Refugee Sponsorship Program (RSC)

Background of Syrian Refugees 2011 – Arab Spring – Syrian Civil War starts 2015 – More than 250,000 people killed Today 6+ million refugees estimated by UNHCR 4.6 million registered by UNHCR Most refugees end up in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe Turkey (2.5 million), Jordan (1.5 million), Lebanon (1.2 million)…

Refugees in Canada 1776 – Loyalists fled American Revolution 1945 to Now – More than 1.2 million refugees were admitted In the last 10 years – from 20,000 to 35,000 refugees were admitted every year 1979-1980 – 60,000 boat people were admitted in 1979-1980. Overall, 110,000 Vietnamese refugees settled in Canada.

C&MA’s role Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) contracted by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. Authorized to Pre-screen sponsorship application Be responsible for selection and authorization of Constituent Groups (CG) (aka sponsorship groups) Provide organizational assistance , information and support

EACO’s Role as a CG Providing basic financial support; Providing care for the sponsored refugee(s); Ensuring it has sufficient resources and expertise to carry out its responsibilities; Remaining jointly or solely liable.

Private Sponsorship of Refugee Program (PSR) Sponsor is able to submit a sponsorship application a Convention Refugee Abroad or a member of Country of Asylum Class. Every refugee family is subject to Government of Canada screening based on medical, security, admissibility checks with regard to settlement abilities – language skill, employment potential and resourcefulness, etc. When approved, the refugees travel to Canada and the sponsor assumes all costs associated with the sponsorship.

Sponsor could choose the refugee profile from C&MA which has a church in Jordan assisting refugee families, or from other refugee sponsorship organisation but still apply through C&MA. Sponsor would have the option to select based on the number of family members and ages of the kids, but not on ethnicity, religion, etc. If a profile from C&MA is selected, the church in Jordan will help filing application over there. The refugee family must live in the same community as the sponsor for 12 months.

Blended Visa Office-Referred Program (BVOR) Refugees are identified by UNHCR and submitted to Canadian Visa offices aboard. Sponsor is not able to refer refugees to the program. Refugees can only be referred by the Canadian Visa Offices aboard. It is a cost-sharing arrangement whereby the Government of Canada will provide up to 6 months of income support, while private sponsors will provide another 6 months of financial support. Refugees under this program is travel-ready. However, they must be matched with a sponsorship group before they can travel to Canada.

Our challenges: Financial resource to support the sponsorship for 1 year At least 10 families committed in providing settlement assistance

Cost of sponsorship (est.) Family Size 12 Months of Income Support Start-up Cost Est. 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 Additional Member 1,550 1,000 2,500

Cost to provide…. Housing Furniture Clothing Food Transportation (bus pass) Utilities (gas, water, electricity) Others….. Can be reduced by in-kind donations (i.e. furniture, clothing, etc.)

Settlement Assistance including: Complete forms (health insurance, social insurance) Learn English or French Find a job and make friends Learn to drive Register children in school Access services, e.g. library, doctor, dentist Grocery shopping Use public transit And others……

Refugee Sponsorship Program Why do I support Refugee Sponsorship Program

“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcome me...” Matthew 25:35

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Please pray for Refugee Sponsorship Program

Refugee Sponsorship Committee (RSC) Rev. Jinsong Yu (Chair), Susan Zhou, Sandy Iun, Alan Chan Send your questions to: syu@EACO·ca

Q & A