categories like health, mental health, legal aid, housing support, food access, gender-based violence support, youth services, and more. The digital version of the Soli*darity Access Guide includes an interactive map that allows users to easily locate nearby services by category. Designed to be mobile-friendly and intuitive, the map helps precarious status residents find safe, accessible support in their area.
The interactive OpenStreetMap of soli*darity resources in Toronto
Creating this guide was a months-long process involving direct outreach. We connected with staff across dozens of organizations, calling, emailing, and following up to verify intake practices and clarify often ambiguous policies. Along the way, we witnessed what solidarity can look like in action. Staff took time to engage with our questions and shared candid insights into the barriers faced by undocumented clients. Ultimately, we compiled a list of over 25 organizations across Toronto that are committed to providing services to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
We are especially grateful to the FCJ Refugee Centre and the MRCC, whose early guidance and insights helped shape our project. Their longstanding expertise in supporting undocumented communities played a foundational role in developing this guide.
The Toronto Soli*darity Access Guide is available in both print and digital formats to meet diverse accessibility needs. The digital version includes an interactive map for easy navigation, while the print version will be distributed through partnering solidarity organizations across Toronto to share directly with the communities they support.
We hope this guide will become a trusted tool for anyone navigating or supporting others through Toronto’s often confusing service landscape. It will offer clear and verified information on services and help frontline workers locate resources to support clients within their organizations.
In a moment when sanctuary status is often symbolic and threatened by political shifts, community-led tools like this are essential. They remind us that protection doesn’t come from policy alone; it comes from networks of care, solidarity, and collective action.
Sanctuary is about creating systems where people feel safe, valued, and supported, regardless of the documents they carry. It means making sure undocumented people aren’t just surviving but can live, work, rest, and belong.
We invite you to read the guide, share it with your networks, use it in your organization, and help us make it better. Because a real sanctuary is not a one-time policy decision, it’s an ongoing practice and commitment.
Leny Rose Simbre is a community-based researcher and advocate specializing in migrant justice, care work, and temporary labour migration. She is a graduate student in Immigration and Settlement Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, a research assistant with the Soli*City partnership, and a member of the 2024–2025 Bridging Divides Student Cohort. Leny’s dedicated contributions were instrumental in shaping the Toronto Soli*Darity Access Guide.
Vida Carranza Capote is a graduate student in Immigration and Settlement Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, a research assistant with the SoliCity Partnership project, and a member of the 2024–2025 Bridging Divides Student Cohort. With a background in sociology and emerging experience in community-based approaches, her work focuses on migrant health, precarious status, and equitable service access. As part of the SoliCity research team, Vida collaborated closely with community partners to develop the Toronto Soli*Darity Access Guide.
Autora:Vida Carranza Capote, estudiante de maestria en Estudios de Inmigración y Asentamiento en Toronto Metropolitan University y Asistente de Investigación en Soli*City
Las ciudades santuario han sido ampliamente debatidas en América del Norte y Europa, pero ¿cómo abordan las ciudades latinoamericanas la inclusión de migrantes y la solidaridad urbana? El Hub de América Latina de Soli* City ha estado llevando a cabo un extenso trabajo de campo en Chile, Argentina y otros países para comprender mejor cómo los gobiernos locales y las organizaciones implementan prácticas de santuario urbano, solidaridad y hospitalidad para acoger a migrantes y refugiados en situación de vulnerabilidad.
Exploramos cómo su investigación se alinea con temas de identidad, pertenencia e inmigración, y qué lecciones pueden extraerse para construir políticas urbanas más inclusivas. En esta entrevista, nos sumergimos en la investigación en curso del Hub con la Dra. Carolina Stefoni, co-investigadora de la asociación Soli* City y miembro del Hub de América Latina.
P: ¿Podrías brindarnos una visión general de los proyectos actuales en los que está trabajando el Hub Latinoamericano?
R: En función del proyecto, lo que hemos estado haciendo es trabajo de campo en Santiago de Chile, en distintas comunas del norte y en la zona central. Hay varios factores involucrados en temas de convivencia. En Chile no existe el concepto de ciudades santuario, pero ha habido algunas iniciativas interesantes y valiosas a nivel de gobiernos locales.
Hemos estado realizando entrevistas cualitativas, que han sido muy enriquecedoras. Entrevistamos a gobiernos locales, organizaciones sociales y representantes del Ministerio del Interior, quienes gestionan programas sociales para la población migrante a nivel territorial. En total, recopilamos más de 40 entrevistas, todas ya transcritas y actualmente en proceso de codificación, lo cual esperamos completar en marzo.
Hemos estado realizando entrevistas cualitativas, que han sido muy enriquecedoras. Entrevistamos a gobiernos locales, organizaciones sociales y representantes del Ministerio del Interior, quienes gestionan programas sociales para la población migrante a nivel territorial. En total, recopilamos más de 40 entrevistas
-Dr. Stefoni
Paralelamente, estamos colaborando con un equipo de FLACSO Argentina. Ha sido muy interesante porque estamos trabajando en conjunto y aplicando la misma pauta de entrevistas en Buenos Aires, Córdoba y algunas en Mendoza. En Argentina, también recopilamos entrevistas con los mismos actores: gobiernos locales, organizaciones sociales e internacionales. Ya fueron transcritas y estamos codificándolas con el mismo sistema, lo que nos permitirá hacer una buena comparación entre ambos países.
Además, hemos establecido contacto con investigadores de República Dominicana para iniciar el trabajo allí en 2025. En Brasil, también nos vinculamos con un equipo que investiga ciudades santuario, y un estudiante de doctorado viajará a Santiago para colaborar con nosotros. La idea es que, a través de estos contactos, podamos llevar a cabo entrevistas en Brasil.
P: ¿Cómo se alinea la investigación del Hub America Latina con temas como identidad, pertenencia e inmigración?
R: Estamos trabajando con población migrante, pero hasta ahora no hemos realizado entrevistas directas con personas migrantes. Más bien, nos hemos centrado en entrevistar a organizaciones y gobiernos locales que trabajan con esta población.
Aún no tenemos resultados concretos, por lo que no puedo responder con certeza cómo se abordan los temas identitarios a nivel local. Sin embargo, una de nuestras preguntas clave es si las administraciones locales incorporan o no una perspectiva intercultural en su gobernanza.
Mi impresión es que, en muchos municipios, existen oficinas específicas para la atención a migrantes. Estas oficinas buscan responder a sus demandas, pero también hay un esfuerzo por transversalizar la situación migratoria en los distintos servicios municipales. Aquí es donde veo una tensión entre dos enfoques: uno que atiende la situación migratoria de forma específica y otro que busca incorporar a los migrantes dentro de los programas generales dirigidos a toda la población.
P: ¿Están estudiando grupos particulares dentro de las ciudades santuario o su enfoque es más general?
R: Nuestro enfoque varía según los territorios específicos. En la Región Metropolitana de Chile, seleccionamos comunas como Recoleta, que históricamente ha recibido a muchos migrantes. Allí, analizamos los programas implementados por el gobierno local para esta población.
También estudiamos Iquique, una comuna clave en el norte del país, para examinar qué acciones se implementan allí. Entonces, aunque mantenemos una mirada general sobre la política migratoria, nuestro trabajo baja al nivel de los gobiernos locales para entender qué están haciendo concretamente en estos territorios.
P: ¿Cómo contribuye la investigación del Hub America Latina a la misión más amplia de Soli*City en la construcción de ciudades santuario y políticas urbanas?
R: Creo que aún estamos en una fase de diagnóstico para entender hacia dónde va la situación en América Latina. En Chile, por ejemplo, hemos identificado una falta de comprensión sobre el concepto de ciudades solidarias y sobre cómo incorporar la migración a nivel urbano.
Si bien en Argentina y Brasil la situación es un poco diferente, en general estamos lejos de contar con políticas estructuradas para la inclusión de migrantes en las ciudades latinoamericanas. Por eso, nuestro trabajo será interesante para analizar qué problemas han sido resueltos y cuáles no, y para explorar qué estrategias podrían implementarse en distintos contextos latinoamericanos, considerando que estos son muy diferentes a los de Europa, Norteamérica o Canadá.
Estamos lejos de contar con políticas estructuradas para la inclusión de migrantes en las ciudades latinoamericanas. Por eso, nuestro trabajo será interesante para analizar qué problemas han sido resueltos y cuáles no, y para explorar qué estrategias podrían implementarse en distintos contextos latinoamericanos
-Dr. Stefoni
P: ¿En qué aspectos cree que el trabajo que están realizando podría influir en soluciones comunitarias y en la política de ciudades santuario?
R: Las ciudades latinoamericanas tienen particularidades muy distintas a las del Norte Global. Un factor clave es la informalidad: tanto en la economía como en las soluciones habitacionales. Más que proponer soluciones inmediatas, nuestro objetivo es problematizar los enfoques actuales. La realidad es que, cuando hay economías altamente informales y precariedad laboral y habitacional, pensar en ciudades santuario requiere estrategias diferentes.
Por otro lado, hay experiencias solidarias que merecen más atención. No necesariamente relacionadas con la población migrante, sino con la propia población local que vive en condiciones de precariedad. Por ejemplo, en Chile y otras ciudades latinoamericanas, existen iniciativas como las ollas comunes, que resurgieron con fuerza durante la pandemia. La gente se organiza para cocinar colectivamente, cada quien aporta lo que puede y se alimenta a muchas personas.
También hay redes de cuidado infantil y el trabajo de organizaciones religiosas, que históricamente han apoyado a comunidades vulnerables. Estas iniciativas han estado dirigidas a la población local en situación de pobreza, pero la pregunta clave es: ¿cómo se incorpora la diversidad migrante en estas redes de solidaridad?
Estas iniciativas han estado dirigidas a la población local en situación de pobreza, pero la pregunta clave es: ¿cómo se incorpora la diversidad migrante en estas redes de solidaridad?
-Dr. Stefoni
Lo que me interesa destacar es que ya existen expresiones de solidaridad en América Latina, pero el desafío es cómo integrarlas a contextos cada vez más diversos. Es un tema clave para pensar hacia el futuro.
La investigación en curso del Hub de América Latina está arrojando luz sobre las complejidades de las ciudades santuario en la región, revelando tanto los desafíos como las oportunidades y las soluciones creativas que están surgiendo en el terreno. ¿El siguiente paso? Movilización del conocimiento: llevar estos hallazgos a las manos de formuladores de políticas, líderes comunitarios y defensores que puedan transformarlos en acción.
Con planes de expandir su trabajo a República Dominicana y Brasil, buscan profundizar la conversación sobre solidaridad e integración en diversos contextos urbanos y reflexionar sobre cómo pueden ser las ciudades inclusivas.
Author: Vida Carranza Capote, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA student at Toronto Metropolitan University and Research Assistant with Soli*City
Sanctuary cities have been widely discussed in North America and Europe, but how do Latin American cities approach migrant inclusion and urban solidarity? The Latin American Hub of Soli*City has been conducting extensive fieldwork across Chile, Argentina, and beyond to better understand how local governments and organizations are engaging in urban sanctuary, solidarity, and hospitality practices to accommodate vulnerable migrants and refugees.
We explore how its research aligns with themes of identity, belonging, and immigration, and what lessons can be drawn for building more inclusive urban policies. In this interview, we dive into the Hub’s ongoing research with Dr. Carolina Stefoni, a co-applicant on the Soli*City Partnership and a member of the Latin America hub.
Q: Could you give us an overview of the current projects the Latin American Hub is working on?
A: We’ve been conducting fieldwork in Santiago de Chile, focusing on different municipalities in the north and central areas. Several factors come into play regarding social coexistence. Chile does not have a formal concept of sanctuary cities, but there have been some interesting and valuable initiatives at the local government level.
We’ve been conducting qualitative interviews, which have been incredibly enriching. We’ve spoken with local governments, social organizations, and representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, who manage social programs for the migrant population at the territorial level. We’ve collected over 40 interviews, all of which have been transcribed and are currently in the coding process, which we hope to complete by March.
We’ve been conducting qualitative interviews, which have been incredibly enriching. We’ve spoken with local governments, social organizations, and representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, who manage social programs for the migrant population at the territorial level. We’ve collected over 40 interviews…
– Dr. Stefoni
At the same time, we’re collaborating with a team from FLACSO Argentina. It’s been a fascinating partnership because we’re working together and using the same interview framework in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and parts of Mendoza. In Argentina, we also gathered interviews with the same key actors: local governments, social organizations, and international organizations. These have already been transcribed, and we’re coding them using the same system, allowing us to make solid comparisons between the two countries.
Additionally, we’ve established contact with researchers in the Dominican Republic to begin working there in 2025. We plan to start after the summer break. In Brazil, we’ve also connected with a team studying sanctuary cities, and a PhD student will be traveling to Santiago to collaborate with us. The idea is that, through these connections, we can also conduct interviews in Brazil.
Q: How does the Hub’s research align with themes like identity, belonging, and immigration?
A: We’re working with migrant populations, but so far, we haven’t conducted direct interviews with migrants themselves. Instead, we’ve focused on speaking with organizations and local governments that work with these communities.
Since we don’t yet have concrete results, I can’t say for sure how issues of identity are being addressed at the local level. However, one of our key research questions is whether local governments are incorporating an intercultural perspective into their governance.
My impression is that many municipalities have specific offices dedicated to migrant affairs. These offices aim to respond to migrants’ needs, but there’s also an effort to integrate migration-related issues into broader municipal services. This creates a tension between two approaches: one that specifically addresses the needs of migrants and another that seeks to include them in general programs for the entire population.
Q: Are you focusing on specific groups within sanctuary cities, or is your approach more general?
A: Our approach varies depending on the specific territories. In Chile’s Metropolitan Region, we selected municipalities like Recoleta, which has historically received many migrants. There, we analyze the programs implemented by the local government to support this population.
We’re also studying Iquique, a key municipality in the north of the country, to examine what policies and actions are being implemented there. So, while we maintain a broad perspective on migration policies, our work zooms in on local governments to understand what is being done on the ground in these specific territories.
Q: How does the Hub’s research contribute to Soli*City’s broader mission of building sanctuary cities and urban policies?
A: We are still in a diagnostic phase, trying to understand where the situation is heading in Latin America. In Chile, for example, we’ve identified a lack of understanding about the concept of solidarity cities and how to incorporate migration at an urban level.
While Argentina and Brazil have slightly different contexts, overall, Latin American cities are still far from having structured policies for migrant inclusion. That’s why our work will be valuable in identifying what challenges have been addressed, which remain unresolved, and what strategies could be implemented in different Latin American contexts—considering that they are quite different from those in Europe, North America, or Canada.
Latin American cities are still far from having structured policies for migrant inclusion. That’s why our work will be valuable in identifying what challenges have been addressed, which remain unresolved, and what strategies could be implemented in different Latin American contexts…
– Dr. Stefoni
Q: In what ways do you think your work could contribute to community-based solutions and sanctuary city policies?
A: Latin American cities have very different dynamics compared to those in the Global North. A key factor is informality—both in the economy and in housing solutions. Rather than proposing immediate solutions, our goal is to critically examine the current approaches. The reality is that when economies are highly informal, and there’s significant job and housing insecurity, thinking about sanctuary cities requires different strategies.
On the other hand, grassroots solidarity initiatives deserve more attention—not necessarily focused on migrants but on local populations living in precarious conditions. For example, in Chile and other Latin American cities, initiatives like community kitchens became widespread during the pandemic. People come together to cook collectively, each contributing what they can, and many people are fed as a result.
There are also childcare support networks and the work of religious organizations, which have historically assisted vulnerable communities. These initiatives have traditionally targeted low-income local populations, but the key question is: How do we incorporate migrant diversity into these existing networks of solidarity?
How do we incorporate migrant diversity into these existing networks of solidarity?
– Dr. Stefoni
What I want to emphasize is that expressions of solidarity already exist in Latin America. The challenge now is figuring out how to integrate them into increasingly diverse communities. That’s a crucial topic for future discussions.
The Latin American Hub’s ongoing research is shedding light on the complexities of sanctuary cities in Latin America, uncovering both the challenges, opportunities, and creative solutions happening on the ground. Next up? Knowledge mobilization— Getting these insights into the hands of policymakers, community leaders, and advocates who can turn them into action. With plans to expand their work to the Dominican Republic and Brazil, they aim to deepen the conversation on solidarity and integration in diverse urban contexts and envision what inclusive cities can look like.
Outside of Romero House in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Source: HeritageOntario.org).
As a designated sanctuary city, Toronto is home to many organizations that provide services to refugees and undocumented migrants. However, how many refugees and undocumented migrants are aware of the resources available to them? As a sanctuary city, refugees and undocumented migrants do not need to provide identification to access healthcare and other social services offered by the City of Toronto. However, as a city with one of the highest housing and living costs in Canada, refugees, undocumented migrants, and asylum seekers need the proper resources and assistance to acquire food and shelter. This is where Romero House steps in. Romero House was founded by Mary Jo Leddy in 1991. It provides refugee families with transitional housing, food, settlement, legal and clothing support. We spoke with Marnie Klassen, the volunteer coordinator and settlement worker, about Romero House’s values and services.
Q: Can you tell us about the history of Romero House and its mission?
A: Mary Jo Leddy founded Romero House in 1991, and we have always been located in the West Bend area. We have multiple houses and apartments within the West Bend area (Dundas West in the Junction Triangle). Our founder, Mary Jo Leddy, is a Christian theologian, poet, and artist. Romero House started by accident. Mary Jo Leddy had some neighbours who had refugees living with them, and they had to go away for a while, so she offered to look after them, as this was what being a good neighbour meant to her. She only meant to move in for a month; from there, she fell in love with working with refugees. Her love of working with refugees led to the creation of Romero House. We started with one house on Keele Street, and refugees would live with Mary Jo and some other staff;, we eventually expanded to buy other homes and hire more staff, but we’ve always remained in the West Bend neighbourhood. We currently have 4 houses, and we’re thinking of possibly expanding shortly. In total, we house 10 refugee families, with 8 live-in staff.
Q: How does Romero House incorporate solidarity practices into its work?
A: Our solidarity practices come down to the question: “What does it mean to be a good neighbour?” because we’re so rooted in our neighbourhood, what solidarity looks like to us at Romero House is neighbourliness and treating people as we belong to each other. When you live together, or just down the street from one another, and you have dinner together once a month, once a week or even once a day, you can’t treat [refugees] as if they’re ‘other.’ You have to treat them like you’re both human. You both have your humanity in common, even if every other detail about your life is different. I think this leads to a posture of solidarity, through this posture of neighbourliness, where we are so committed to not just treating people with respect, kindness and dignity but also friendship and joy. It’s not just about the practical way we support people but about the relational aspect. I think this is a compelling mode of solidarity.
When refugees arrive in Canada, they often know nobody and have no resources, and they have deep relational needs and wants for connection. I think what makes Romero House unique is that we not only provide settlement support and housing, but we also provide them with that sense of belonging and community in a place unfamiliar to them, with a system with many barriers where people tend to fall through the cracks. We are there to catch them as they fall, provide them with the practical stuff, support and nurture them. This creates a sense of solidarity because we’re treating people as humanely as possible. For example, Second Harvest (a food rescue charity) sends us a delivery every Thursday of food that is still good but may expire soon, supplemented by donations from other businesses and our garden, and that food gets distributed amongst our 10 families and a few of our walk-in family clients as well. Something significant about this that plays into the aspect of the neighbourliness/solidarity practices question is that we staff are welcome to take some of the groceries, which puts us on the same playing field. So that we feel that common humanity more practically instead of just saying, “Oh, we’re both humans.”. We’re being neighbours, both eating the same cucumbers from the delivery or through living together.
I think what makes Romero House unique is that we not only provide settlement support and housing, but we also provide them with that sense of belonging and community in a place unfamiliar to them, with a system with many barriers where people tend to fall through the cracks. We are there to catch them as they fall, provide them with the practical stuff, support and nurture them. This creates a sense of solidarity because we’re treating people as humanely as possible.
Marnie Klassen, Romero House volunteer coordinator and settlement worker
Q: What is the biggest challenge that refugee families face when arriving in Canada, specifically Toronto? How does Romero House help with these challenges?
A: There are many challenges, but what stood out to me in recent months is, of course, housing. But as someone who only speaks one language with bits of others, language learning is also one of the biggest challenges they face. Many arrive in Canada with no or limited English. Let’s talk about housing first because that is something that we help with directly at Romero House and is objectively the biggest challenge for refugee claimants, especially in Toronto, where rent is so high, and landlords in this city are also so cruel and unjust. We help with housing at Romero House by providing transitional housing for up to a year; some families move out after a couple of months, so we typically support more than 10 families in a calendar year with housing. We also get walk-ins. Some of the walk-ins we get don’t have a place to sleep for the night, and we don’t provide temporary housing, but we refer them to places that can give them somewhere to stay for a few nights, weeks, or months until they find somewhere longer term.
That longer-term thing can be Romero House, an affordable rental in the city or a shared home with someone. We also have a community host program, where people who have a spare bedroom or apartment can loan it to us to house refugees instead of renting them out, usually for a few nights or a few months at a time. It is also one of Romero House’s biggest mandates (housing in the medium-term range). We have two full-time staff members who help people find longer-term housing a few months before the 1-year mark ends.
As for language learning support, it can be challenging to find and get into ESL classes, and the ESL system in Toronto can be confusing to navigate. So what we do here at Romero House to support language learning is help people get onto those lists, and we also find volunteers to be English language conversation partners. The volunteers usually get paired with one of the residents or sometimes with a walk-in client. And they meet for one hour per week and just chat about whatever they’d like. There’s no curriculum, people can have a more structured conversation if they’d like, but typically it’s just a conversation. It’s a way for residents to practice and develop their conversational skills and create a connection/relationship with someone who has been in the country for much longer than they have. Some really click, and others don’t, but seeing the friendships and connections emerging is still amazing.
Q: Can you share some success stories of how Romero House has positively impacted the lives of refugee families?
A: I wasn’t here for this, so forgive me if I don’t know all the details. A refugee family, consisting of two parents and their young son, came here about two years ago. Their son Jamie (not their real name) has autism, so it created even more challenges in settling in Canada. Not only were they looking for practical support like food, career counselling, and housing, but they also needed extra support around the house and for their son’s disability and respite care. Romero House provided free babysitting and respite care, and we came together as a community to support this struggling family. It was amazing. I’ve gotten to know this family a bit, as former residents, they come in occasionally for extra support, and sometimes they volunteer at Romero House events.
They’re just the loveliest people. Seeing them thrive as a family here in Canada is amazing because they’re so well-connected as a family unit. It shows the difference between communal and relational support and institutional (government) support. They’re in a housing situation that is safe and affordable, and I even see the dad at the gym sometimes. They’re a very music-oriented family, so they volunteer for events with us, and just seeing them thriving and connected has been inspiring and beautiful. That’s not an isolated story in two ways; it’s not isolated in the sense that Romero House is first and foremost a community, and it’s also not an isolated story in the sense that there are many stories out there like that of people coming through Romero House and finding their feet, and that finding that in the context of relationships.
Q: What future initiatives or plans does Romero House have to expand or improve the services offered to refugee families?
A: So we’re now exploring some possibilities about expanding our housing capacity. I don’t think I can go into detail about it now. We’ve gotten a lot of green flags and support from other agencies and the city, so that you can keep an eye out for news about that in the coming months. It’s tricky to expand beyond what we have right now. We want to focus on sustainable growth, and we do not want to grow beyond our means. We’re always looking into different funding avenues, the possibility of hiring new staff, as it’s hard to do more without more people, and we’re always looking to see if we can take on new volunteers, but that can become overwhelming for the people supervising the volunteers. For now, though, our primary focus is on expanding our housing capacity.
Q: Toronto is a sanctuary city. Do you think that Toronto is doing enough to accommodate refugees as a designated sanctuary city?
A: I can share my opinion. To put it plainly, we’re in a housing crisis. The amount of refugees living in Toronto that are unhoused is simply appalling. I think that all levels of government can contribute more to amending that crisis. I’m hesitant to use the word ‘fixing’ because that makes it seem like there is a clear solution; I think there are many solutions that we can consider. I’m supporting a family who has just moved into Romero House, but they’ve been in Canada for nearly a year. They were previously living in a shelter and were feeling unsafe with no support for months. I’m unsure if the shelter was a city-run or privately owned shelter, but they had no settlement support. They didn’t know that they had to find a lawyer; there were so many things they had to do to make a refugee claim, yet they had no support. If you don’t have housing, you can’t have support with anything else. You need a place to live because if you’re not sleeping well, you don’t have the capacity for anything else. I think so much of refugee work comes back to basic housing. Is Toronto doing enough? I think the short answer is no. I think we’re doing some things, it could be worse, I’ll give Toronto that, but I also believe it could be much better. In June, we hosted our annual block party, and Mayor Olivia Chow came out and gave a speech. It was wonderful to hear her express her support for the work of Romero House and the other refugee agencies in the city and for her to say that she wants to do better and increase housing for refugee claimants in the city. So I’m waiting to see what those promises look like in action. For me, that’s really what it comes down to.
Romero House is a Soli*City partner dedicated to providing a community for refugees that ensures they feel safe, thrive, and belong. Romero House has helped hundreds of refugees in the good spirit of neighbours over the years. We thank Marnie Klassen and Romero House for this interview.
Have you ever considered that the number 80 might contain endless potential? It’s not just because the figure ‘8’ resembles the infinity symbol—it also represents infinite possibilities in the context of refugees and athletics. It symbolizes the unwavering resilience and hope of millions of refugees across the globe, through two specific achievements: the 80 refugee Olympic athletes who have competed since 2016, and the 80 karate athletes in Olympic history. These milestones show that with the right support from individuals, organizations, and governments, dreams can indeed come true.
Hamoon’s Olympic wall in the Karate Olympic Centre
Athletic potential knows no age—whether it’s children, youth, seniors, or adults, anyone can excel in sports. Yet, while our newsfeeds are often filled with inspiring stories of elite competitors and major leagues, how often do we hear about young refugee athletes? Are they receiving the same level of support? Can they grow up believing that their dreams are within reach? These questions can be answered through the experience of Hamoon Derafshipour, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic athlete who left everything behind in Iran as a refugee. In Canada, he found not only a life-changing opportunity to chase his Olympic dream, but also a platform to inspire refugee youth to believe that the impossible can be achieved.
Author, Darina Muñoz (left) and Olympian Hamoon Derafshipour (right)
“You work hard and you expect it to pay off. But sometimes, you are not able to participate,” said Hamoon, the 31-year-old karate Olympian, when asked how Canadian organizations and individuals are supporting refugee athletes. Through his Karate Olympic Centre in Kitchener, Ontario, he has been working to reduce barriers for young refugees, many of whom have qualified to be part of Team Canada. However, he explains that due to citizenship status and other restrictions, they are unable to compete in tournaments.
“Those kids need more motivation than the seniors. When they come here and train with other kids, they have a lot of energy. But when they leave, they need to face the stress of being a newcomer and a refugee at the same time, said Hamoon. “This sport has pushed them to survive. To continue to try and compete for their goal. It changes their behaviour through discipline, respect, and confidence.”
Hamoon
Outside Hamoon’s ‘Karate Olympic Centre’ in Kitchener, Ontario
When asked what Canadian cities can do to better support their dreams, Hamoon responded: “For the seniors, if their level is good enough to reach international tournaments, they can apply for scholarships. But for young refugees there’s nothing, so we need new programs.” His concern is that young refugee athletes should have the same opportunities to compete as seniors. For years, he has tried to promote his programs through Canadian organizations, but several have not responded. Despite these challenges, he remains proud of the nine young national karate students at his Olympic Centre. “One of my athletes is ranked number one in the world. She is going to the World Championships in October,” said Hamoon. “I am very connected with my athletes and I’m always training with them. I think it’s a major motivation, especially for the refugees. They are looking at me, and they want to do the same. I’m doing this for them.”
Unfortunately, much like refugee athletes, karate has faced its own challenges. Despite being staged for the first and last time at Tokyo 2020, Hamoon believes the sport deserves a permanent place in the Olympics. “Whenever I think of karate, I know it deserves to be in the Olympics. If you look around the world, for every 10 people, at least a couple of them did karate as children,” he remarked.
Adorned wall with a multitude of medals awarded by the centre’s young and senior trainees
With an impressive 5th place finish in karate at the 2020 Olympics, Hamoon shared that his ultimate goal is to also have one of his refugee students compete in the Olympics: “I want to make it happen at the Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal in 2026.” He also noted that he sees a lot of potential in his students—especially Mariana Guerrero, the 14-year-old 2022-2023 Pan American Champion and current top rank worldwide, who recently won bronze in a youth competition in Mexico. He is confident that, at some point, she will have the opportunity to join Team Canada.
Looking ahead, Hamoon hopes to continue pursuing his Olympic dream—this time, as a coach. “One day I will be retired, I know that,” said Hamoon. “It’s hard for athletes to retire, but I accept it, and I want to continue competing alongside my athletes as their coach.” As the interview drew to a close, Hamoon expressed heartfelt gratitude to the International Olympic Committee for consistently supporting refugee athletes. He also called on individuals, organizations, and governments to create more pathways for young refugees to pursue their ambitions—whether in sports or beyond. Together, we can help ensure they have a real chance to reach their full potential.
We thank Hamoon Derafshipour for taking the time to speak with us and for inspiring others by sharing his story.
