Current Practical Needs in the refugee community
URGENT HOUSING NEEDS
1. A single mother and daughter (currently in Richmond) sponsored by the Red Cross, have recently arrived from Eritrea and are in need of immediate housing. Once they find a home they will need everything to furnish it, as well as help with life skills, learning the language and their way around. Contact Colleen with any leads.
2. A large Ugandan family (4 adults, 2 teens, 3 children) sponsored by Gilmore Park United Church will be arriving mid-June to July and are still in need suitable accommodation - they prefer to rent in Richmond and for one property to accommodate them all but would happily consider two properties if needed. All funds are ready for signing a 12 month lease. Contact Jeff with any leads.
Help by sending this letter (WORD version) or (PDF version) filled in with your info, to our local MP Parm Bains to urge more expedient processing of refugee applications. The more people who send this the better!
- Send by EMAIL or
- Mail to: Parm Bains, House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 (no postage required!)
Other Practical Ways to Help:
driving people to Superstore or the food bank (once a week or on-call)
helping (new & experienced) drivers practice for their road test…to get familiar with local driving rules and streets and following driving instructions given in English
If you are attending Bible Study Fellowship, consider inviting a kid to go with you!" The studies are too difficult for parents new to learning English but a trusted friend doing BSF themselves can bring kids 0-5 years old. Details HERE
- Relationship-building opportunities for youth/families: taking kids ice-skating or swimming, helping with selling/delivering home-cooked ethnic foods, borscht anyone?
Email Colleen if you are interested in helping in any of these areas
Resources
Interested in receiving MINISTRY COACHING dedicated to equipping Christians to become effective cross-cultural ministers of the Gospel?
CHECK OUT EveryInternational RESOURCES HERE
If you are interested in learning more about how Refugee Sponsorship works and our responsibilities to families once they arrive, you can watch the following webinars:
Refugee Sponsorship, Cultural Sensitivity and Communication: Communicating across Cultures (webinar)
Preserving and Improving the Mental Health of Refugees, their Sponsors and Supporters (webinar)
Learn more about ECC's commitment to Refugee MInistry HERE.