**Our most urgent current need is funding**
This holiday season, please consider making a donation in support of our guests.

East End United is hosting 30 asylum seekers from African countries…indefinitely.  We are looking for help.  If you’re interested in volunteering or are simply interested in staying informed, please join our Facebook Group.  There is also a list of specific items we are looking for below.
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Many of you will have heard about the number of asylum seekers from African countries who have been left stranded outside 129 Peter Street. Since July, Black-led churches in the northern part of the city have taken on the enormous task of caring for these refugees.  

One night in October, East End United Regional Ministry hosted 100 asylum seekers who had been temporarily displaced from Dominion Church.

Once again, the landlord for Dominion has given the congregation notice that everybody must leave.  There are also people showing up at Peter Street every single day, out in the cold, without any provisions for the coming winter months.
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East End United has discerned that we are able to take on 30 asylum seekers indefinitely (as long as it takes for IRCC to place them).  This will be at our Eastminster Campus (310 Danforth Avenue). We have showers.  We have space. We have a history of providing food and shelter to vulnerable people.  We are not wanting to become a shelter, but we are also not willing to leave people to freeze if we can do something about it.

We are so grateful to our neighbours and extended community who have reached out to help.  Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.

1. HOW CAN I DONATE?

You can make a donation through our Canada Helps page.

​Alternatively, you can send an etransfer: [email protected]
Please type in the memo line that the transfer is for our 30 Asylum Seekers

Donations are eligible for tax receipts.

Money will go towards purchasing food, winter boots, transit tickets, overnight staff, and other necessities. 

2. HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?

You can sign up to volunteer for shopping or meal prep here: https://signup.com/go/TqVJwsv

You can sign up to be a friendly host here: https://signup.com/go/hLUGbDk


3. WHAT DO YOU NEED? **Updated November 29th, 2023

-Snack foods (fruit, veggies, granola bars, etc.)
-smartphones (used, but still able to update the operating system)
-financial donations

Items can be left at our Eastminster Campus' (310 Danforth Avenue) Jackman Avenue entrance, inside the doors, clearly labeled for our refugee guests.

4. IT ISN'T RIGHT THAT REFUGEES TO CANADA NEED TO SLEEP ON THE STREET OR IN CHURCHES. WHAT CAN I DO?

For those who live in the Toronto-Danforth riding, you can email MP Julie Dabrusin and let her know that it is unacceptable that so many African newcomers have been left to either freeze outside 129 Peter Street, or live inside churches.  You can also email Councillor Paula Fletcher and let her know that the City of Toronto needs to expand its shelter services, especially during the cold, winter months.