Sponsoring Syrian Refugees UNHCR Parastoo Aznavehzadeh& Said Nixon Bangura Ontario RSTP Trainers Funded by:
Agenda Part 1: Who can be sponsored? Part 2: Who can sponsor refugees? Part 3: What are sponsors responsibilities? Part 4: What is the sponsorship process?
Part 1 What is private refugee sponsorship? The resettlement of a refugee to Canada, in which the financial costs of sponsorship and the settlement support is provided by private groups or organizations. Eskinder Debebe It is a refugee protection tool Sponsoring groups must provide financial support and settlement assistance for 12 months or until the refugee becomes self-sufficient (whichever comes first).
Who is eligible to be sponsored? Someone who: Is outside of their home country Is not in Canada Is unable or unwilling to return to their country Cannot stay where they are currently living Fits the definition of: Convention Refugee Abroad Class: OR Well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion Country of Asylum Class: Seriously and personally affected by civil war or armed conflict, or suffered massive violations of human rights
Who is admissible? Before being accepted to come to Canada, the following checks will be conducted: Security check Criminality Check Medical Check
Who can be included in a sponsorship application? Principal Refugee Applicant Strongest refugee claim Must meet admissibility criteria Spouse or Common-law Partner Dependant Children Under 19 and not married 19 or over but dependent due to physical or mental medical condition (since before age 19)
Part 2 Who can sponsor refugees? Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) & Constituent Group (CG) An incorporated organization that has signed an Agreement to sponsor refugees with the Government of Canada A group that has been authorized by a SAH to sponsor refugees under its Agreement Group of Five Five Canadian citizens or permanent residents Community Sponsor Any organization, association or corporation
Part 3 What are the financial costs of sponsorship? Sponsors must financially support the refugee for one year, or until they become selfsupporting, whichever comes first.
Sponsorship Cost Table Family Size Additional member 12 Months of Income Support Start-up Costs Estimated Total Annual Settlement Cost ($) 1 9,800 2,800 12,600 2 16,800 4,400 21,200 3 17,700 5,300 23,000 4 20,000 7,000 27,000 5 22,500 7,200 29,700 6 24,500 8,000 32,500 1,550 1,000 2,500
In-Kind Deduction Table Family Size Shelter Clothing Furniture Start-up Costs (Household Needs) School Start-up Costs Food Staples 1 6,000 500 1,500 325 175 2 7,100 1,000 2,000 350 250 3 7,800 1,375 2,500 375 325 4 8,400 1,750 3,000 400 400 5 9,600 2,125 3,500 425 475 6 9,600 2,500 4,000 450 550 For additional member, add 900 375 500 25 150/per child between ages 4-21 75
What are the sponsors responsibilities? 1. FINANCIAL SUPPORT 2. EMPLOYMENT SEARCH 3. HEALTH 4. HOUSING 5. EDUCATION 6. TRANSPORTATION 7. Trauma Counselling 8. OTHER
Employment Connect them with employment resource centers Register them in job search training workshop Help them find a job Encourage them to enroll in professional training or vocational schools Assist them in finding volunteering position to gain Canadian work experience
Health Assist Refugees with applying for OHIP and social insurance number Assist with finding a family doctor and/or dentists Assist in immunization of children for schools Explain health benefits covered by the IFH (Interim Federal Health) and OHIP
Housing Assist Refugees in finding and securing affordable housing Offer housing Application Assistance Assist with contacting landlord Provide rent, furniture and household items Advise Refugees on the rights and responsibilities of the Landlord and Tenant
Education Support newcomers to improve their language skills and knowledge by enrolling them in ESL Classes Assist in evaluating their foreign credential Help enrol their children in schools
Transportation Provide orientation with regard to travelling within the city using public transportation A. Where to buy tokens/metro pass B. How to use Transfer C. Directions (eg. East,West,North or South Bound) or (one or two blocks east or west ect)
Trauma Experienced by Syrian Children In one study, it was found that 60% of the children surveyed had seen someone shot at, kicked or physically harmed. 30% of the children had themselves been shot at, kicked or physically harmed. So far, 11,000 unaccompanied children have crossed the Syrian border Witnessing and being a victim of violence can cause a person s mental health, and high level of stress
Traumatic Triggers to be Mindful of Sound of a Loud bang Fire works Popping of a balloon Sound of jets (Air Show) The presence of an armed officer
Trauma Support for Syrian Refugees Dealing with mental health issues among refugees is daunting, Good mental health promotes effective integration. (Dr. Morton Beiser) provide children with healing and learning spaces that offer a safe and stable environment to learn and play Provide/refer support programs aimed at equipping mothers, fathers, and caretakers with the knowledge and skills to cope with psychosocial stress and to provide appropriate protective care for their children.
Other Banking Grocery Recreation
Application Forms http://www.rstp.ca/en/processing/the-refugee-sponsorship-application-forms/ Follow the instruction guides, step by step, while filling out the forms
Part 4 The Sponsorship Process YOU CPO-W Sponsors collect info & gather documents Sponsors complete forms & assist refugee applicants to do the same Mail complete application package to Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg (CPO-W) Screen application Create file Approval Mail to National Headquarters (NHQ) NHQ VO Transfer file with diplomatic service to Visa Office (VO) abroad Review Interview Initiate medical, security, criminality checks Approval Arrange for travel (IOM)
Thank you! Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) www.rstp.ca We re happy to help you through this journey! Please feel free to contact us for more information. info@rstp.ca Tel: 416.290.1700 Toll-free: 1.877.290.1701