JOIN US IN WELCOMING NEWCOMERS TO OUR COMMUNITY
CLIP is leading a public awareness campaign to celebrate the contributions that refugees and newcomers make to our communities in collaboration with a number of community partners. Together we are sharing information on how we can support new arrivals in our community, from a friendly hello, a coffee date, to sponsoring a refugee family, everything counts! The campaign started with a focus on Afghan arrivals but has expanded to include the arrivals from Ukraine.
A quick note that Ukrainians are arriving on visitor or work visas and are not being classed as refugees by the federal government, but the sentiment is the same, all those displaced by war are welcome here!
How you can support refugees
Learn the facts
Speak up for refugees and stand up against racism
Write a message of hope to a newcomer
Donate internationally for those fleeing war and persecution
If you are interested in supporting people fleeing war and violence in their home countries, please consider donating cash to reputable international aid organizations like the Red Cross | Red Crescent or the UNHCR. They have teams on the ground and are able to support refugees with food, housing, clothes and other necessary items by purchasing from local merchants, this also supports local economies.
Red Cross | Red Crescent Donations
Donate locally for new arrivals
If you would like to donate household goods or gently used clothing for the new Afghan or Ukrainian arrivals, you can donate through the Women in Need Society, WINS. Donations will only be accepted at the WINS Donation Centre, located at the Hopewell Distribution Park (7007 54 ST SE). Donations can be dropped off at the rear entrance of Building C, Bay 26, from 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week. For questions about donating to WINS, please email dispatch@winsyyc.ca.
To learn more about what is typically needed for a newly arrived family, the End of the Rainbow Foundation has a useful list you can refer to.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is the umbrella organization for Ukrainian Canadian organizations across Canada. They are coordinating relief efforts locally in Calgary and are working with the federal and provincial governments on the resettlement of Ukrainians affected by the war. For information on supports in Calgary, in English and Ukrainian, visit Home - Alberta Stands With Ukraine.
The Centre for Newcomers is one of the largest settlement agencies in Alberta. The CFN website has a number of options for those who are interested in supporting Afghan people after their arrival to Calgary. You can review the Afghan page to make a donation to help sponsor a coming refugee, help support a refugee that has already arrived, or find partner organizations to make donations.
Volunteer
Volunteer to be a part of creating a welcoming environment for newcomers to Canada by contributing your time and sharing your skills. To donate your time please call 403-569-3325 or email the Centre for Newcomers at volunteer@centrefornewcomers.ca.
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is the primary settlement agency resettling Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) in Calgary and surrounding areas in Southern Alberta. If you are interested in volunteering with CCIS you can find more information on their website.
Refugee Sponsorship
To privately sponsor a refugee, the Government of Canada requires a minimum 12 month commitment to support an individual or family. Support payment commitments and set-up costs can take up to $20,000 to support a single person and more as family size increases. Often refugees that arrive have additional expenses and no means to support themselves. If not supported well, then this can place refugees at risk of additional issues and trauma after they arrive. Sponsorship of a refugee is a highly meaningful way to protect a person from persecution.
Are you interested in learning more about sponsoring a refugee or refugee family? IRCC has a lot of information on their website to guide you in the process but one of the best ways to learn more and to meet other people in your community also interested in sponsoring refugees is to attend an information session held by the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP).
Contact the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program office in Calgary
Adopt an Afghan Refugee Project. The Centre for Newcomers is committed to helping bring Afghan refugees to Canada. You may work with CFN to form a group of 5 or to individually volunteer as noted above to sponsor a refugee from Afghanistan or a transit country. To register for this program, or for additional information, please email volunteer@centrefornewcomers.ca.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Canada’s response to the situation in Afghanistan - Canada.ca
Immigration measures for people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine - Canada.ca
General information on Canada’s refugee resettlement program
VIDEO: A Refugee’s Resettlement Journey to Canada
Community Partners
The Refugees Welcome Here Campaign is a collaboration between a number of dedicated volunteers and agencies. CLIP would like to thank all of our community partners for their support. Click on the logos below to scroll through the community partner gallery.
