Fall Newsletter Update
Written By Inasmuch Community Society
Inasmuch supports Refugee Claimants (those seeking asylum in Canada) through transitional housing and wrap around services including settlement support, food, transportation to immigration check ins and community.
Before and After
What date divides your life into 'before' and 'after?' Graduation? Your wedding? The birth of your child? The families we serve are tormented by one date: the day they fled. Leaving friends, family, home, school and pets, they felt terror as they sped to the airport. They held their breath while waiting to board their flight. Refugee claimants never forget that fateful day that divides life into before and after.
Before, they were harassed, threatened, deathly afraid. After, they are in Canada - safe! They can exhale. But now they face new roadblocks in the aftermath. No home, no community, perhaps little or no English. No friends and no knowledge of how to navigate their new reality.
That's where you come in.
Join the Inasmuch Community and give a gift more powerful than anything that can be wrapped and put under the tree... give hope to a refugee claimant family new to Canada.
Give Hope Through Meeting a Financial Need
$50 provides a grocery gift card
$100 puts gas in our van for resident immigration check-ins (Vancouver)
$150 fills the fridge upon arrival
$250.00 Provides a start up hamper of household goods
$500 supplements a family's rent for a month
Volunteering to be a Community Bridge Builder
Donating Household Items
October Highlights
91 -students currently enrolled in our ESL Program with Sevenoaks Church
Just over 6000 pounds of food distributed to people in need
30 Refugee Claimants received settlement support
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Since 2015 through support of churches, individuals and local businesses Inasmuch has provided:
145 Refugee Claimants with transitional housing and supports (average stay 6 months to 1 year)
71 additional Refugee Claimants with settlement services (living outside Inasmuch)
Workshops, training or ESL classes for hundreds of Newcomers
We are just getting started!
We are looking to expand our number of rental units in the New Year and at the same time we are investigating all other possibilities including some creative ideas.
The need for affordable transitional housing is at an all time high and many families are facing homelessness.
It will take churches, local businesses and individuals to provide the finances, volunteers, furnishings and employment opportunities to support these Newcomers.
I invite you to join us in helping more families and individuals who so desperately need our support.
Contact Kelly if you'd like to hear more.