1. FCJ Refugee Centre An Integrated Model of Refugee Claimant Settlement

2. Introduction Integrated model: provides orientation in a supportive community Helps refugees become productive members of society Helps them avoid falling into a cycle of poverty and dependence on the welfare state. Follows the journey that refugee claimants make as a continuum from the time they make the claim at the border until they become a permanent resident of Canada.

3. (a)The Legal Refugee Protection and Settlement Process

4. Arrival at airport Upon arrival at any port of entry, a refugee claimant faces the possibility to be detained for the following reasons: To complete an examination; Suspicion that the person is either inadmissible to Canada or is a danger to the public; Immigration officer believes the refugee claimant is unlikely to appear for another examination or appointment; The refugee claimant does not present proper identification or has false identification papers;

5. Step 1 Finding shelter: With relatives or friends In a refugee shelter (ours or another) In a non-refugee shelter In paid accommodation In all cases we can offer all the steps of the integration process

6. Step 2 a general introduction to Canada and Toronto (public transportation, different steps and procedures, etc). initial settlement services (described in the following steps) Our women’s programs provide: support groups, counseling referrals, small business formation, etc.

7. Step 3 Appointments: Welfare (We provide bridge money until first welfare cheque) School, ESL classes

8. Step 4 Appointment with legal aid Referral to a lawyer; 1 st appointment Help with outline of story to facilitate legal aid and the lawyer

9. Step 5 If legal aid received, facilitate preparation of PIF with lawyer (if one of our lawyers) If no legal aid, or just an opinion letter, help with preparation of whole PIF. Preparation for hearing in cases where no referral possible.

10. Step 6 Appointments for immigration medicals and family doctor if necessary. Enrollment in ESL classes Apply for Social Insurance Number Open bank account

11. Step 7 When claimant is ready to move from our shelter to an apartment, we facilitate the search for the apartment, start-up money from welfare, first telephone, furniture, and the move. We also give them one month’s rent for the deposit.

12. Step 8 Maintain on-going contact with the women who have moved out to the degree needed or wanted. Invitations to special events, e.g. Christmas party Help with Income tax, any other forms necessary

13. Step 9 Preparation and support for the refugee hearing: Gathering of documents Moral support Go as observer to the hearing

14. Step 10 After positive decision: Help with filling out landing papers Loan the processing fees (to our residents) On-going process/support for those whose children are overseas

15. Step 10 (cont’d) If a negative decision: Explain options Help get lawyer for JR, or Law student to help with PRRA Law student to help with H&C

16. Step 11 If refugee claimant is to be removed after all processes have been exhausted, we will help it happen with dignity and give any practical help we can.

17. b) Popular Education and Networking as components of the Integrated Model.

18. Popular Education Workshops – to both frontline workers and refugees Website—a resource for frontline workers and refugees (www.fcjsisters.ca/hamiltonhouse)www.fcjsisters.ca/hamiltonhouse “Refugee Help in Refugee Hands”- a manual for the refugee determination process Refugee Update – a newsletter

19. Networking Practical networking: on-going legal support for refugee frontline workers and refugee claimants. Members of coalitions dedicated to making the refugee process more just and more humane. (CCR, OCASI,TRAC, etc.) Grassroots analysis of the immigration and refugee situation in Canada Encourage people to advocate on behalf of refugees through mass media (interviews, etc.)