Meet Andrew and his inspiring story on improving lives

Andrew worked as an Investment Advisor for a large financial institution in Toronto. He is a dog dad to Archie, a 10 years old Border Terrier. Andrew enjoys reading, practicing Tai Chi, and playing Bridge.

Andrew was instrumental in spearheading the efforts of the resettlement of 2 refugees in Canada.

Beginning in 2016, Andrew asked a number of friends to form a group, Safe Home, to sponsor the settlement of LGBTQ+ refugees in Canada. The idea arose from the Syrian refugee crisis that resulted from the civil war. In particular, the story of Alan Kurdi, the young boy washed ashore in Turkey, had a galvanizing impact on the group. Andrew saw that the Canadian government offered a way for individual volunteers to assist in the settlement of refugees and wanted to take action. Rainbow Railroad (RR), a Toronto based NGO that strives to bring LGBTQ+ refugees to places of safety would be the best partner to work with in finding the most vulnerable candidate. Safe Home became a settlement team working under RR’s umbrella.

Safe Home’s mission was to raise funds and provide social support to a candidate for one year as they adapted to life in Canada. Andrew led significant fundraising efforts, raising $20,000 CAD per candidate. 

Andrew volunteered because everyone needs a home, and no one should be persecuted for living an authentic life.

The first individual that Safe Home sponsored was Edward, an affable young man from Syria.

At the time, Edward was working for an NGO in Turkey. He arrived in Toronto in 2017 and spent the first few months living with a couple, Dan and Tony, on the settlement team. He became, in fact, a member of their extended family and they continue to visit on a regular basis.

Edward quickly found work in Toronto and has been building a professional career. Now 32 years old, Edward and his partner have recently purchased a condo in downtown Toronto.

Safe Home, with a few changes to the original core team members, sponsored a second refugee in 2022.

Bita was 34 years old, a Kurdish trans woman from Iran living a fairly precarious existence in Turkey. Bita arrived in Toronto in late October (thank goodness she likes cold weather!) and stayed with a couple, Michael and Steven, who welcomed her into their home. She studied English and later took business courses at the community college. She recently completed her diploma in medical esthetics.

Today, Bita lives with a friend in downtown Toronto and works uptown at a beauty spa. Bita aspires to work in the fashion / makeup industry.