Syrian Refugee Family Sponsorship Proposal AZ-ZAHRAA HUMANITARIAN GROUP

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1 Syrian Refugee Family Sponsorship Proposal AZ-ZAHRAA HUMANITARIAN GROUP

2 our goal To sponsor a Syrian refugee family under the name SMCBC through the Government of Canada s refugee sponsorship program. To deliver this initiative through the newly formed Az-Zahraa Humanitarian Group. To involve all members of the community in this project.

3 sponsorship basics

4 1 SPONSORSHIP CAN BE UNDERTAKEN IN 3 WAYS: Group of 5 Sponsorship 5 or more Canadian citizens, or permanent residents Community Sponsorships An organization, association or corporation Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) An organization that has signed sponsorship agreements with the Gov t of Canada to help support refugees from abroad when they resettle in Canada. Can sponsor refugees themselves or work with others in the community May be eligible for partial financial assistance from the government

5 Group of 5 eligibility: Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident Be 18 years old and over Live in the same community where the refugee is expected to settle Provide a settlement plan and prove that it has the money to sponsor a refugee for one year

6 Community Sponsorship eligibility: A community sponsor can be: an organization, an association or a corporation The organization, association or corporation does not have to be incorporated under federal or provincial law

7 SAH eligibility: Organization must be incorporated (legally created organization) Assumes full responsibility of managing sponsorships Must be located in the community where the refugee is expected to settle Can authorize other groups in the community to sponsor refugees under its agreement Must sign a sponsorship agreement with the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Process to become a SAH takes 2-4 months Expected to sponsor 2-3 refugee cases per year

8 2 All sponsorships must agree to give: emotional & financial support to the refugee(s) for the full sponsorship period (usually one year)

9 BLENDED VISA OFFICE-REFERRED PROGRAM Matches refugees identified for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with private sponsors in Canada Goal - to engage in a 3-way partnership among the Govt of Canada, the UNHCR, & private sponsors Much quicker process We can look at refugee profiles and seek further info and ultimately choose our refugee family

10 Cont Govt of Canada will provide up to 6 months of income support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), while private sponsors will provide another 6 months of financial support and up to a year of social and emotional support Refugees are covered under the Interim Federal Health Program for the duration of the sponsorship (one year), in addition to provincial health coverage

11 Cont For Syrian refugees: As of September 25, 2015, all groups including SAHs, Groups of Five and Community sponsors who wish to sponsor Syrian refugees will be able to apply to sponsor through the Blended Visa Office-Referred Program.

12 3 As of Sept 19, 2015, the Government of Canada has temporarily exempted Syrians and Iraqi refugees from the requirement to provide proof of refugee status in order to be sponsored. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

13 sponsorship responsibilities

14 1 Private sponsors normally support their sponsored refugees by: Providing the cost of food, rent and household utilities, and other day-to-day living expenses Providing clothing, furniture and other household goods

15 Locating interpreters Selecting a family physician & dentist Assisting with applying for provincial health-care coverage Enrolling children in school & adults in language training

16 Introducing newcomers to people with similar personal interests Providing orientation with regard to banking services, transportation, etc. Helping in the search for employment

17 2 Refugees are usually given a loan from the Government of Canada to pay for their medical examinations overseas and their transportation to Canada Sponsorship groups may be asked to cover a portion of, or all of these costs.

18 financial responsibilities

19 Assumptions for budget (on next slide) Family of 4-2 adults (ages 30-50) and 2 minors- (ages 7-18) Required support - 12 months All home and personal purchases are brand new ( i.e.: clothes furniture/equipment etc.); in-kind donations/gifts not included Employment income and Gov t assistance not included Rent is based on a 2-bedroom basement suit in Surrey or Richmond ($1000/month) Transportation: monthly bus passes for each person (2 adults, 2 concession)

20 Budget EXPENSES (1 yr): Family Resettlement Food $5, Shelter/Rent $12, Household operations $ Household furnishings/equipment $1, Clothing $1, Transportation $2, Personal care $ Miscellaneous One-time expenses: Airfare & Legal fees $5, Medical exams $ Cash Reserve $5, EXPENSES Local Initiatives $10, Estimated Annual Expenses $45, Revenue: Fundraising events $35, Individual Donors $10, Balance $0.00

21 tax-deductible receipts If we wish to sponsor a family that we know already (i.e. maybe one that has been recommended by WF or someone else), then we are not allowed to issue tax receipts. We can issue tax receipts if we are assigned a family.

22 organizations in lower mainland for support and assistance Muslim Food Bank Kinbrace Refugee Support and Housing Settlement Orientation Services Immigrant Services Society of BC

23 sponsorship process 1. Decide on Sponsorship structure (Group of 5, Community, SAH) 2. Begin to raise funds 3. Complete sponsorship eligibility/assessment 4. Complete sponsorship application 5. Submit to CIC 6. Receive signed Undertaking from CIC 7. Refugee(s) selected, screened, granted VISA 8. Sponsorship group notified