The Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) - the first of its kind- marched with the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremony on August 5, 2016. The ten athletes “… represent a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware of the magnitude of this crisis. It is also a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society. These refugee athletes will show the world that despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced, anyone can contribute to society through their talent, skills and strength of the human spirit.” IOC President Thomas Bach
Olympic Games Rio 2016
What is World Refugee Day?
Every year on June 20, World Refugee Day is a chance to focus the world's attention on:
the plight of refugees and displaced people around the world
the causes of their exile
their resolve and will to survive, and
how they contribute to Canada
Canada is committed to helping refugees and has one of the largest refugee resettlement programs in the world.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/world/index.asp Do you have questions about how to sponsor a refugee?
For general information about sponsoring a refugee, check out:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/results-by-topic.asp?st=11.1 For information on how you can get involved and become a sponsor or for questions regarding the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, see http://www.rstp.ca/en/
To celebrate Canada Day 2016, there were 44 special citizenship ceremonies across Canada. These ceremonies welcomed new citizens and highlighted the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens.
One of those ceremonies was held at the Seneca Queen Theatre in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Congratulations to Canada’s new citizens!
Niagara Responds Niagara Responds Niagara Falls churches-St. John the Evangelist Anglican, Holy Trinity Anglican in Chippawa, and First Baptist Church Niagara Falls-pooled their resources to help bring a Syrian refugee family of five to Canada from Lebanon. The three churches formed the Niagara Falls Ecumenical Refugee Group and set about ways they could help raise the approximately $30,000 it would cost to sponsor and bring the family to Canada.
Syrian Refugee Re-Settlement – Find Help and Give Help with 211
Many communities across Ontario are getting ready to welcome thousands of Syrian refugees in the coming weeks and months, and 211 is here to help! 211 is available by phone, 24/7, in more than 150 languages to help newcomers learn about the services available, and understand how to access them. See brochure in English, Arabic and French http://www.incommunities.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Syrian-211_Information_Card_Multi-languages.pdf
Syrians in Niagara Open House-Over 400 people in attendance to meet and greet Syrians new to Niagara at this event organized by Niagara Folk Arts. There was Syrian food, music and dancing as well as information on how Niagara is welcoming Syrian families to the community.
Information sessions for Private Sponsors-were held throughout the region. The sessions were designed to share information with sponsor groups and allow for questions and answers from settlement agency staff. Settlement staff also provided information on the supports that are available to sponsor groups as well as supports for newcomer families.
The Global Attractiveness Committee reached out to new residents of Niagara and community and development organizations to understand the key factors that will make the community a more attractive place for new Canadians to move to, invest in and raise their families.
#WelcomeRefugees
Updated as of August 14, 2016
Syrian refugees landed in Canada since Nov. 4, 2015
Government-Assisted Refugees 16,182
Blended Visa-Office Referred Refugees 2,896
Privately Sponsored Refugees 10,892
Total29,970
Number of communities across Canada welcoming Syrian refugees (outside Quebec) 308
Ontario’s Champion of Diversity Award (formerly the Newcomer Champion Award) will recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and employers in Ontario who play a crucial role in promoting immigrant success, economic growth, cultural diversity and inclusion. The nomination deadline will be in the fall of 2016.
Canada is 150 years old next year. NLIP is seeking opportunities to be included in any related events and activities happening in the community and is open to suggestions to commemorate this special time.
Niagara LIP is now on Twitter. We look forward to sharing information on upcoming events and initiatives that support newcomers in Niagara. Follow us @NiagaraLIP.
Niagara Local Immigration Partnership News
News
Tell us what you think:
We welcome your feedback on this newsletter!
Tell us what you like or how it could be improved. Send us your ideas and suggestions for future editions.
NLIP questionnaires now include the factors of a Welcoming Community. Specific to the Heartland Forest Nature Experience, the IEP Conference, the Cultural Pass/Package, and the most recent Summer Festival and Information Fair for Migrant Farm Workers, overall, individuals/families believe Niagara is a welcoming community.
Employment opportunities, affordable and suitable housing, available and accessible transit, diverse religions organizations, and favourable media coverage and representation are specific factors some individuals/families believe would help to make Niagara a morewelcoming community.
Research continues to be conducted on the needs and gaps of newcomers in the community.
2016 Cultural Pass Additional comments remarked: the Cultural Pass/Information Package is a very good way to introduce the newcomers in the Niagara community; Thank you for the Pass/Package and Please provide the number of passes according to the number of the family.
Get Involved:
If you or your organization would like more information, or you would like to become a part of a working group or have a success story to share, please contact lisa.garlent@niagararegion.ca
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Do you have questions about how to sponsor a refugee?
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Niagara Falls churches-St. John the Evangelist Anglican, Holy Trinity Anglican in Chippawa, and First Baptist Church Niagara Falls-pooled their resources to help bring a Syrian refugee family of five to Canada from Lebanon. The three churches formed the Niagara Falls Ecumenical Refugee Group and set about ways they could help raise the approximately $30,000 it would cost to sponsor and bring the family to Canada.
![c:\users\andrewsa\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\5d3sucfs\open-house2[1].jpg](27302_html_4b98771.jpg)
Syrians in Niagara Open House-Over 400 people in attendance to meet and greet Syrians new to Niagara at this event organized by Niagara Folk Arts. There was Syrian food, music and dancing as well as information on how Niagara is welcoming Syrian families to the community.
Information sessions for Private Sponsors-were held throughout the region. The sessions were designed to share information with sponsor groups and allow for questions and answers from settlement agency staff. Settlement staff also provided information on the supports that are available to sponsor groups as well as supports for newcomer families.
![c:\users\andrewsa\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\8msdnl8y\worldchildren[1].jpg](27302_html_b12d3b1.jpg)
The Global ![c:\users\andrewsa\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\bnj4w9op\refugees-welcome-campac-1024x348_klein[1].jpg](27302_html_m3d31ecd0.jpg)
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Ontario’s Champion of Diversity Award (formerly the Newcomer Champion Award) will recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and employers in Ontario who play a crucial role in promoting immigrant success, economic growth, cultural diversity and inclusion. The nomination deadline will be in the fall of 2016.
Canada is 150 years old next year. NLIP is seeking opportunities to be included in any related events and activities happening in the community and is open to suggestions to commemorate this special time.
![c:\users\andrewsa\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\pgaiqfyb\twitter_logo_volt1[1].png](27302_html_35abff2c.png){kind=small}
Niagara LIP is now on Twitter. We look forward to sharing information on upcoming events and initiatives that support newcomers in Niagara. ![c:\users\andrewsa\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.ie5\rgc5jf1v\researchgeneratingresults2[1].gif](27302_html_1323429a.gif)
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