Refugee Response

Welcoming Refugees to Our Community

Members of our local community and parishioners of St. James Cathedral gathered in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and established the St. James and Community Refugee Committee.

Since that time, the committee has worked hard to contribute to the successful resettlement of refugees seeking to establish new lives in Canada. To date, it has sponsored and provided settlement support to Iranian, Syrian and Cameroonian families.

The process is now underway for the sponsorship of the next refugee family.  Please see the updates below on the families we have been supporting since the formation of The St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee.

*If you would like to receive more information about the committee and its work or inquire about volunteer opportunities, please call 416-364-7865, ext. *801 or send an email to StJamesTorontoRefugee@gmail.com

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Refugee updates:

Walk-a-thon 2024

Thank you to everyone who walked today with The St. James and Community Refugee Committee in support of refugees in Edwards Gardens.
Photos by Rebecca McTaggart.

Donate here: Walking for Refugees – St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee Walkathon Canadahelps

To read more about our Refugee response, click here.

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Saturday, September 28: Refugee Walk-a-thon 2024

The St. James and Community Refugee Committee will be Walking for Refugees on Saturday, September 28, 2024 beginning at 10:00am in Edwards Gardens. The committee hopes to raise $35,000 to fund the resettlement of refugees to Toronto.
Join us as we walk through the gardens and/or support us with your donation here.

Walking for Refugees

Pilgrimage walks are a long-standing tradition for people of many faiths. From the Abraham Walk in the Middle East, the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome, or the Camino de Santiago, pilgrims walk in peace, silence and a sense of seeking a better and closer understanding and relationship with God.

Refugees walk with whatever possessions they can carry as they flee persecution.  They walk hoping they can find refuge and safety in a foreign land.  They do not have the luxury of meditating while walking.  Survival is their only thought.

The St. James and Community Refugee Committee will be walking for refugees on September 28^th in Edward Gardens to raise funds to continue their ability to sponsor resettlement applications.  The committee has undertaken eight sponsorships, including single individuals, reuniting family members, and families from Iran, Syria, Cameroon, Eritrea, and Afghanistan.  The stories of each of these individuals and families are compelling – fleeing civil war, conscription into the army with no hope of a way out or persecution due to sexual orientation.

Bibi is a 70-year-old widow who was living alone in Pakistan and feared arrest by the police and deportation to Afghanistan.  She was not eligible for resettlement to Canada when her son and family arrived in 2022.  The Committee submitted an application, and she was reunited with her family in March 2024.  She represents the most vulnerable among the millions of displaced people worldwide.

The work of the St. James and Community Refugee Committee and the many like it across the diocese and Canada cannot be done without donations.  The costs to support individuals and families have risen significantly.  Minimum costs to support an individual for the 12-month period required by the Government of Canada are estimated at $25,000.  For a family of four, the costs are $50,000 or more.

Consider helping families like Bibi’s by walking on September 28 starting at 10:00am or through a donation. Without events such as these, the committee cannot continue the vital work it does.

Donate here: Walking for Refugees – St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee Walkathon Canadahelps

To read more about our Refugee response, click here.

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From Refugee Newcomer to College Graduate

 

On June 12, 2024, David Crawford, former chairperson, Patty McVitty, former member and Rebecca McTaggart, co-chairperson of the St. James and Community Refugee Committee attended the convocation ceremony for graduates of the George Brown School of Business.  Arnauld Meta Tagné, who arrived in September 2019 with her son Nabil, received her diploma in human resources management.

It was a joyous day as we celebrated the efforts and success of Arnauld in completing this program.  In 2021, she was accepted into a program called Homeward Bound, a program that supports vulnerable single mothers to earn college diplomas, start careers and achieve financial self-sufficiency. Unique in Canada, this four-year education and employment program provides intensive services focused on eliminating barriers that single mothers face in trying to move out of poverty.

Currently, Arnauld is working for a downtown insurance company in a four-month internship.  She is actively seeking more permanent employment.

Funds raised by the committee provided the first year of financial support to Arnauld. Through the work of committee members, we learned of the Homeward Bound program and encouraged Arnauld to apply. After the official end of the sponsorship, some members of the committee continued to provide advice and support to Arnauld and her family.  The committee also had sufficient funds to enable reunion with her first-born son who arrived in Toronto in April 2023.

We have every hope that this newcomer family will thrive.

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Celebrating the Arrival of Bibi

On June 8^th, some members of the refugee committee joined Bibi and her family for a celebration of her safe arrival in Toronto.  Richard Harrop, Lucy Fields, Angela Clouthier, Patrick O’Leary and Rebecca McTaggart went to Bibi’s son’s family apartment in East York to enjoy an afternoon of conversation, reading and playing games with Bibi’s grandchildren and enjoying a delicious meal of Afghan food.

Bibi arrived on March 9^th after a long journey from Pakistan.  Through the efforts of her son, Abdull Rahmen, we became aware of Bibi’s situation and the peril she faced.  Abdull Rahmen and his family had been accepted by the Government of Canada as Government Assisted Refugees two year earlier.  Bibi was not eligible under the program criteria to join the family when they arrived.  She was also not eligible to resettle in the United Kingdom or Germany with her other daughter and son.

As a 70-year-old widow with no family to help her, Bibi’s life in exile was dangerous.  In 2023, the Pakistan government began arresting Afghans whose visas had expired and deported them to Afghanistan.  The St. James and Community Refugee Committee was Abdull Rahmen’s last hope to reunite his mother with her family.  The committee agreed to proceed with a sponsorship application and through the leadership of Marin Lehmann-Bender at the Anglican United Refugee Alliance, Bibi was provided with safe housing until flight to Canada was scheduled.

Bibi is thriving in her new life in Canada.  She is surrounded by the love of her family and enjoys her two granddaughters and grandson.

This sponsorship was made possible through the funds that were raised in 2021 that were to be dedicated to Afghan refugees as a result of the taking back of Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Abdul wrote a letter expressing his gratitude to The St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee for the support of his mother coming to Canada.

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The Canadian tradition of ice skating

On Saturday, Nicki a committee member, and I met Raihana at Nathan Phillips Square to introduce her to the Canadian tradition of ice skating.  I was there for moral support as I haven’t been on skates for decades and I had no desire to break a bone from a fall.  Nicki, an Australian, has more experience on roller skates but was keen to share this experience with Raihana.

The rink was busy with skaters of all ages.  It was a cloudy day and relatively mild temperatures for mid-December.  I thought that this would bode well as learning to skate in -20⁰ C might be more than she could manage.

Raihana and Nicki found a place by the Toronto sign to sit and lace up their skates.  Raihana began but I couldn’t stand by and let her go on the ice with loosely tied skates.  I was about to help her when the young man sitting beside her bent over and began tightening the laces.  I advised that they needed to be wrapped around her ankles so that she wouldn’t trip over the laces.  I later learned that he was a Ugandan refugee claimant who had only been in Toronto for three months and was staying in a nearby shelter.  He was enjoying some time away from the shelter by sitting and watching the skaters.  I was more than surprised that a Ugandan knew how to tie up ice skates.

Skates laced up, Nicki began to help Raihana walk towards the ice.  A young Asian man, also on skates lent a hand to assist Raihana down onto the ice.   What a Canadian moment – a Ugandan lacing up skates, assisted by an Asian man and an Australian hoping to teach an Afghan newcomer how to skate while the Canadian watches.

Raihana did make it onto the ice but was not only unsure of the whole experience but decided that it was too scary to go more than a few feet.  It was an introduction.  Afterwards, we went for tea and a chat.

Rebecca McTaggart – Co-chair – St. James and Community Refugee Committee

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Hoping to Save Bibi
It is not often that an individual, group or committee can say that they have the opportunity to save a life.  The Refugee Committee recently submitted a private named application for Bibi, a 70-year-old Afghan widow who fled to Pakistan and is vulnerable in ways that it is hard to imagine.

The Refugee Committee became aware of Bibi’s situation through a referral from the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA).  Bibi’s son, Abdull Rahman had approached AURA about the possibility of sponsorship. Abdull Rahman and his family (wife and 3 children) fled Afghanistan after it fell to the Taliban in 2021.  He and his family came to Canada as Government Assisted Refugees.  Bibi, his mother, was not eligible under that program for resettlement in Canada.

Bibi’s other children were able to resettle in the United Kingdom and Germany.  Those countries would not accept Bibi either.  She was living with friends of Abdull Rahman but her situation remained precarious – an older woman, widow, Afghan, doesn’t speak Urdu and without male relatives to care for her.  The Refugee Committee decided to submit an application to sponsor Bibi, in part, because we were the last hope for this family.  They do not have the financial means to undertake a family reunification sponsorship. Because of the risks to Bibi, they were considering returning to Pakistan to care for her.

If you follow refugee-related news, you will be aware that the Government of Pakistan is refusing to renew visas for Afghans and over 300,000 have been expelled and crossed the border back into Afghanistan.  This would be a perilous situation for Bibi as she does not have close male relatives to care for her.

We have received encouraging news that Bibi’s application is being processed in an expedited fashion. While we cannot predict when a decision will be made, we hope that she will be approved and that her journey to begin a new life in Canada with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren will begin soon.

Bibi’s name has been added to the prayer list.  It will remain until her arrival in Canada.

Rebecca McTaggart – Co-chair – St. James and Community Refugee Committee

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Walk-a-thon 2023: Marjorie Rudder Rambles for Refugees

It was a beautiful September morning for a walk at Edwards Gardens to raise funds for the refugee committee.
Marjorie Rudder, a parishioner, along with Bishop Andrew and Mary Asbil, committee members, and some of our sponsored newcomers gathered to walk together.  Marjorie heard the presentation in May as part of Refugee Sunday by committee members and Arnauld, one of our formerly sponsored newcomers.  She committed herself to “rambling for refugees”. Marjorie arrived by taxi and found the group.  She was a testament to commitment and a lively spirit as she navigated the 5-kilometre walk in the park.  Marjorie needed a bit of help ascending the slope near the end but she finished happy and had made new friends along the way.

To date, approximately $3,500 has been raised to support the efforts of the refugee committee.
Donations can continue to be made through the Canada Helps website at the following link Ramble for Refugees – Hike for Humanity – St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee Walkathon Canadahelps until October 31, 2023.  Please consider a donation to support this important work.

Walk-a-thon: Ramble for Refugees – Hike for Humanity
Saturday, 23 September 2023 at 10:00am
Where: Edwards Gardens Southwest corner of Lawrence Ave. East and Leslie St. (TTC Accessible, Parking Lot and On Street Parking)

The St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee invites you on a leisurely 5km walk through one of Toronto’s most beautiful ravines. We are raising money to sponsor refugee families and raising awareness of how our refugee committee welcomes new Canadians and help them thrive in their new home. Bring your camera, your family and friends and importantly walking shoes!
Meet committee members. Hear about what we do.

Raising funds for St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee

On June 4, The St. James Cathedral and Community Refugee Committee launched a fundraising campaign where they will be looking to raise $75,000 to support more refugee families coming to Canada, including a family of 8 individuals who are closely connected to one of St. James’ parishioners.

If you want to make a financial contribution towards the campaign: “Ramble for Refugees – Hike for Humanity”, follow this link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-james-cathedral/p2p/refugee-walkathon2023/

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Undertaking refugee sponsorship

Undertaking refugee sponsorship involves many elements, not the least of which is financial support to the individual, couple or family.  The sponsorship agreement comes with minimum financial obligations as set by the Government of Canada and the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA). The St. James and Community Refugee Committee is a constituent group of AURA, the sponsorship agreement holder for the Diocese of Toronto.

The funds that the St. James and Community Refugee Committee raises go to the direct support of sponsored individuals and families.  Periodically, the committee incurs minimal administrative costs, such as hiring moving companies to pick up and deliver donated furniture.  Otherwise, all funds are dedicated to supporting the refugees.  Cathedral staff graciously administer the funds on behalf of the committee, including yearly audit of transactions to ensure appropriate financial controls are in place.

The financial support that sponsored newcomers receive gives them the chance to develop language and other work-related skills during their first year to help them find meaningful, well-paid work in the longer term as well as integrate into their community and Canadian society. The program rules around financial support are in place to make sure refugee newcomers have agency and financial independence during their sponsorship.

During the one-year period following their arrival in Canada, the refugee committee is responsible for providing enough money or in-kind support to cover each family member.  This financial support includes:

• Start-up costs (e.g. furnishings, clothing),
• Housing (rent, utilities)
• Basic needs (e.g. food, personal care)
• Transportation (public transit passes)
• Communication (phone, internet)

AURA encourages committees to raise additional money to cover further expenses that will allow newcomers to make the most of their first year in Canada. Here are some examples of expenses sponsors can provide or pay for, over and above the minimum requirements.  These include:

• Renters insurance
• Dental care not covered by the Federal Interim Health program or Healthy Smiles for children
• Emergencies or unforeseen circumstances
• Educational costs such as university applications, language proficiency tests, specialized courses
• Professional interpreters for important meetings
• Recreation programs, bicycles, children’s camps, excursions etc
• Computers, other technology helpful for employment/education
• Repayment (in full or in part) of the immigration/travel loan (approx. $1,200-$1,500 per newcomer)

Since 2015 with the re-establishment of the refugee committee, the committee has undertaken 7 sponsorships.  The committee has sponsored a man and then his daughter, a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children), a single woman and her son and then reunification with her other son, a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) and a single woman.  The costs to provide financial support for one year have ranged from $22,00 to nearly $60,000.  The biggest challenge facing newcomers to Toronto is housing.  Not only is it difficult to find appropriate housing but it is increasingly expensive.  When seeking housing, newcomers must also consider their ability to afford housing after the financial support from the refugee committee ends.  It is a daunting task.

Financial support is based upon the chart below which are the Refugee Assistance Program amounts established by the Government of Canada and in accordance with provincial rates for social assistance.

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Refugee Committee update – August 2023: Kinglsey’s arrival

I accompanied Kinglsey to his first day at high school this morning. The Tuesday after Labour Day in Ontario is the unofficial beginning of a new season and across the province, children and teenagers made their way back to school. For Kingsley, it was his first day at East York Collegiate Institute. The Refugee committee sponsored Kingsley’s reunification with his mother Arnauld after many years of separation. He arrived in April and spent the last two months of the previous school year at a high school for newcomers that specializes in ESL and helping them understand their new lives in Canada. Kingsley will have a busy semester studying English, geography and math. He also has gym class. This is an important step in his life as a teenager in Canada.

Rebecca McTaggart
Co-chair
St. James and Community Refugee Committee

Refugee Committee update – July 2023: Raihana’s arrival

There is nothing quite like the feeling of welcoming a newcomer to Canada at the international arrivals gate at Pearson Airport.  I have greeted multiple families and I will never tire of saying, “Welcome to Canada.”

On July 6^th, Ayana, Nicki and I (members of the St. James and Community Refugee Committee) and Merhangiz (interpreter) waited for 2.5 hours for Raihana to appear through the gates with her Dari-speaking escort. There was a long line of newcomers to be processed by Immigration.   She was excited albeit tired to finally meet us in person after her 10-hour flight from Istanbul.  She had been living there in exile for 2 years while she waited for her sponsorship application to be accepted.

Raihana is the first Afghan that the committee has sponsored for resettlement.  Funds raised from the walkathon in 2021 will go towards supporting her for the next 12 months.

Raihana will be living with me for the next two months while she looks for more permanent accommodation. It is difficult and expensive to live in Toronto.  Her budget is limited so it will take a lot of searching to find the right option, likely shared accommodation.

On her first day with me, we toured my apartment building which has great views of the city from the rooftop. Using Google Translate (Raihana speaks Dari and Farsi), I explained about CN Tower.  She loved the panoramic view.  We then walked to No Frills for her first shopping expedition.  Along the way, we stopped in at the church.  She took videos and said it was a beautiful building.

On Saturday, Kate (another committee member and I) will walk with Raihana to the waterfront for some exercise and to show her more of the beauty of Toronto, her newly adopted home.

For those of us who were born in Canada and might even have generations of family lineage here, it is easy to take for granted our citizenship. For a newcomer who was forced to leave their home country, a sense of stability and permanence is a fundamental need. Many countries where refugees seek asylum require that they register. Some countries prevent them from working, allowing children to go to school or participate in society in any meaningful way while they wait to be resettled or for conditions in their home country to change. Refugees can be required to apply and renew a visa, as often as every three months reinforcing the message from the government that they are guests and that there is no chance for long-term settlement.

After arriving in Canada, newcomers await with anticipation the arrival of their permanent residence card (PR). Sometimes their wait is frustrated by the rejection of the photo by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Photos have to be resubmitted and the wait continues. Raihana’s photos were rejected and new photos were sent to the processing centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Nearly every day, Raihana would ask her host if her PR card had been delivered by Canada Post. With each rejection, she would reply, “I hope, maybe tomorrow.”

On September 5th, Raihana began her English as a Second Language studies, a key step in her resettlement. Rebecca met her after class with a surprise. Her PR card had been delivered that morning. You can see the delight on her face as she gazes at the envelope containing the precious card and then the card itself.
It is not just a card. The PR card represents the stability and need for permanence that every refugee newcomer desires. It says, “You are here, you are welcome, and you can begin your new life.”

Rebecca McTaggart
Co-chair
St. James and Community Refugee Committee

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Refugee Committee update – July 2023: Lara’s First Canada Day

Lara is the daughter of Omar and Roula and the first Canadian-born child from among the many families that St. James and Community Refugee Committee has sponsored or supported.

Lara arrived earlier than expected.  She was born eight weeks early in late January and had a difficult start to life in Canada.  She only weighed 1500 grams at birth and she needed the expert care of the neonatal unit and her parents to ensure that her life was a healthy one.  Thirty-four days after her birth, Lara was deemed strong enough to go home.  Her parents didn’t want to risk taking her home in a taxi and asked if I could help.  Of course, I said yes.  How could I resist the opportunity to be the first Canadian she met who wasn’t a nurse or a doctor?

This was the second first that I shared with this family.  I was the first Canadian her parents met, other than those Omar and Roula met through the immigration process at Pearson Airport during the height of the pandemic in January 2021.  It was a dark and bitterly cold evening when I met them at the airport and then drove them to their temporary accommodation where they would reside during their quarantine period.

I have become friends with the family.  I have seen Lara since that first day in her new home.  She has gained weight and the doctors have reported that she has caught up to babies that were born full-term.  She is healthy and happy.  I think she might be a social butterfly.  During my last visit, she wanted to remain in the room with the rest of us.  When her mother tried to put her in her crib in a separate room, she would have none of it.  She was content to snooze away in her bassinet, as long as she was with us.

On July 1^st, Lara will enjoy her first Canada Day.  Perhaps she will enjoy a walk through the nearby park with her parents observing the celebrations from her stroller.

Rebecca McTaggart
Co-chair
St. James and Community Refugee Committee

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The Diocese of Toronto designated June 4 as Refugee Sunday

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, the Refugee Committee hosted the coffee hour with the purpose of sharing the latest updates and thanking all donors and the wider community for their support.
Here are some of the best moments of the meeting. Thank you to all who joined us!

We’re pleased to bring you this update from the St. James and Community Refugee Committee and co-chairs of the committee Rebecca McTaggart and Patrick O’Leary:

– On June 4, we launched a fundraising campaign where we will be looking to raise $75,000 to support more refugee families coming to Canada, including a family of 8 individuals who are closely connected to one of St. James’ parishioners.

– We are excited to announce we will once again be holding a walkathon on Saturday, September 23rd as part of our fundraising campaign! We would love to see as many parishioners and community members join us! Stay tuned for more information!

– Finally, with the generous support of our donors, we will be excited to welcome a young Aghan woman to Canada in the next few months. Her application is at the final stage of being processed. This would not have been possible without the generous support of all of our donors and the wider community! Thank you!

Consider making a donation (stjamescathedral.ca/donate/give-online/refugee-response/).

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Refugee Committee update – April 2023: Building a home

 

The St. James and Community Refugee Committee’s mandate is focused on the settlement of sponsored refugees through the Government of Canada’s settlement programs.  As a parish and community-based committee associated with a large, downtown church, we are periodically approached through emails or in person during Sunday services.  It was this type of experience that led to the beginning of a friendship between Johnny, a Ugandan in-country refugee claimant and the committee members.

In his own words, “At the Cathedral one day I met Canon Beth Benson who connected to the Refugee committee. That’s where I met Richard and Rebecca. The two welcomed me, guided and encouraged me in many things. Since that time Richard and Rebecca always have been checking on me. When I went for my surgery Richard and Rebecca were always available for me.”

Parishioners’ response to last year’s call for furniture and furnishings meant that the committee has a healthy supply of household items stored in the storage facility.  Furniture from the Furniture Bank was going to take weeks to be delivered.  Sponsored newcomers are set to arrive in the coming months but there were plenty of donations for us to be able to help furnish Johnny’s apartment in a timelier way. Johnny even had choices – the red leather chair with ottoman and the white sofa bed were among his favourites.

On International Women’s Day, we combined our (wo)manpower and set out with Johnny to furnish his apartment that he could call home. Is there a better way to celebrate and showcase the power of women than by carrying couches and beds?

The team consisted of Richard Harrop, Rebecca McTaggart, and the newest member Nicki Stacey. We set out to pick up a U-Haul and convened at the storage locker to begin the big move. Not unlike a game of Tetris, we loaded a couch, bed frame, laps, tables, chairs, linens, towels, and housewares. The fragile, but essential mirror and TV were safely placed on Richard’s back seat.

When we arrived at Johnny’s apartment building, we were met with a welcome surprise; an extra pair of hands in the form of Johnny’s new neighbour, Claire. Load after load was taken up the elevator and through the doorway into his apartment.

“When I was in a shelter, I couldn’t make an appointment to meet anyone. I couldn’t meet any friends. Now I am free, my life is free. I am so happy to have my home. It’s a great achievement for me here in Canada after having lived in a shelter for 6 months. When I got the house I told Richard and he talked with Rebecca they organized for me all the house stuff which was needed in my apartment”

Conversations flow while working. That is how Johnny and his roommate learned that Nicki was even more of a newcomer than they were, having moved from Brisbane, Australia to Toronto only 6 weeks earlier.

They laughed in disbelief and asked, “what are you doing here, doing this?”

Nicki’s career in Australia has been in the refugee sector, working with newly arrived refugees from the day of arrival to up to five years afterward, in what the Australians call “airport to independence.”  It’s safe to say that she is no stranger to this kind of work or multicultural communities. The claim to fame of her former community being home to 270 different ethnic groups. It was only natural that she would try to find the same community to surround her in her new home in Toronto.

While there are differences in their migration journeys, they found similarities in their settlement experiences. There is the confusion in navigating the maze that is the TTC. There is frustration when all you want is your favourite meal but Loblaws doesn’t sell the ingredients.

Johnny said, “Weather was a challenge for me. It was the first time I saw snow. I thank Richard and Rebecca they got a nice winter jacket.”

One of the hardest things about moving countries is losing one’s community. Technology has made it easier to talk with our loved ones, but there is no substitute for sitting across a table and sharing a smile.

When reflecting on the events of the day we are reminded that a home is more than a space, and it is more than the sum of the things in that space. A real home is a community that surrounds it; the people that warm it.

At the end of the day, we realized that we didn’t just furnish an apartment, we had created a home.

Refugee Committee update – January 2023:

     

It was the most Canadian of welcomes to Yerusalem, Henok, Noah and Avigail – arriving in Toronto from Tel Aviv on January 25, 2023 in the midst of a snowstorm.  Noah wanted to see and experience snow.  Well, there was lots of it to see, although they arrived at around 6:00 p.m.  His views of snow from the car were nighttime vistas.

Three members of the refugee committee were available to greet the family.  Richard Harrop, Kate Littler and Rebecca McTaggart had vehicles to transport the family and the family already in Toronto back to the temporary accommodation in which they will reside until they move into the townhouse that has been rented.  We had no idea how many suitcases there would be and we hoped that everything would fit in.

As the weather conditions worsened throughout the day, we checked the flight status obsessively and adjusted our departure plans.  The flight was delayed by about an hour but it was scheduled to land.  Rebecca was picking up Mulue, Kbret and Liya (brothers and sister) and taking them to meet their family at the airport.  Rebecca thought that she had allotted sufficient time to drive from downtown to their temporary residence in the Earlscourt neighbourhood.  What should have taken 40 minutes took nearly 2 hours for Rebecca to arrive.  Richard and Kate had easier albeit challenging trips.

During the drive to the airport, Rebecca learned that Kbret and Liya had not seen their sister for 14 years and they had never met her nephew and niece.  Yerusalem had fled Eritrea shortly after Mulue and had not seen Kbret or Liya in person since that time.  It had been 6 years since Mulue left Israel to resettle in Canada.

Mulue insisted on bringing a brightly coloured soccer ball to give to Noah, knowing that Noah loves soccer.  Liya had flowers – both chocolate and real for Avigail and Yerusalem.

We found each other near the international arrivals door and waited anxiously for the family to emerge. It wasn’t too long. Mulue and his siblings met other Eritrean friends who were there to greet family who had travelled on the same flight.

Rebecca was a bit nervous about how things would go. Mulue had decided not to tell his family that he would be at the airport.  He wanted it to be a surprise.  Finally, they emerged with their escort from the Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services. As one would expect, hugs and kisses all around, and a few tears.  All would have been good except that the escort brought the family out without retrieving their luggage. It took another hour to get through the bureaucracy of getting the right forms so they could retrieve their luggage.

And luggage there was – many, many bags. We were glad that Kate had her minivan.

We didn’t realize that the family had planned a meal. Kate and Rebecca were able to stay and enjoy traditional Eritrean cuisine including injera bread. And there was a welcome to Canada cake.

It is not often that a Canadian gets the opportunity to help a family reunite after 14 years of working, saving money, completing endlessly long sponsorship applications and hoping that the Government of Canada will approve the resettlement of a young family of four.  It is a joyous experience and one that is embraced by committee members.

And now the hard work begins – helping this family begin their new life in Canada and all the details that entails.  Registering Noah for school, registering Yerusalem and Henok for ESL so that they can find meaningful employment in Canada, helping them move into their permanent home.  The list is long but the committee members are experienced in guiding newcomers on this journey of hope and new beginnings.

 

Yersalem and Henok moved into their new home on Saturday, February 5th with the help of many friends. They will be living with other family members in a townhouse in the west end. This blue sofa was one of the many items they chose to furnish their new home. We were able to almost completely furnish their new home with the generous donations that were made by parishioners, family and friends. Without the expense of buying furniture, the family can allocate funds from the sponsorship agreement to other priorities and needs. The committee will be helping the family with school registration for their 10-year-old son who is anxious to meet new friends and play soccer.

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How YOU can be involved!

VOLUNTEER

Current opportunities include:

Committee members: Particularly people who can be available during the day assisting newcomers as they settle into life in Toronto. Committee members are needed with professional school board connections and experience, knowledge of adult ESL resources, fund raising experience and/or a professional background in communications. The committee normally meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.  Additional meetings are held, as needed.  Meetings are currently “virtual” but after the pandemic situation has improved meetings will again be held in person in the Cathedral Centre at 65 Church Street.

HELP

Affordable housing: Help needed with providing or suggesting temporary shelter or permanent accommodation options in the downtown area.

Resource referrals: Help needed with providing names and connections to services or other resources that might be helpful to newcomers from specific cultural or geographic backgrounds.

To learn more and get involved, contact us at: StJamesTorontoRefugee@gmail.com or 416-364-7865 x *801. Check out the hashtag #WelcomeRefugees online to see more about refugee resettlement in Canada and beyond.

You can make donations to the refugee committee online here.

Learn more about the committee’s work here:

Read More

Do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or would like further information – telephone 416–364–7865, extension 801, or by email – StJamesTorontoRefugee@gmail.com  Thank you again for making this important, life-altering work possible.

More information:

• AURA
• UNHCR
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• #WelcomeRefugees

Contact us:

StJamesTorontoRefugee@gmail.com

416-364-7865, ext. *801