1. Project Arnprior Welcome Presentation to Township of McNab/Braeside Council Feburary 2, 2016

2. Project Arnprior Welcome Who we are Syria General Situation What is a Refugee Where are our sponsored family coming from? Screening process Our obligations How can you help?

3. Project Arnprior Welcome Who are we? Group of nine individuals living in Arnprior and McNab- Braeside inspired to action Two groups started, amalgamated, more joined to form one group Anglican Church of Canada Ottawa Diocese The Ministerial Council A broader community group interested in volunteering for specific tasks once the family has arrived

4. Syria GENERAL SITUATION Population generally well educated Rich in Natural Resources Ruled by a dictatorship since 1961 Arab Spring 2011 leads to rebellion against present dictatorship and present civil war Millions have fled Syria and are now in refugee camps or trying to enter Europe by any means

5. What is a refugee? Geneva convention – Definition: has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion

6. Where Are our Sponsored family Coming From? There are three main refugee camps which have housed Syrian Refugees for the past five years Lebanon. Turkey and Jordan Our sponsored family will be coming from one of the above

7. SCREENING PROCE SS The families in these camps y have been registered with UNHCR They will have been screened by Canadian Immigration officials prior to being selected for departure to Canada

8. Our Obligations Provide for immediate needs – Housing – Clothing (particularly winter clothes) – School for children – Immediate health concerns Support to encourage self-sufficiency – ESL – Navigation of bureaucracy – Introduction to life in Canada: groceries, pharmacies, municipal, provincial, federal governments, transportation, doctor, dentist, school, library, recreation, etc.

9. How you can help Money - Grants Municipal Resources – Use of township halls for fund raising - Free Dump vouchers - Recreational passes - Use of Storage space – short term Endorsement

10. Bottom Line We are all new at this Inspired by the crisis, by our country’s response, by the generosity of our neighbours We are learning as we go We hope to be able to call on you if we need to