A sucess story from St. Mary s Church in Barrie

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1 A sucess story from St. Mary s Church in Barrie In October 2015, St. Mary s Refugee Committee in Barrie decided to sponsor an Iraqi family and a Sudanese family, each with five members in their family. Both families had three little girls. The Refugee Committee was made up of both new and experienced members. The experienced members had been part of at least one, to as many as four other refugee sponsorships in the Barrie area since All through the support of ORAT. Based on the political climate, typical sponsorship processing times, and discussions had in Amman, Jordan through ORAT s mission trip, the committee members were quite confident that the Iraqi family would arrive by Christmas 2016, and that the Sudanese family would arrive in The timing of arrivals would make it feasible to resettle both families without volunteer burn-out. And this is how it seems sponsorship and resettlement starts. How was the group to know the changes that would August 2017 Issue No. 7 be made by the newly elected federal government over the coming months? With the growing refugee crisis in Syria, the federal government made the decision to process Syrian cases at the expense of all other nationalities. Continued on page 2 Newcomer Meeting The monthly Newcomer Meeting is an informal gathering for newcomers who are resettled/ sponsored through the Office for Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT). In these interactive informal monthly meetings, newcomers learn about health issues, culture, politics, money matters, housing, gender roles etc., as well as best practices on how to deal with different integration needs in their sponsor parish communities. In addition, these meetings offer great opportunities for newcomers to socialize and build professional networks through which they may find plenty of work opportunities. All sponsored/ resettled newcomers in parishes across the Archdiocese of Toronto are welcome to participate in this informal gathering. The topic for the August 23, 2017 Newcomer Meeting is Your Road to Employment. A guest speaker from the YMCA will be joining us for this meeting and will be providing very useful resources and advice for finding a job. Please register for this meeting on Eventbrite through the link below: IRCC Processing Time Info Session RG members and Cosponsors whose cases have been submitted to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and would like to know how to follow up on their cases, are advised to register for the IRCC Processing Time Information Session through the following link: irccprocessingtimeaug16.eventbrite.ca In this session, which will be held at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Pickering, RGs and Cosponsors will learn about the recent processing time, how and when to ask for update etc. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, August 16th. Hazem Algebraeel Resettlement Educator, ORAT Page 1 of 5

2 A success story from St. Mary s Church in Barrie Continued from page 1 Over the next year and a half, the group prepared as much as possible for the arrival of the two families, keeping in sporadic contact (thanks to social media apps and Google Translate) with the families in Jordan. Volunteers hosted and attended ORAT training sessions in Barrie. The committee arranged a shower for new household items for one family. This involved parishioners signing up to purchase one household item as listed on giant pieces of paper hanging in the church hall and bringing it to the hall on an appointed day for collection by the committee. Throughout this time, the committee sent s to the local MP to request information on the status of the two cases. The MP s office was especially helpful to find the files and getting them processed quicker. The committee also wrote s and letters to the Minister of Immigration, but obtained no response. When it seemed that the Sudanese family would soon arrive and since affordable, decent rental accommodation was difficult to find in Barrie, an anonymous parishioner bought a house with the intent of renting the house to the newcomer family at an affordable cost. It was quickly painted, prepared and furnished with donated furniture and the newly purchased household items. After paying for it for about 6 months, the donor had to sell the house in December 2016, since neither family had arrived. Fast forward to the Spring of Since the Australian government was able to quickly process the Iraqi case, the Iraqi family made the decision to relocate to Australia. It was a great disappointment for the committee. After months of more s, and even a meeting with the MP, the Sudanese family passed all their medical and security checks and arrived at Pearson Airport on March 20, Before the family had arrived a detailed work plan (i.e. schedule) was developed following the guidance of ORAT. The newly arrived family stayed with the family of a committee member for the first two weeks. Committee members came and went from the host family s house during the first two weeks to help the newcomer family complete the necessary tasks required to start a new life in Canada. After the first two weeks, the family chose to stay in a hotel for an additional month so that they could be close to the YMCA Newcomer Reception Centre. During this time, housing, school enrolment, and visits to the doctor were arranged and completed. It was important that the family made their own decision, with input from the committee regarding housing location and cost. The generosity of local businesses was amazing. The newcomers were provided with discounts for the hotel, for driving lessons, van rentals (for the trip to the ORAT office in Toronto on the second day in the country), YMCA memberships (free), dental care (some free), clothing, and furniture. It was a busy start to a new life in Canada for the family and the many volunteers. Decisions had to be made about which school to enrol the children in; what apartment to live in; what phone company and bank to work with; and what job to secure. This made for challenging times. With lots of conversations, time and patience (and more patience) on the part of the sponsored family and the volunteers the first few months of resettlement have gone well. The father has a job, the mother is learning English and will be looking for a job in September, and the three girls have experienced many firsts, including their first snow fall and summer camp The best advice from a group that is in the middle of Page 2 of 5

3 the resettlement of their fifth family in about 13 years and lives in a region north of the GTA (with limited resources for newcomers) would be the following: Attend ORAT Training Sessions: All committee members should attend the various ORAT training sessions and follow the recommendations that are presented, which have been developed from the experience gained from hundreds of sponsorships that have been completed over many years. Be grounded on Resettlement Principles: The training sessions help to form realistic the expectations in all committee members. These sessions should be attended in advance of the family s arrival, since there is often not enough time to attend the sessions and discuss the learnings among the committee members once the family arrives. Heated discussions among volunteers can be avoided if all committee members are clear on the principles of resettlement. Teach how to fish: Provide the family with all the information and let them make their own decisions. It is not for committee members to use their own bias or experiences to make decisions for the family. The first year of sponsorship is intended to enable the family to learn, and not to do things for the family. This means everything will take longer - but this is the process of learning, which is valuable in the long run. Every sponsorship is different: Committing to a sponsorship is not like ordering something off of Amazon. The world outside of the security of Canada is not simple and though there is always room for improvement to the private sponsorship program (PSR) in Canada, the PSR program is unique and it is an amazing experience to be part of. The squeaky wheel gets the grease: Make use of local and national media, and s/ letters to politicians to advocate for speedier processing times for refugees in general or for a particular refugee family, or to request for increased quotas for private sponsorship methods. Sponsorship is not a passive activity that starts when the family arrives. Learning can be fun: Learn from the sponsored family about their country, language and religion and see Canada through their eyes. This is a privilege and it s so much fun. Mistakes will be made: Mistakes are part of life and refugee sponsorship is not easy. As long as everyone is safe and keeps realistic expectations it should be deemed a success. The opportunities offered to the children of newcommers is what should be the measure of success. Upcoming Sessions Please note that you are required to register to book your seat for any session you wish to attend. You may register for the following sessions by clicking on the attached link: eventbrite.com IRCC Processing Date: Wed, Aug 16th Time: 10:00 am Location: 1148 Finch Ave, Pickering, St. Isaac Jogues Church Pre-Arrival Date: Fri, Aug 18th Time: 10:30 am Newcomer Meeting Date: Wed, Aug 23rd Time: 6:30 pm Job Readiness Date: Thu, Aug 24th Time: 6:30 pm Introduction to Resettlement in Parishes Date: Thu, Aug 31st Time: 6:00 PM Page 3 of 5

4 Who can be sponsored through Groups of 5 and Community Sponsorship? Groups of Five (G5) and Community Sponsorship (CS) are two avenues of Private Sponsorship under the Private Sponsorship Refugees program (PSR)/Civic Resettlement Program. Refugees and persons in refugeelike situations may qualify for Canada s refugee and humanitarian resettlement program. Refugees however, must meet certain criteria that have been established by UN international conventions and by Canadian government regulations. For people to qualify, they must meet the following criteria: 1. The person(s) must be recognized by the UNCHR or the local government of the country of asylum as Convention Refugees; 2. The person(s) must be outside of their country of origin and do not have a prospect of a durable solution within a reasonable period of time, that is: a. Cannot return to their country of nationality or habitual residence; b. Cannot integrate in the country of refuge or the country of first asylum; and c. Do not have another offer of resettlement from a country other than Canada; 3. Must be outside of Canada; 4. Have a sponsoring group in Canada; a. In the case of Groups of Five: Five Canadian citizens or permanent residents can get together, raise the necessary funds and sign the undertaking for the sponsorship. b. In the case of Community Sponsorship: Organizations, associations or corporations, that are registered either as a business or a charity, have a non-profit motivation behind the sponsorship, and who have sufficient funds available for sponsorship, can sign the undertaking for the sponsorship. Important Note: Groups of Five and Community Sponsors can only sponsor persons who have already been officially recognized as a refugee in the country of asylum, and are able to provide documentary proof of this status such as a document issued by the country of asylum or by the UNHCR. Asylum seekers who have not yet been recognized as refugees, can be sponsored through Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs). SAHs are incorporated organizations that have signed an agreement to sponsor refugees with the Government of Canada. SAHs, however, are tied to a number of spots that are allocated to them by the government on an annual basis. Core Principles for Resettlement Groups (RGs) ORAT is focussed on helping the faithful, providing them with knowledge and guidance on the refugee resettlement process. To uphold our mission and to best align with government guidelines, ORAT promotes the following resettlement and integration principles. These principles provide RGs with indispensable guidance, which will greatly assist them in successfully integrating their newcomers to the Canadian society. 1. Newcomer Contribution a. Newcomers are expected to contribute towards the cost of their own resettlement from funds that they bring to Canada or earn/ receive during their sponsorship period. b. Monies brought to Canada: Upon arrival, the newcomer is asked by the RG, using the Basic Financial Declaration form, to declare any monies that they have brought with them to Canada or will bring to Canada. The newcomer is entitled to retain $1,000 for an individual; $2,000 for a couple; and $500 for every additional person. Any monies above this should be directed toward the cost of their own resettlement, with the budget (i.e., donated monies required) reduced accordingly. c. Income Received in Canada i. Canada Child Benefit ( CCB ): Under the Government Assisted Page 4 of 5

5 Core Principles for Resettlement Groups (RGs) Refugee Program ( GAR ), newcomers receive monies equal to the official liability. Assuming that the newcomer is eligible for the CCB, monies received under this program are provided over and above the official liability (i.e., no claw back). Sponsorship Agreement Holders, like ORAT, are not required to do the same. As such, it is important that RGs and newcomers do not view donated monies as an entitlement. When a newcomer receives CCB, the RG, where possible, should make a corresponding downward adjustment to their budget (i.e., donated monies required). However, each case is to be accessed on its own merits. In some situations it may be necessary to use some or all of the CCB monies in addition to the monthly budget to meet the basic needs of the newcomer. In other cases, the budget can be adjusted down to offset the monies received under the CCB program. Any monies saved will go to help sponsor other refugee families. ii. Other Income: RGs are asked to treat employment income and income from other sources in the same manner adjusting downward the need for donated funds. Other sources of income may include: Income Tax Refund; Ontario Trillium Benefit; GST Rebate; Ontario Sales Tax Benefit; Ontario Property Tax and Rental Tax Credit; Ontario Disability Support Program, etc. Join us on Facebook Become a member of the ORAT Facebook Page to get the latest news and updates on resettlement issues. To visit our Facebook page, please click here ORAT Website Please visit ORAT s website to find details about our mandate, goals, and policies, as well as to obtain immigration forms and info session materials. New Address for Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Please be advised that as of July 14, 2017, the new address for IFHP is IRCC.IFHP-PFSI.IRCC@ cic.gc.ca. Please use this address for any questions/comments related to IFHP. Your input is welcome If you would like to contribute an article to ORAT s newsletter, have any feedback on past articles, or have suggestions for future articles, please us at: orateducator@archtoronto.org The Office for Refugees is Supported by Page 5 of 5