Innisfail's Welcoming Communities refugee committee is exploring new options to bring in displaced Syrians to the community due to lengthy federal government processing guidelines.
“When we talked about the process and how long it might take (under the blended initiative program, referred to as BVOR – Blended Visa Office-Referred program), the group said maybe we need to consider other options,” said committee member Pastor Kathy Calkins.
“This (refugee sponsorship) is always a dynamic process so we need to stay flexible,” she added, noting the committee first decided to apply for a Syrian family under the blended initiative program, where sponsorship is equally shared between the federal government and the sponsoring group or organization.
In light of the demand to sponsor refugee families and individuals (both Syrian and others) under the BVOR program, Calkins said the committee is now considering both the BVOR program and private sponsorship as well.
“What our group has already decided is that we're not committed to the BVOR program. We are willing to look at private sponsorship if necessary,” explained Calkins, adding the committee is also open to helping other refugee families, not just Syrians.
“There's so many other people that are in need,” she said. “That's really the focus is to help people in need.”
To continue with its fundraising efforts to bring a Syrian refugee family or individuals to Innisfail, the committee is holding a second fundraiser on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Innisfail United Church.
“It's a vendor fair and barbecue. There will be jewelry, candles, clothing and other things. They'll also have hamburgers, pie, coffee, pop and other treats for sale that day as well,” said Calkins, noting a variety of vendors have already signed up, including Mary Kay, Norwex and several others. “We have volunteers in place for the vendor fair and there's new vendors being added all the time.”
Visitors to the vendor fair and barbecue will pay a $2 admission fee, with proceeds now going to both the Welcoming Communities committee and the Fort McMurray wildfire relief efforts.
“We are acutely aware of the wildfire situation in (and around) Fort McMurray,” she said. “Bearing that in mind, we have to move forward as a refugee committee. That's our mandate but we're also sensitive to that (wildfire) situation. We've decided that a portion of the proceeds that we raise on that day will be forwarded in support of the Fort McMurray wildfire relief efforts.”
For more information visit the Welcoming Communities page on Facebook.
Pastor Kathy Calkins
"This (refugee sponsorship) is always a dynamic process so we need to stay flexible."
