Plans to sponsor a second Syrian refugee family in Innisfail are moving forward.
A committee comprised of members of the Innisfail Ministerial Association, local church congregations, volunteers and members of the community is gathering for an information meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 at the Peace Lutheran Church.
“The purpose of our first meeting will be to share information about what's involved in sponsoring a refugee family and determine the areas of interest and expertise of people in attendance,” said Kathy Calkins, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church.
Last month, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church confirmed its sponsorship of the first Syrian refugee family that will be coming to Innisfail.
The new committee tasked with sponsoring a second Syrian family will work with Canadian Lutheran World Relief, an agency that assists with paperwork, logistics and choosing a refugee family. When committee details are finalized and the timing is appropriate, noted Calkins, they will be ready to welcome a Syrian refugee family.
“When we're ready we can look at whether we're planning on a family with a few children or (a family) with a single child,” said Calkins. “We have to decide what it is as a group that we want to do. Canadian Lutheran World Relief really helps us connect with people and families who are ready to go and are waiting (for a sponsor),” she added.
There will be an information package from Canadian Lutheran World Relief handed out at the Jan. 15 meeting. It will cover timelines, task lists, costs of sponsorship and the types of sponsorship available.
“We'll likely be going with the blended program, where the government pays half a year and we pay half a year,” explained Calkins, referring to the Blended VOR (Visa Office-Referred) Initiative. It is a program designed to resettle refugees identified by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and submitted to Canadian visa offices abroad.
“There may be other costs that we will bear (with) bringing a family that will probably not be included in that calculation,” said Calkins. “The community will journey with the family for an entire year to help settle them, but some of the funding for that comes from the government.”
In addition, Calkins said they would like to assign individuals to several areas on the committee, including the areas of housing, employment, community support and integration, household goods, fundraising, selecting a coordinator to work with the Canadian Lutheran World Relief and possibly others.
“I really want this to be a community committee,” she said. “You don't have to be a church member to be a part of it, or to be useful and to care about other people. I'm hoping that people will rise to the occasion.”
Calkins said for some, including herself, sponsoring a Syrian refugee family will be a new learning experience -- one that she is looking forward to.
“It really bonds and brings community together when you're working together to help others,” said Calkins. “Bringing people together for something that's larger than ourselves is a really important thing that we all can do.”
Anyone interested in sitting on the committee or for more information can contact Kathy Calkins at 587-877-1399 or via email: [email protected]
Kathy Calkins, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church
"The purpose of our first meeting will be to share information about what's involved in sponsoring a refugee family and determine the areas of interest and expertise of people in attendance."
