Hope in Your Hearts
Refugee Services
WHO IS REFUGEE
The United Nations’ Definition of a Refugee:
According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is someone who:
- Has a well-founded fear of persecution: This persecution can be based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Is outside their home country: A refugee has crossed an international border to escape danger or persecution. They are unable to return to their country of origin because of the fear of harm
- Is unable or unwilling to seek protection from their own government: Refugees seek safety outside their country because the government cannot or will not protect them. This might be because the government itself is the source of persecution, or it is unable to offer protection due to war, collapse, or corruption.
Common Reasons for Refugee Status:
Refugees typically flee due to:
- War and armed conflict: Civil wars, ethnic violence, and military conflicts often force people to leave their homes in search of safety.
- Human rights violations: Religious persecution, gender-based violence, political oppression, and torture may compel individuals to escape.
- Persecution based on identity: This can include discrimination due to race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
- Natural disasters or environmental factors: While not always considered under refugee law, extreme natural disasters or climate-related events may also force individuals to flee, though they are typically categorized as internally displaced persons (IDPs) rather than refugees unless they cross borders.
Key Characteristics of Refugees:
- Fear of persecution: Refugees often face grave threats such as death, torture, imprisonment, or harassment if they return to their country of origin.
- Crossing international borders: Refugees must leave their home country and seek refuge in another country. They may live in refugee camps, urban areas, or temporary shelters as they await resettlement.
- International protection: Refugees are entitled to international protection under international law (including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol). They can seek asylum in another country that agrees to provide protection and basic rights.
- Vulnerabilities: Refugees are often among the most vulnerable people in the world, facing difficulties such as:
- Lack of access to basic needs: food, water, shelter, healthcare, education, and employment.
- Psychological trauma: Many refugees have experienced violence, loss, or displacement that leads to mental health challenges.
- Legal and social challenges: Navigating new countries’ legal systems, language barriers, and discrimination can be difficult.
Differences Between a Refugee and Other Types of Migrants:
While refugees are often confused with other types of migrants, there are significant differences:
- Migrants: Choose to move for reasons such as better job opportunities, education, or family reunification. Migrants are not fleeing immediate harm.
- Asylum Seekers: Individuals who are seeking refuge but have not yet been recognized as refugees by the host country. Once their claim is accepted, they are granted refugee status.
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): People who have been forced to flee their homes but remain within their own country’s borders. They have not crossed an international boundary, so they are not considered refugees.
Rights of Refugees in Canada (and other countries):
Once refugees are granted refugee status in a host country (such as Canada), they are entitled to several rights, including:
- Protection from deportation: Refugees cannot be sent back to their country of origin if they face the risk of harm.
- Access to basic needs: Refugees have the right to access healthcare, education, and housing.
- Right to work: In many countries, refugees can work to support themselves and their families.
- Family reunification: Refugees often have the right to bring close family members to join them in the host country once they are settled.
WHAT IS PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP OF REFUGEES (PSR)
Canada is a country of immigrants with a varied history of welcoming refugees and newcomers from all over the world. The many military campaigns in Southeast Asia during the 1970’s caused a mass exodus of refugees who desperately needed help and support. It was the plight and flight of these refugees that was the genesis of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program. Canadian churches and community groups recognized these people particularly needed support and so they worked tirelessly to find safe places for them to live in Canada. The Government of Canada formalized this process of Canadians sponsoring refugees from overseas in the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSR) in 1979. Canada was the first country in the world to have a refugee sponsorship program and it has now become a model for other countries around the world.
While the Government of Canada has many embassies and visa posts around the world many do not process refugee applications. This limitation leads to wait times of anywhere from 1 to 9 years before a refugee is interviewed, accepted, granted a visa and arrives in Canada. During this processing time the case must be reviewed regularly by the SAH and group and if the family composition, location or overall circumstances change the file must be amended and these changes identified to CIC to ensure these changes do not cause more delays in the process.
PSR WORKS
PSR is usually the fourth largest resettlement program in the world, after the governments of the USA, Canada, and Australia.
Refugees who arrive in Canada through the PSR program become self-supporting much more quickly than refugees who are completely supported by the government.
PSR is the only program in the world that allows private citizens to help refugees directly through the resettlement process.
WHY CANADA HELPS REFUGEES THROUGH PSR
- PSR is aligned with the Government of Canada’s objective of upholding Canada’s humanitarian tradition of protecting those in need.
- PSR is aligned with CIC refugee protection mandate, which is derived from the 2002 Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
- PSR supports the CIC strategic outcome of successful integration of newcomers and promotion of Canadian citizenship.
- Canada is one of 16 countries that take part in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) resettlement programs.
In 2002, Canada endorsed the UNHCR’s Agenda for Protection, which focuses on activities to strengthen international protection of asylum-seekers and refugees.
INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WANTING SPONSROSHIPS
Each year, we receive a significant number of requests to sponsor refugees—often from family members, friends, and even refugees themselves. We typically receive between 2,000 and 2,500 requests annually. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests, we are unable to respond to all of them.
As a Constituent Group, we work within the limitations set by the government’s sponsorship program, which means we can only submit sponsorship applications for a limited number of individuals—approximately 20-25 “named” refugees each year, depending on the quotas assigned to each SAH.
Sponsoring a refugee is a complex process that involves meeting specific rules and requirements. Each SAH operates differently, and our organization works closely with four SAHs across Ontario. Additionally, our involvement in the Community Sponsorship Programallows us to help even more people, though we still face constraints in terms of the number of applications we can process. Each sponsorship requires a substantial financial commitment and a dedicated group of volunteers to ensure its success.
When we work with sponsor groups, they often have a specific person or family in mind. It’s challenging to find new groups willing to sponsor individuals they don’t already know personally.
Although Canada’s refugee sponsorship program is a wonderful opportunity, the demand for it far exceeds the available capacity. Sadly, this means that most of the people who need sponsorship will not have access to it.
If we receive calls or inquiries from individuals in Ontario asking about sponsoring family members or friends, we do our best to explain the limitations of the program and offer to keep their contact information on file. However, we do not maintain a waiting list, as our ability to assist depends on many factors, and we already have contact information for thousands of people who have requested help.
The Private Sponsorship of Refugeesprogram and the Community Sponsorship Programare both incredible initiatives, but the demand continues to outpace the resources available, making it inaccessible to many people who need it.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN REFIGGE SPONSORSHIP
Refugee sponsorship involves a number of key players working together to help refugees settle and integrate into a new country. Here’s a breakdown of who is involved in refugee sponsorship:
- Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs)
SAHs are organizations that have a formal agreement with the government to sponsor refugees. These can include:
- Non-profit organizations
- Religious groups(e.g., churches, mosques, synagogues)
- Community groups
- Municipalities
- Colleges or universities
SAHs are responsible for overseeing the sponsorship process, ensuring that all rules and regulations are met, and helping to coordinate with local communities to provide the necessary support.
- Constituent Groups
Constituent Groups are smaller organizations or community groups that work with SAHs. They act as local partners who help raise funds, mobilize volunteers, and provide ongoing support for the refugees after they arrive.
- These groups can be churches, civic organizations, family groups, or local community associationsthat work under the guidance of an SAH.
- Private Sponsors (Individual/Group Sponsors)
Private sponsors are individuals or groups who come together to sponsor a refugee or family. Sponsors commit to:
- Financially supportingthe refugees for a specific period of time (typically 12 months) or until they are able to support themselves.
- Providing emotional and social supportsuch as helping refugees with housing, schooling, job searching, and navigating their new community.
Sponsors often work with Constituent Groups and SAHs to ensure that all the necessary steps are followed.
- Refugees (Beneficiaries)
The refugees themselves are at the heart of the sponsorship program. They are individuals or families seeking resettlement because of:
- Persecution
- Conflict
- Human rights violations
Refugees are nominated for sponsorship by sponsors or organizations, and their details are submitted to the government as part of the sponsorship process.
- The Canadian Government (IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
The government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), plays a critical role in:
- Selecting refugeesfor resettlement based on vulnerability and other criteria.
- Allocating quotasfor SAHs and organizations based on their capacity to sponsor refugees.
- Processing applicationsfor refugees and verifying that they meet the criteria for resettlement.
The government also provides financial assistancefor refugees once they arrive, in the form of Settlement Assistance Program (SAP)and other support, though the primary responsibility for the first year of sponsorship lies with the sponsors.
- Settlement Service Providers
These are specialized agencies or organizations that help refugees once they arrive in Canada. They offer services like:
- Language classes
- Employment training
- Legal support
- Health care orientation
- Cultural integration programs
Some settlement service providers may be part of SAHs or work closely with them to help refugees adjust to their new lives in Canada.
- Volunteers
Volunteers play an essential role in supporting refugee sponsorship. These volunteers:
- Help with fundraising
- Offer language assistance
- Provide transportation, housing, and emotional support
Volunteers are typically part of Constituent Groups or independent community organizations that work with sponsors to provide practical help to refugees.
- Local Communities
In many cases, local communities are involved in welcoming and supporting refugees. Community members:
- May help provide housing or jobs.
- Welcome refugees to the neighborhood and assist in social integration.
- Offer cultural exchange and help refugees understand Canadian customs and norms.
DIFFERENT REFUGEE’S SPONSORSHIP PATHWAYS
BVORs receive 6 months of Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) funds from IRCC at the rates below, during months 2-7. Sponsors provide the rest.
Canada offers several refugee sponsorship pathways, each designed to help different groups of refugees depending on their circumstances, needs, and the type of support available. These pathways are designed to ensure that refugees can rebuild their lives in Canada with the right support systems in place.
Here’s a breakdown of the different refugee sponsorship pathways in Canada:
- Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR)
The Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR)program allows private individuals, groups, or organizations to sponsor refugees and provide financial and social support to help them resettle in Canada.
- Who Can Sponsor: Individuals, community organizations, churches, and other groups can apply to be sponsors. They must provide financial and emotional support to the refugee(s) for a minimum of one year (or until the refugee can support themselves).
How It Works:
- Sponsors nominate specific refugees for sponsorship (often family members, or others in need, including refugees overseas).
- Sponsors provide the refugees with financial support, housing, and help them integrate into Canadian society.
- SAHs (Sponsorship Agreement Holders) oversee the process, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations.
Who Is Sponsored:
- Refugees referred by private sponsors (often family members or other known individuals).
- Refugees living in refugee camps, urban settings, or those displaced in unsafe regions.
- Support Provided: Sponsors must help with housing, finances, employment search, language classes, and integration into the Canadian community.
- Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR)
The Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR)program is for refugees who need the most support and who do not have any private sponsors. These refugees are referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)or other referral organizations.
- Who Can Sponsor: The Canadian government is the sponsor for these refugees.
How It Works:
- The Canadian government, through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), selects refugees to resettle in Canada.
- GARs are provided with financial support and settlement services upon arrival in Canada.
Who Is Sponsored:
- Refugees who are most vulnerable, such as women at risk, children, survivors of torture, and those from conflict zones.
- Support Provided: The government provides a basic financial settlement allowance (typically for up to a year) and connects the refugees with settlement services to help with language, employment, and social integration.
- Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program
The Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR)program combines both government and private sponsorship. In this program, the Canadian government provides partial support, while private sponsors take on the remaining financial and settlement responsibilities.
- Who Can Sponsor: Private sponsors (individuals or community groups) work with the government to support refugees.
How It Works:
- The government selects refugees from UNHCR referrals.
- The refugee is matched with private sponsors who provide financial and emotional support for the first 6 months to a year.
- The government contributes to the financial support for the refugee for up to 6 months after arrival, ensuring a blended approach between government and private assistance.
Who Is Sponsored:
- Refugees selected by the government from UNHCR referrals.
- Those who may not be eligible for full government assistance but require some support to rebuild their lives in Canada.
Support Provided:
- The private sponsors provide housing, social services, and financial support for the refugee.
- The government helps with a portion of the financial support for up to 6 months.
- Community Sponsorship Program (CSP)
The Community Sponsorship Program allows entire communities to get involved in refugee sponsorship. While not a formal federal program, it is an extension of private sponsorship efforts that allows local communities, including local businesses, municipalities, and various groups, to help refugees settle.
Who Can Sponsor: Communities or groups that include local churches, businesses, schools, or municipalities.
How It Works:
- Local groups, in partnership with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), work together to provide resources and financial support to refugees.
- It engages the community in the settlement process, ensuring refugees are welcomed and integrated by a wider network of local supporters.
Who Is Sponsored:
- Refugees who are referred by UNHCR or other agencies. Typically, refugees who are particularly vulnerable or are part of community-driven initiatives.
Support Provided:
- Financial support from the community for a specified period.
- Emotional and social integration support, including help with employment, schooling, and language classes.
- Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) Program
The Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS)program is designed for refugees with specific needs who require both the support of the government and additional private sponsorship due to their vulnerabilities. This often includes survivors of torture, or refugees with serious health or psychological needs.
Who Can Sponsor:
The Canadian government, in partnership with private sponsors (individuals or groups), supports refugees under this program.
How It Works:
- The government selects refugees who are particularly vulnerable (e.g., survivors of torture, individuals with severe medical needs, etc.).
- The refugee is sponsored by both the government (which provides financial support) and a private sponsor (which helps with settlement).
Who Is Sponsored:
- Vulnerable refugees with special needs, such as those who have experienced severe trauma or need extensive medical care.
Support Provided:
- The government covers basic financial support for up to 12 months, while the private sponsors provide additional financial and emotional support.
- Extensive settlement services, including medical and psychological support, are provided to help refugees adjust.
HOPE IN YOUR HEARTS STORIES
Welcome to my world!
My name is Sara. I was born in Iran, in August of 1979, raised in a non-Muslim family where we practiced Baha’s faith.
Welcome to the life of a woman who decided once and for all push through life’s most difficult barriers! Allow me to take you to the incredible journey of a courageous woman who refused to let life’s toughest challenges bring her down.
At just 14 years old, I got marry a Muslim man despite not being of the same faith. It was a difficult and trying time for me, but I persevered and became a mother to two beautiful children – a daughter with stunning green eyes and a baby son. Although I was young, I embraced motherhood with all my heart and did my best to provide for them. It wasn’t easy, but I found strength and resilience within myself to overcome the challenges that came my way. Today, I stand tall as a survivor of forced marriage and a proud mother who has raised two wonderful children. My story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable human spirit.
At the young age of 21, I made the decision to leave my abusive marriage after seven long years of enduring both physical and emotional abuse. It takes immense courage to take this step, and I applaud my strength and resilience. Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and I stood with myself in my journey to safety and freedom.
At just 21 years old, I was separated from my children and left with no visitation rights. But instead of giving up, I decided to push through and overcome every obstacle in my path. My unwavering determination and resilience have inspired countless others to do the same. My whole life journey is the story of hope and triumph.
It was an absolute heartbreaking reality that in Iran, the Islamic Republic dismisses my rights as a non-Muslim mother. What’s worse, my ex-husband sued me to the supreme court of justice for returning to my Bahai parents, claiming that I was turning my back on Islam. As a result, I lost my custody rights and was denied access to my own children.
Following nearly two years of going back and forth to the Family Courts and the Islamic Republic Courts to fight for my right to visit my children, my attorney advised me that the court of justice would be against me and that I could suffer persecution, imprisonment, and ultimately execution.
My life story, is the story of bravery, is the story of a mother of two who overcame unimaginable obstacles to escape the horrors of Iran and find a new home in Turkey. I RAN with nothing but my bare feet and the help of human smugglers, whom I consider my angels, as my life savers, in the hope of finding peace in a land far, far away from my motherland country: Iran!
I-Ran from IRAN not only to save my life, but also to provide a future for my children.
Leaving one’s homeland is never an easy decision, but when it becomes a matter of life and death, it becomes necessary. For me, leaving Iran was the only way to ensure my safety. Despite the emotional toll of leaving behind my children and my family, I made the difficult decision to start a new life elsewhere. This harrowing experience highlights the importance of valuing human life above all else, and the strength of my spirit in the face of adversity.
I never gave up, never gave in, and never lost hope.
I’ve always felt that there is hope in our hearts and that all we need to do is keep that hope alive in order to move forward and weather life’s storms. In 2003, I requested asylum in Turkey, and in August 2004, I was awarded permanent status in Canada.
Toronto Pearson Airport witnessed my tears cascading down my cheeks like waterfalls on two significant dates: August 4th, 2004, when I arrived in Canada for the first time, and April 4th, 2014, when I finally held my children in my arms after 13 years being apart. With the help of my lawyer, and IRCC I was able to sponsor my children to Canada in 2014.
I always believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. My light is the brightest one. I have suffered and sacrificed enough for that day to come. I marked April4th 2014 in my life calendar as the luckiest day of my life. My family became complete. I have a loving husband and a set of beautiful twins Sophie and Sam. And miraculously, Maral and Danial came to Canada to reunite with me. Ever since I came to Canada, I kept on writing in my dairies, longing for that specific day, thinking it will never happen. I would write up scenarios and create short stories on how this day would be, thinking it would never happen. I had created false hope, I had created a world I would enter happily, each night when I would write in my diary. I would daydream, and smile at could be, what would be.
April 4th, 2014 was the most amazing and astonishing day of my life. I brought my family together. I worked hard for my life. Where I am standing now, is the place I chose to be. Happy, lucky, and feeling wanted.
Ten years passed, and I still remember the day I was awaiting my children’s arrival in Toronto Pearson’s airport. They got all their belongings and walked towards the exit door. I started to count, 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7, 8, and 9,10. The door opened, and there they were. I screamed so hard and ran towards them. Our bodies met each other. My feet trembling out of control, I was about to faint and fall. My son Danial’s arm wrapped around my waist and held me up. My daughter, Maral’s arms around my neck. My face was bombarded with kisses. All I could hear was their sweet adolescent voices. “Mom, mom I love you!” They would say and I, crying and screaming. My heart was so exciting and happy. We kissed and cried for not sure how long. The world around us disappeared, my family disappeared, my only family was there holding me. My face was so numb. All my nerves felt like they were dancing in my body. I held them in my arms for good five minutes, hating the idea that I had to let go for them to be greeted by the others. The last years rushed in my head. I suffered so much in silence. My fake, happy mask was always on. The mask that was protecting me all this year, would finally break and I would genuinely smile from the core, from my soul. My babies were finally here. I was able to hold their hands, admire their fingers, and take in their sweet perfume and cologne, mixed with the smell of the air in the airplane they sat in for hours just to re-enter my life. I was able to listen to them speak perfect Farsi. I was able to learn that Maral had a sweet shake in her voice and admire the beautiful Shirazi accent of Daniel’s. I was able to look into their eyes, and see they were me, my essence. I did not want anything else from life.
My life was complete at that point, and I promised myself that I would find the best ways to assist refugee women, and their children from other countries in settling in Canada.
That is how “Hope in Your Heart” came to life! This is the way I intend to leave an example of courage for future generations; this is the way I’ve decided to devote my life to helping people who are desperate to find a place to call home. Canada is my safe haven, my home, the place that restored me, and the glue that reunited my family.
I founded the “Hope in Your Heart” Constituent Group on March 16, 2019, and as its team leader, I began organising three groups of volunteer women to come together recognizing that new immigrants and refugees in Canada require assistance in settling down in a new country and begin their new lives.
As a result, I went through an extensive training to be able to form the constituent Group. In 2019, I partnered up with the Mennonite Committee Central Ontario (MCCO) and the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Canada to assist IRCC (Immigration Refugees & Citizenship Canada) with their resettlement programmes.
Ever since, I have been providing direct services to new immigrants and refugees in the areas of integration, settlement, adaption to life in Canada, and skills and education development. Ever since, I have left my heart space open to fully delve into the ocean of kindness and compassionate work. Through helping others, my heart has been healing as well.
“HOPE IN YOUR HEART” has been officially registered as a Not-for-Profit Iranian Women Organization where we provide re-settlement services to Refugee families through Refugee Sponsorship Program, as well as Blended Visa Office Referred.
My team and I are dedicated to making a difference in our community. That’s why we are excited to announce our pursuit of charitable status with CRI. With this status, we will be able to expand our reach and impact, making a meaningful difference in the lives of even more individuals.
Let us make a difference in the community by illuminating the dazzling light of hope in all that we do.
Sara Izadi
Founder/ Chair of the Board