Welcoming the Stranger The Private Sponsorship of Refugees

Welcoming the Stranger The Private Sponsorship of Refugees 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

The Global Refugee Crisis �There are over 59. 5 million displaced persons around the world Photo: UNHCR � 80% of the world’s refugees are women and children Photo: UNHCR

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 Photo: UNHCR � permanent move to a “third” country � limited option for those who cannot go home, are not safe in their asylum country

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 Before being accepted to Canada - medical , security and criminality checks Canadian Resettlement Program

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

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

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

Organizing a Sponsorship Team Core Sponsorship Group Shopping Housing Finance Social Education Transportation Medical

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: www. rstp. ca

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 • Review and approves the sponsorship application • Ensures medical, security and criminality checks are completed Government • 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, 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