Refugee Support

There are 2 ways in which Immanuel supports Refugees. 

1. Family Co-Sponsor: This is where we raise the money required for the family and help get them settled. 
2. Family-Linked Sponsorship:  In this situation, we are approached by an individual or family to facilitate the sponsorship of their relatives.  The individual or family provide the sponsorship funds (enough to provide 12 months of financial aid) to the Diocese up front when the agreement is signed. Our role is to assist with the paperwork required, making sure that all applications and supporting documentation get where it needs to when it needs to get there. In this case, Immanuel becomes the Constituent Group, and the Diocese is the Sponsorship Agreement Holder.  In 2021, Immanuel submitted 27 applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) which included 80 people who had Family Co-Sponsors outside of Immanuel.

2022-23 Family Co-Sponsorship Project

The Al-Khatib family, including a husband, wife, and 3-year-old daughter, are currently in Lebanon, and are seeking refugee status in Canada.  The husband is from Syria but cannot return there in fear of religious persecution.  The Lebanese government has made it difficult for Syrian people to find work, and the family is looking forward to better opportunities in Canada.

We have reached a milestone achievement and raised the required sponsorship amount of $26,700.00.  In addition, we have $3,500.00 set aside in a contingency fund if unexpected or further costs arise.  The application has been completed and sent off to Canadian Immigration.  There the application will be reviewed, assigned a file number and then forwarded along to a Visa Office in Lebanon where the Al-Khatib family is currently living and where they will be interviewed.  We are asking for your continued prayers for the family and that this part of the process will happen swiftly and successfully.

Thanks so much to everyone who has helped us get this far!

The Refugee Sponsorship Fundraising Committee 

Marleen Mousa, Safaa Mousa, Susan Page, Melissa Parr, Russ Parr, Angie Provencher & Gwen Rupchan 

The Al-Khatib family