THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS AND JFS OTTAWA’S ROLE 1

What is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)? A SAH is an organization that has an agreement with the Government of Canada, permitting them to resettle refugees through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program. This agreement is a legal agreement between a corporation and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The organization accepts the legal responsibility for all sponsorships is signs directly, as well as those it authorizes its Constituent Groups (CGs to sign) JFS Ottawa is a constituency group to sponsor and coordinate the efforts in Ottawa under JIAS Toronto SAH 2

What are Constituent Groups? Constituent Groups (CGs) are organizations, private groups or individuals interested in assisting in a sponsorship. If your group is sponsoring with a SAH, the first step is to contact your SAH representative to find out more about the process in their organization. CGs must be: Authorized in writing by SAH to act on its behalf as the sponsors of refugees Located in the community where the refugee is expected to settle Be managed under the SAH 3

RESPONSIBILITIES FINANCIAL: Covering the basic financial needs and start up costs of the sponsored family during their first 12 months in Canada 4

SETTLEMENT SUPPORT Donating your time to help the family after their arrival. Settlement support plans include (but not exclusive to): Finding Housing and Stock the house Introduction to Shopping Finances and Budgeting Accessing Interpreters Transportation Acquiring Clothing Employment Child Care and registering children in school Language Training Health Care: Doctors/Dentists etc Education Training Religion Culture Crisis and Trauma support services Recreation and community services 5

COSTS OF SPONSORHSIP (including Start-up Costs as per current CIC’s Sponsorship Cost Table ): FAMILY of 1:$12,600 FAMILY of 2:$21,200 FAMILY of 3:$23,000 FAMILY of 4:$27,000 FAMILY of 5: $29,700 FAMILY of 6:$32,500 Each Additional Member:$2,500 6

STEP-BY-STEP SPONSORSHIP PROCESS THROUGH JFS OTTAWA 1. A Constituent Group (CG) comes forward 2.References from private individuals, community groups, and family members are requested 3.A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between JFS Ottawa and the CG. A detailed list of roles and responsibilities of both JFS Ottawa and the CG is discussed and included in the MoU. (draft copy to share in “appendix ”) 7

4. The CG secures 60% of the cost of the sponsorship (JFS Ottawa is able to issue charitable tax receipts at the end of the year for all donations received to support refugees. The tax receipt will ONLY be issued in the name of the person who signed the cheque) 5. A refugee family is identified 6. JFS Ottawa and the CG work together to gather all necessary information for the sponsorship application, as well as all the supporting documentation. 8

7.JFS Ottawa together with the CG completes a “Settlement Plan” as part of the sponsorship application, which includes the role and participation of the CG. 8.JFS Ottawa send the completed application to JIAS Toronto who will submit the application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). 9.CIC ensures applicant meets the definition of “refugee” and that no family member is inadmissible for misrepresentation, or on medical, security or criminality grounds. 9

10.The CG makes payment arrangements with JFS Ottawa (ie: monthly payments/postdated cheques) during the 6 months following the submission of the application to cover for 100% of the sponsorship costs prior to the refugees’ arrival 11. CIC approves the application 12. Upon the refugee’s arrival, JFS Ottawa makes monthly deposits into the refugee’s bank account, as per CIC’s Sponsorship Cost Table for a period of 12 months to meet their financial needs 10

13.JFS Ottawa’s settlement worker supports the CG’s volunteers in the settlement and integration efforts 11

FUNDS / DONATIONS Funds can be used to support JFS Ottawa’s work in the sponsorship, settlement and integration of refugees Funds can be used to create a “contingency/assurance fund” in the event that additional costs are required during an undertaking due to the individual circumstances of the refugee family (counselling, orthodontic treatment, unemployment, etc.) or in the event of a sponsorship breakdown 12

Donations could be made on the JFS website to “Assist Syrian Refugees” Fund or by sending a cheque to JFS Ottawa, Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2B 7Z5 13

FACTS: The average processing time for a Syrian refugee family is between 6-8 months The average processing time for all other refugees is between 2-6 years CIC verifies all information provided by the refugees, interviews the family and ensures they meet the definition of a “refugee” under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada and its Regulations 14

CIC performs thorough security and medical screenings and ultimately approves or refuses the refugees’ application for permanent residence in Canada It is JFS Ottawa’s mandate and responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and to facilitate their settlement and integration while they rebuild their lives in their new home 15

All privately sponsored refugees arrive in Canada as Permanent Residents and are exempted from the 3-month waiting period for OHIP. In addition, they have access to additional health care benefits through the Interim Federal Health Program.  NOTE : In some cases, a refugee family may require additional funds to cover their needs during their first 12 months in Canada. Therefore, building a contingency fund is vital to the sponsorship process. 16

WHAT CAN GO WRONG? WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE FUNDS IF AN APPLICATION IS REFUSED? If an application is refused, the funds raised will be applied to another sponsorship application 17

JFS OTTAWA’S ROLE JFS Ottawa will support the extensive and comprehensive settlement work of all sponsored refugees into our caseload; however, we need the community’s assistance to better welcome and support the families after their arrival and beyond the one year. JFS, as a constituency group of JIAS Toronto, and in contract with them is ultimately liable for every undertaking; therefore, CGs must meet certain financial requirements throughout the sponsorship process 18

Financial Requirements: 60% of the total cost of the sponsorship prior to the submission of the application 40% remaining in 6 monthly payments/post-dated cheques after the submission of the application 19

HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP? Speak to people you know about offering affordable housing for the refugee families Donate furniture, clothing and household items in GOOD condition after the refugee’s arrival Approach family doctors, dentists and specialists you know and ask them if they would take on more patients, if they would shorten their waiting times to give appointments for patients in urgent need & help us coordinate a registry of healthcare professionals Volunteer your time helping us connect recently arrived refugees with the community at large Fundraise to support JFS Ottawa’s work with refugees and to help us build a contingency/assurance fund to ensure appropriate levels of support and care 20

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD 21

THANK YOU FOR COMING! FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Andrea Gardner, MSW, RSWMark Zarecki, MSW, RSW Assistant Executive Director Executive Director Mon - Fri: ext.321Mon - Fri: ext