SAFE's mission is to sponsor refugee families displaced from their homes by war to resettle and start a new life in the Antigonish and surrounding rural regions of Northeastern Nova Scotia. SAFE, Syria-Antigonish Families Embrace, recently formed in Antigonish for the purpose of sponsoring a Syrian refugee family displaced from their home by war to resettle and start a new life in the Antigonish a
rea. Many of us have listened to the violence, destruction and trauma inflicted on the Syrian people by a brutal civil war that is now in its fifth year. Canada has committed to resettle 10,000 Syrians over the next three years and is asking private groups to sponsor approximately 60% of those seeking refuge. At this point in time, approximately 11 million of Syria’s citizens are displaced from their homes. As the situation continues to deteriorate, roughly 4 million people have fled Syria to neighbouring countries. They have little hope of returning home safely; they have lost their homes and possessions, and their families have been forced to scatter and seek temporary refuge wherever they can. Our plan is to bring a Syrian family to the Antigonish area by next summer (2016). To do this we will need to:
• raise approximately $20,000 to cover one half of the family’s living expenses for 12 months while they adjust to life in Canada. The Canadian government will provide additional monies through the Resettlement Assistance Program.
• support the family in all aspects of settling into our community. This will mean securing housing, supporting the children in adjusting to school, and helping with language skills, accessing health care and finding employment. Along with community members, we are inviting our church communities, businesses and municipal councils to get involved and to consider ways to help. Raising the initial funds is our first priority. We welcome individual donations and expressions of support. And, we invite you to undertake a fundraising endeavour that will help spread the word across the community about the work of SAFE. Through our partnering with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), we are able to offer income tax receipts for donations over $50. Once the majority of funds are raised, an invitation will go out to a family identified by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees to come to Canada. The family can arrive within months of the funds being raised and a plan is in place to re-settle. Please let us know how you would like to help. If you would like us to meet with you to talk about SAFE, we would be pleased to do so. SAFE meets every second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm at the People’s Place Library, Main Street, Antigonish. Thank you for caring.
