He's helping Montreal refugees build a home away from home

CBC Quebec is highlighting people from the province's Black communities who are giving back, inspiring others and helping to shape our future. These are the 2024 Black Changemakers.

Two bags of parboiled rice and a misleading Google search were all it took for Adedeji Sunday Akintayo to find his second family when he came to Canada as a refugee. 

In 2017, Akintayo decided to settle in Anjou, in the east of the island of Montreal. 

His Christian faith was already a key part of his life when he was growing up in Nigeria and it followed him everywhere. It was important for him to find the nearest church. 

The name of the Beaconsfield United Church popped up on his screen, and being new to the city, he had no idea what kind of journey he would embark on.

The church was on the island of Montreal — but on the other end.

Around two hours later, after a never-ending trip by public transit to the western tip of the island, he realized that it was not the "nearest church." 

But when he got to the secretary's office, he found two bags of rice used in Nigerian cuisine. They looked like home. 

He decided that finding this "good church" was the biggest miracle of his life. And he hasn't left since. 

Though he worked two jobs from 7 a.m. to midnight, he never missed a Sunday service at the church. 

He had finally found a second place to call home after years of travels for his studies and work in Ukraine, Lithuania, Portugal, Poland and the United States. 

"[Coming to Canada] has been the best decision of my life. It has been something that changed my life," said Akintayo. 

From singing in the choir to working as a board member and contributing to the hospitality group, he quickly became an active member of the church.

In 2018, he felt it was time to give back to the community and created the Refugee Integration and Support Program.

"I understand the refugees. I understand their pain and I know they want to speak to someone who understands their pain," said Akintayo. "I'm proud to say I was once a refugee in this country."

The program offers language classes, financial planning seminars, workshops and consultations to inform participants about their legal options, the health-care system, immigration and housing.

It also provides clothing and household goods. But most importantly, it brings refugees together. 

Akintayo says he's met people who have travelled from Nigeria to South America and who crossed Panama's Darién Gap by foot.

"They are coming from a background of persecution. They are coming from a background of uncertainty. So, what they need is love," said Akintayo.

Building a home away from home

Four times a year, the church gives refugees food items like beans, garri and palm oil, often used in Nigerian cuisine.

In the summer, the community is invited to a picnic near the church. 

"They eat Canadian food for 11 months a year. So one month in the summer, let them have a feel of home," said Akintayo.

Rev. Linda Buchanan gave Akintayo ministry training at the church. 

"He is just so good at connecting people to other people, to enable everyone to support themselves and to integrate," she said.

She's seen him change the lives of many refugees and the community around them, including their children. 

"That's what Ade does, just by being a friend and a partner of all those he comes into contact with," said Buchanan.

"[They say] he always has an answer." 

She says she hopes he continues to be his "whole self" and, wherever he ends up, there will be "much fruit from his care." 

"It takes somebody with an idea, it takes someone with a vision and it takes someone with the determination to make that happen. And Ade had all of those," said Buchanan.

Akintayo says over 530 refugees have passed through the church office.

"We don't discriminate…. We are open to all religions," he said. "All are welcome." 

A second family

When 23-year-old Boluwatifenishola Akinola arrived in Canada as a refugee in 2022, she was alone, far from her loved ones in Nigeria. 

She says the program has helped her in many ways.

Her dresser, table, chairs and microwave were all donated by the church.  But above all, the program has given her a strong support system to help her go through her refugee hearing, which she says is usually a stressful situation.

"It was really easy to go through all of that. I did not feel like I was alone, even though I'm alone here in Canada," said Akinola, adding that Akintayo helped her a lot. 

She says he's always willing to proofread her documents and answer her calls for help. 

She now works as a picnic youth co-ordinator and organizes yearly picnics for refugees with the church.

"I just want people to experience the things that I've experienced here, like the encouragement, the community," she said.

Akinola says she considered moving to Toronto, but her new community is what made her stay. 

Akintayo says he wants to integrate more refugees into society and make the most of the potential he has developed thanks to the opportunities offered by Canada, Quebec and his church. 

"I'm just doing my work and I'll continue doing my work," he said. 

The Black Changemakers is a special series recognizing individuals who, regardless of background or industry, are driven to create a positive impact in their community. From tackling problems to showing small gestures of kindness on a daily basis, these Changemakers are making a difference and inspiring others. Meet all the Changemakers here.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.