Why Become a Community Sponsor?

As a Community Sponsor under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR)program, you will play an essential role in welcoming and supporting refugee families as they start their new lives in Canada. By sponsoring a family, you’ll help them access housing, healthcare, employment, education, and social connections—creating a strong foundation for their successful integration into Canadian society.

To ensure that Community Sponsors are fully prepared to fulfill this important role, we offer comprehensive training before you begin sponsoring, as well as ongoing support throughout the settlement year.

 Pre-Sponsorship Training: Preparing You for Success

Before you begin your journey as a sponsor, we provide full training to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to offer the best support possible to the families you sponsor. Our training programs designed to equip you with the tools to manage the practical, emotional, and legal aspects of sponsorship.

What We Offer in Pre-Sponsorship Training:

1. Understanding the Sponsorship Process:

• Detailed explanation of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program, including the responsibilities of sponsors and the role of the Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH).
• Overview of the refugee resettlement process, including the steps involved in bringing a family to Canada and the initial arrival process.

2. Refugee Rights and Responsibilities:

• Information on the rights and responsibilities of both sponsors and refugees, including legal obligations, housing rights, and access to public services.
• Guidance on cultural sensitivity and understanding the challenges refugees face in adjusting to a new country.

3. Practical Support for Sponsored Families:

• Housing support: How to help families find safe, affordable housing upon arrival, and coordinate short-term and long-term accommodation.
• Financial support: Ensuring sponsors understand financial responsibilities, including providing for basic needs (food, clothing, transportation) and accessing government support such as social benefits and healthcare.
• Employment: Understanding how to assist newcomers in finding employment or volunteer opportunities and access vocational training or language programs.

4. Cultural Integration:

• Training on how to assist refugees in adapting to Canadian life by supporting language development, social integration, and the understanding of Canadian values, social norms, and systems.
• Best practices for creating an inclusive environment that helps refugees feel part of their new community.

5. Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Care:

• Understanding the mental health challenges that refugees may face due to past trauma, displacement, or loss.
• Training on trauma-informed care, helping sponsors provide emotional support to families, and connecting them to mental health services if needed.

 Ongoing Support for Sponsorship Groups: We’re Here to Help

Becoming a Community Sponsor is a year-long commitment. While our initial training prepares you for the journey, we understand that challenges and questions may arise during the first year of settlement. That’s why we provide continuous support to ensure that you and the families you sponsor receive the help and guidance you need throughout the year.

What We Offer to Sponsorship Groups During the Settlement Year:

1. Ongoing Guidance and Case Management:

• Our team of experienced settlement case managers will be available to provide advice and guidance throughout the sponsorship year.
• Regular check-ins to monitor the progress of the family’s settlement, address any concerns, and adjust the support plan as needed.
• Crisis management support in case of urgent situations, including housing issues, health concerns, or legal challenges.

2. Resource Access:

   – Access to a network of service providers: Sponsors will be connected to a wide range of resources including housing providers, healthcare services, employment agencies, language programs, and legal assistance.

   – Refugee-specific support programs: Sponsors will receive information on programs and initiatives tailored to the unique needs of refugees, including social integration services, mental health programs, and youth activities.

1. Community Engagement and Networking:

• Opportunities for sponsors to engage with other sponsoring groups through networking events and community meetups, where you can share experiences, advice, and support.
• Workshop sand events on topics such as fundraising for sponsorship, cultural exchange, and volunteer management.

2. Post-Settlement Follow-Up:

• As the sponsorship year comes to a close, we provide post-settlement follow-up to ensure that families continue to thrive and are on the path to self-sufficiency. This may include referrals to long-term services and programs, such as employment agencies or community centers.
• We help sponsors prepare families for a smooth transition to independent living, including continued language support, employment opportunities, and integration within the broader community.

 How to Get Involved as a Sponsorship Group

We welcome individuals, families, and community groups who are interested in sponsoring refugee families to join our Sponsorship Group program. Whether you are a local church, school, workplace, or community organization, we are here to help you start your sponsorship journey.

Step 1: Reach Out– Contact us to express your interest in sponsoring a family and learn more about the program.

Step 2: Training– Attend our comprehensive training sessions to prepare for your role as a sponsor.

Step 3: Support– We will provide you with all the resources, guidance, and ongoing support needed to successfully sponsor a family and help them settle in Canada.