A busy, productive month!

by Trisha Dempsey

An update is long over due! It has been nearly a month since our last blog post, and that month has been a busy one!

Here is a list of what we have accomplished since our first fundraiser on November 14th: 

• We formed a core sponsorship group of five people who were then assigned different responsibilities (e.g. financial oversight, fundraising, communications, housing, etc.). These individuals then reached out to our broader networks and formed various committees to tackle different tasks. We are in daily communication with each other! 

• We submitted our Intake Forms and Settlement Plan to Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (our sponsorship agreement holder), along with a cheque for $10,212; the portion of the funds raised that will be used for the refugee family's monthly income for 6 months. Accomplishing these steps means that we are now in a position to now be matched with a family through the Blended Visa-Office Referred Program! This matching process could happen as early as January. 

• Since our first fundraiser (the dinner on Nov. 14th), we have hosted an additional two more fundraising events. There was a Classic Christmas Movie Night on Dec. 4th, and a Book and Bake sale on  Dec. 11th. Thanks to these events, and the donations we have received in cash, through Paypal, or e-transfer, we have raised a total of $12,602 towards our goal of $17,000 to sponsor a family of three or four! Thank you to all our volunteers who have contributed to organizing and running the successful fundraising events, and to our generous donors! 

• After much searching and lengthy discussions, we have settled on the accommodations for the refugee family we will soon be matched with. One of the Refugees Belong group members has an apartment in Lower Sackville that will be available in January 2016 - this will be the perfect landing space for our family!

• We have created a list of household items we need to collect for the family to furnish and equip their new home. Many different individuals and groups have offered their assistance with gathering together all the necessary items. Thank you! If you would like to help us collect necessary household items (e.g. furniture, appliances), please email us at refugeesbelong@gmail.com. 

• PODS Halifax donated one of their storage units to us to hold the household items we will be collecting for the family while we await their arrival. Thank you PODS Halifax!

Whew, and that is the abbreviated version! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook for updates as well!

Finally, what are you doing today (Dec. 18th)? Christmas shopping? Errands? Work? If you are in the vicinity of downtown Halifax, be sure to visit Refugees Belong at the Pop-up Cafe & Market at 1587 Barrington Street (The Chameleon). It is a wonderful community fundraising event for incoming refugee families.