McDougall United/Christ Moravian Experiences with Refugees 2015-2025
It was in 2015 that McDougall partnered with three other local United churches to co-sponsor a Syrian family to come to Canada. In 2020 we began a partnership with Christ Moravian to support newcomers already in Canada. It seems time to reflect on what we have learned and once more to thank you all for your support over the years. The information below was compiled based on input from our group members.
In 2025 the refugee sponsorship program is much more expensive than in 2015. There are many more forms to complete and a much longer waiting time for families to arrive. You are lucky to connect with a Sponsorship Agreement holder to work with. For this reason we typically approach a local settlement agency and ask them to recommend a family already in Canda that wants and needs extra help. Using this approach we have helped 8 families (54 individuals) settle in Canada. Typically, based on the needs of the family, this involves advocating with institutions, volunteer led ESL, food delivery, socializing, and soliciting donations for furniture, clothing, refurbished computers and bicycles.
Greatest Successes
when families we have been supporting no longer need us; attending Canadian citizenship ceremonies (4 to date)
over a 9 year period supporting the perseverance of a young Syrian mother of 4 to learn English, get job training, get a job, ensure her children are fed and in school, and become Canadian citizens
helping a very young newcomer resolve a debt which the bank was insisting she repay when she got caught up in a money laundering scheme
advocating with Alberta Labour and other provincial agencies to get fair treatment e.g. when an Alberta employer underpays or does not pay a refugee (frequent occurrence)
the church and community ‘s immediate response when asked to donate funds which helped a large Palestinian family escape from starvation and death in Gaza to Egypt, and later funded another Palestinian family come to Canada from Egypt
when we were overloaded and could not help, connecting an Afghan permanent resident with Scarboro United Church and the Anglican Diocese of Calgary sponsorship agreement holder. They have successfully applied to bring her family hiding in Islamabad to Canada (now at Stage 2 of the process)
having newcomers reach out to us
helping a family get suitable winter clothing
the responsiveness and encouragement of our congregations over 10 years when we request funds, furniture, clothing.
Greatest learnings
always, what we learn about ourselves and Canadian culture
respect for newcomers’ courage, trust, gratitude, strong faith, strong values, expertise
finding government resources that can help
how challenging life in Canada is for so many newcomers and how lucky we are to live in Canada
the incredible support families give each other and the happiness they find with each other in very difficult circumstances
Challenges
language and cultural barriers – when does ‘yes’ really mean yes and when is it a polite ‘no’
empowering them with knowledge to make their own decisions rather than thinking we know best
logistics – simply arranging visits
Calgary is a big city. Cheaper accommodation is in the north east. Our group members tend to live in the south east. This means all visits must be planned.
helping them with their job searches when as retirees we have few work connections
not being familiar with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processes; knowing what support they have received thus far so we know how to help
moving even briefly into their culture e.g. being invited to the women’s celebration of a Palestinian wedding (how do we act? what do we wear? the dancing is different …)
What we would do differently
Find out their priorities - we should not assume they want/need what we would choose especially when it comes to furniture.
empowering them with the ability to say no vs. them going along out of a sense of obligation
when Canadian Border Services rejects requests for asylum at the border never hire a lawyer to appeal as this decision will not change
meet at a library for ESL vs. at their homes; learn how to teach ESL
What is fun?
spending time together, learning about the differences of life in their country and in Canada. Feeling we are helping them adjust to their new life and that we are giving them a good foundation.
social outings and developing relationships
relearning charades - trying to communicate with each other with no common language
birthday parties; watching the children play soccer; trying new food
the amazing opportunities this work provides to meet truly remarkable people
Learn more about the Refugees groups amazing work by visiting their webpage.
