Private Sponsorship of Syrian Refugees

PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP OF SYRIAN REFUGEES

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Private sponsorships, named families, blended visa office referred, groups of five, and community groups are all terms used in the sometimes complex world of sponsoring a Syrian refugee family. Seven months ago my friend Katy and I would not have been able to tell you the definitions of any of these phrases. However, since May we have been riding a big learning curve and we would like to share some of our experiences and knowledge with those of you thinking of starting a private sponsorship.

First of all I will address FINDING A FAMILY. Many potential sponsoring groups  are waiting for a family to be assigned by their sponsorship agreement holder. Blended Visa Office Referred is by far the most popular way to sponsor. The government will pay half the costs and the group raises the rest of the funds and takes care of the settlement process. No doubt this is an easier route. You can avoid the lengthy forms and you don't have to do as much fundraising.

However, Katy and I know that there is a huge population of refugees with relatives in Canada frantic to become named sponsors so that they can be reunited with family already here. Since Katy and I were mentioned in local papers we regularly receive emails from people in Canada whose relatives are stuck in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey. The tone of the emails can be harrowing as the fear and desperation escalate. The families here are often recent immigrants and can't afford to help their parents, sisters, brothers or cousins. Sometimes they don't have the sophistication to work through the forms and paperwork. They need help. Katy and I have been struggling to link named families with sponsors here. However,we have found most groups prefer to wait for their families to be "given to them".

In the course of my blog I will be addressing the joys and challenges of the private sponsorship of a "named family". The paperwork, the fundraising, getting to know the relatives of the sponsored family that are already in Canada, the settlement team etc. will be some of the topics I will discuss.

By the way our family of 7 will be here by year end! I better get back to apartment hunting.