• St. Michael’s Refugee Sponsorship Program

   

  St. Michael’s Refugee Sponsorship Program – June 2024
  
  St. Michael’s is a parish in the Diocese of Hamilton. The Refugee Sponsorship Program is managed is accordance with guidelines from the Diocesan Office for Refugees. For information visit  https://hamiltondiocese.com/offices/refugees/
  
  The program at St. Michael’s is a family re-unification program. Its purpose is to assist people living in the community to sponsor their relatives (must be living as refugees elsewhere in the world). Our parish cannot directly assist refugees who have no close relatives living in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  All sponsorship applications from St. Michael’s parish must be approved and submitted by the Office for Refugees at the Diocese of Hamilton.
   

   

  If YOU are a REFUGEE but do not have a relative living near St. Michael’s parish: 
  
  If you have a relative living in Canada: 

  • If you have a relative living in Canada, locate a Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) with an office near their home and have your relative contact the SAH.  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-outside-canada/private-sponsorship-program/agreement-holders/holders-list.html

   

   

  If you do not have a relative living in Canada:

  • A Canadian Organization, the Refugee Support and Training Program, may be able to provide you with helpful information: https://www.rstp.ca/en
  • Register with and seek assistance from you local UNHCR

  
  
  
  
  Brief History:
  St. Michael’s parish has been actively assisting in the resettlement of refugees to Waterloo Region since 1997. The first family came from Bosnia. Since then more than 20 families have been welcomed – from Iraq, Syria, Malawi, Afghanistan, Myanmar …
  As of June 2024:

  • Our latest arrivals (May 2024) are a large Rohingya family (originally from Myanmar)
  • Still to come: A young Syrian man living in Iraq à anticipated arrival later this year.
  • Next: A Syrian family living in Egypt. Anticipated arrival:  3-4 years.

  How can you help?

  • Gift cards from Walmart, Dollarama or any Food store in any amount are appreciated.
  • Specific items of furniture may be needed. Check with the Church Office.
  • Newcomers may have limited English language skills but still want to work. If you know of any employment opportunities, let the Office know.
  • If you have the time and interest, consider joining the Refugee Support Team.
    • Interpreters – Arabic, Rohingya, Bengali
    • Drivers – to drive people to appointments
    • Own a truck – furniture pickup and deliveries
    • ESL assistants – to help newcomers with ESL
    • Employment – help search for employment, develop resumé, interview skills
    • Other
  • Prayers are always needed.