Office for Refugees

371 Old Kingston Road, Unit A
Scarborough, Ontario, M1C 1B7
Tel:(416) 645-0827; Fax: (416) 287-0800
email: refugeeoutreach@archtoronto.org

General Overview

Although newly established, staff members working in the Office for Refugees have numerous years of experience working on refugee issues. The Office’s main focus is the Private Refugee Sponsorship Program of the Archdiocese, which in the last year submitted cases to bring close to 150 refugees to Canada, thanks to the help of institutions within the Archdiocese participating in the program! The Office works to bring refugees overseas to Canada all the while fostering a sense of community within the Archdiocese, as parishes and religious orders are asked to work together to help newcomers integrate into Canadian society.

Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program: An agreement between the Archdiocese of Toronto and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, allows for parishes, religious orders and other related groups within the Archdiocese to privately sponsor refugees. This is a commitment to help newcomers successfully integrate whether through moral, logistical and/or monetary support. For thirty years this program has been successfully integrating newcomers, and with refugees numbering in the millions, there is no doubt still a need for the faithful to become involved in this rewarding experience.

Mission and Values:

• The Office assists the faithful and enables them to provide assistance for uprooted people by helping parishes, religious orders and Catholic institutions within the Archdiocese of Toronto to find durable solutions for refugees in need.
• The Office is a venue of communication, cooperation and collaboration for refugee serving organizations in the Archdiocese to improve the level of services provided by Catholic Organizations.
• The Office operates in accordance with the Ten Building Blocks of Catholic Social Justice Teachings and with generally respected values, philosophy and principles of the Catholic Church

Goals:

• To bring to Canada through the PSR program, in proportion to the resources available within the Archdiocese, as many privately and government referred refugees as is possible.
• Ensure the successful settlement and integration of sponsored refugees into the Canadian society.
• Engage and enable as many communities, parishes, religious orders, chaplaincies, Catholic institutions and related groups to become involved in refugee work, particularly the PSR program, and to guarantee a high level of involvement from the faithful within the Archdiocese. 
• Establish an effective network of communication, collaboration, information and experience sharing, and training among refugee workers within the Archdiocese.
• Provide valuable information, training, and assistance to the numerous volunteers involved in sponsorship work and refugee issues in general.

SERVICES OFFERED

Information Sessions – In the office on a regular basis the Office holds general immigration and refugee information sessions open to the public. The goal of these sessions is not only to ensure that people understand the Private Sponsorships of Refugees (PSR) Program, but that they are also empowered with the knowledge on all the ways are person can legally enter into Canada.

Parish Information Nights – When requested the Office is available to provide information nights to parish councils, committees or just interested parishioners, on general refugee issues; the situation in Iraq; the PSR Program, etc… Please inquire with our office if you are interested in hosting an information night.

Training – The Office provides training to those interested in learning more about settlement and integration on an ongoing basis. Additionally, there is a Refugee Sponsorship E-training course available to individuals interested in becoming ‘experts’ in this field.

Referrals – Although our main focus is the PSR Program the Office can assist parishes, religious orders, chaplaincies, Catholic institutions and related groups in finding professional referrals in regards to refugee and immigrations issues or advocacy methods. Please contact our office and we will do our best to determine your need and refer you accordingly.

Overseas Referral Agency – The Office is currently in the process of developing an overseas referral agency. Our goal is to establish an agency overseas that would be able to refer refugees to the government resettlement programs as well as the PSR program.

Volunteers/Parish and Community Inquiries:  
Phone: (416) 645-0827 Ext: 104
refugeeoutreach@archtoronto.org

Inquiries on cases in process:
Phone: (416) 645-0827 Ext 105
refugee@archtoronto.org

Catholic sponsorship network/ Persecuted religious minorities:
Phone: (416) 645-0827 Ext: 106

General Issues:
Phone: (416) 645-0827 Ext: 100
refugeeoffice@archtoronto.org

http://www.archtoronto.org/arch_offices/refugee.html