Through the incredible generosity of our congregation and community, we are pleased to report that we raised over $70,000 to support the sponsorship of a refugee family. A significant portion of these funds was raised through a fundraising dinner held on November 30, which was sold out. The event featured a delicious Afghan meal and was attended by Sumaya (the eldest daughter of the family), her daughter Haba, and her uncle Yasin. Their presence added a personal and heartfelt connection to the evening, reminding us all of the impact of our collective efforts.
Unfortunately, the day before the dinner, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) announced a one-year pause on community sponsorships, which was a setback for our plans. Despite this challenge, we are pleased to share that, thanks to the support of the community, in addition to the $70,000 raised for living expenses, we have also arranged housing for the family for one year.
However, the family is currently facing severe hardship in Pakistan, and their situation remains urgent due to government policies. Our group is actively exploring alternative pathways to assist the family during this waiting period while we await the resumption of IRCC immigration applications.
We remain committed to this important mission and will continue to seek ways for the congregation to support the family as we move forward. More updates will follow as the situation develops.
Thank you for your continued generosity and dedication to this cause.
Committee Members: Raymond Yee, Bev Tracey, Karen Dickey, Elvira Sentes, Marge Brown, André Fontaine, D'Arcy McPherson