Photo: Diocese of Niagara

To be a refugee means you are an exile. It is a very different experience from being a migrant. Many migrants have come here to get a better standard of living. We have come here because our lives are in danger! - Quote from a refugee

Who is a Refugee? Outside of their own country Well-founded fear of persecution for: Race Religion Nationality Political Opinions Membership in particular social group

There are over 59.5 million displaced persons around the world Photo: UNHCR 80% of the world’s refugees are women and children The Global Refugee Crisis

What is happening in Syria? The Syrian refugee crisis is not new Conflict started in 2011 with protests against regime ISIS has only made it worse About 4 million Syrians are outside their country Almost 8 million more are displaced internally Half of them are children

Durable Solutions for Refugees The UNHCR considers there to be 3 solutions for refugees: Voluntary Repatriation returning home conditions must allow return in safety and dignity Local Integration integrating into the country of asylum Resettlement permanent move to a “third” country limited option for those who cannot go home, are not safe in their asylum country Photo: UNHCR

Sponsorship in Canada In 1979 Canadians enthusiastically applied to sponsor Boat People under the new Private Sponsorship Program Canada’s private sponsorship program is unique; it represents 6% of worldwide resettlement! Over 200,000 refugees have been privately sponsored to Canada in the last 30 years Photo: UNHCR

Impact of Sponsorship Refugees can only be referred to Canada by UNHCR or by a private sponsor – they cannot apply directly for resettlement to Canada Private sponsorship increases Canada’s and the world’s capacity to offer humanitarian assistance to refugees Photo: UNHCR

Refugee Settlement in Canada Obtain Refugee Status from UNHCR or Country of Asylum Canadian Resettlement Program Before being accepted to Canada - medical, security and criminality checks

Why Sponsor? Jesus—himself a refugee—invites us to ministry that transforms lives With the crises in Syria and Iraq, the need to resettle refugees has never been greater Sponsoring a refugee family does not just change their life, it changes everyone’s life

When Churches Sponsor… They receive a wonderful opportunity to live out their commitment as Christians to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless They offer refugees a chance, that they would not otherwise have, to begin a new life in Canada

When Churches Sponsor… They focus together on compassion and love, looking outside of themselves rather than dwelling on internal problems They connect with others in their community, demonstrating the power of God’s love

When Churches Sponsor… They have an opportunity to grow and transform. They develop team cohesiveness, learn from new experiences, and discover untapped resources They appreciate life in Canada through someone else’s eyes

When Churches Sponsor… They learn about social justice and advocacy They change lives!

Getting Past the Jargon: Private Sponsors of Refugees Program The Federal Government assists a number of refugees to come to Canada each year. They are known as GARs (Government Assisted Refugees) Canadians can increase this number through the Private Sponsorship Program (PSR) Within the PSR program, there are Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs). They have signed an agreement to manage private sponsorships. Our Anglican Diocese is a SAH When congregations sponsor refugees through a SAH, they are known as Constituent Groups (CGs)

SAH’s Role Overall responsibility and liability for the sponsorship Training, advice, and paperwork assistance Monitoring

Role of a Sponsor or CG Sponsors provide financial, social, and emotional support for the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship Sponsorships formally last for 12 months or until the refugee becomes financially independent, whichever comes first Informal support often carries on beyond the sponsorship period

Airport Welcome Orientation to Canada Finding Permanent Accommodation Arranging Temporary Accommodation Find Trauma Counselling Find Doctors and Dentists Apply for OHIP Applying for IFH (Integral Federal Health) Provide Emotional and Moral Support Apply for Child Tax Benefit Enroll Children in School Open Bank Accounts Build a resume, Find a job Build a resume, Find a job Apply for a SIN card Enroll in ESL Find Furniture, Clothing, and Supplies What are the Sponsor’s Settlement Responsibilities?

Sponsorship Options Private Sponsorship Blended VOR Referred by Private Sponsor No government funding Screening needs to be completed before approval Arrival times vary widely Referred by UNHCR Blended Funding between Sponsor and Government Usually screening is complete Travel time: 1-4 months

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3: 17-18

Next Steps Organize a Sponsorship Team Assess Community Resources Create a Settlement Plan Prepare & Submit an Application

Organizing a Team: Leadership Chair and Vice-Chair Contact with SAH, Paperwork, Distribution of tasks Financial Coordinator Bank Accounts, Budget, Helping family open accounts Secretary Note-taking, announcements Team Leaders Oversee specific parts of the settlement plan, such as housing

Core Sponsorship Group SocialFinance EducationMedical Shopping Housing Transportation Organizing a Sponsorship Team

Volunteer Best Practices Police Record Checks are to be undertaken for members of the core sponsorship team Volunteers should always be working in pairs Privacy and confidentiality of the newcomers is paramount Volunteers should always have gender and age considerations in mind during interactions There should be a log book or record of volunteer visits and tasks

Assess Community Resources What gifts, skills and resources are present within your sponsorship team and parish? What resources are available within your larger community? Have you connected with your local settlement organization?

Sponsorship Resources For information, resources, e-training and more visit:

Creating a Settlement Plan This is a government form that… Defines the roles of the co-sponsor, the sponsorship group and diocese Identifies who will do what task and any gaps in skills or resources Describes contingency plans (budget beyond IRCC minimums)

The Application Process CG / Parish Decides upon case to sponsor Develops a settlement plan Designates a main person for the purposes of the sponsorship Co-signs the sponsorship undertaking application forms Diocese Facilitates the matching of a case Reviews the settlement plan Co-signs the sponsorship undertaking application forms Submits the application to Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada Government Review and approves the sponsorship application Ensures medical, security and criminality checks are completed Arranges travel and notifies diocese

“As people of faith, we are called by the gospel to ‘welcome the stranger’ in our midst... from coast to coast to coast, Anglican parishes ‘welcome the stranger’ through Private Sponsorship Agreements and advocacy for the rights and hopes of refugees. I am very proud of your commitment to this ministry. It is a powerful witness to the law of Moses, the call of the prophets and the teaching of Jesus.” The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate